At this stage, most companies have experienced global supply chain disruption due to COVID-related transportation issues. Shipping and container availability is at a premium. There are worldwide labor shortages. Throw in the drive toward carbon and waste reduction, as well as ongoing concerns around cost optimization and shifting customer expectations, and it becomes clear why supply chain issues are increasingly a top priority for organizations everywhere, especially sustainability.  

Faced with unprecedented disruption and uncertainty, corporate leaders are rethinking their supply chain strategies. Sustainable business practices, more efficient operations, smarter eco-friendly packaging, and transportation solutions: all are helping firms develop more resiliency and mitigate the risks of operating in a volatile environment. So, how can supply chains be made fit for the future?  

Supply chains are facing a vast amount of uncertainty and this uncertainty is due to the unpredictability of consumer demands, price and quality variation in the market, and shorter product life cycles. Organizations must plan and get ahead in the drive for supply chain sustainability. Whilst it’s difficult to plan for uncertainty, organizations must allocate space for any potential shift in their strategic priorities. Instead, they should focus on forging the ‘best crystal ball possible’ to improve and reach their supply chain sustainability development goals.  

Packaging has also become a much bigger concern and challenge for the industry since the rise of e-commerce, especially during the pandemic. Demands in sustainability of packaging from consumers and customers have left organizations thinking about waste/packaging like never before. Organizations need to have the right partnerships and strategy in place to meet the demand for a sustainable supply chain. Start setting your organization goals and targets that address the development of new packaging, improvements of existing packaging and distribution.   

Sustainable operations are vital in achieving competitive advantage for the entire supply chain and it is great to see the level of importance global organizations are putting on sustainability. We need to start living and breathing sustainability in all organizations, naturally then, it will be vital that we institute sustainability and green operations in our supply chains worldwide.  

What is a Virtual Roundtable?   

To be part of an upcoming roundtable discussion between the senior leaders that are driving change and addressing the issues that face your industry today, take a look at our upcoming Meet the Boss Event.