In the post-pandemic era, companies are under great pressure to improve:
- Supply chain performance
- Fleet management
- Material management
- Logistics
- Warehouse Maintenance
- Forecasting and more
No matter which industry you’re in, you’ll be feeling the pressure to do this, too.
The question is, though, where do you start?
Between now and 2030, lots of exciting supply chain trends are going to take over. Some of them, in fact, has already begun. By following along with these trends, you can boost your supply chain and experience all of the benefits that come with it – it’s a no-brainer!
With that covered, it’s now time to examine the five biggest supply chain trends to look out for this decade. Pay close attention, as you won’t want to miss a detail.
1. Improved Aerodynamics
Tractor trailers (also known as semi-trailer trucks) play a huge role in today’s supply chains. Without them, next-day deliveries wouldn’t be possible, and there would be major stock shortages across the nation’s stores. Essentially, if you remove the tractor-trailers, then chaos would follow.
Because so many small, medium, and large-size companies have supply chains that involve tractor-trailers and trucks, they’re focused on improving aerodynamics so that less fuel can be wasted by aerodynamic drag. Moving into the future, you’re going to see aerodynamic products being used across most fleets as this trend starts to catch on!
2. Waste Recycling
For decades, one of the biggest problems with supply chains has been this: waste.
From factories to warehouses, it’s very common for large amounts of waste to get produced. This waste is then usually transported to landfill sites, which isn’t good for the environment. Recently, it was even discovered that Amazon threw away millions of products that it didn’t sell. It’s not known whether they’re still engaging with this practice (hopefully, they’re not).
So, is there a solution to supply chain waste? It turns out there are quite a few, with one of them being extra effective: recycling balers.
Recycling balers and compactors are now becoming commonplace across factories and production units. In a nutshell, what happens is that waste materials such as plastics and cardboard get compiled together and crushed by the recycling baler machines. After being crushed, they’re put into nice and compact cubes (‘bales’), which can then be recycled. For example, many companies take the thousands of recycling bales that they produce and then sell them to recycling companies for a profit – it’s a win-win situation.
3. Sourcing from Green Suppliers
Another big trend moving forward will be the sourcing of materials, supplies, and finished products from green suppliers. This is all part of the ‘green movement, where companies are doing all they can to become more eco-friendly and future-proof their supply chains.
Whatever the size and scale of your business, it’s highly recommended that you start sourcing from green suppliers as well.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is quickly taking over the modern supply chain – and it’s very exciting.
Interestingly, McKinsey calculated that AI technology had enabled companies to improve:
- Logistics by 15%
- Inventory levels by 35%
- Service levels by 65%
There are many benefits that come with AI technology when management implements it into their supply chain management.
One of the best examples of this is AI-controller computer vision systems that allow key factors, such as inventory management, to be improved. In the case of inventory management, computer vision systems can accurately predict things like consumer demand, which means products are overproduced.
5. Next-Day Deliveries
It’s not a secret to anyone: online shopping has taken over.
As great as this is for companies like online retailers, it also means there’s added supply chain pressure.
Make no doubt about it: the modern consumer is more demanding than ever. When they order a product online, they usually want it delivered by the end of the next day. If not, they expect it within the industry standard of 3-5 days.
Next-day deliveries aren’t as easy as they sound and require maximum efficiency so that the product can arrive on the consumer’s doorstep within 24 hours. Typically, this involves the company shipping the product to contact their logistics company but dropping the products off at the collection point. The logistics company will do everything in its power to deliver the product within 24 hours.
Although this type of delivery method can put a strain on supply chains, it will become the industry standard in the future as most consumers want their products delivered as soon as possible.
