Coronavirus disrupted supply chains. Will it happen again if another wave arrives?

From toilet paper to milk, supply chain disruptions and shortages at the start of the coronavirus pandemic were noticed by consumers across the U.S. It became a useful learning experience that will be helpful if there’s a next wave later this year.

That’s the expectation of two panelists during a supply management presentation on Friday, May 8. Hosted by Western Washington University professor Peter Haug, the Zoom presentation was one of a series of presentations being organized by Western’s Alumni Association and the College of Business and Economics that focused on the impact COVID-19 is having in the community.

Given what’s been learned about the virus and what needs to be done to prevent it from spreading, Bill Best said he expects more success when it comes to reopenings and closures if hot spots develop. Best is the divisional vice president of the supply chain for REI, which had to deal with oversupply issues early on in the pandemic as state restrictions closed stores.