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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Hurricane Helene, the dockworkers' strike, and Middle East conflict threaten to upend the US economy.</li><li>Oil prices are up as conflict widens between Israel and Iran.</li></ul>A sudden flurry of global developments has the US economy staring down a troubling trifecta of major crises.Devastation from Hurricane Helene, a dockworkers' strike, and escalating conflict in the Middle East all threaten to scramble supply chains and inflate prices. The confluence of events comes just as the US economy is recovering from a years-long bout of elevated inflation. Coupled with a cooling but still-strong labor market, it looked possible the US would avoid a recession. These events could threaten that.While the effects of Iran's<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-attacks-israel-with-missiles-after-hezbollah-leader-killing-2024-10"> missile</a> attack on Israel on Tuesday are more speculative, the other two crises happening on American soil could have more predictable impacts. Experts point to direct impacts on the prices of goods like oil, food, and industrial equipment as well as infrastructure damage that would create knock-on effects across industries.For now, it's a waiting game. Many of the effects depend on how long the strike and cleanup last and how quickly the parties responsible for resolving them can act.<h2 id="bb66dc7c-8a7f-46f6-83fe-f763c7971b08">1. Escalation in the Middle East</h2>On Tuesday, the risk of a full-blown war between Iran and Israel escalated when Iran <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-attacks-israel-with-missiles-after-hezbollah-leader-killing-2024-10">launched a massive ballistic missile</a> attack on its adversary.It came less than a day after Israel ramped up its attacks on Hezbollah with an invasion of southern Lebanon. The heightening conflict also threatens to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-warns-severe-consequences-for-iran-after-attack-on-israel-2024-10">further entangle the US</a>, which announced it's sending additional fighter jets and thousands of troops to the Middle East to defend Israel and reinforce US troops already in the region.Since Iran's offensive, the price of oil has surged up, raising concerns that a broader conflict could push oil and gas prices higher. When petroleum prices rise, that also impacts the cost of plastics, which could raise prices on a range of goods. Some experts <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/02/israel-iranian-oil-refineries-retaliatory-strikes">warn that Israel could target Iranian oil production facilities</a> in potential retaliatory attacks, which could risk further oil price increases."History would say that when there is conflict in the region, the prices of petroleum remain elevated and could continue to rise," Douglas Kent, an executive vice president at the Association for Supply Chain Management, told Business Insider.<h2 id="74292a69-7822-4de1-bb2c-cdde4749d751">2. Dockworkers on strike</h2>Also on Tuesday, dockworkers at all the eastern US ports from Maine to Texas went on strike, threatening <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dockworkers-port-strike-ila-impacts-2024-10">a slew of adverse economic impacts</a>, including increased prices on key goods ahead of the holiday shopping season.About 30% of goods imported to and exported from the US pass through the East Coast and Gulf ports, according to a Morgan Stanley analysis, along with about <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-markets-react-israel-iran-escalates-dockworkers-strike-helene-2024-10">half of all US ocean imports</a>. The strike could cause shortages of goods and push consumer prices up, but how much depends entirely on how long the work stoppage lasts, experts say.A few days of snarled supply chains likely wouldn't be a major hit to the economy, while a week or longer could have major impacts. Every day, the work stoppage is costing the economy up to $4.5 billion, according to JPMorgan analysts. If the strike goes for at least two weeks, it may <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/us-port-strike-biggest-stock-market-winners-losers-investing-analysis-2024-10?_gl=1*w94t9f*_ga*MTM5OTQyNzAxOS4xNjc1MDExMTIw*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcyNzg4MTM4OC4zNTQuMS4xNzI3ODgzOTYyLjQ5LjAuMA..">increase inflation.</a> If it lasts a month, it could <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/port-strike-impact-costs-us-economy-recession-outlook-shipping-delay-2024-10">cause a recession</a>.And the strike will also have knock-on impacts. For every day the ports are closed, it will take an estimated five days for supply chains to get back to normal, Kent said."We are in a bit of a wait-and-see mode about what the impacts are going to be," Sameera Fazili, former deputy director of the National Economic Council under Biden, told BI. "If the strike goes on for one day or three days, it could take two weeks for some companies to recover, some industries to recover, it could take months for others to fully recover."Some of the imported consumer goods <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/consumer-products-most-likely-to-be-impacted-by-port-strike-2024-9">most vulnerable to the port closures</a> include perishable foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, wine, beer, liquor, toys, tires, furniture, and raw commodities like salt, sugar, and gypsum. Kent noted that automotive, pharmaceutical, and industrial equipment supply chains are also vulnerable. US meat, dairy, and poultry exports <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-port-strike-hurt-agriculture-livestorck-dairy-farmers-presidential-election-2024-10">could also be disrupted</a>, as well as coal and heavy agricultural equipment.How much the strike impacts prices depends on how much of a cushion companies have built to deal with any bottlenecks. With the memory of pandemic supply chain crises still fresh, many businesses have become better prepared for disruptions by importing goods ahead of schedule in anticipation of the strike or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://polb.com/port-info/news-and-press/port-of-long-beach-achieves-busiest-month-on-record-09-12-2024/">diverting shipments</a> to West Coast ports."The 2020 disruption presented unforeseen challenges but encouraged many firms to diversify their supply chain and seek backup sourcing: preparation that will likely soften the blow of the dockworker strike," Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist at ITR Economics, said in a statement.But mitigation efforts, including redirecting shipments, cost money and push prices up. Bottlenecks also encourage carriers to raise their prices, increasing retail and consumer goods prices, Kent said.Fazili said she's confident the dockworkers' union — the International Longshoremen's Association — and the organization representing their employers — the United States Maritime Alliance — can come to a deal to raise wages and improve benefits for workers. With the election looming, Biden administration officials are particularly incentivized to grease the wheels of their negotiations.<h2 id="b5a7373b-dcda-4543-bf11-a8ea2a739cbd">3. Natural disaster strikes the South</h2>All of this comes as Southern states are scrambling to handle the fallout from a superstorm with billions of dollars in damage. Dozens of people have been killed in the flooding, landslides, and high winds wrought by Hurricane Helene, which washed out an untold number of roads, destroyed homes, and devastated entire towns. Rescue and recovery efforts are still underway, with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/north-carolina-hurricane-helene-missing-people-finder-victims-survivors/275-d811bbc2-754d-4637-b156-7e4af6e1eadb">hundreds of people still missing</a>, particularly in North Carolina.The storm will likely have far-reaching economic impacts, including the immediate costs of providing emergency services for thousands of residents left homeless or without power or water, and the longer-term costs of rebuilding roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Helene has likely caused between $15 billion and $26 billion in damage to property on top of about $5 billion to $8 billion in lost economic output, according to Moody's Analytics.In the immediate wake of the storm, a slew of residents across the affected states have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/price-gouging-complaints-surge-hurricane-helene-states-fuel-water-hotels-2024-10">reported price gouging</a> by hotels, gas stations, and grocery stores. The hurricane has also disrupted some supply chains, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-iv-fluid-shortage-health-supply-chain">healthcare supplies</a> and high-purity quartz needed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quartz-mine-computer-chips-hurricane-helene-spruce-pine-semiconductor-2024-9">for semiconductor manufacturing</a>."The combination of these events just reemphasizes how important it is for the private sector and companies, which are the ones that control supply chains, to move away from just-in-time and from efficiency only and to recognize that disruptions are on the rise and they ought to be better prepared for that," Fazili said.But the superstorm also threatens much longer-term economic damage, hitting the property insurance industry and the federal flood insurance program. Homeowners in affected areas will likely deal with rising property insurance costs or even lose coverage altogether, experts say."In the short run, the most costly element of the disaster is the damage to homes, property and infrastructure," Adam Kamins, a senior director at Moody's Analytics, told BI. "Longer term, the disaster itself is unlikely to drive people out of the hardest-hit areas, but insurance premiums could rise, denting affordability. This would be especially difficult for Florida, where many private insurers have already left the state."

