50 Supply Chain and Other Jokes – Laughing Out Loud (LOL)!

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Every once in a while, we all need to find some humor in our lives. Here are some of my favorite supply chain, manufacturing, procurement, and other jokes

Today, humor is needed, especially as the supply chain has been turned upside down with COVID lockdowns, out-of-control shipping costs, and container vessels that never leave port. I hope these jokes will make you smile and help you laugh out loud.

Table of Contents

50 Of Our Favorite Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Other Jokes

Humor has a fantastic ability to bring us together, even in tough times. We all need a little cheering up now and again, so why not do it with funny supply chain jokes?

From manufacturing laughs to smart shipping puns – we’ve got something for everyone!

Read on to discover 50 supply chain, manufacturing, and other jokes that will help to brighten up your day and add some humor to your life:

1. – Supply Chain Manager’s Are Fulfilled

If lawyers are disbarred, clergypersons defrocked, electricians should be delighted, cowboys deranged, drycleaners depressed, and supply chain managers fulfilled.

2. – Counting Widgets

Why will someone say there are 1 billion stars in the universe, and you will believe them, but if you tell an inventory manager there are 20 widgets in stock, they will make you count them?

3. -A Priest, A Solider and An Engineer

A priest, a soldier, and an engineer were scheduled to be executed during the French Revolution. The priest is brought to the guillotine and lies on the table. The executioner pulls the cord, and the heavy steel blade descends… then shudders to a stop in the middle of the track. The executioner proclaims, “This is a sign from God that we should spare the life of this priest.” The priest is set free, to the delight of the cheering crowd.

Next, the soldier is brought up and laid on the table. The cord is pulled, and the blade again shudders to a halt in the same place. The executioner proclaims, “The grace of God is extended even to this soldier!” The crowd goes wild with joy!

The engineer is brought up and laid on the table. Looking up, the engineer points upward, saying to the executioner, “You know if you tighten that one bolt right there, this thing will work.”

4. – Machinery and Cents

The United States Mint Office decided to save some money on making their US coins; they bought a cheap coin-making machine from China.

The machine stopped working, and an Engineer was brought in to try to fix the machine. As the engineer looked at the machine, he realized that the hardware was completely different from the other American machines, and he did not understand how the Chinese coin machine worked.

In frustration, he screamed, “I do not understand this machine; it makes no cents!”

5. – Operation Managers Are Bilingual

All operation managers are bilingual because they can speak English and profanity.

6. – The Three Chinese Friends

Chu, Bu, and Fu all decided to immigrate to America. To make it easier for them and to be able to get their visas, they decided to take on American names.

The Chu became Chuck

Bu became Buck

And Fu….decided to stay in China.

7. -Logistical Nightmare

Why did the supply chain manager always wake up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat?

He was having another logistical nightmare.

8. – Changing the Lightbulb

How many people in business does it take to change a lightbulb?

One to find a contractor. Another will make contracts with an insurance agent to buy electrical accident insurance. Another is to manage the stock price. Another is to organize the supply chains of the lightbulbs. Another is to deal with inspectors. Another is to deal with human resources. Another is to import the bulbs from China. After all this, you are lucky if your lightbulb will work and only be out of stock for the next 2 days.

9. – The Near-Death Supplier

If you are a supplier and think nobody cares if you are alive or dead, try missing a couple of delivery dates.

10. – The Supply Chain Song

What do you get if you play a supply chain country song backward? You get your revenue, your margins, and your on-time delivery back.

11. – COVID 19 and Vegas

I wish Covid-19 had started in Las Vegas.

Because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

12. – Supply Chain Planners

How many supply chain planners does it take to change a light bulb? None the light bulbs are late and not shipping.

13. – Master Zhi and The American Manufacturer

In a Zen monastery in the mountains of China, an American manufacturer decided to go to the monastery for some reflection and meditation.

When he was there, he had questions about life in China that he was sure Master Zhi could help him answer.

The American found Master Zhi and asked:

“Master Zhi, why does everyone say that the Chinese people all look alike?”

He pauses for a moment and looks into the American manufacturer’s eyes and answers:

“I’m not Master Zhi.”

14. – Missing Inventory

The easiest way to find that missing inventory is to place a new Purchase Order.

The easiest way to find that
missing inventory is to place a new Purchase Order.

15. – Responsible Employee

An employer advertises for a Buyer and in the job description says, “For this buyer’s job, we need someone responsible.

An applicant replies and says, ” I am the one you want; in my last procurement job, every time there was a problem, they said I was responsible.

16. – Procurement and the Manager

A Procurement planner asks the Manager, “What do you like most, my new forecast or my inventory projections?” The Manager looks at all the Excel spreadsheets and replies, “I like your sense of humor.”

17. – The Manufacturing Expert

A manufacturing plant was in trouble, and nobody knew why. The plant owner finally brought in an expert to fix the problem.

The expert walks in, inspects the equipment, takes out a piece of chalk, marks one unit with an X mark, and promptly leaves.

