Why Global Supply Chains May Never Be the Same | WSJ Documentary 

“This documentary has been months in the making and throughout production we kept wondering if disruptions in global supply chains would still be an issue by the time it came out. Unfortunately, with intermittent shutdowns of ports and factories in China due to Omicron, sanctions on Russia, and the invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions are in some ways as big an issue as they were during the peak of the pandemic. With every new report of goods costing more or being more difficult to get, backlogs at ports or walkouts at an e-commerce distribution center, it feels like understanding of how all of that works is more important than ever.” -WSJ technology columnist Christopher Mims

Because of RU-vid, my appreciation for logistics, engineering, and construction has skyrocketed. Our problem-solving skills can often be overshadowed by our problem-creating abilities.

The last section regarding last mile delivery pretty much summarizes the problem with the broader labor market. A UPS driver has a good job paying +$40/Hr and would be able to retire comfortably. Then Amazon finds that abominable and creates a network of ‘contractors’ who would have to use their own vehicles and be responsible for their expenses and all of that for a pay rate that is just over half the one of the UPS worker. The result? High turnover rates, no one wants to do the job and companies would then blame the workers, the $1,200 stimulus check or even the President when in reality the problem was created by their own corporate greed.

This documentary should be made a mandatory viewing for all students in business studies in every university. I rather watch this eye opening documentary than lecturers repeating boring theories in class trying to get me to understand what is shown in this real life examples.

Hats off to every worker involved in getting these goods to us. An especially big Thank You to all the truck drivers who kept the country functioning during the pandemic and many closures. Good video, WSJ.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE SAILORS, TRUCKER DRIVERS, LONGSHOMEN, CARGO PILOTS, WAREHOUSE WORKERS, DELIVERY DRIVERS, and US POST CARRIERS who delivers my packages in front of my doorstep It must be TOUGH to make 332 million AMERICANs satisfied.

As a former Amazon warehouse worker, would not recommend working there at all. It is very tiring, repetitive and there is a high lack of respect from management and other higher ups which treat you like a robot.

I for one have essentially stopped unnecessary spending thanks to shortages. Now when I do purchase something it's because I NEED it. I'm not just a trained consumer anymore. My savings account loves it.

I'm from California I would like to get some advice if possible from Mr Sam Deymon.

Our level of consumption is honestly a bit frightening

This is probably one of the most eye-opening subjects on a very overlooked topic that not many people think about. It’s also funny because I literally bought a USB charger from Amazon 2 days ago and it got to my house this morning. Makes me realize how much work/effort was put in just for me to receive this item. So much respect to all the workers involved in the global supply chain.

I was really impressed with all the workers involved in this documentary, especially their attitudes. As a retired person, I truly appreciate all workers involved in the delivery process. I appreciate all workers everywhere who make our world work. As customers we should be appreciative and don't need to make their jobs harder with insignificant complaints and excessive demands. Thank you workers around the world!

My uncle was a long haul trucker and I've never seen anyone drive like him. He could drive forever and his map knowledge and sense of direction was superhuman. Not everyone can do what these guys do. Go sit in a truck for 2 weeks with a long haul trucker and u will see.

I think the frantic pace which was considered "normal" for the world supply chain has seriously blown a gasket. We need sanity and a local self propelled way of providing for ourselves.

As a teamster and a local delivery driver, the more stops and expectations, the more crashes and mistakes!

This is truly an eye opening subject to think about the future of e-commerce market. Hats off to everyone who made this video possible. This documentary makes me feel so grateful as I work in Trucking industry and Appreciate all the people who are working in the field of supply chain for their limitless effort! World is one!

Transfer of wealth usually occur during recession, so the more stocks drop, the more I buy, in the meanwhile I'm just focused on making better investments and earning more as recession fear increases, apparently there are strategies to 3x gains in this present market because I read of someone that pulled a profit of $350k within 6months, what are the best stocks to buy now or put on a watchlist?