A trifecta of global crises could snarl supply chains and increase prices

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The corporate supply chain team for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-sams-club-walmart-owned-warehouse-2023-5">Sam's Club</a> is merging with that of its parent company, Walmart.</li><li>In a memo, Walmart's head of supply chain operations said the move will aid growth.</li></ul>Sam's Club's corporate supply chain team is merging into the supply chain team of its parent company, Walmart, according to a memo obtained by Business Insider.In an email to staff, Walmart's head of supply chain operations, David Guggina, welcomed the wholesale club team into the fold and said the move will aid growth for the companies."This is a big step in our growth journey, bringing together a supply chain that is future-ready to serve both Sam's Club and Walmart for the long-term," he said. "This change will enable us to move even faster and better leverage enterprise systems and infrastructure available to us."A Sam's Club spokesperson told BI the plan gives Sam's Club supply chain employees more seamless access to Walmart's vast enterprise resources, as well as providing a clearer career path within the company.Job cuts are not expected under the plan, the spokesperson said.Sam's Club's revenue has grown by nearly 50% over the past five years on a flat US store count, as the broader <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sams-club-popular-gen-z-shoppers-trouble-for-costco-2024-6">wholesale club segment continues to boom</a>.To keep that sales growth rate high, Sam's Club has invested in new tech, like Scan-and-Go and the new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sams-club-ai-receipt-checks-exit-success-2024-4">AI-powered exit gateways</a> unveiled earlier this year.It also said last year it <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-sams-club-plans-open-30-new-warehouses-us-2023-1">plans to open 30 locations</a> in the next four to six years.Walmart, meanwhile has directed considerable resources at modernizing its distribution centers with AI and robotics to improve speed and accuracy.The moves could further extend Sam's Club's technological and logistical advantage over its larger rival, Costco, where features like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-app-update-in-stock-items-warehouse-availability-2024-9">in-stock information are just now beginning</a> to be rolled out on the company's website and app.<h2 id="9e96a6e8-1fdf-48e3-9532-b8933478b03e">Read the full memo:</h2>If you are a Sam's Club worker who wants to share your perspective, please <a target="_blank" href="mailto:dreuter@businessinsider.com">contact Dominick via email</a> or text/call/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential, and Business Insider strongly recommends using a personal email and a non-work device when reaching out.

