By the numbers: Biden reviews supply chain progress with task force – Supply Chain Dive

Six months after the formation of the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, its members and President Joe Biden convened for a final time in 2021, on Dec. 22.

At the meeting, supply chain executives and cabinet members touted progress in relieving port congestion, stocking store shelves and boosting the workforce.

"The much-predicted crisis didnt occur," Biden said, referring to dire warnings in the fall that inventory may not make it to store shelves in time for the holidays. "Packages are moving. Gifts are being delivered. Shelves are not empty."

The president and the task force members relayed several facts and figures to illustrate the strides made so far in alleviating supply chain snarls.

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By the numbers

90%

On-shelf availability in retail stores, nearly the same as pre-pandemic levels of 91%, Biden said.

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By the numbers

Nearly 50%

The reduction in containers dwelling at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for more than eight days, according to John Porcari, Port Envoy to the White House Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force. "This is striking progress since November," Biden said.

5 days

Average dwell time for containers at the Port of Long Beach, down from 12 days in mid-October, Porcari said.

4 days

Average dwell time for containers at the Port of Los Angeles, down from nine days in mid-October.

25%

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By the numbers

100 million

The number of packages FedEx moved in the first weekend of peak season after Thanksgiving, CEO Fred Smith said.

14.4 million

The number of square feet of sortation capacity FedEx added in 2021. "I think this is also true of UPS and the Postal Service, who have done a good job in opening up capacity," Smith said.

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By the numbers

2 days

How long it takes companies to set up registered apprenticeships for truck drivers. Previously, it took two months, the president said. "These apprenticeships are going to help new drivers get trained better and faster, and help companies retain drivers in a field that has a lot of turnover," Biden said.

111,000

The number of employment applications FedEx processed "over the last few weeks," Smith said Dec. 22.

300,000

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By the numbers: Biden reviews supply chain progress with task force - Supply Chain Dive