A new report from RR Donnelley attempts to break down the readiness of the supply chain for the future, and it has produced some interesting nuggets of interest to leaders.
Among the biggest surprises is that while artificial intelligence is rapidly gaining traction, investment is specifically taking place in near-term technologies such as real-time visibility, scanning codes, and predictive analytics. Of those using AI, 59% said they are utilizing it for supply forecasting operations.
And, as nearshoring and reshoring continue to dominate global trade headlines, and President-elect Donald Trump floats widespread tariffs, 97% of survey respondents plan to reengineer their supply chain in the next two years, with 30% planning a “total and complete reengineering.” As part of this, 69% of respondents are developing new relationships with alternative suppliers, 67% are increasing domestic sourcing, and 52% seek dual sourcing from geographically dispersed suppliers.
“Supply chain leaders are not just adapting, they are completely transforming their approaches to secure a more stable future,” said John Marrow, president, Supply Chain Solutions, RRD. “Our report shows that while challenges remain, the right mix of innovation, risk management and proactive re-engineering can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.”