Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
Supply Chain Statistics — 70 Key Figures of 2025
Key take-aways
- Companies providing AI and automation solutions for supply chain management will likely see significant growth soon.
- Products designed to defend against cyber-attacks will likely be adopted by organizations to secure their supply chains.
- The ongoing digitization of supply chains enhances visibility and transparency resulting in organizations gaining insights into all aspects of their supply chains.
Just like procurement analytics, supply chain statistics can be a long and dragging subject. However, it is an important factor for the success of your procurement process. It’s only right to talk about it with this article.
We will discuss further the importance of supply chain statistics for procurement managers all over the world. We’ll also include 70 key figures for supply chain managers to look at for this year 2025.
When you’re done reading about this article, you should already be an expert in supply chain statistics.
The 70 Key Supply Chain Statistics for 2025
Here are some significant key figures you may want to know for 2025.
1. 83% of businesses prioritize customer experience enhancement in digital business strategy for supply chains
Gartner finds that 83 % of companies now place customer-experience enhancement at the center of their digital business strategy for supply chains.
Leaders increasingly treat the supply chain not just as a cost engine but as a customer-facing platform, redesigning fulfillment, data visibility, and last-mile processes to deliver seamless, personalized service. The result is higher satisfaction, stronger loyalty, and a supply chain positioned as a true competitive differentiator.
2. Only 6% of businesses achieved full supply chain visibility
Only 6% of companies report full end-to-end visibility, the GEODIS Supply Chain Worldwide Survey shows.
Although visibility sits just behind OTIF delivery and product availability on the priority list, data is still siloed across partners. Until firms standardize data-sharing, even blockchain and AI fixes can’t close these costly blind spots.
3. 55% of G2000 OEMs to redesign service supply chains using AI
IDC predicts that by 2026, 55 % of G2000 OEMs will redesign their service supply chains around AI, using predictive models to pre-position parts, schedule technicians, and prevent disruptions.
The payoff, however, depends as much on data integration and change management as on the algorithms themselves.
4. 50% of companies will have implemented more balanced multi-shoring sourcing strategies to address risk better
IDC projects that by next year, 50 % of firms will switch to balanced multi-shoring sourcing strategies, splitting orders across several regions rather than relying on a single low-cost hub.
Diversifying supply lanes cushions inflation spikes, geopolitical shocks, and port closures, strengthening overall resilience. The trade-off is greater coordination complexity, pushing companies to upgrade supplier visibility and risk-management tools.
5. Global chain is expected to experience a CAGR of 11.2% from 2020 to 2027
Zippia estimates the global supply-chain market will expand at an 11.2 % CAGR from 2020 to 2027, driven by accelerated digitalization and a wider dependence on cross-border networks.
Efficient, tech-enabled chains are now seen as core infrastructure, keeping growth on track even after the COVID-19 shock.
6. A 14% annual growth of robotics integration in the supply chain is expected by 2025
Robotics adoption in supply chains is forecast to grow about 14 % annually through 2025. ABI Research sees more than four million robots operating in 50,000+ warehouses by that date, and market trackers value the logistics-robot segment at over $12 billion.
Falling hardware costs and plug-and-play “smart” bots let firms automate picking and pallet moves quickly, offsetting labor shortages and lifting throughput. With these gains, warehouse robotics is becoming a baseline investment rather than a futuristic option.
7. 63% of organizations have implemented technological solutions to monitor and assess the efficiency of their supply chains
PwC finds that 63 % of organizations now use digital tools to monitor and assess supply-chain efficiency. AI- and IoT-powered dashboards pull disaggregated data in real-time, exposing bottlenecks and guiding rapid fixes.
EY and McKinsey’s surveys show the same tech push underpins near-shoring moves and delivers clear ROI through lower costs and higher revenues.
8. Only 53% of supply chain leaders possess adequate master data quality
McKinsey finds that only 53 % of supply-chain leaders rate their master data quality as “adequate,” exposing a weak link in the resilience triad of visibility, scenario modeling, and master data.
Poor data hygiene undermines planning accuracy and blunts disruption-response, even when visibility tools are in place. Firms are now tightening governance, streamlining part numbers, and enriching supplier records to elevate data integrity and overall resilience.
