Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Stockpiling items for staying at home
As Americans stockpile everything from canned soup to toilet paper, consumer products makers are scrambling to meet demand. Companies like Clorox and Campbell Soup are running their plants 24/7 while reducing their product lines. They’re also under pressure to protect their workers who are on the front lines of the coronavirus
The Associated Press recently interviewed Geoff Freeman, the CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, on issues including the current status of supplies and customers’ shift away from organic food to packaged items like mac and cheese.
How does the industry’s supply chain brace for a pandemic?
I’m not sure that any of us would have been prepared for something we have never seen in our lifetimes, frankly our grandparents didn’t see in their lifetimes. It isn’t much a playbook to dust off as there is a put your head down, rise to the occasion and do everything you can do, and this industry has done just that.
Are you seeing consumers’ stockpiling leveling off a bit?
We’re seeing things settle into a new normal. The new normal isn’t back to 100%. There isn’t that much happening in the food service environment, the restaurant environment and the eating-away-from-home environment. So the industry is having to produce more for people to eat within their own homes.
How could the federal government be more helpful?
When it comes to the workforce, we could still use greater assistance. When people test positive for COVID-19, we would like to see greater clarity from the federal government, particularly the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on exactly what should be done. That’s why the industry is producing its own protocols.
What about COVID-19 testing at the manufacturing facilities?
As you see these tests becoming more available and as you see the test times become instantaneous, I wouldn’t be surprised that’s something that our facilities are able to offer to their employees. It’s something that we’re in the process of asking our government for.
Any innovations?
What I’m seeing is a real focus on limiting the number of things they are producing and really honing in on the product that can keep the lines running as quickly as possible, whether that is a peanut butter company that’s reducing its focus on chunky. Now chunky is only going to come in one size, and that is what you get.
Any long-lasting habits?
This is a unique time. I walk in the house and my 13-year-old son is baking. He wouldn’t bake in his life and all of sudden he’s baking. You are asking the $64,000 question. And that is the question that is being asked across the board.