At the stroke of midnight on October 1, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) began its strike, effectively shutting down the ports from Maine to Texas. This followed a disappointing negotiation process with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), the group representing the ports, as both sides were unable to agree on a new master contract. For months, the ILA and USMX exchanged statements back-and-forth accusing each other of refusing to negotiate in good faith and declining to meaningfully revise their respective offers. This remains unchanged even as we sit three days into a strike, with the American people and small businesses about to start feeling the pain.
The supply chain has seemingly been in ‘crisis mode’ since early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since then, we have experienced a series of significant disruptions: multiple rail strikes (including one this past summer and another narrowly avoided two years ago), labor disputes at West Coast ports, a drought in the Panama Canal limiting movement of containers, the ongoing turmoil in the Red Sea due to the Houthis, and the list goes on.
As leaders in the $27 billion chemical distribution industry, members of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) not only uphold the highest standards of regulatory compliance and safety, they are also meeting the evolving demands of our supply chain partners through commonsense sustainability initiatives.
I write this blog today with a heavy heart and an immense amount of frustration. For the last 14 months, we have fought to re-establish a critical program governing security for our industry, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, which was created in response to the devastating attacks on September 11, 2001, to protect our nation from similar threats.
In times of high inflation and labor shortages, staying informed about compensation and benefits trends and how it relates to your company’s offerings is critical to your overall success and employee retention. ACD was pleased to recently host a webinar with Greg Manns, CPA and Vice President of Industry Insights, Inc., on our survey results that provide an accounting of where we are as an industry and the economic trends that should inform our decision-making in the near- and long-term. If you are interested in purchasing these results and learning more, click here.
From cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations to crucial updates on the Superfund tax and expert media training, this year’s Northeast Region Meeting is set to tackle the most pressing topics shaping our industry.
Have you ever considered what goes into making the sunscreen that protects us in the summer months?
Chances are, you've applied sunscreen at least once since summer began. But have you ever considered the work and effort behind producing these essential creams and lotions? Chemical supply chain experts, like ACD member Coast Southwest, play a crucial role in making sure these products are available to keep you protected.
The Spring of 2019 was challenging for me. My youngest was struggling with health issues, my mother-in-law was fighting lung cancer, work was very busy, and family demands with three children were keeping my calendar full. In May, my mother-in-law lost her fight against cancer, and I was thrown into grief. Little did I know, my challenges were far from over.
The value of attending an event like the ChemEdge 2024 Trade Show and Conference is immeasurable. Happening in just a few weeks, this unique event is ideal for those in operations and regulatory roles, and provides a fantastic forum to share ideas, knowledge, and best practice – while also hearing from a selection of handpicked speakers and industry experts.
With summer in full swing, few things can beat having a swimming pool during July’s record-breaking heat waves. But one product is indispensable to treating them: chlorine.