I've worked in a transloading facility and saw first-hand the stress truck drivers have to put up with. Not a glorious job, but very necessary to ordinary citizens. All I can say is when on the road, give truckers the respect they deserve: they just might be heading toward your neighborhood, to deliver your next purchase

I see this every day. Working in Industrial packaging systems for over 26 years, I see warehouses, distribution centres, factories. And it's time all countries considered local manufacturing to insulate themselves from an inarguably obvious weakness that has potential to cripple overnight. Hardly anyone realises what it takes to get a product from A to B. Also, manufactured goods MUST be serviceable - we need to halt the mindset of "it's a sealed unit, throw it away". Repair, instead of replace. This generates service industries, jobs, manufacturing of spare part industries, and a huge reduction of wasted resources (landfill). Governments are absolutely tone deaf to this. PLUS, brands have the opportunity to be reliable once again from having back-up - service what we sell. An old catch cry... but still VERY relevant.

Excellent and timely insight into what happens between clicking 'buy' and my doorbell ringing, in addition to the pandemic issues complicating it. Thank you WSJ.

The more we simplify our lives the better off we will be. Good documentary - a very important issue.

There's not a labor shortage, there's a wage shortage. If people don't think the compensation is worth their time and effort they won't apply. Cutting costs by decreasing wages and benefits then crying "labor shortage!" is self-fulfilling.

I used to work as an order picker/selector and as a forklift driver. I have unloaded many trucks and spoken to many drivers. This is one of the best, most well made documentaries I have ever seen. Well done to all those involved, thank you for telling our story.

Eye-opening and heartbreaking at the same time,... thinking about the effort of all these people put and things to go through in order to stay afloat.

This is an amazing and super informative documentary. I am always super grateful for every item that can be purchased today because who knows when this way of living will stop.

The "I want Everything Right Now" culture has to change, throw away consumerism has to end, Right to repair has to be mandatory, Planned Obsolescence needs to be criminal, changing the mindset to pay a premium for locally sourced products has to set in, greed on wallstreet has to end, politicians with a backbone need to come to power....the list goes on. Its going to be interesting next few decades.

Halfway through this and I’m just so amazed by the stories being told in this documentary. You think you know and have heard these stories before but the people in this documentary are so compelling and insightful.

I love the time with real life employees and getting to know them, it helps me, an audience member, connect with this video and in turn “like” the video more

Let’s not forget about the equipment issue. Truck drivers that come into the port to pick up a container have trouble getting a chassis. The equipment providers do not release them causing more delays at the ports. You have to report on ALL these issues to help people better understand

As a truck driver I love how people just think that the product they order just appears at their door like magic. Everything you will ever own or consume will spend part of its life cycle on a truck.

WSJ did a great job of putting human faces on all this. I have a new-found respect and admiration for all the folks who make the supply chain work.

I'm really surprised to see such a documentary done by the WSJ. Well done. 👍

One of the best documentaries I have ever watched! Recommended!

there isn't a shortage of labor, there is a shortage of good pay/benefits for these jobs allowing one to live a dignified life, offered food, shelter, healthcare, take care of their families, send their kids to school, and retire in dignity

I am a trucker, and we truckers have been operating 24/7 for decades. To say there aren't drivers to pick up the freight or that distribution centers don't accept freight at 3am shows a lack of understanding of how the supply chain works once it leaves the port.

Something really nice about this documentary is you get to see the diverse people involved in the industry: Blue collar, white collar, men, women, all nationalities ... Very interesting and informative.

This was excellent, i love that you guys just put it all online here. Good content!

I recently bought an electric heater at Fred Meyer. The manufacturing date sticker was on it and it was several years old. They manufactured a million of them boxed them up and put them in warehouses. They probably haven't made any new ones for years relying on the inventory that they initially built but they're selling over the years. I wonder what the cost of storage was? I'm satisfied with the product in the new perfect condition that it was and works. It was cheap based on prices of years ago. Once they're gone I expect the price will go up a lot when they have to remanufacture more.

I've only ever been a part of the pizza supply chain and I felt the stress of maintaining my vehicle from that alone. Really informative work, well-paced, expanded my understanding

Such informative and well-done documentary. Thank you Wall Street Journal!

Thanks for watching fam. That's me from 43:00 to 47:00

As a FedX driver of 20+ years, I totally agree with the strain on all levels. With the cost of living lately, it's getting harder to retain and hire additional workers in this industry. There needs to a be a solution soon, or the supply chain will definitely take a hit. Too much overtime for those of us that continue to work definitely leads to burnout!

Outstanding. Every school should be showing this Doc.

