Amazon is bypassing supply chain chaos with chartered ships and long-haul planes (cnbc.com)

Article summary

Amazon is taking steps to mitigate supply chain chaos by chartering private cargo ships, making its own containers, and leasing planes to control the shipping process. This approach allows Amazon to avoid congested ports and reduce wait times. The company has spent over $61 billion on shipping in 2020 and is now shipping 72% of its own packages. By taking control of the shipping process, Amazon aims to reduce delays and increase efficiency.

Main themes

• logistics and operations
• supply chain management
• military experience
• technical expertise
• leadership and management
• company culture

What commenters say

• The military provides valuable experience and skills that can be applied to logistics and operations, making former military personnel attractive hires.
• Amazon's focus on logistics and operations is a key factor in its success, and its culture of valuing technical expertise is unique among companies.
• The military's traditional approach to leadership and management can be at odds with the needs of technical projects, leading to inefficiencies and failures.
• Some companies and organizations prioritize management and leadership over technical expertise, leading to a lack of technical career paths and retention issues.
• Former enlisted personnel can make great hires for startups due to their training and experience, but may struggle with the lack of infrastructure and resources.
• The value of logistics and operations is often underappreciated, but it has a significant impact on the success of companies and organizations.
• Technical innovation and expertise are essential for success in technical fields, but may be lacking in some organizations due to a focus on management and leadership.