The early 2020s will be seen as an inflection point for supply chain management. It’s a time when growing risks are forcing change. The results of our survey of more than 900 companies reveal the urgent need to take a more holistic view of supply chains to make them more flexible and resilient. That view should span environmental issues alongside flexibility, financial strength and being connected and collaborative, as companies seek to balance cost and efficiency against the pressing need for sustainability and resilience.
We believe, however, that while the rebalancing may inevitably have implications for supply chain cost and efficiency, these can be minimised through better use of the tools available, particularly appropriate financing and data and technology. Indeed, these tools can reach beyond direct suppliers to the indirect suppliers that may be the greatest source of vulnerability.
