According to the survey which questioned a total of 150 logistics man-agers at German companies, collaborative partnerships and digitization in particular play a key role when it comes to increasing flexibility and performance along the supply chain. However, the survey also reveals that many companies underestimate the effort involved in implementation.

A clear majority of 67% 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 under-line the relevance of efficient supply chain structures, particularly in a globalized and highly competitive market environment. “The realization that an optimized supply chain is indispensable for a company’s success is increasingly being accepted. However, it is not enough to optimize selectively – in order to ensure resilience and flexibility, the entire supply chain must be considered in the context of its global network,” comments Nadja Grabenströer, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at SupplyX, on the results. According to the expert, this is the only way to effectively master the requirements of a dynamic market environment.

Time and costs as a key obstacle

The results of the 21st SupplyX Barometer also suggest that there often exists a lack of awareness regarding the changes that need to be undertaken, and that many companies un-derestimate the complexity of supply chain optimization. More than three quarters of respondents (77%) agree that the actual effort and resources required for such a project are underestimated. In medium-sized companies with 250 to 1,000 employees, this figure is even higher at 88%. For many companies (51%), the time and cost involved in implementing the necessary technologies is a key obstacle on the way to an optimized supply chain.

In addition, legal regulations and communication problems between the partners involved represent further hurdles. Almost half of the survey participants (49%) see regulatory requirements as a significant obstacle, while communication problems are rated as critical by 48% of respondents. “It is not only crucial for companies to invest in technology, but also in people and processes. This enables them to prepare for the transformation in a targeted and holistic manner while remaining agile in order to be able to react to unforeseen challenges. Those who only focus on short-term cost efficiency will lose competitiveness in the long term,” says Grabenströer.

Partnership-based cooperation as the basis for an efficient supply chain

For 83% of survey participants, close and well-coordinated collaboration with partners and suppliers is a key success factor for realizing synergies and making processes more efficient. In the global economic environment, supply chain performance no longer depends solely on internal optimization, but on the ability to act in partnership and exchange information quickly and transparently. Grabenströer adds: “The growing interdependence between companies and their suppliers requires new approaches to cooperation. Especially in times of crisis, flexible and well-coordinated supply chains are essential in order to respond to market changes and avoid operational failures.”

Digitalization as the key to optimization

Another key finding of the survey is the growing importance of digital technologies. 64% of respondents see digitalization as the only way to effectively optimize the supply chain. The need for IoT, artificial intelligence and big data analytics is particularly emphasized by companies with up to 1,000 employees.

Nevertheless, there are also reservations: Almost one in five respondents (19%) attaches little importance to these technologies. “Digitization is both an operational tool and a strategic catalyst. It’s not just about automating processes but using data intelligently in order to make informed decisions in real time,” says Grabenströer. “Companies that use digital technologies correctly not only manage to respond to challenges, but also anticipate trends, facilitate communication with partners and secure competitive advantages. In the long term, only those companies that consistently integrate digital transformation into their business strategy will be successful.”

Download the entire 21st SupplyX Barometer free of charge