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REFRESHING THE COMMITTEE EPCA’S SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAMME COMMITTEE IS DEVELOPING TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF EUROPE’S PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY AND ITS LOGISTICS PARTNERS
EPCA is fortunate to have among its membership
need to face the pre-existing issues of volatility
during the disruption generated by the
ranks a weight of industry expertise and
and economic difficulties, as well as the need to
Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, social
knowledge. It draws on that pool of expertise
move forward into a greener way of operating.
distancing measures and slump in demand
in its committees, not least the Supply Chain
that accompanied it. Has that interrupted the
Programme Committee (SCPC), which includes
Ahead of the EPCA Annual Meeting, HCB spoke
journey towards sustainability, or accelerated
among its members senior representatives from
to three members of SCPC to gauge how they
the adoption of technologies that will be able
both the petrochemical industry and from its
and their companies are bringing their
to help?
logistics service partners.
experience to bear on the issues of digitisation,
Indeed, as the virtual EPCA Annual Meeting
Jan Arnet, CEO of Bertschi Group, agrees
sustainability and business resilience. None of
that the disruption was major and sudden. As
nears, those members of SCPC have been
these can be taken in isolation, though – there
the pandemic gripped Europe, supply chains
gathering online and continuing their discussion
is a common theme running through them, not
had to be quickly reorganised on a day-to-day
of the themes that will be addressed via the
least the need for greater visibility along the
basis – and without physical communication.
EPCA Community app and in webinars over the
supply chain and for a greater willingness to
“Operations had to be transferred online within
three days in early October. They have brought
cooperate and share information, for the good
a few days,” he says.
with them insights and experience that will help
of the industry as a whole and of the planet on
industry navigate the uncertain times ahead as
which it depends.
the world – hopefully – moves into a postpandemic phase, albeit a world that will still
HCB MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2020
Of course, the other issue that all have had to face up to is carrying on with business
As an intermodal transport service provider, Bertschi also had some challenges to face early in the pandemic, not least ensuring the health and well-being of its drivers out on the road.