Heavy Snowfall in Europe: What's the logistics impact?
By Stephen Cain | 01/21/2010
| 2:50 AM
Heavy snowfall in Europe this winter has impacted logistics operations on all fronts; airports have closed runways, large numbers of people weren't able to get to their work places, traffic at shops has been significantly lower, transportation of goods has been delayed, rail tracks have been frozen and roofs have been forced to carry more weight then usual. All in all, this weather disaster has caused lots of logistics chaos across Europe.
There is a direct influence on your logistic operations if roads or airports are not accessible. Usually, the government will only maintain the main roads and on some occasions there is even a need to close roads for safety reasons. This results in huge transportation chaos due to delays of inbound trucks and affords little guarantee for the delivery times of your outbound trucks.
Under such weather conditions your problems are further compounded given the uncertainty as to whether all your own personnel will be able to reach their work destinations. This prospect leads to lost productivity at the worst time. Imagine this occurring during the immediate weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays. Consumers react to these weather conditions by limiting their trips outdoors to buy only necessary things, accordingly some shops, for example luxury items or furniture, will have less sales which will in turn impact stock levels up and down the supply chain. Consequently, your stock and day to day normal processes have to be monitored and adjusted to the situation day by day.
During a long period of low temperatures and snowfall, ice dams form on plant and warehouse roofs. Ice dams are formed as follows; the heating in your plant, warehouse, office or just the sun, causes the snow to melt, the melting water will flow towards the gutters and downspouts. If the temperature is significantly below the freezing point the water will start to freeze when it hits the cold surfaces. Gutters and downspouts will get filled with ice, so the remaining melting water will be stopped by the ice dam and cannot properly drain off the roof. The remaining melting water will try to find its way via other holes and possible cracks in your roof. After leakage, the other major risk is that the roof cannot handle the weight of the snow and water and could eventually collapse, injuring personnel and/or damaging materials or stock. Such an event could literally force the closure of an operation, at least until repairs are made. In most cases, it's better to take preventive measures and remove the snow from your roof. To avoid such circumstances, it's best that you inspect and clean your roof, gutters and downspouts on a regular bases to prevent ice dams or leakages.
These are just a sampling of the kinds of logistics nightmares that can accompany such drastic and harsh weather conditions as we have just witnessed throughout Europe. These weather induced events can put your business at risk. Is your organization prepared to cope with such severe weather conditions? If not, it would be prudent to develop contingency plans for just such an event. This type of planning can make a big difference in how well your firm can weather the storm.
There is a direct influence on your logistic operations if roads or airports are not accessible. Usually, the government will only maintain the main roads and on some occasions there is even a need to close roads for safety reasons. This results in huge transportation chaos due to delays of inbound trucks and affords little guarantee for the delivery times of your outbound trucks.
Under such weather conditions your problems are further compounded given the uncertainty as to whether all your own personnel will be able to reach their work destinations. This prospect leads to lost productivity at the worst time. Imagine this occurring during the immediate weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays. Consumers react to these weather conditions by limiting their trips outdoors to buy only necessary things, accordingly some shops, for example luxury items or furniture, will have less sales which will in turn impact stock levels up and down the supply chain. Consequently, your stock and day to day normal processes have to be monitored and adjusted to the situation day by day.
During a long period of low temperatures and snowfall, ice dams form on plant and warehouse roofs. Ice dams are formed as follows; the heating in your plant, warehouse, office or just the sun, causes the snow to melt, the melting water will flow towards the gutters and downspouts. If the temperature is significantly below the freezing point the water will start to freeze when it hits the cold surfaces. Gutters and downspouts will get filled with ice, so the remaining melting water will be stopped by the ice dam and cannot properly drain off the roof. The remaining melting water will try to find its way via other holes and possible cracks in your roof. After leakage, the other major risk is that the roof cannot handle the weight of the snow and water and could eventually collapse, injuring personnel and/or damaging materials or stock. Such an event could literally force the closure of an operation, at least until repairs are made. In most cases, it's better to take preventive measures and remove the snow from your roof. To avoid such circumstances, it's best that you inspect and clean your roof, gutters and downspouts on a regular bases to prevent ice dams or leakages.
These are just a sampling of the kinds of logistics nightmares that can accompany such drastic and harsh weather conditions as we have just witnessed throughout Europe. These weather induced events can put your business at risk. Is your organization prepared to cope with such severe weather conditions? If not, it would be prudent to develop contingency plans for just such an event. This type of planning can make a big difference in how well your firm can weather the storm.
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