Thanks 🙏 WSJ for this awesome opportunity 🙏🙏🎥🎥

I’m a truck driver(owner operator) and the biggest problem for me as a truck driver is that I’m making the same amount of money I was making in 2009 when I started and my cost to run the business skyrocketed. Everything went up in price but not my rates. Where is the money??? The driver on video said that he works 14 hours a day well, he is wrong 😑. We work 24 hours a day because we are on the road all the time I can’t go home in the end of the day I have to sleep in my truck. Do you think $70,000.00/year is good for a 24hour job??? That we are having not that many people interest in driving a truck.

As a society, we need to start respecting the efforts of warehouse workers and truck drivers more. I think we also need to accept that some things will take time to arrive. To me, it seems like the current model is not working.

This is the journalism that we need! Thank you! :)

This is the second or third time I’ve watched this. This Hass to be the most complete explanation of how the global chain works

Shout out to Jenny Rosado for being awesome at what she does. As someone that gets deliveries almost every day, I use specific companies that in my area have someone like Jenny. Delivery times are fairly consistent, it is people like Jenny that define if one company gets my business over another. Nice work Jenny!

Just listening to the shipping truck drivers being like ‘there is literally no room to put stuff’ and just thinking about how stuffed the distribution shed I work at gets in the lead up to Christmas and then that collective sigh of _relief_ when all that stockpiled and pre-stacked stuff starts moving and you actually have room to work again instead of spending your time trying to figure out where to put things so they aren’t in the way.

I'm from India and I've no idea of this channel I was reading rich dad & poor dad and there was an line where they talk about the ' wall streets'. Loved this channel.

The whole supply chain was explained and analyzed very well.

As someone working in international trade, I have never seen this much chaos within Global supply chain. This all leads to the current shortages, price hikes, top that with inflation, things gonna get even more harder for the next several years.

I've known all of these shipping phases before but this is one of the best step by step shipping documentaries I've seen. And it was amazingly well put together.

Thanks Wall Street journal for the wonderful documentary

Great Video! Way to really explain the global shipping industry. I pray we navigate into a space of optimization and still humanely support our once depending factors THE WORKERS. It will be interesting in the future to see how theses systems sustain with human design.

"The issue is not having enough people willing to do the job long term." This statement boggles the mind. If the industry is getting feedback that the job is not desirable why isn't the job being altered to attract more people? If people don't want to do long haul trucking why not alter the trucking to be more like a relay. Instead of truckers owning their trucks the logistics company should, that way John Smith can drive the truck X miles and hand it off to Jane doe to drive it Y miles. Am I missing something here?

I was a last mile driver for a contractor in FedEx. It was hard work for low pay. I was making $12/hour if I count all my hours. They advertised $15/hour but that was only driving time.

This was one of the better documentaries I saw this year.

Amazing documentary eye opening

Thank you truck drivers for taking good care of me. Being disabled, I limit my shopping now I do not drive for health reasons. I live a little bit better because of your hard work.

It’s crazy the journey for something as small as a phone charger goes through just to be bought from a gas station in the U.S., broken the next week and thrown away.

Former OTR trucker here, the only thing I disagree with is the professor who keeps saying that deregulation in the trucking industry is what lead to the driver shortage. To completely honest, what lead to driver shortages (and subsequent backlogs of deliveries) IS regulation, specifically DOT regulations. So there used to be called a little book you'd carry called a driver log book. This is where you'd record down your hours. You'd keep multiple copies, one of which you'd give the DOT people at weigh stations, which showed you were compliant with the hours of service (11 hours of driving per day, 14 hour work day max, so you could work 3 hours where you aren't driving and dedicate 11 hours to actual driving). You're required to do a 10 hour reset between days. For YEARS this is how the industry operated. Drivers were definitely exceeding their 11 hours of drive time, but since we're paid per mile that means more money for us. This is what literally kept the economy moving. Then back in 2019 they made it the law of the land that you had to use what's called an ELD (electronic logging device) that's tied into your truck. Every move is recorded, and all a DOT inspector has to do is plug into it and they can see if you're following the HOS rules. Ever notice how in the last few years there seems to be more and more trucks parked along our highways? That's because with the advent of the ELD and subsequent adoption by law, you can't fudge the books anymore. This means more time sitting on the side of the road (or at a truck stop if you're lucky to find an available spot). Every minute you sit, not moving, you're not making any money. This means that a job that used to pay exceptionally well, you're being forced by the government to sit and not make money (in the name of safety, of course). The ironic part is since the adoption of the ELD, accidents have actually INCREASED involving tractor-trailers. Why? Because to make the most out of your day, you need to be fast, getting more miles in before your time runs out. This leads to unsafe actions (including blowing through stop-lights, since literally every second you sit waiting you're not getting mileage). Another problem with this system is that the hours you spend sitting waiting to get loaded, you're not making money AND it counts against your drive time (due to the current laws). While I understand the noble pursuit of making roads safer, it ironically has lead to more unsafe behavior in truckers. The transportation economy used to be run by truckers who had been driving for 15+ hours a day, hopped up on caffeine and amphetamines, who would fudge their log books so they could keep moving and making money. The adoption of the ELD has completely solved the HOS violations problem, but lead to unintended consequences such as shortages of drivers. I left the industry and went to work in construction, where my CDL could still be put to use, because of the regulations. I felt like the government was hindering my ability to provide for my family, so an industry I used to love is now dead to me. TL;DR: Government regulations in trucking have actually caused more bottlenecks, unsafe activities, and driver shortages. Deregulation of the trucking industry in 1980 has nothing to do with the driver shortage we are facing now, it has everything to do with having every minute of your day tracked and being told you can't legally move your truck once you run out of hours.

