Upcoming Election Puts Supply Chain on the Ballot

Eight in 10 respondents expect to see trucking action from their senators.

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The sharp focus on supply chain constraints and challenges will be on the ballot in 2022, with key states such as Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and New Hampshire, expecting their elected officials to act on solutions to prevent the next supply chain crisis, according to a Consumer Brands Association (CBA) poll.

“The country is at an inflection point where the supply chain’s vulnerabilities are exposed, and it is time to act on the lessons we have learned. But the window for meaningful action is shrinking. So is the patience of American voters, who will question why we didn’t do more to face future supply chain crises if we fail to act today,” according to CBA. “It took only one year for trucking capacity to become kitchen table conversation. In the next year, the state polls have made clear that these issues will move to the ballot box.”

“The CPG industry has proven essential, even more so in the last two years. Beyond being essential, the industry is also consequential. What affects CPG companies has a significant impact on the consumers it serves. And right now, nothing is affecting the industry — and consequently consumers — more than supply chain,” adds CBA. “Elected officials can’t afford to lose sight of the supply chain after New Year’s Day because its importance will not be lost on voters in the next election.”

From Consumer Brands Association:

  • Seven in 10 respondents have experienced shortages at grocery stores lately.
  • Nine in 10 respondents feel it’s important to expand trucking capacity next year to meet supply chain demands.
  • Eight in 10 respondents expect to see trucking action from their senators.
  • When asked about supply chain bottlenecks, the majority of residents in all four states — save one near majority (46%) on warehousing space — agreed that they present “major” or “big” issues.
  • The Top 5 ideas supported by voters include creating “air traffic control” to match empty trucks with available loads; offering Hours of Service flexibility to truck drivers; allowing reasonable increase in truck weight limits; government funding for truck driver recruitment and training; and government funding to accelerate production of new trucks.
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