9. 93% of senior supply-chain executives intend to make their supply chains far more flexible, agile, and resilient
McKinsey reports that 93 % of senior supply-chain executives plan to make their networks markedly more flexible, agile, and resilient. COVID-19, climate shocks, and geopolitical rifts exposed fragility, pushing leaders to embed agility across R&D, sourcing, planning, and logistics.
Because agility speeds response, it naturally reinforces resilience, but only if baked into end-to-end design, from dual sourcing and regional footprints to digital “nerve centers” that rehearse extreme-disruption scenarios.
10. 94% of companies report revenue impact due to supply chain disruptions
According to a 2025 survey reported by ElectroIQ, 94% of companies stated that their revenue was negatively affected by supply-chain disruptions.
This widespread impact highlights how pervasive and critical the challenge remains for businesses across industries.
11. IDC analysts predicted that 50% of companies will adopt balanced multi-shoring sourcing strategies, leading to a 10 percentage point increase in supply reliability
IDC’s FutureScape forecasts that 50 % of companies will shift to balanced multi-shoring sourcing, boosting supply reliability by roughly 10 percentage points.
Spreading orders across several regions cushions geopolitical and climate shocks, but demands tighter supplier coordination and real-time risk visibility.
12. 40% of Asian-based supply chain organizations will recover 2 percentage points of margin by prioritizing multi-shoring supply sourcing to enhance resilience and reliability by the end of the year
IDC projects that by year-end, 40 % of Asia-based supply-chain organisations will shift to multi-shoring sourcing, regaining about two percentage points of margin.
Diversifying orders across several regions cushions inflation shocks and single-site failures, boosting reliability while trimming disruption-driven costs. Executives increasingly view multi-shoring as the fastest, most profitable route to greater resilience and competitiveness.
13. 55.6% of businesses identified cybersecurity as a primary worry for supply chain resilience
BCI’s 2023 Supply Chain Resilience report finds that 55.6 % of organisations list cybersecurity as their top concern for supply-chain resilience. Hyper-connected, data-rich networks have become tempting targets, pushing cyber risk ahead of weather, natural disasters, and energy shortages.
To stay resilient, companies are fortifying endpoints, exchanging threat intel with partners, and baking cyber-incident drills into continuity plans.
14. 65% of respondents to Gartner’s survey said it will be easier to fund new technology investments
Gartner’s late-2022 survey of 499 supply-chain leaders shows 65 % expect it will be easier to secure funding for new technology.
Executives view digital tools, from AI to control-tower analytics, as the fastest route to resilience and growth, so cap-ex gates are opening. The upbeat investment outlook underscores a tech-driven future for supply chain performance.
15. The global supply chain management is worth $21.95 billion
Fit Small Business estimates the global supply chain management market at $21.95 billion in 2023, up from $15.85 billion in 2020.
Ongoing digitization, demand for real-time visibility, analytics, and automation, fuels this double-digit climb, with the sector expected to reach about $30.9 billion by 2026.
16. The average cost of a supply chain disruption is $1.5 million per day
Supply Chain Dive data puts the average disruption hit at about $1.5 million per day, but the pain varies widely, roughly $0.61 million in manufacturing,
$1.1 million in retail, $2.5 million in oil & gas, and $3.5 million in high-tech, with pharma matching the headline figure. A newer Interos study suggests those costs have fallen by more than half, yet even a “cheaper” outage can still drain seven figures daily, enough to make proactive risk-mitigation a board-level priority.
17. The global shortage of lumber has caused the price of wood to increase by 300% since 2020
Softwood lumber prices have skyrocketed more than 300 % since 2020 as a perfect storm squeezed supply and stoked demand. Lockdowns funneled consumer cash into home-improvement projects, but sawmills faced labor shortages and COVID safety curbs just as orders surged.
Higher U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber and limited timber availability further pinched output, preventing producers from scaling up quickly. The result: a prolonged supply crunch that keeps wood costs far above pre-pandemic norms.
18. Supply-chain disruptions drive 60% of recent inflation
The Conference Board calculates that supply-chain snarls are adding roughly $1,200 a year to the average U.S. household’s spending.
The same disruptions have an estimated 6–10 % off corporate revenues and have driven about 60 % of the recent inflation surge. Looking ahead, supply-chain leaders flag food, fuel, and semiconductor chips as the most exposed categories.
