Due to an influx in new technology and its impact on the business world, supply chain trends have been more difficult to predict as of late. Several different industries have been previously predicted to have suffered some form of disruption.
This disruption was meant to come from automation’s introduction to several industries including the food processing equipment industry, the life sciences industry, the manufacturing industry, and finally the flexible packaging industry which still employees up to 79,000 workers. However, these disruptions have yet to make much of a dent on these industries.
In the case of the manufacturing industry, the increase in automation has actually improved the jobs of workers. While predictions regarding future logistics may not be promising there are a number of newer trends that supply chain recruiters may want to pay attention to.
- Social responsibility of supply chains
Potentially one of the most important trends supply chain recruiters should be following is the social responsibility of supply chains. The social responsibility of corporate entities has become a marketing factor. Consumers are more likely to buy from companies and supply chains that protect the environment. Supply chain recruiters can then take advantage by bringing new benefits to the table. - Logistics and Tech Services
As more logistics services begin to offer technology services, the line between the two begins to become blurred. This is important for supply chain recruiters to take note of because of the necessity to know what kind of organization it is you’re dealing with. - Warehouse robotics
Automation has rarely become the stronghold for many industries. As of now, automation is as advanced as the use of system-guided manual processes which perform repetitive tasks. - The rise of last-mile service providers
When it comes to the final product and its delivery from the distribution warehouse to the seller, the delivery of the product can often be the most taxing and the most expensive. Many supply chains however are beginning to bypass the middle man such as FedEx and UPS as a way to save money by in-housing their own last-mile services. As technology becomes more advance, delivering the last-mile in-house only becomes easier.
While the use of automation in multiple industries has yet to make a big disruption, trends in supply chains and logistics are always primed to make a revolutionary change. Therefore, knowing these trends is essential for the future of supply chain recruiting.
