{"id":68722,"date":"2020-07-06T13:43:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T11:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=68722"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:52:31","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:52:31","slug":"how-to-rebuild-your-supply-chain-resilience-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-to-rebuild-your-supply-chain-resilience-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How to: (Re)build your supply chain resilience during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/growth-customers\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Growth &amp; Customers<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to: (Re)build your supply chain resilience during COVID-19\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2020-07-06T13:43:40+02:00\">July 6, 2020<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to: (Re)build your supply chain resilience during COVID-19\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-to-rebuild-your-supply-chain-resilience-during-covid-19\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/gerhardhartman\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/04\/Gerhard-Hartman-Sage-10-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Gerhard Hartman<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Supply chains are complex business networks with the inherent risk of unexpected disruptions.&nbsp; In fact, most organisations identify supply chain risk as their biggest threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet most companies lack adequate plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/covid-19-why-south-african-manufacturers-should-reconsider-their-supply-chain\/\">COVID-19<\/a> has revealed these gaps in the global supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since China is South Africa&#8217;s biggest trading partner, the strain is felt by local businesses that have built their markets on the global trade network. Some are trying to cope with fewer people, while others have seen a dramatic decrease in productivity as customer spending changed drastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accelerated trade growth in recent years means that today&#8217;s global supply chains are extremely complex, with manufacturers and distributors vulnerable to just about any disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact of China\u2019s prolonged production shutdown between January and March has certainly affected local businesses and manufacturers as they try to deal with the chain reaction of events. The manufacturing sector contributes 14% to SA\u2019s GDP, but during the first quarter of 2020, the seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers\u2019 Index (PMI) experienced its weakest quarterly performance since 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-covid-19-affects-supply-chains\">How COVID-19 affects supply chains<strong>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Procurement of raw materials and finished products,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Labour, with more people in quarantine,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sourcing, with travel restrictions making new business arrangements challenging, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logistics, with disruption affecting capacity and availability at established hubs and supply networks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what should you do in the short and medium-term in terms of contingency planning and what measures should you put in place to ensure you are as prepared as possible in the long run?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are immediate and long-term business continuity steps that you should take to future-proofing the supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"8\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Put your people first.<\/strong> Your people are your most critical resource, and they\u2019re also having a hard time. Which work arrangements are useful in keeping them engaged and productive?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monitor your ecosystem. <\/strong>Implement a system to get full visibility into your supply chain, especially in countries affected by the Coronavirus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Develop an emergency plan.<\/strong> What if your factory has a confirmed case of Coronavirus? Establish communication and coordination processes, designate responsibility for decision &#8211; making and communication with customers and suppliers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep your inventory close.<\/strong> Move stock from hard-hit areas and distribution hubs; find local suppliers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Know your and your customers\u2019 legal rights.<\/strong> Get legal advice about your responsibilities if you can\u2019t get supplies to customers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Review your customer contracts. <\/strong>If you cannot fulfil your commitments, a clear understanding of your terms will allow you to plan and prioritise your response.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Build a buffer.<\/strong> How can your supply chain be diversified to balance supply and demand?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diversify<\/strong> your supply chain and revisit your risk management approach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Work with stakeholders <\/strong>and your most critical suppliers to prepare for potential material and manufacturing capacity shortages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Review business forecasts<\/strong> and run scenarios to determine where you are at risk now (and may be in the future).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-steps-to-consider-in-the-future\"><strong>Steps to consider in the future:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-technology-enabled-supply-chain-visibility\"><strong>Technology-enabled supply chain visibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">COVID-19 highlighted the importance of complete visibility in the supply chain<\/mark>. You should follow alternative plans if you know how the change impacts the ecosystem such as creating routes to other suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications integrate all business areas and connect customers and suppliers. A connected environment helps you identify supply chain exposure, manage or mitigate risks, and reduce disruption effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern business management solutions leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning-powered platforms to illuminate supply networks and reveal a level of detail that was previously thought impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-diversify-risk\"><strong>Diversify risk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">Nearly 75% of companies reported supply chain disruption due to the Coronavirus \u2013 and 44% didn\u2019t have a plan to deal with it<\/mark>. Diversity is your best defence against disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t rely on one or two suppliers; find multiple suppliers for all your products, both locally and in neighbouring countries. If you\u2019re heavily dependent on Chinese imports, for example, consider a \u201cChina + 1\u201d strategy, which keeps China as your main supplier but also sources from local suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having facilities with local suppliers spreads the risk and could cut transportation costs. What&#8217;s more, you&#8217;ll help stimulate the economy, reduce economic cash outflows, and support job creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prepare-for-recovery\"><strong>Prepare for recovery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, things get better. Businesses equipped for the inevitable upswing will move faster and secure a larger share of the pent-up demand. They\u2019ll also strengthen relationships with their existing customers and attract new ones.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice enewsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get a roundup of our best business advice in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-84fe79b5-668d-41f8-a0cc-6229018c4ac9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/business-continuity\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness continuity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/supply-chain-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupply chain management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-76100 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-cloud-financial-management tag-financial-insights tag-profit-loss tag-supply-chain-management business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1213\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-1213x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-1213x810.jpg 1213w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-30T15:34:41+02:00\">April 30, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accounts-payable-management-best-practices\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAccounts payable best practices for AP management\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tFollow accounts payable best practices to strengthen vendor relationships and optimise cash flow. 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\/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-24T15:14:40+02:00\">November 24, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow manufacturers can unlock value from the circular economy\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-69137 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-inventory-management tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-digital-transformation-enables-the-shift-to-smart-sustainable-manufacturing\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-18T13:04:00+02:00\">November 18, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow digital transformation enables the shift to smart, sustainable manufacturing\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-69251 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-erp tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/7-ways-to-reduce-costs-in-manufacturing\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-17T15:28:40+02:00\">November 17, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t7\u00a0ways to reduce costs in manufacturing\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Supply chains are complex business networks with the inherent risk of unexpected disruptions.&nbsp; In fact, most organisations identify supply chain risk as their biggest threat. Yet most companies lack adequate plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions. COVID-19 has revealed these gaps in the global supply chain. Since China is South Africa&#8217;s biggest trading partner, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":803,"featured_media":466,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[350,212],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[346],"persona":[],"imagine_tag":[348,92,78,79],"coauthors":[428],"class_list":["post-68722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth-customers","tag-business-continuity","tag-supply-chain-management","business_type-medium-business","industry-manufacturing"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"Gerhard Hartman","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-489947758.jpg","imagine_tags":{"348":"Business Continuity","92":"Manufacturing","78":"Supply Chain Management","79":"Supply management"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice South Africa","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/803"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68722"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68722\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=68722"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=68722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}