Very insightful.

I try to thank all the delivery drivers who kept me going during the pandemic, they have been wonderful. I was on full lockdown for two years and being able to get supplies, etc., delivered made a huge difference.

When society relies on job that ends up being unappreciated, then things are wrong. Crucial jobs should be rewarded well, it doesn't matter whether blue/white/ collar.

Driver shortage is because the lack of pay deserved for being out. We only get 34 hr restart & when finally home 34 hr is not enough time being out 30 or more days. And weak pay ,so we're forced to stay out to pay are bills.

This helped my class thank you wall street journal

The production value of this is pretty fantastic. Hats off to everyone who worked on this Video. You did a fantastic job!

As a supply-chain outsider (until the end of the last mile, that is) I found this fascinating, and a crystallisation / summary of the kinds of issues that most people like myself are probably only peripherally aware of. Sometimes the I-want-it-all-and-I-want-it-now turn of life in the west over the past 2 or 3 decades feels like a house of cards built on sand (and not only because of supply-chain issues). Highly vulnerable to windy days and cloudbursts.

I am glad when I see worthwhile documentaries on RU-vid. I love it when people are plain-spoken and know what they are talking about. Such a contrast from all the junk and click-bait that's out there!

Insightful; gives you insight into the complexity(ies) of the supply chain.

Looks like it's time to increase the amount of rail miles we have have in this country, just like we used to have, to reduce the reliance on long haul trucking and spread the load out more evenly to make the system far more robust on the ground side.

I admire these people. It is very hard work to get things there on time. The corporate should treat them with fair wages, bonuses, and respect.

This documentary is a masterpiece!

I've definitely been frustrated that something I've ordered was a day later than expected. I knew they worked hard, and alot of moving parts. But this really makes you realize just how much goes into it. Especially when 100 years ago you would wait months.

I'm a million miler and even though i planned on retiring from this profession I'm leaving in next 2 years . Its not because we have regulations but because the regulations restrict me from being able to drive safely. people talk about FUDGING the Log book . While i admit there were people abusing it most drivers altered log books to OPERATE SAFELY. For example as of witing this i have been up for over 36 hours . Its because the government said it was safer for me to sit awake all day yesterday instead of driving . So i drove all night barely able to stay awake because it was only way to make my delivery . Honestly if i had paper logs i would have drove yesterday while rested and wakeful and slept last night instead of struggling to stay awake to pay my bills . This is a normal reality for many of us and one of the reasons the industry cant hold drivers . If the government tells you you're not allowed to safely operate a deadly piece of equipment then its obvious the government doesn't care about your safety or the safety of the public and none of us want to know we killed someone because the government forbade us from operating safely . The regulations are so confusing that even though i understand Theoretical Physics , read books by Stephen Hawkins and Brian Greene and even regularly listen to physics lectures from M.I.T and Standford ... i can't tell you how to use some of our rules . Is pay an issue ? For the risks the government forces on us yes . This is why only a third or so of CDL holders use it . This is not an easy license to obtain and even harder to keep yet drivers are fleeing this industry . Another problem is scheduling. To often we get loads with an open delivery but then broker schedules delivery while we're not even loaded yet . Then more often than not they arent calculating hours correctly . The load i was just on broker claimed it wasnt a J.I.T ( JUST IN TIME ) because it picked up on Tuesday and delivered Thursday . The reality was i had 34 hours to do an estimated 33 hour drive . If i scheduled it i would have made my first stop 38 hours . The reason is Traffic , Construction , Other delays , Fuel Stop , Two post trips and Two pre trips as well as at least one 30 minute meal and 30 minutes for , well ... restroom needs . That is proper planning but we're not allowed to schedule our deliveries so we can plan . The list goes on but the government hinderance to being allowed to operate safely is one of the biggest factors , but the other issues just add up quickly on that dangerous situation .

