Eli5: how have supply chains not recovered over the last two years?

Question

I understand how they got delayed initially, but what factors have prevented things from rebounding? For instance, I work in the medical field an am being told some product is “backordered” multiple times a week. Besides inventing a time machine, what concrete things are preventing a return to 2019 supplys?

In: 93

Answer 1

I work in the medical supply chain field and while it has gotten a lot better the past 6 months there is still a lot of catching up to do.

There still delays in every section of supply chain from raw goods shortages, manufacturing, ship freights, truck shipping, warehouse storage.

Some of it due to worker shortage/high turnover , catching up on older orders e.g. I’m just now receiving orders placed 6 months even a year ago sometimes.Aslo keep in mind hospital products all have expiration dates due to sterilization and usually any changes in a product have to go through an approval process.

I Also don’t think people realize how much product a hospital uses on a daily basis and limited amount of staff that is ordering and monitoring all that usage. The hospital I work at receives no less then 50 pallets a week just for medical supplies.