Can Your Supply Chain Turn on a Dime?

Shifting and more demanding consumer expectations are changing the way organizations work. According to the EY Americas Supply Chain Reinvention Survey 2019, 53% of respondents say fast-changing customer preferences require supply chains that can turn on a dime.

The survey covers topics including technology adoption, leadership and talent, investment prioritization, sustainability, and other factors in creating a successful supply chain. Key findings include:

A long road to 2025. More than 50% of senior-level supply chain executives expect autonomous supply chains by 2025. But only 25% of supply chains are currently digitally networked or autonomous.

The secret sauce. Autonomous supply chains see greater improvements in market share and customer satisfaction, compared to linear counterparts.

• 90% of respondents with autonomous supply chains report that their market share increased somewhat or significantly in the past year, compared to 7% with linear supply chains.
• 97% of respondents with autonomous supply chains report their customer satisfaction somewhat or significantly increased in the past year, compared to only 8% with linear supply chains.

Talent shortage. 55% of companies report they are retraining employees in the supply chain function for digital technologies, but a lack of skilled employees is cited as the #2 obstacle to a successful supply chain.

• Just 44% of respondents say their employees are prepared for digital innovation in the supply chain.

Sustainability priorities. Over the next three years, sustainability is the #2 priority for supply chains, behind increased efficiency.

• 90% of companies with autonomous supply chains say sustainable management reduces costs in the long term, versus 25% of those with a mostly linear supply chain.