The plant owner replaces the machine, and voila! Everything’s great working again.

The expert’s invoice reaches the owner a week later – $5000. The owner is outraged – 5 grand for drawing one measly X mark on a machine. The plant owner writes a letter demanding an itemized bill, so he could ‘review expenses.’

The expert obliges and sends him an itemized bill as follows –

  • Chalk Cost – USD 1.00
  • X Mark – USD 1.00
  • Knowing Where To Put The X – USD 4,998.00

18. – Manufacturing Table Tops

What is the worst thing about manufacturing tabletops?

It is so counterproductive.

19. – Children’s Playground Manufacturing.

I just lost my job manufacturing children’s playground apparatus

This children’s playground industry is all swings and roundabouts

20. – Submarine Manufacturing

I used to work for a submarine manufacturing company.

Unfortunately, it all went under

21. – Boeing Spring mattresses

If Boeing was a Spring mattress manufacturing company,

They would name their spring mattresses “*Boing* 747”.

22. – Dracula Toy Manufacturing

My friend and I started a business manufacturing Count Dracula toys

I was not very happy as I had to make every second Count

23. – Nuts and Bolts Manufacturing

They asked how my job manufacturing nuts and bolts were going.

I told them it was quite “riveting.”

They asked how my job manufacturing nuts and bolts were going.

I told them it was quite “riveting.”

24. – Glass Coffin Manufacturing

I decided to start a glass coffin manufacturing business.

My banker asked me if I thought it would be successful.

I replied to him that it “remains to be seen.”

25. – Satis-Factory

What do you call pleasing manufacturing?

You can say it is satis-factory.

26. -Calculator Manufacturing

I recently had to sell my calculator manufacturing business.

The numbers I saw just were not “adding up.”

27. – Break Up Of Shipping Containers And Cargo Ships

Why did the shipping container break up with the cargo ship?

Because it couldn’t handle the pressure of being shipped around the world

28. – Common Currency Issues

Why did the global trade negotiations fail?

Because they couldn’t come to a common currency.

29. – Seize Food

Why did the customs agent get into the seafood business?

Because he loved to seize food.

30. – Supply Chain and Girl Friends

Why did the supply chain manager break up with his girlfriend?

Because he was always shipping her around.

31. – Coffee Beans And Competition

Why did the coffee beans refuse to be part of global trade?

Because they didn’t want to be brewed with the competition.

32. – The Happy Job!

Why was the supply chain analyst always happy? Because he always had a “fulfilling” job.

33. – Global Trade Agreements

Why did the global trade agreement get cancelled?

It just didn’t “export” the way they wanted it to.

34. – Container Talk

What did one container say to the other container?

“I’m a little crate-y.”

35. – Ship Sick

Why did the global trade shipper go to the doctor?

He was feeling “ship sick.”

36. – Weather Man Vs. Supply Chain Manager

What’s the difference between a supply chain manager and a weatherman?

The weatherman is usually right at least once a day.

37. – Strong Box

Why did the shipping container go to the gym?

To become a strong box.

38. – The Sole Survivor

What do you call a shipment of sneakers that got lost at sea?

A sole survivor.

39. – Dead Weight

Why did the shipping company charge extra for transporting dead batteries?

Because they were carrying a dead weight.

40. – Ocean and Cargo Ship

What did the ocean say to the cargo ship?

Nothing, it just waved.

What did the ocean say to the cargo ship?

Nothing, it just waved.

41. – Busy Supply Chain Worker

What do you call a busy supply chain worker?

A logistician in motion!

42. – Supply Chain Worker Breaks Up With Inventory

Why did the supply chain manager break up with the inventory? There were too many issues.

43. – Supply Chain Managers And Secrets

Why don’t supply chain managers tell secrets?

Because they always keep an item on track.

44. – Supply Chain and Routes

Why did the supply chain manager get lost?

Because they couldn’t follow their own route.

45. – Supply Chain and School

Why did the supply chain manager go to school?

To improve their “class”ification skills

46. – Excel Order

Why did the spreadsheet go to the supply chain meeting?

To keep everything in excel-lent order.

47. – Lost At Sea

Why did the supply chain manager get lost at sea?

Because they couldn’t navigate their way through the shipping lanes!

48. – Supply Chain and Movies

What’s a supply chain manager’s favorite type of movie?

Anything with a lot of trailers!

49. – Supply Chain and Yoga

Why was the supply chain professional great at yoga?

Because they were excellent at keeping balance – inventory balance!

50. – Supply Chain and The Choir

Why did the supply chain manager join the choir?

They had a talent for noting discrepancies.

10 Reasons Why I Absolutely Adore Supply Chain Jokes

When it comes to the intricacies of the global supply chain, many might consider it a serious topic. And while it’s true that navigating its complexities requires careful attention, there’s no reason why we can’t find a moment or two to share a good laugh about it. A

s someone deeply immersed in the industry, let me share why I believe that supply chain jokes are the unsung heroes of our profession.