Sam's Club's corporate supply chain team is merging into Walmart. Read the internal memo announcing the 'big step.'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>America is ready to scale up its AI infrastructure.</li><li>The generative AI boom has put data center capacity and energy constraints into focus.</li></ul>America is stepping up plans to maintain an edge in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-using-ai-bain-survey-roi-2024-6">generative AI race</a>.A key part of that strategy is making significant investments in domestic infrastructure — from data centers to chip production — so that it is less reliant on countries such as Taiwan, where tensions with neighboring China loom large.On Tuesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://news.microsoft.com/2024/09/17/blackrock-global-infrastructure-partners-microsoft-and-mgx-launch-new-ai-partnership-to-invest-in-data-centers-and-supporting-power-infrastructure/">Microsoft and BlackRock announced the creation of a $30 billion mega-fund</a> designed to "enhance American competitiveness in AI." Its backers have committed to driving the "significant infrastructure investment" needed to make AI more powerful.Critically, the firms behind the fund said these infrastructure investments "will be chiefly in the United States," where it plans to fuel AI innovation and economic growth.It means the fund — which involves the Global Infrastructure Partners unit BlackRock acquired in January and Abu Dhabi investment firm MGX — will "make investments in new and expanded data centers." It will also fund the energy infrastructure needed to power them.According to the fund's backers, other investments will be directed to "US partner countries." With debt financing, the fund's overall size could reach $100 billion. "The capital spending needed for AI infrastructure and the new energy to power it goes beyond what any single company or government can finance," said <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-brad-smith-tiktok-trump-washington-dc-2020-8">Microsoft president Brad Smith.</a><div type="image" title="microsoft brad smith" height="2426" width="3500" msid="113466371" hostid="261" sizebytes="243638"></div>If America is serious about leading on AI — something the next president will <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-xi-jinping-ai-wreak-havoc-america-world-economy-2024-6">inevitably contend with as China ramps up its efforts</a> — it has little choice but to future-proof the technology by building more critical infrastructure.Data centers, chip manufacturing plants, and energy supply are all vital for making AI tick. But each of these domains is subject to potential pitfalls — be it supply chain vulnerabilities or demand bottlenecks.The US got the ball rolling on supporting its self-sufficiency with semiconductors — the hardware developed by the likes of Nvidia to provide computing power for large language models — with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/09/fact-sheet-chips-and-science-act-will-lower-costs-create-jobs-strengthen-supply-chains-and-counter-china/">CHIPS Act, passed by Congress in 2022.</a>While <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-taiwan-tsmc-jensen-huang-china-disruption-2024-9">Nvidia</a> and other US tech firms have led the chip space by focusing on design, manufacturing has largely been outsourced to Taiwanese firm TSMC. Given rising fears over a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-seal-team-six-preparing-china-invasion-of-taiwan-report-2024-9">possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan</a>, there are concerns about supply chain security.<div type="image" title="Jensen Huang wih Nvidia hardware" height="2121" width="3000" msid="113466372" hostid="261" sizebytes="174302"></div>Not all is steady on the data center and energy front, either.A June report on global data center trends <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/global-data-center-trends-2024">published by commercial real estate group CBRE</a> found that "worldwide power shortage is significantly inhibiting the global data center market's growth." Lack of growth has been a key problem in the US, where the AI boom has led to data center vacancy rates dropping everywhere from Chicago to Northern Virginia.That means data centers are in short supply, or, as the CBRE noted, "North American data center availability keeps tightening due to robust demand," leading parts of the country's tech industry to consider drastic measures. As the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/d2bbcdc9-7282-43ea-84f7-250aab6a8a43">Financial Times reported last month</a>, some Big Tech firms and their suppliers have even considered turning decommissioned power stations into data centers.This supply shortage hasn't gone unnoticed in Washington. Last week, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/12/readout-of-white-house-roundtable-on-u-s-leadership-in-ai-infrastructure/">White House held a roundtable with top AI leaders</a> from around the country to "discuss steps to ensure the United States continues to lead the world in AI" by focusing on the data center and energy issue.With the likes of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jensen-huang-nvidia-routine-management-leadership-style-ceo-founder-2024-4">Nvidia's Jensen Huang</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-openai-raising-money-strawberry-after-rough-start-year-2024-9">OpenAI's Sam Altman</a> at the table, alongside top government officials such as Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the discussion on American leadership in AI was tied to "national security, economic, and environmental goals."The headline result was the launch of a new task force on AI data center infrastructure, designed to underscore the vital importance of building out the infrastructure needed to maintain momentum in the generative AI race.This may all be better late than never for the US. While the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-return-investment-disappointing-goldman-sachs-report-2024-6">verdict is still out</a> on the potential for the current AI boom to generate returns in the long run, it's clear that AI will be a critical geopolitical issue for the US in the years ahead.More infrastructure on home soil will help the US have greater control over its own destiny.

