SupplyX-Barometer on Optimization Needs in the Supply Chain: Holistic Approach as a Success Factor
Hamburg, November 11, 2024 – A systematic and overarching approach is essential for optimizing the supply chain: This view is held by more than half of the 150 logistics managers from German companies surveyed for the 21st SupplyX Barometer "Optimization Needs in the Supply Chain". Above all, collaborative partnerships and digitalization play a key role in increasing flexibility and performance along the value chain. However, the survey also shows that many companies underestimate the effort required for implementation.
A clear majority of 67 percent of respondents are convinced that an optimized supply chain will be a key success factor in the coming years. In larger companies with more than 1,000 employees, almost nine out of ten survey participants agree with this assessment. The figures underscore the relevance of efficient supply chain structures, especially in a globalized and highly competitive market environment. "The realization that an optimized supply chain is indispensable for business success is increasingly gaining traction. However, it is not enough to optimize in isolated cases – the entire value chain must be viewed in its global interconnectedness to ensure resilience and flexibility," comments Nadja Grabenströer, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at SupplyX, on the results. Only in this way can the demands of a dynamic market environment be effectively mastered.
Time and Cost Effort as a Central Obstacle
For the results of the 21st SupplyX Barometer also reveal that there is often a lack of realistic understanding of the necessary change, and many companies underestimate the complexity of supply chain optimization. More than three-quarters of respondents (77 percent) agree that the actual effort and the associated resources for such a project are underestimated. In medium-sized companies with 250 to 1,000 employees, this figure is even higher at 88 percent.
Above all, the time and cost effort associated with implementing necessary technologies is seen by many companies (51 percent) as a central obstacle on the way to an optimized supply chain. In addition, legal regulations and communication problems between the involved partners present further hurdles. Almost half of the survey participants (49 percent) see regulatory requirements as a significant obstacle, while communication problems are rated as critical by 48 percent of respondents. "For companies, it is not only crucial to invest in technologies but also in people and processes. This is how they can prepare specifically and holistically for the transformation while remaining agile to respond to unforeseen challenges. Those who focus only on short-term cost efficiency will lose competitiveness in the long run," says Grabenströer.
Collaborative Partnerships as the Basis for an Efficient Supply Chain
The majority of respondents have recognized this as well: For 83 percent of survey participants, close and well-coordinated collaboration with partners and suppliers is a decisive success factor for realizing synergies and making processes more efficient. In the global economic environment, the performance of the supply chain no longer depends solely on internal optimizations but on the ability to act collaboratively and exchange information quickly and transparently. Grabenströer: "The growing interdependence between companies and their suppliers requires new approaches to collaboration. Especially in times of crisis, flexible and well-coordinated supply chains are essential to respond to market changes and avoid operational disruptions."
Digitalization as the Key to Optimization
Another central result of the survey is the growing importance of digital technologies. 64 percent of respondents see digitalization as the only way to effectively optimize the supply chain. Especially companies with up to 1,000 employees emphasize the necessity of IoT, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. Nevertheless, there are also reservations: Almost one in five respondents (19 percent) attribute little importance to these technologies.
"Digitalization is both an operational tool and a strategic catalyst. It is not just about automating processes but about using data intelligently to make informed decisions in real-time," says Grabenströer. "Companies that use digital technologies correctly can not only respond to challenges but also anticipate trends, facilitate communication with partners, and secure competitive advantages. In the long run, only those companies will be successful that consistently integrate digital transformation into their business strategy."