2Sustain

A new white paper by Capgemini identifies the current economic downturn as the number one factor influencing the supply chain agenda for 2009.

Capgemini surveyed over 300 companies in Europe (62%), the US and Canada (16%), Asia (13%) and Latin America (5%) and compiled the results in a report titled, “Crisis dominates the supply chain agenda in 2009 –Which projects will hold out in these difficult times?”

Survey participants were asked to identify the most influencing factors on their 2009 supply chain agendas. The top four results were:

• Economic downturn (65%)
• Meeting (changing) customer requirements (46%)
• Sustainability (37%) 
• Globalization (29%) 

Capgemini also queried survey participants about their most important supply chain projects for the year. Not surprisingly, the results suggest that supply chain managers are focusing on strategies to reduce inventory and logistic cost. Multiple answers per participant were allowed, and the supply chain projects that topped the list were:

• Inventory optimization (48%)
• Supply chain strategy project (45%)
• Improve long-term forecasting/planning (44%)
• Network redesign (41%)

Interestingly, survey respondents said sustainable initiatives were part of their agendas both before (32%) and after the start of the financial crisis (30%). To me, this is a clear indicator of not only an increased corporate awareness regarding environmental and social responsibility, but also a growing recognition of the bottom-line benefits of supply chain sustainability initiatives, as well. 

You can download the 6-page Capegemini report at http://www.techworld.com/whitepapers/index.cfm?whitepaperid=116587

(registration required).