America is ready to go big on AI infrastructure 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A looming port strike and the aftereffects of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-home-insurance-prices-premium-effect-from-hurricanes-2024-9">Hurricane Helene</a> could slow the US transport of goods.</li><li>The strike could involve 45,000 dockworkers demanding higher wages and start October 1.</li></ul>The US could be entering a hellish period for moving goods around huge swaths of the country.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-home-insurance-prices-premium-effect-from-hurricanes-2024-9">Hurricane Helene</a> has <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-asheville-f02869c7d01e68f2d7f0553abb82252f">killed nearly 100 people</a> and left devastation across several states, including widespread flood damage that could leave cities like Asheville, North Carolina, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of-asheville-prepares-for-tropical-strom-helene-and-shares-preparedness-tips/">without running water</a> for weeks.The flooding, plus debris including fallen trees, has made many roads and highways impassable, or at least tricky to traverse, across the southeast.Now, a looming port strike could also conspire to slow the transport of critical goods and supplies into, out of, and across the US — and, as a result, deal a devastating economic blow.A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dockworker-strike-what-will-be-impacted-prices-inflation-martime-longshoremen-2024-9">strike among dockworkers</a> stretching from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast could start Tuesday. The International Longshoremen's Association said Sunday it was prepared to strike on October 1. The nation's largest union of maritime workers is demanding higher wages, among other conditions.Jon Davis, chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, which focuses on supply-chain risk, told Business Insider that the storm and the possible strike would have massive "compounding effects.""It's not one plus one equals two. One plus one equals a lot more than that," he said.JPMorgan analysts have estimated that costs from shutdowns related to the strike could climb to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/27/port-strike-harris-biden-trump-election-00181319">$5 billion a day</a>.It would be the first to span an entire US coast since 1977 and would involve ports that account for about half of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-east-coast-port-strike-looms-tuesday-with-no-talks-scheduled-2024-09-30/">country's ocean shipping</a>. Some 45,000 workers could lay down their metaphorical tools; on top of the catastrophic damage to infrastructure in hard-hit states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, it would undoubtedly slow the movement of critical goods, including food and vehicles.<h2 id="0053eb76-883a-40c9-852c-7ac96df4524a">An inflation driver</h2>Any slowdowns in the US's critical supply chains could also fan inflation at a time when the Federal Reserve has begun to lower its benchmark interest rate to avoid tipping the economy into a recession. Price increases have cooled year over year, though they remain high for certain goods like eggs, which have spiked because of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/09/27/nx-s1-5126581/egg-prices-bird-flu">bird flu</a>.Amir Mousavian, a professor of supply chain management at the University of New England's College of Business, said the impact of a strike would depend on how long it lasts but that the potential consequences are substantial.He told BI that perishable goods would be affected almost immediately and that grocery-store shortages could trigger panic buying — akin to what unfolded during the pandemic.Shipping costs could also jump as businesses seek alternate means of getting goods to customers, such as importing and exporting goods from the West Coast."The timing of the strike is especially concerning, as the US economy has seen progress in lowering inflation. A prolonged strike could reverse these gains, forcing the Federal Reserve to reconsider its economic strategy and possibly reintroduce more restrictive measures," Mousavian said.<h2 id="8e8f958b-33ca-47d6-a3cd-5f4a1572af77">A supply chain that's not resilient</h2>He said the situation is a reminder of what the pandemic starkly revealed — that the US supply chain is "efficient but not resilient." A walkout would also be a reminder of a need for stronger and more adaptable supply chains to withstand future crises, Mousavian said.Jason Greer, president of Greer Consulting Inc. and a former agent with the National Labor Relations Board, told BI the industrial action is likely to happen and the combination with the hurricane's aftereffects is "going to be devastating overall."He said he expects the union will walk out because there is a feeling among members that their concerns haven't been taken seriously for too long."The longshoremen have said, 'We continue to be pushed aside. We continue to be pushed aside. We're not going to be pushed aside any longer.' So I think the overall economic damage is huge," Greer said, also highlighting impacts like higher grocery prices.Meantime, Angela Blanchard, Houston's chief recovery and resilience officer, pointed out on X that the <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/CajunAngela/status/1840397403658097142">response to and recovery from the</a> hurricane would be "significantly impeded" by a strike. She noted that the disruption at the ports would crimp the availability of materials and fuel — and affect prices."This will be a long and complicated recovery season," Blanchard wrote.