  1. Supply Chain is Not Easy, So You Need to Learn to Laugh
    Navigating the vast and intricate supply chain world can be challenging. Whether it’s forecasting, inventory management, or transportation logistics, every aspect has its fair share of hurdles. Having a joke up my sleeve helps me find humor amidst the chaos and keeps me grounded.
  2. So Much Can Go Wrong in the Global Supply Chain
    From shipment delays to miscommunication, a multitude of things can go haywire. Having the ability to chuckle at the mishaps (after solving them, of course!) can be a breath of fresh air, reminding me that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them.
  3. Laughter is One of the Best Medicines
    Studies have shown that laughter can decrease stress hormones and increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. By enjoying a hearty laugh over a supply chain joke, I’m not just indulging in a moment of fun but also boosting my health.
  4. Laughter Can Go Through Cultural or Political Divides
    In a global industry where we regularly interact with professionals from different cultural and political backgrounds, humor becomes a universal language. A well-timed supply chain joke often bridges gaps, fostering understanding and camaraderie.
  5. Laughter Can Put People at Ease If Done Right
    Tense negotiations or heated debates are typical in our line of work. When shared appropriately, a light-hearted joke can diffuse tensions, allowing me and my colleagues to approach challenges with a rejuvenated spirit.
  6. Supply Chain Jokes Can Be Great Icebreakers
    When meeting new clients or team members, a funny anecdote related to the industry can pave the way for a relaxed and productive conversation.
  7. It Celebrates Our Unique Industry Perspective
    Not everyone gets supply chain jokes. Sharing them celebrates our unique perspective and knowledge, creating a sense of belonging.
  8. Jokes Can Be Educational
    Believe it or not, sometimes a joke can highlight an essential aspect of the supply chain in a memorable and digestible way.
  9. It Shows Resilience
    Laughing at challenges or hiccups in the system showcases resilience. It tells the world that no matter the hurdle, we in the supply chain industry can handle it with grace and humor.
  10. Keeps the Passion Alive
    Jokes, laughter, and a sense of humor remind me why I love what I do. They add a dash of fun to the daily grind, reigniting my passion for the supply chain world.

While supply chain jokes might seem trivial to some, for me, they’re a testament to the beauty of our industry. They remind us to laugh in the face of adversity and connect with others in the most delightful way.

So the next time you come across a good supply chain joke, remember these reasons and share it; who knows, it might just make someone’s day!

I hope you have enjoyed Laughing Out Loud (LOL) with us!

Find out more about how Mondoro can help you create, develop, and manufacture excellent home decor and furniture products – don’t hesitate to contact me, AnitaCheck out my email by clicking here or become a part of our community and join our newsletter by clicking here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are logistics jokes?

Logistics jokes are jokes that are related to the field of logistics, which involves the planning, implementation, and control of the movement of goods and services.

What are some common logistics puns?

Some common logistics puns include “I’m a logistical nightmare” and “I’m always on the move.”

What are purchasing jokes?

Purchasing jokes are jokes that are related to the field of purchasing, which involves the procurement of goods and services for a company or organization

What are some common purchasing jokes?

Some common purchasing jokes include “Why did the procurement officer cross the road? To get a better price” and “Why did the purchasing manager break up with his girlfriend? Because she was a high-maintenance supplier.”

Are logistics jokes only for people in the logistics industry?

No, logistics jokes can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates a good joke. They may be especially entertaining for those who work in the logistics industry, but they can be enjoyed by anyone.

What is the difference between a logistics joke and a purchasing joke?

A logistics joke is related to the movement of goods and services, while a purchasing joke is related to the procurement of goods and services. While there may be some overlap between the two fields, they are distinct areas of focus

Are there any downsides to using logistics jokes or puns in the workplace?

While logistics jokes and puns can be a fun way to lighten the mood in the workplace, it is important to be mindful of the audience and avoid offensive or inappropriate jokes.

How can I come up with my own logistics, purchasing, or chain jokes?

To come up with your own jokes, try brainstorming ideas related to the field or topic you are interested in. Look for opportunities to use wordplay or exaggeration to create humor. Practice telling your jokes to friends or colleagues to refine them and get feedback

How Do You Load A Dry Shipping Container?

A dry shipping container is a container that is used for 90% of all shipments worldwide. The dry shipping containers’ standard sizes are 20’, 40’, and 40’ HC container sizes. Each size has different payload weights and loading size limits, so when you prepare to load your container, what container size you choose will make a huge difference in the actual container loading.

To find out more about loading a dry shipping container, you can read our blog on 10 Tips On Loading A Dry Shipping Container, What You Need To Know by clicking here.

What Is The DUPRO or During Production Inspection?

The DUPRO Inspection is a product inspection conducted during the manufacturing phase of production. The DUPRO is also known as during the production inspection, as its main purpose is to find any errors during the product’s manufacturing phase. Most manufacturing errors are easier to fix during the production process instead of when the goods are completed.

You can find out more about DUPRO by reading our blog DUPRO, During the Production Product Inspection Guide by clicking here.

Anita Hummel
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