19. RFID tags can increase inventory accuracy up to 95%
AJG Transport notes that RFID tags can push inventory accuracy to roughly 95 %, up from the 65 % typical with manual counts.
Real-time scans read dozens of items at once, trimming human error and lifting fulfillment precision to 99 % in some trials. For retailers, mandated RFID rollouts have even driven store-level accuracy near 98 %, turning the technology into a must-have buffer against today’s supply-chain volatility.
20. 70% of companies consider supply chains crucial in delivering excellent customer service
A GEODIS survey shows that 70 % of companies view their supply chain as critical to delivering excellent customer service.
Because fulfilment isn’t “done” until the product delights the buyer, firms now feed customer-service insights, pain points, delivery-speed demands, and transparency expectations straight into logistics planning. The payoff is higher satisfaction and a supply chain tuned not just for cost, but for competitive, customer-centric performance.
21. 43% of small businesses do not track their inventory
AJG Transport finds that 43 % of small businesses don’t track inventory at all, exposing them to chronic overstock, stock-outs, and shaky forecasts.
Of the firms that do track, 24 % lean on basic accounting suites like QuickBooks, while only 18 % invest in purpose-built inventory-management software. Without real-time visibility, owners struggle to align supply with demand, leaving money on the shelf or customers empty-handed.
22. The average lead time for goods to travel from China to the United States has increased by 50% since 2019
CNBC reports that the average lead time for shipments from China to the United States is now about 50 % longer than in 2019.
Pandemic-era port closures, capacity crunches, and rolling lockdowns have stretched ocean transits that once ran 30–40 days to 45 days or more, while air freight and express lanes also face delays and price spikes. Seasonality, route congestion, and shipment size add further variability, forcing importers to pad schedules and carry higher safety stock to protect service levels.
23. Supply chain disruptions result in a 3-5% increase in expenses and a 7% decrease in sales
Gitnux data show that supply-chain disruptions typically inflate operating expenses by 3–5 % and shave roughly 7 % off sales.
Lacking real-time visibility, firms scramble for spot freight or emergency sourcing, driving costs up as stock-outs erode revenue. End-to-end transparency, dual sourcing, and early-warning dashboards can blunt these financial hits before they snowball.
24. Daily performance indicators for supply chain optimization include cost reduction (35%), production service rate (29%), inventory turn (28%), and production time (27%)
AJG Transport cites four daily supply-chain KPIs that matter most to operators: cost reduction (35 %), production service rate (29 %), inventory turn (28 %), and production time (27 %).
Cost-cutting tops the list, but service levels, stock velocity, and cycle time work together to expose hidden waste and keep cash moving. Tracking the quartet lets firms benchmark processes, spot bottlenecks, and set targets that scale with growth. Even simple fixes, like trimming transit time, can lift all four metrics, turning KPIs into an everyday optimization playbook.
25. 65% See Tech Adaptation as Top Supply Chain Shift
Gartner’s pulse of 499 supply-chain leaders shows that 65 % view “adapting to new technology” as the most consequential strategic shift over the next five years. More than half (52 %) single out AI as the standout disruptor, while 40 % put digital-supply-network tools in the same bracket.
Analysts flag eight high-investment trends, hyper-automation 2.0, next-gen robots and autonomous things, digital supply-chain twins, ubiquitous analytics, security mesh, ecosystem collaboration, and sustainability tech, that will reshape planning playbooks. Leaders who don’t embed these “inevitable” technologies risk watching their networks slip behind faster, smarter rivals.
26. Ship arrivals fell to 87% of the average in May 2025
In May 2025, the Port of Los Angeles recorded a decline in ship arrivals, with 74 vessels arriving during the first 15 days, representing 87% of the average number of arrivals for this period.
This drop indicates reduced import activity and lower pressure on port capacity compared to previous years.
27. Global food insecurity up 243% in 2025
Between 2020 and early 2025, the number of people facing acute food insecurity increased by 243%, rising from 100 million to 343 million people worldwide.
This sharp growth highlights a worsening global hunger crisis driven by conflicts, economic shocks, and climate change.
28. Global supply chain losses down 88% to $184 billion in 2025
By 2025, global supply chain disruptions resulted in annual losses of approximately $184 billion, representing an 88% reduction compared to previous peak levels.