I work for a regional transportation company that does a lot of last-mile delivery because we go to all of the small towns that bigger carriers don't go to. We're union, and that means we can't compete with other companies on price, so we've always tried to position our company as a high-end, high-customer service carrier. We cost more but we can do overnight service most of the time, and we provide excellent customer service. In the last two years, this has worked very much to our advantage because there are a lot of people who just want to get it delivered as soon as possible, and will pay more for that service. We've actually had to turn a lot of business away at times. Even so, we never have enough drivers -- the driver shortage affects everyone. 10-15 years ago we would often have extra drivers available and if you wanted something delivered same day, we would do it immediately for the right price. These days, there are NEVER any extra drivers available, so we just can't do same day deliveries like that.

What a good Doc for sure..

thanks for such an amazing video. it gives a lot of knowledge and reality on supply chain.

This is a really well done documentary, thanks!

For everyone saying America needs to bring back factories to US. Or should have not send production overseas. Are you willing to pay more for it? And do know people in your community that are willing to work in factories anymore?

Thank you

This world is crazy, no respect, no awareness, no knowledge and dont care how things work, fix it and fix it fast. Just live life floating around worrying about irrelevancy. I see it everyday allday in traffic. Salute to my truckers and the hard workers that keep the supply chain moving. Keep on Trucking!

Really thorough video. One thing I still haven't seen covered in any depth, though, are rail operations. I think following the container from the port through loading the rail and the path it takes would be good to see. Why do some containers load the rail in 2 days after they discharge in LA, but other times it takes 6 weeks! Lots of variability in how long it takes to either load the train at the port, and then sometimes it loads and sits there for a week before it departs. Also, containers can get held up along the way for weeks unexpectedly. Maybe a second video can cover that aspect of the supply chain :)

I wonder why there is a trucker shortage. I’m usually suspicious of claims of labor shortages. To me that usually means there is a wage shortage or a benefit shortage.

Add in rail and you have another layer of issues and concerns. Really good documentary.

very clear video, and feels like part of a series of events taking place from long the pandemic and with just the short closure at the end about the war in Ukraine is definitely a story that is just starting to unfold. would love to hear more on the effects of the Ukraine humanitarian crisis on big international logistics, geopolitics and more.

This was great, and as a current truck driver, very accurate.

Amazing doc 👏👏👏

Absolutely fascinating! Quite honestly, I am buying what I anticipate I might need for the next two years ~ as inflation, fuel shortages, truck driver shortages. I anticipate at my older senior citizen age things will get much worse in the next couple of years! Cost and availability. I expect by the end of this summer 2022, I will be ready to cut back dramatically what I order on line and it is rather high for an older single senior citizen!

Better reestablish the railroad system like it was back in the 1950's. It would take a lot of pressure off of the highway infrastructure . Use trucks for only local deliveries. Next consider more automation at each individual state railroad stations.This would be the cure. Secondly, we absolutely need to start manufacturing in the US again. If England can do it ,so can we.Imagine the possibilities.

Thank you WSJ for doing this documentary. God bless all these fellow human beings.

incredible

The profits involved versus the mistreatment and exploitation of workers is unacceptable and unsustainable

I’d really be interested in having the @Wall Street Journal document what happens when a consumer presses the “Return package” button

I used to be a sailor. Well done people with this docu! You really showed the human part in the supply chain without being overly dramatic. I must say you Americans are great people, but have really strange measurement units as pounds, foots, gallons and so on. All the best from 🇳🇱

I'm so glad I'm not one of those people that complain about the time it takes to get something I ordered. Thank you to all involved for getting my product to me,. Thank you to all involved

Please update Your teams did amazing job

As a supply chain undergraduate, this video really displays the changes we talk about in class every day. My generation will be responsible for major evolution in how we approach supply chain.