The chapter highlights the vulnerabilities of global supply chains to disruptions like natural disasters and geopolitical conflicts, emphasizing the importance of preparedness. It delves into the challenges faced by supply chain managers, the evolution of production methods, and the impact of rising costs on maintaining larger buffers. The narrative also discusses the differences in stock management between retailers and manufacturers, the power shift in the supply chain due to globalization, and the complexities of balancing production forecasts with potential overstocking risks.