This significant decrease highlights improved supply chain resilience and risk management, though disruptions continue to impose a substantial economic burden worldwide.
29. 82% of supply chain organisations increased IT spending in 2025
In 2025, 82% of supply chain organisations reported an increase in IT spending, highlighting a strong focus on digital transformation, AI, automation, and visibility tools to enhance operational efficiency and resilience.
30. Average delivery time remains ~25% longer in 2025
As of October 2024, the average delivery time for raw materials stood at 81 days, compared to 65 days pre-pandemic, representing a ~25% increase.
This indicates that delivery delays remain significantly higher than before COVID‑19, underscoring the need for continued supply chain optimization and visibility enhancement.
31. Supply chain disruptions cost companies ~8% of annual revenue
In 2025, it was reported that global supply chain disruptions in 2024 led companies to incur financial losses averaging around 8% of their annual revenues.
This reflects the significant economic burden disruptions place on businesses, highlighting the need for improved resilience, risk management, and digital supply chain transformation.
32. Data breach costs increased by 10%
In a report released in 2025, IBM revealed that the global average cost of a data breach rose by 10% in 2024, reaching $4.88 million.
This increase highlights the rising financial impact of cyber incidents, while organizations using AI and automation saved an average of $2.22 million and significantly reduced breach resolution times.
33. Logistics automation market CAGR at 14.7%
The global logistics automation market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7% from 2024 to 2030, according to Grand View Research.
This rapid growth reflects increasing adoption of automation technologies, including AGVs, sorting systems, and logistics software, to enhance delivery speed, reduce operational costs, and improve accuracy across supply chains.
34. Digital twin market CAGR at 37.5%
The global digital twin market was valued at $11.13 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.5% from 2023 to 2030, reaching $155.83 billion by 2030, according to Growth Market Reports.
This surge is driven by rapid adoption across the supply chain, manufacturing, and automotive sectors as companies leverage digital twins to optimize operations, improve visibility, and simulate scenarios for better decision-making.
35. 20% lower operating costs & 11% higher EBIT for digitized supply chains
Top-tier companies that embrace supply chain digitization report 20% lower operating costs and 11% higher EBIT, according to a recent guide on supply chain automation, reflecting clear financial gains from streamlining operations through integrated digital platforms and analytics.
This underscores the pivotal role of technology in enhancing efficiency and profitability.
36. 70% of U.S. supply chain managers hold a bachelor’s degree
As of early 2025, 70% of U.S. supply chain managers report having a bachelor’s degree, while 17% hold a master’s, 9% an associate’s, and only 2% have a high school diploma.
This educational distribution underscores the importance of undergraduate education as the foundation for leadership roles in supply chain management.
37. Employment of logisticians is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033
According to the June 2025 update from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of logisticians is projected to increase by 19% between 2023 and 2033, adding approximately 26,100 job openings annually over the decade.
This growth rate significantly outpaces the 4% average growth projected for all occupations, underscoring strong demand for logistics professionals in supply chain–driven industries. Additionally, the median wage for logisticians reached $80,880 in May 2024, well above the national average.
38. Warehouse robotics market to grow 19.6% CAGR by 2030
According to Grand View Research, the global warehouse robotics market is projected to reach $17.29 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2023 to 2030.
Growth is driven by e-commerce expansion, labor shortages, and the need for safer, more efficient warehouse operations.
39. 40% prioritise electrification, 29% natural resource management in supply chain sustainability
A recent survey of 525 senior supply chain executives found that 40% of businesses prioritise electrification and 29% focus on natural resource management as key areas for supply chain sustainability.
Despite this, many companies struggle to measure the ROI of their sustainability initiatives, often prioritising cost savings over broader ESG goals.
40. 65% of customers abandon retailers after 2–3 late deliveries
According to a Voxware survey, 65% of customers stop shopping with a retailer after two to three late deliveries, while 14% abandon after just one late delivery.
These figures highlight the critical importance of accurate and on-time fulfillment for maintaining customer loyalty and protecting revenue.
41. 76% of European shippers experienced supply chain disruptions
In early 2025, data revealed that 76% of European shippers reported supply chain disruptions during 2024, with approximately 25% of firms encountering over 20 disruptive events, including material shortages.