America is facing a nightmare scenario with a looming strike and wrecked infrastructure after Hurricane Helene

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Florida gas stations are running out of fuel ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall.</li><li>If the storm damages Port Tampa Bay, it could mean long-term trouble for the gas supply chain.</li></ul>A day before <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-helene-milton-tampa-florida-desantis-clean-disaster-dangerous-2024-10">Hurricane Milton</a> was expected to make landfall, gas stations in Florida were already running out of fuel.As of 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, more than 1 out of 5 gas stations in Florida had no gas, according to data from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/GasBuddyGuy/status/1843805604768559279">GasBuddy</a>, which tracks gas prices.The shortage comes as millions of people try to flee Florida in anticipation of Milton, leading to long lines at gas stations and traffic jams. The hurricane is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-timeline-see-storm-evolution-from-space-satellite-imagery-2024-10">expected to hit Florida's Gulf Coast</a> on Wednesday or Thursday and pass through the state's central area, including Tampa Bay and Orlando.Shon Hiatt, director of the Business of Energy Transition Initiative at the University of Southern California's Marshall School, told Business Insider that gas is distributed to Central Florida through Port Tampa Bay — and having just one major source of fuel complicates efforts to get gas to people who need it."In this case, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-category-four-storm-real-estate-market-insurance-damages-2024-10">Florida is extremely vulnerable</a> because they don't have any other pipelines, so it's almost like an island," Hiatt said.In a Tuesday press conference, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the state's reserves include 110,000 gallons of gasoline and 268,000 gallons of diesel fuel, with trucks on the way to refill diminished reserves in areas in the storm's path, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/08/business/hurricane-milton-florida-gasoline-shortages/index.html">CNN</a> reported."There is no fuel shortage," CNN reported DeSantis said. "Fuel continues to arrive to the state of Florida. But lines at gas stations have been long and gas stations are running out quicker than they otherwise would."Christopher Tang, a UCLA professor and scholar of supply chain management, told BI that the problem is compounded by the sheer number of people filling up their tanks, as the fuel supply cannot keep up with demand.Tang said gas tankers on roads could also be stuck in traffic jams, which would require government coordination to address before the situation becomes too dire."If it's very serious, then the National Guard may need to help out to deliver some of the gas," Tang said.All the experts who spoke to Business Insider said if there is lasting damage to the port, it could impact access to gas in Central Florida for weeks — if not months — after the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-category-five-threatens-florida-fema-funding-2024-10">hurricane</a>. Hiatt said the state could get gas in other ways, besides the port's pipeline, via truck or rail, but that it would likely result in inflated fuel prices."But again, it's all about the infrastructure. So are the railroads clear? Is the debris gone? That's to be determined," Hiatt said. "Everyone's saying this could be this a hundred-year event where it could be the worst since the 1840s, when a massive hurricane hit and completely changed the geography of Tampa."Patrick DeHaan, an analyst for GasBuddy, echoed Tang and Hiatt's concerns, adding that people facing empty gas stations are getting increasingly desperate for fuel — which would be compounded if the port is damaged in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-airlines-waive-change-fees-cap-florida-fares-2024-10">storm</a>."It would be hugely problematic if there was significant damage to the port," DeHaan told Business Insider. "And that's what we're kind of waiting to see. Will it be extensive damage? Will the Coast Guard be able to open the port again? Will the shipments of gasoline be able to go into the port? Because if the port's down for a decent amount of time, even more than a few days, it's going to be significantly problematic."

Florida's gas stations are running out of fuel and Hurricane Milton could have lasting impacts on the state's supply

