This blog post, by Earnest & Associates, is particularly valuable for distributors and members of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors as it delves into the critical importance of developing a sustainable supply chain strategy, especially highlighted by the challenges faced during the pandemic. It underscores the necessity for companies, particularly in distribution, to adopt both efficient and responsive supply chain strategies to remain competitive and profitable. The efficient strategy focuses on cost minimization and profit maximization, while the responsive strategy emphasizes flexibility and adaptability to changing conditions.

The post provides practical steps and considerations for building a sustainable supply chain, such as understanding customer needs, evaluating critical items, and establishing secondary supplier relationships. This is crucial for distributors to ensure continuous operation and customer satisfaction in the face of supply chain disruptions. The discussion on segmented versus single product line strategies further offers insights into managing product lines effectively for sustainable supply chain operations.