While recent years have seen a positive shift in the conversation around supply chains, with the function viewed as a source of winning and growth, the last two years have highlighted the complexity of the functions and the dependency that businesses have on each other. Sudan commented on the fragile balance, with supply chains at the centre of that dependency. “Supply chains can be a source of strength or a vulnerability,” said Soudan.
However, while innovations and digital transformation technologies can be a lever of change, “beware a quick win,” warned Soudan. While technology will be significant in the industry’s future resilience, “Don’t create a Frankenstein enterprise, platforms need to integrate with the wider organisation.”
He added: “Resilient businesses need digitalised operations and supply chains built for speed and flexibility through agility, productivity, connectivity, and sustainability. With this digitalisation, supply chains can remove organisational silos and provide a competitive advantage.”