<ul><li><keyword id="44883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="Orion">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> India remains "vulnerable to supply side bottlenecks", according to a senior company official.</li><li>He noted that the company is working to do away with certain chips in some models/trims where the requirement is superfluous.</li><li>"We do not have full year visibility but at least Q1 will be tough and broadly the uncertainty continues," the official added.</li></ul><keyword id="6912" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti" source="Orion">Maruti</keyword> Suzuki India remains "vulnerable to supply side bottlenecks" this fiscal even as it looks to source electronic components through multiple sources, according to a senior company official. The country's largest carmaker, which could not produce around 1.7 lakh units last fiscal due to semiconductor shortage, is also coming up with measures to reduce the usage of certain kinds of chips in its cars. "The problem (chip shortage) is a global one..it could affect different models, different companies, different modules differently..all our efforts are to organise supplies through multiple sources," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Executive Officer (Corporate Affairs) Rahul Bharti said in an analyst call. He noted that the company is working to do away with certain chips in some models/trims where the requirement is superfluous. "If there is a particular semiconductor in a particular variant of a model which is superfluous and not required..so we are removing all such needs so that our consumption is minimum. All such efforts are going on including negotiations at global scale. Having said that we are still vulnerable to supply side bottlenecks," Bharti noted. When asked about the company position in the ongoing fiscal, he said: "We do not have full year visibility but at least Q1 will be tough and broadly the uncertainty continues." Semiconductors are silicon chips that cater to control and memory functions in products ranging from automobiles, computers and cellphones to various other electronic items. The usage of semiconductors in the auto industry has gone up globally in recent times with new models coming with more and more electronic features such as bluetooth connectivity and driver-assist, navigation and hybrid-electric systems. Replying to a query, Bharti confirmed that the strong hybrid technology introduced in Grand Vitara could be launched in more models. "We have got a very positive response..we plan to bring it (strong hybrid) in more models also," he stated. On sales growth outlook for this fiscal, Bharti said industry body SIAM estimates the passenger vehicle industry to grow between 5-7 per cent. "Maruti Suzuki should grow well beyond this. So we would be better than the industry," he noted. MSI CFO Ajay Seth noted that the company has lined up Rs 8,000 crore capex in the current fiscal with capital set to go into the construction of the Sonipat plant, development of new models and annual maintenance of existing infrastructure. He noted that the company has strengthened its presence in the sports utility vehicle segment with Brezza and Grand Vitara thereby increasing its market share in the vertical. "Moving forward with Jimny and Fronx, the SUV portfolio of the company will be further strengthened. With this the company aims to secure a leadership position in the SUV segment," Seth said. He noted that the company believes in offering products and technologies which are relevant to the Indian market context. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-new-cars-and-suvs-in-india-in-may-2023/slidelist/99842426.cms">Upcoming cars expected to launch in India in May 2023</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mg-comet-ev-vs-tata-tiago-ev-which-electric-car-should-you-buy-under-10-lakh/slidelist/99806597.cms">MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV – which electric car should you buy under ₹10 lakh?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/maruti-suzuki-fronx-vs-brezza-comparison-which-car-should-you-buy-under-10-lakh/slidelist/99729841.cms">Maruti Suzuki Fronx vs Brezza – which car should you buy under ₹10 lakh?</a>

Maruti Suzuki remains vulnerable to supply side bottlenecks as uncertainty continues: Official

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11917122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="president-joe-biden" source="Orion">President Joe Biden</keyword> on Saturday discussed supply-chain issues after a <keyword id="11896084" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="white-house" source="Orion">White House</keyword> speech.</li><li>Biden told the <keyword id="11910491" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="reporters" source="Orion">reporters</keyword> assembled that they haven't explained the <keyword id="11894138" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="supply-chain" source="Orion">supply chain</keyword> "very well."</li></ul>President Joe Biden on Saturday spoke enthusiastically about the US House of Representatives <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-approves-biden-infrastructure-bill-centrists-social-spending-bill-passage-2021-11">passing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill</a> that would infuse billions into repairing the nation's crumbling highways, roads, and bridges.However, during a question-and-answer session with reporters after his speech, the president <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baFaMfPjqT0">took part</a> in a remarkable exchange where he discussed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/supply-chain-crisis-when-it-will-be-over-end-2021-11">supply-chain shortages</a>, an issue that has increasingly become a political liability for his administration.The disruptions in the nation's supply chain arose largely as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the <keyword id="11893570" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="economy" source="Orion">economy</keyword>, which resulted in empty shelves across the country, as Americans sought to purchase as many core essentials as possible, without the normal restocking that would usually accompany such shortages.As Insider's Grace Kay <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-store-shelves-are-empty-supply-chain-crisis-shortages-2021-10">reported</a> last month, continued virus-mitigation measures have prevented a return of the supply chain to levels that existed before March 2020. And until that happens, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-port-los-angeles-long-beach-shipping-supply-chain-tour-expert-2021-11">the now-infamous backlogs at American ports</a> will continue to be a major issue."The world economy is out of sync because parts of it were forced to go offline when the pandemic started and getting all the industry players back in line at the same time is near impossible," former US trade negotiator Harry G. Broadman told Insider.Biden, while going off-script with members of the press, said that Americans want to know why the cost of agricultural products are higher when they shop at grocery stores.The president presented a hypothetical situation of eating at a restaurant and asking patrons at an adjacent table to explain the supply-chain situation."How do they explain the supply chain to us? Do they understand what we're talking about? They're smart people. Why is everything backed up? Well it's backed up because the people who supply the materials that end up on our kitchen table ... [have] closed those plants because they had COVID. It's a complicated world that people are facing," he said."You can understand why people are upset, whether you have a Ph.D. or you're working in a restaurant. It's confusing. People are understandably worried," he added.Biden then directed his supply-chain comments to the White House reporters that cover his administration each day."By the way, you all write for a living. I haven't seen any of you explain the supply chain very well," the president said, which elicited laughs."No, no I'm not being critical. I'm being deadly earnest," he responded. "This is a confusing time."US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said earlier this week that the country would have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pete-buttigieg-says-we-need-to-deal-with-covid-to-fix-supply-chains-2021-10">to further tackle the coronavirus pandemic</a> in order for supply-chain issues to subside."Look, there are so many things that are still happening in our economy - distortions, disruptions, things in our supply chain that are affecting prices that are clearly a direct consequence of the pandemic," <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/fox-news-sunday-on-october-31-2021">he told</a> "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace. "Which is why the best thing we can do for our economy in the short term, and to deal with these transitory issues, is to put the pandemic behind us."

