“The Economic Makers” Launch Survey on Supply Shortages

“The Economic Makers” are launching a survey on the topic of supply shortages to find out whether and how the supply shortage has been perceived by consumers. The shortage of truck drivers in the UK and the lack of skilled workers along global supply chains highlight the system-relevant supply function of logistics. In Germany, there is also a shortage of long-distance drivers as well as skilled and junior staff in logistics.

(Bremen) The increasing shortage of skilled workers in logistics poses challenges for international supply. Due to a shortage of up to 100,000 truck drivers in the UK, gas stations are running out of fuel. According to the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents about 5,500 gas stations, approximately two-thirds of its members have no fuel left. About 50 to 90 percent of all gas stations are already empty or at risk of running dry. Currently, there are shortages of gasoline and diesel at many gas stations in the UK, leading to long lines and panic buying. In the short term, drivers from the military are expected to help out.

In addition to the tense supply situation for fuel, other areas of daily life in the United Kingdom are also affected by the personnel shortage in logistics. Supermarkets have gaps on their shelves, many dairy farmers are stuck with their milk and may have to dispose of it in extreme cases, mattress shortages are reported at furniture stores, and wastewater treatment plants are lacking important chemicals. Overall, there is hardly any industry that is not suffering from shortages.

Labor Shortage is International

The situation for workers in logistics is also tense along the entire international supply chains. Recently, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and other industry associations addressed the heads of state at the United Nations General Assembly in an open letter, warning of a “collapse of the global transport system” if freedom of movement for logistics workers is not guaranteed. Travel bans and restrictions, as well as a lack of vaccine supply for seafarers, have significantly affected the well-being of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raising Awareness of the Importance of Logistics

“The tense supply situation due to the personnel shortage in logistics draws even more public attention to the system-relevant function of this economic sector. Logistics is of enormous importance for every economy and society – without it, hardly anything works. Therefore, it is all the more important to raise awareness of its services in the general public and to promote its diverse employment opportunities. Because the employees in logistics are the foundation for ensuring our supply,” says Frauke Heistermann, spokesperson for the initiative “The Economic Makers.”

Founded in 2019, the initiative aims to improve the image of logistics and advocate for the employer logistics. Logistics is the third largest economic sector in Germany, after the automotive industry and trade, with a total revenue of around 272 billion euros in 2020 (source: Fraunhofer Working Group for Supply Chain Services) and more than 3 million employees, making it one of the most significant employers in the country. On their initiative website and on relevant social media channels, “The Economic Makers” provide a wealth of information about logistics for interested young professionals and career changers, including “Logistics Insights,” job and “Logistics Heroes” profiles, as well as extensive topic brochures and guides on topics such as career entry or studying logistics. With their current campaign “Logistics is where I am,” they highlight the system relevance of logistics for the economy and society and promote its diversity.

Germany Also Lacks Tens of Thousands of Skilled Workers

In Germany, there is already a shortage of several tens of thousands of long-distance drivers as well as other skilled and junior staff. This means that the demand in the entire economic sector has been high for years and is likely to continue to rise in the future. The reason for this is the supply function of logistics for production, trade, and the population, as well as the growing online trade (e-commerce), which depends on reliable logistical handling of orders in terms of storage, transport, picking, and returns management.

In a survey, the initiative “The Economic Makers” addresses the topic of supply shortages and supply security. Participation is possible until October 13, 2021.

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently of Brexit have made it clear how sensitive global goods and supply chains are. Incidents such as the recent blockage of the Suez Canal by a container ship show how much citizens and businesses depend on reliably functioning supply chains.

Currently, many companies are struggling with shortages of construction and replacement parts, microchips for computers and cars, paper, bicycles, building materials like wood, or even transport capacities. With the short survey

 

“Supply Shortages – How is the Perception by the Public?”

 

The initiative “The Economic Makers” aims to find out whether and how these shortages are also felt by consumers.

The survey consists of a total of four questions and is available online until October 13, 2021, at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.de/r/5LRKF9X

The results will be published in October. To achieve a high level of significance, we kindly ask you to inform your readership about the survey. Of course, you are also warmly invited to participate yourself.

Title photo: © Loginfo24/Adobe Stock