I recently had the opportunity to speak with a group of supply chain executives at an intimate conference, and several key themes emerged: 1️⃣ Shifting Labor Challenges: As Dwight Klappich from Gartner pointed out, 60% of supply chain executives continue to face labor shortages. However, in the U.S., the conversation is evolving. It's no longer just about labor availability—it's about labor cost. 🚩 If you’re still presenting your solutions based solely on availability, it’s time to reframe the ROI narrative. 2️⃣ The Pace of Technology: Several executives expressed concerns about the speed at which technology is advancing. There’s a real fear of investing in a solution, only to find that in 6-12 months, the tech has advanced so much that they are left with a one-off system. 🏎 We have to ask ourselves—how do we help our customers stay agile while ensuring long-term value? 3️⃣ Trust in Robotics: One executive shared a sobering experience of backing two different robotics projects where the companies involved were either acquired or shut down. Despite significant investment, the robotics installations were left unsupported or even decommissioned. 💰 This is a real concern—how can we, as an industry, ensure long-term support and sustainability with ever-changing shifts in VC/PE investment focus leading to acquisitions or closures? These are some of the reasons we are seeing companies like Walmart and Amazon build their own in-house robotics teams. But not all retailers and grocers can afford a build-your-own strategy. So how does a retailer compete? These concerns are valid, but we can’t let them hold us back. The pace of innovation in #AI and #automation is accelerating, and our customers can't afford to be left behind. Our role is to help them find balance—investing in technology that meets both current and future needs without compromising their trust. ⚖ Finding this balance requires not just understanding where the industry is now, but where it’s going—and how we can evolve with it. Let’s keep the conversation going and find smarter ways to address these challenges together. 💡 #SupplyChain #Automation #AI #Innovation #Leadership #Robotics #TechTransformation #Fulfillment #MFC #Retail #Grocery #Omnichannel #Logistics #Warehouse #Labor #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #VC #PE
Great insight
Very helpful
I love reading or hearing super smart people share their diversity of thought! Loved this.
Vice President, Global Logistics | Advisory Board Member | Supply Chain & Operations Management
2moGreat insights Heather! But points 1 and 2 are somewhat linked to the question of if companies are really solving demand-driven value chain problems or chasing shiny objects only. If you are solving real customer-led value chain problems then the ROI typically justifies the labour investment (even if expensive) and the technology investment approach (would not be irrelevant after 6-12 months)