This underlines that disruptions remain a persistent challenge for supply chains, even amid global stability efforts.
42. 50% of supply chains to have a dedicated technology leader by 2025
Gartner predicts that by 2025, over 50% of supply chain organisations will have a technology leader reporting directly to the Chief Supply Chain Officer.
This reflects the strategic importance of technology integration in driving digital transformation, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage in modern supply chains.
43. Global GDP growth forecast cut to 2.9% in 2025
In mid‑2025, the OECD downgraded its projection for global economic growth from 3.3% (previous estimate) to 2.9% for both 2025 and 2026, signifying a 0.4 p.p. revision linked to rising trade barriers and geopolitical tensions.
This highlights persistent headwinds from global supply chain disruptions and policy uncertainty.
44. Global container fleet capacity up 9%
According to ContainerLift’s May 2025 report, the global container fleet expanded by approximately 9% in the past year, with 2.62 million TEU of new capacity added.
This reflects a robust boom that may outpace demand and pressure freight rates.
45. 62–85% of freight forwarder revenue is spent on carrier rates
Carrier rates significantly shape freight forwarders’ gross profit, with 62% to 85% of their revenue typically spent on purchasing carrier capacity, such as shipping lines and cargo airlines.
The remaining 15–38% is converted into gross profit, underlining the importance of rate negotiations in their business model.
46. 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products
According to a 2025 consumer survey, 55% of global consumers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly brands and sustainable products.
Highlighting the continued demand for environmental responsibility in purchasing decisions, even amid rising living costs.
47. Global air cargo demand up ~3% YTD 2025
According to IATA, global air cargo demand increased by approximately 3% year-to-date in 2025, with a 4.4% year-on-year growth recorded in March and a 2.2% growth in May. This steady rise reflects a gradual recovery in the air freight sector following previous years’ volatility.
48. ~27% annual chance of major supply chain disruption
Based on a 2025 World Economic Forum report, major supply chain disruptions now occur approximately every 3.7 years, equating to an annual probability of about 27%.
Each disruption can take 2–3 years to fully recover, posing persistent challenges to global supply chains.
49. E‑commerce return rate rose to 20.4%
According to a 2025 industry report, the average e‑commerce return rate climbed to 20.4% in 2024, up from 17.6% in 2023 and 16.5% in 2022.
This trend highlights increasing pressure on reverse logistics systems as online shopping continues to grow.
50. 70% reduction in labor costs from sustainability actions
According to a 2025 study cited by SupplyChainBrain, implementing sustainability-focused supply chain initiatives can reduce labor costs by 70%.
This shows a clear financial benefit alongside environmental gains.
51. Cloud logistics software to grow at 10.2% CAGR
The global cloud logistics software market is projected to grow at a 10.2% compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2026.
With shipments expected to escalate from around $10.5 billion in 2023 to approximately $12.6 billion by 2026, driven by surging demand for real‑time visibility and scalable logistics solutions.
52. Cyber risk cited by 16% of companies as top supply chain threat
The 2025 WTW Global Supply Chain Risk Survey reports that 16% of companies now identify cybersecurity as their primary supply chain risk, up from just 5% in 2023.
This marks a sharp rise in awareness of digital threats within supply chain operations.
53. AI in supply chain to grow at 45.6% CAGR by 2025
According to Statista, the adoption rate of AI in supply chains is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.6% through 2025, driven by the need for real-time insights, demand forecasting, and process automation across manufacturing and logistics.
This rapid expansion is expected to unlock billions in value, especially within the consumer goods and retail sectors.
54. AI in the supply chain market to grow at 38.8% CAGR, reaching $41.2B by 2030
According to Research and Markets, the global AI in supply chain market is projected to reach $41.23 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.8% from 2023 to 2030.
This surge is driven by the demand for enhanced transparency, cost optimization, and operational efficiency through AI-powered solutions and automation.
55. AI reduces logistics costs by 15%, inventory by 35%, and service efficiency +65%
According to 2024–2025 industry data, early adopters of AI‑enabled supply chain management report impressive improvements: logistics costs drop by 15%, inventory levels fall by 35%, and service efficiency improves by 65%, demonstrating the powerful impact of AI on operational performance.
