SUPPLY CHAIN TRENDS 2018

Has there ever been a more exciting time for supply chain? Emerging technologies and changing customer behaviours are creating commercial opportunities and compelling reasons to evolve rapidly. Heralding this new era of transformation, Manucore’s Supply Chain Leadership Forum EU 2018 is designed to reflect that changing world, providing big answers to the big questions faced by industry leaders:

What does disruptive technology really mean for our business?
Where do we stand compared to our competitors and other sectors?
What can we do better and how do we make those changes?
Who are the best in class and what can our organization learn from them?
Every year, we speak to hundreds of senior supply chain leaders around the world, which affords us a powerful perspective on the industry: the trends, challenges and, crucially, solutions that dominate the 21st century agenda. As a young, agile company able to spot emerging trends in the industry, we have sourced leading practitioners to share case studies and actionable insights that members can take back to their own organizations.

In this article, we’ll preview these major themes,along with how they’re being tackled at the 2018 Supply Chain Leadership Forum Europe in Warsaw, 5-7 March.

Delighting the customer - supply chain trends 2018

The Trend: Delighting customers with the supply chain experience

The modern consumer, particularly millennials, expect an outstanding customer experience, as the major players, notably Amazon, continue to raise the bar of expectation in e-commerce, inventory and delivery times. This puts supply chain at the heart of the business, with a powerful role in brand, reputation and customer satisfaction. If you can’t get the product to your customer in a fast, convenient way, you’ll soon fall behind.

How we’re tackling it:

In Warsaw, Neil Ackerman, Senior Director, Global Supply Chain Advanced Planning for Johnson & Johnson, will reveal the secrets to delighting millennials, sharing lessons learned from his senior roles at Amazon, Mondelez International and now healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson. He explains how to learn from the Amazon effect, creating a supply chain that gives modern customers what they expect.

Supply Chain Leadership Forum EU, 2018

The Trend: the impact of digital transformation

Visibility in the end-to-end value chain is a major target for most organizations, but achieving it is more problematic. Digital technology and big data can help, but how do you start?

How we’re tackling it:

Marcelo De Santis, CIO, Pirelli, will outline how digital transformation has provided real-time visibility in manufacturing and across the Pirelli supply chain. Marcelo describes how Pirelli’s digital strategy has impacted on the company culture, customer experience and enriched data. He also outlines his vision of the future of the connected car and the impact this is having on data driven decision making.

Read more: Tech Blast – The Industrial Internet of Things

The Trend: Controlling the present, creating the future

Disruptive technology is rapidly becoming everyday technology. Understanding, adopting and executing them is the new ‘business as usual’. The most successful brands are already incorporating AI, machine learning, big data and Internet of Things technology, but the wheels of industry don’t stop turning while these companies innovate and iterate.

How we’re tackling it:

David Sheldon, Head of Global Supply Chain Development at Nestlé, will give a deep-dive into how organizations can meet consumers’ expectations of personalised, consistent and seamless experiences across retail, online and mobile. He explains why organizations must embody agility, responsiveness and flexibility, but still keep the traditional supply chain methodologies working.

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The Trend: Servitization – monetising the experience

Inspired by the success of industry disruptors like Uber and Airbnb, many manufacturers are adapting their business models to offer their services to their customers on top of the physical product. In some cases the services even replace the physical product. But where do you start?

How we’re tackling it:

Marc Verelst, Supply Chain Research and innovation Leader for Procter and Gamble will explain how to create the blueprint and begin the servitization journey. Engagement from the audience is encouraged and underpinning this interactive discussion are the fundamental themes: Create The Future – Control The Present – Manage The Transition.

Blockchain: Trends in supply chain for 2018

The Trend: The impact of Blockchain on supply chain

Behind the hype of crypto-currency bubbles, what can the technology deliver in reality? The early use cases springing up are making powerful headway in the traceability of raw materials, shipping and product security.

How we’re tackling it:

At SCLFEU, digital transformation experts Infosys will review Blockchain technology and the impact it is having on supply chain transparency and authenticity. It assesses the design of Blockchain, exploring its five pillars and three-layered architecture. The session also explores the application, the road map and challenges for supply chain professionals.