How is it that we are in the final stretch of 2020? The end of the proverbial finish line approaches, and what a race it has been. In a way, it’s almost impossible to believe that the events that transpired in the beginning of the year that led to the onset of a global pandemic are a part of the very same year in which we will end with a COVID-19 vaccine.
2020 has inevitably changed each of us – personally, professionally, and perhaps, fundamentally. It has changed the way we view the world, the way we view office life, the way we connect with one another, what work-life balance looks like, and what it really means to be apart. We’ll never again underestimate a handshake, a smile, and maybe even look forward to a dreaded meeting in a conference room setting.
How we work, where we work, who does the work, and how the work is done is forever changed. A new era is dawning, we are building the agility to create value for our teams and customers no matter what the new normal brings.
But despite the world’s metamorphosis in 2020, one thing that has remained constant is the logistics and supply chain industry’s essential role to the core of society.
Amid the chaos, the confusion, and the uncertainty that ensued throughout the year, supply chains continuously supported the needs of the world at large, delivering critical supplies for the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and goods desperately needed to keep the world moving.
From PPE materials to ventilator equipment, disinfecting supplies and test vaccines to pharmaceutical goods and agriculture materials and everything in between, BDP International is honored and humbled to support our customers in their endeavors to move what matters, safely, especially during the turbulence of this year. I am so proud of our teams around the world who displayed resilience, personal resolve, and unwavering dedication to keeping our customers’ supply chain moving, day in and day out.
On that note, I thank you for the opportunity to serve and remain ever grateful for the partnership. While we have almost made it through the roller coaster ride of this year, and its accompanying blank sailings, rate volatility, capacity constraints, container shortages and even shippageddon, we have perhaps the biggest challenge ahead of us still. The COVID-19 vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic, but as we all know, the distribution process is a very intricate and multi-faceted process that may very well be the so-called mission of the century for supply chains.
We’ve proven how essential we are, and the logistics industry will forever be synonymous with the pandemic’s end. But there is still much work to be done.
As time runs out on 2020, and I’m sure you will join me is wishing it a swift goodbye, we look forward to a new year and a new world. We look forward to building new paths for success together. We have weathered the worst of storms and while the clouds may have stolen the sunrise this year, another one awaits no matter how foreboding the current clouds may appear. It is all a matter of perspective.
In closing, I wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season, and look forward to the brighter days ahead in 2021.
