Supply Chains 2024: Key Lessons and What They Mean for 2025
This has been a year full of major challenges and remarkable innovations within supply chains across the globe. In this blog, we discuss the main lessons learnt from 2024 and how they can influence strategic choices in 2025. We also stress the value of having current knowledge and skills, and how you can access this through the selection of supply chain management qualifications offered by IMM Graduate School. In an industry hungry for qualified talent, accredited, quality education is crucial for navigating and succeeding in this ever-changing environment.
1. Resilience Amid Disruption
Natural disasters and geopolitical unrest continued to disrupt global supply chains in 2024. Add to that port congestion, infrastructure bottlenecks, container shortages, rising freight rates and regulatory changes, it’s been a challenging year for the supply chain industry, worldwide. Challenges and disruptions like these highlight how essential it is for businesses, through small business partnerships and other agile strategies to be able to change course, find substitute suppliers, and redirect logistics at a moment’s notice.
What this means for Supply Chains in 2025: Resilience should be given top priority when it comes to supply chain strategies within any business. Resilience, when unpacked, includes creating backup or disaster recovery plans, investing in technology that provides real-time visibility, and diversifying suppliers. It is expected that CEOs and boards will be more focused on the risks that strategic suppliers present in what has become a high-risk environment.
2. The Rise of Technology Integration
Supply chain management was once again revolutionised by technological breakthroughs in 2024. From blockchain to demand forecasts driven by AI, technology is laying the groundwork for secure and efficient supply chains. The impact has been seen across the globe where AI technology has highlighted many data inconsistencies. A recent study has revealed that 66% of surveyed employees in Australian supply chains work with incomplete or inaccessible data.
What this means for Supply Chains in 2025: Businesses with a technological edge and increased data visibility will have a competitive advantage. The emphasis will go to improving these technologies and incorporating them more smoothly into current systems by 2026.
3. The Human Element in Supply Chains
The necessity of the human element in supply chains was emphasised in 2024, despite technological and automation improvements. Success still depends on having knowledgeable personnel who can negotiate with suppliers, handle complicated systems, and make strategic judgements.
What this means for Supply Chains in 2025: While technology is likely to take centre stage, it will always require skilled personnel who understand the subtleties of supply chain management and how to react strategically to market challenges. Upskilling and formal education has never been more important than now. This Forbes article says the supply chain for supply chain talent is broken. According to RiseNow’s Stewart, “the tech won’t stand on its own to get businesses the outcomes they need. It needs people.” And according to a survey from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, 64% of companies are experiencing a supply chain talent gap.
4. Globalisation vs. Localisation: Finding the Balance
Arguments over localisation and globalisation became more heated in 2024. Companies were forced to weigh the benefits of local production against the risks of relying too heavily on international supply chains. The hybrid technique known as “glocalisation” has become popular and is a workable answer for a lot of organisations.
What this means for Supply Chains in 2025: Achieving optimal equilibrium between domestic and international supply networks will be crucial. Companies ought to think about a strategic combination that makes use of both methods’ advantages.
What this means for you as a Supply Chain Manager in 2025 Maintaining a current understanding of supply chain management techniques and staying up to date on industry trends through industry bodies like the IMM Institute, is essential for you to make advancements in your supply chain career. If you have ‘grown up in the industry’ and are looking to ‘qualify’ your skills, you should explore the accredited supply chain management programmes offered by IMM Graduate School. It’s never too soon or too late to up your game and knowledge in this challenging industry.