Biden said that he hasn't seen any White House reporters 'explain the supply-chain very well'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>For years, <keyword id="6374551" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="truckers" source="Orion">truckers</keyword> have voiced concerns about the lack of parking spaces for long-haul drivers. </li><li>Though President Biden released a "Trucking Action Plan," it does not mention parking once, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-22/sleepy-truckers-get-forgotten-in-supply-crisis-choking-economy">Bloomberg</a> reported.</li></ul>Parking has long been a pain point for long-haul <keyword id="6473524" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="truck-drivers" source="Orion">truck drivers</keyword>, as more trucks hit the road each year to keep up with online orders.And while President Biden's "Trucking Action Plan" — released last month as part of the administration's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-signs-infrastructure-law-social-spending-plan-struggles-2021-11">$2 trillion infrastructure bill</a> — makes an effort to address hot-button <keyword id="11894924" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="transportation" source="Orion">transportation</keyword> issues like supply-chain backlogs and the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/experts-say-american-truck-driver-shortage-overblown-2021-12">truck driver shortage,</a> it does not mention parking once, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-22/sleepy-truckers-get-forgotten-in-supply-crisis-choking-economy">Bloomberg reported</a> on Saturday. According to Illinois truck driver Merry Leach, supply-chain woes can't be solved "until drivers are able to utilize their whole 11 hour drive time driving, not driving around in circles, fighting for the next parking spot," she <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FHWA-2021-0021-0079">told</a> federal highway officials in December. Earlier this year, a highway bill provision introduced to the US House of Representatives included nearly $1 billion in truck parking grants, but was later removed, The American Transportation Research Institute noted in its <a href="https://truckingresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ATRI-Top-Industry-Issues-2021.pdf">yearly critical issues report.</a>Parking was listed among the industry's top five issues this year in the report: "This is the 10th year that the lack of available truck parking has made the top 10 list of industry concerns, and among commercial drivers it has consistently ranked in their top three," the report states. Some drivers spend hours searching for parking, forced at times to park in illegal or dangerous spots, according to Bloomberg. The shortage is worst in the Northeast. To account for the additional time it takes to park, truckers drive shorter distances than they could otherwise. Because <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/buttigieg-companies-dont-pay-for-wasting-a-truckers-time-2022-1">truckers are paid by mile, not by hour</a>, this means parking costs truckers an average of $4,600 a year, the outlet reported. "Since most truck stops fill up between 4 pm and 6 pm, finding parking is a HUGE pain," <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Truckers/comments/dzpg9w/how_big_of_an_issue_is_finding_overnight_parking/">a Reddit user wrote</a> in a trucking thread discussing the issue. "Basically there are way more trucks on the road now than there were 20 years ago and truck parking hasn't changed to accommodate the new rigs."One way the industry has sidestepped the burden of parking is through <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/truck-driving-married-couples-describe-lifestyle-relationship-changes-team-trucking-2021-12">"team driving,</a>" when two people take turns driving one truck. While one is behind the wheel, the other sleeps. This exempts team drivers like Carla and Robert Holmes from searching for overnight parking. Even so, the pair told Insider "more parking is always a good thing" for the industry.