Sources such as SupplyChainBrain and StartUs Insights confirm these gains from AI‑driven forecasting, automation, and real‑time analytics.
56. 62% of remote workers buy eco-friendly products in 2025
In 2025, 62% of consumers who primarily work from home buy from companies that support environmental protection, compared to 50% of non-remote workers.
This indicates that remote working environments significantly influence eco-conscious purchasing behaviour, reflecting shifting consumer values towards sustainability.
57. 63% of companies faced supply chain disruptions due to climate change in 2025
In 2025, 63% of companies reported experiencing supply chain disruptions caused by climate-related events.
This highlights the increasing impact of environmental instability on global supply chain operations and emphasizes the urgent need for climate resilience strategies.
58. 90% of supply chain leaders will lack the necessary talent and skills by 2025
In 2025, 90% of supply chain leaders believe their companies lack the talent and skills needed to achieve their digitization goals.
This significant workforce gap poses a risk to successful digital transformation and operational efficiency improvements.
59. 52% of business leaders believe supply chains need improvement in 2025
In 2025, 52% of business leaders stated that their supply chains require improvements.
This indicates that more than half of the companies see opportunities for further optimization and modernization to remain competitive.
60. 33% of companies report understaffed global trade management roles in 2025
In 2025, 33% of companies report being understaffed in global trade management positions.
This reflects a significant workforce capacity issue that could hinder international supply chain operations and compliance efficiency.
61. 78% of firms use inventory buffers and diversify sources in 2025
In 2025, 78% of companies have adopted inventory buffering and supplier diversification strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience.
This reflects a proactive approach to mitigating risks and ensuring operational continuity amid disruptions.
62. 75% of consumers believe eco-friendly products will become more expensive in 2025
In 2025, 75% of consumers worldwide believe that eco-friendly products have become more expensive over the past year.
This indicates a perceived price barrier that may hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable products despite growing environmental awareness.
63. 41% of supply chain leaders see environmental sustainability as a major strategy in 2025
In 2025, 41% of supply chain leaders consider environmental sustainability to be a key element of their future strategic planning.
This reflects a growing focus on ESG priorities to enhance competitiveness and compliance.
64. 62% of industry leaders expect labor shortages as a short-term challenge in 2025
In 2025, 62% of industry leaders identified labor shortages as a major short-term challenge for their operations.
This highlights persistent talent constraints that could disrupt supply chain efficiency and growth initiatives.
65. 53% of Firms Plan to Actively Recruit Supply Chain Talent in 2025
In 2025, 53% of companies are planning to recruit new supply chain management roles.
This reflects a strong hiring effort to address skills shortages and enhance operational capabilities in an increasingly complex logistics environment.
66. 74% of executives plan to increase investments in automation and IoT to offset talent gaps in 2025
In 2025, 74% of supply chain executives are ramping up investments in automation, IoT, and AI technologies to mitigate talent shortages.
This strategy aims to enhance operational efficiency and maintain productivity despite workforce constraints.
67. 50% of consumers say environmental factors will affect brand trust in 2025
In 2025, 50% of global consumers report that environmental factors, such as emissions reduction and recycling, often or always influence their trust in a brand.
This highlights sustainability as a critical driver of brand reputation and consumer loyalty.
68. 57% of supply chain professionals see a lack of visibility as the top challenge in 2025
In 2025, 57% of supply chain professionals cite insufficient visibility as the biggest challenge facing their operations.
This underscores the urgent need for enhanced data-sharing, real-time monitoring, and integrated visibility tools to improve supply chain performance.
69. 56% of companies are affected by geopolitical disruptions
In 2025, 56% of companies reported supply chain disturbances caused by geopolitical tensions such as trade conflicts and international sanctions.
These disruptions highlight the growing need for risk-resilient and diversified sourcing strategies in global operations.
70. 29% of manufacturers use AI/ML in operations
In 2025, 29% of manufacturers report using artificial intelligence or machine learning at the facility or network level.
This reflects a growing trend of integrating AI-driven solutions into core manufacturing operations for enhanced efficiency and decision-making.
⭢ If you’re ready to explore how AI and tech trends intersect with operational strategy, our Value Chain Analysis Course will help you turn data into actionable insight and drive real performance across your supply network.