Truck drivers say President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan overlooks parking, a critical need for breaks and sleep

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Biden reportedly met with CEOs of major US retailers and shipping companies to address <keyword id="11894138" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="supply-chain" source="Orion">supply chain</keyword> issues.</li><li>The meeting comes after his administration announced a set of actions to alleviate port congestion.</li></ul>President <keyword id="99719" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="joe-biden" source="Orion">Joe Biden</keyword> met with chief executives at major US retailers and shipping companies to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-09/biden-called-walmart-ups-fedex-target-ceos-on-supply-chain">Bloomberg</a> first reported Tuesday.Recent supply chain shortages prompted by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/america-isnt-running-out-of-everything-supply-chain-2021-10">record-breaking consumer demand</a> have fueled congestion at some US ports, of which much of the liability has fallen upon the Biden administration to fix it.On Tuesday, Biden spoke with chief executive officers at Walmart, United Parcel Service, FedEx, and Target "to discuss steps that the Administration and private sector can take to further strengthen our supply chains and build on steps we've already taken to speed up deliveries and lower prices," a White House official told <a href="https://twitter.com/WardDPatrick/status/1458171724646830089">Fox News' Patrick Ward</a>.Earlier Tuesday, the Biden administration announced a set of actions to address the supply chain crisis in the wake of the newly passed bipartisan <keyword id="12025847" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="infrastructure-bill" source="Orion">infrastructure bill</keyword>.According to a White House fact sheet, the actions will "lay the foundation for successful implementation of the historic Bipartisan <keyword id="11930606" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="infrastructure" source="Orion">Infrastructure</keyword> Deal. This action plan will increase federal flexibilities for port grants; accelerate port infrastructure grant awards; announce new construction projects for coastal navigation, inland waterways, and land ports of entry; and launch the first round of expanded port infrastructure grants funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal," citing a report by <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/09/politics/supply-chain-biden-administration/index.html">CNN</a>.A senior administration official told CNN that, though the spending bill has yet to be signed, "there is work going on right now to actually get these projects teed up, get these programs teed up and out the door.""The entire goods movement system is assisted greatly through the bipartisan bill," the official said.In February, Biden <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-plans-supply-chain-order-spurred-by-virus-ppe-car-chip-shortage-2021-2">signed an executive order</a> to bolster US supply chains in response to the snarls prompted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.In mid-October, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/supply-chain-crisis-biden-port-schedule-cant-fix-seko-logistics-2021-10">the president announced a plan</a> to run California ports <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-port-shipping-crisis-docks-supply-chain-white-house-2021-10">24-hours-day, seven-days-a-week</a> in an attempt to ease congestion at US shipyards and, in turn, address the supply chain issues which brought about slow delivery speeds and price inflation ahead of the holiday season.

Biden met with CEOs of major retailers and shipping companies to address supply chain issues, a new report says

<keyword id="201453" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sterlite-technologies-ltd" source="Orion">Sterlite Technologies Ltd</keyword> on Sunday unveiled <keyword id="764355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="5G" source="Orion">5G</keyword> Cosmos - an optical solution for towers and small cells for speedy 5G roll out. According to <keyword id="48217" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sterlite-technologies" source="Orion">Sterlite Technologies</keyword>, telecom operators need to look at fiberisation with a futuristic lens. The company said tower fiberisation must increase from about 35 per cent to 80 per cent to provide high quality 5G services. Additionally, 5G will require upto 4X small cells, backhauled with fibre, Sterlite Technologies said. The company said India's fibre space is constrained by deployment speed and scale. 5G Cosmos is an Atmanirbhar, patented solution that can solve these challenges and connect every tower, small cell and node, the company claimed. Launching 5G Cosmos at IMC 2022, Pankaj Miglani, Director <keyword id="6699920" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supply-chain-management" source="Orion">Supply Chain Management</keyword>, <keyword id="6354287" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bharti-airtel" source="Orion">Bharti Airtel</keyword>, said: "We are readying our infrastructure for 5G and fiberisation is a core need. We are happy to see the use cases that 5G Cosmos can solve for telcos and enable us to deliver a great 5G experience to our customers." Ankit Agarwal Manaing Director, Sterlite Technologies said: "Indian telecom operators are ready to install fibre-dense networks for 5G. This will need an integrated and futuristic solution. We have built 5G Cosmos to enable fiberisation of macro and small cells at scale and achieve the full potential of 5G." SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/suzlon-energys-founder-chairman-tulsi-tanti-passes-away-due-to-cardiac-arrest/articleshow/94596261.cms">Suzlon Energy’s founder chairman Tulsi Tanti passes away due to cardiac arrest</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-to-add-80-airports-in-next-4-5-years-new-rules-for-aerodromes/articleshow/94596625.cms">India to add 80 airports in next 4-5 years; new rules for aerodromes</a>

You Searched For "Supply chain infrastructure" and got 10 results

A trifecta of global crises could snarl supply chains and increase prices

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Florida's gas stations are running out of fuel and Hurricane Milton could have lasting impacts on the state's supply

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Maruti Suzuki remains vulnerable to supply side bottlenecks as uncertainty continues: Official

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Biden said that he hasn't seen any White House reporters 'explain the supply-chain very well'

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Truck drivers say President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan overlooks parking, a critical need for breaks and sleep

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Biden met with CEOs of major retailers and shipping companies to address supply chain issues, a new report says

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