Procurement Expert’s Advice on Supply Chain Statistics
For this article, we asked an experienced procurement expert to share her insights to help answer common questions about supply chain statistics.
Nesrin Chabbah
Senior Lead Buyer
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/nesrin-chabbeh
1. What do most people get wrong about supply chain statistics?
“Most people tend to underestimate the transformative potential and urgency of embracing advanced technologies and sustainability within the current supply chain landscape. The 70 key supply chain statistics for 2023 emphasize the importance of AI, sustainable practices, and digitalization, yet many might overlook the significant impact these elements can have on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ultimately driving profits.
The extent to which AI can optimize operations, reduce logistics costs, and enhance visibility is often underestimated. Additionally, the long recovery period for supply chains and the need for a proactive approach to address disruptions are aspects that are sometimes not fully grasped.
Overall, the key misunderstanding lies in undervaluing the role of technology and sustainability in shaping the modern supply chain landscape.”
2. What should people know about the supply chain statistics if they are planning to start working on this?
“For those venturing into supply chain management, understanding the entire process is key. Technology integration, especially AI and data analytics, is crucial for efficiency and informed decisions.
Building resilient and flexible supply chains to adapt to disruptions is a priority, alongside sustainable practices and a customer-centric approach.
Risk management, collaboration, and continuous improvement are vital strategies. Being aware of regulatory compliance, staying informed through educational resources, and honing negotiation and communication skills are also crucial.
Balancing operational efficiency, global dynamics, financial acumen, and ethical considerations completes a well-rounded approach to supply chain management.”
3. From your experience, what is the most important thing you learned about supply chain statistics?
“Supply chains are intricate, involving numerous variables that can change rapidly, necessitating agile responses. From technology integration to risk mitigation and sustainability, flexibility and preparedness for unexpected disruptions are vital. Additionally, understanding the vital role of data and analytics in making informed decisions and optimizing operations is paramount. Ultimately, supply chain success hinges on a harmonious blend of strategic foresight, operational efficiency, and resilience.”
4. What tips can you give them to be effective in the supply chain?
“To succeed in supply chain management, prioritize tech utilization, ensure accurate and timely data, foster collaboration, integrate sustainability, implement strong risk control, optimize your network, invest in skill development, center on customer needs, analyze performance metrics regularly, and remain flexible in adapting to shifts. These actions will elevate your supply chain’s efficiency, agility, and alignment with market demands and customer expectations.”
5. Can you give us examples of the latest statistics that you felt in your work and how you faced it?
“We achieved cost optimization by leveraging statistics, leading to a reduction in supply chain costs and a subsequent increase in our company’s profits. Our approach involved a thorough analysis of the supply chain to identify cost-saving opportunities, effective negotiation of contracts, optimization of transportation, and the adoption of efficient inventory management strategies.”
Conclusion
The supply chain industry has shown remarkable resilience in the face of the persistent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Procurement remains robust, with continued hiring and activity in sourcing essential supplies. The industry is evolving with a notable emphasis on technological advancements, particularly in automation and AI solutions offered by companies like Dexterity.
While the industry embraces automation for increased efficiency and end-to-end visibility, it also grapples with heightened security risks. Cybersecurity threats, including ransomware attacks and data breaches, pose significant challenges, making supply chain security a top priority. Products designed to defend against such threats are anticipated to witness widespread adoption as organizations recognize the importance of safeguarding their supply chains.
Furthermore, the ongoing digitization of supply chains is fostering greater visibility and transparency. This digital transformation enables organizations to proactively address issues, both minor and major, leading to improved customer service and faster resolutions. As supply chains continue to adapt and innovate, these key trends underscore a dynamic landscape where technology, security, and transparency play pivotal roles in shaping the industry’s trajectory.
Frequentlyasked questions
What are supply chain statistics?
Supply chain statistics are numbers displaying interesting facts and data about the status of the world supply chain.
Why is the supply chain important?
The supply chain is important because it determines how many products a company can manufacture.
How can one get supply chain statistics?
Data on the supply chain can be gathered with the use of procurement programs that collect and analyze data.
About the author
My name is Marijn Overvest, I’m the founder of Procurement Tactics. I have a deep passion for procurement, and I’ve upskilled over 200 procurement teams from all over the world. When I’m not working, I love running and cycling.
