2018 MHI Annual Industry Report - Overcoming Barriers to NextGen Supply Chain Innovation

Changes and Improvements in the Supply Chain

Digital technologies and innovations are driving massive changes and improvements in the supply chain.

Meanwhile, digital disruption and continued globalization are sending customer service expectations through the roof and stretching supply chains to the farthest reaches of the planet – putting supply chains under more stress than ever before.

In this fifth annual survey report on supply chain innovation, MHI and Deloitte Consulting LLP have once again teamed up to better understand the critical shift toward next-generation (NextGen) digital supply chains – and the real-world impact of 11 key innovations on supply chain operations and strategies.

The eleven technologies covered in the report are:

• Robotics and Automation
• Predictive Analytics
• Internet of Things
• Artificial Intelligence
• Driverless Vehicles and Drones
• Wearable and Mobile Technology
• Inventory and Network Optimization
• Sensors and Automatic Identification
• Cloud Computing and Storage
• 3D Printing
• Blockchain

The findings in this report are based on survey responses from more than 1,100 manufacturing and supply chain industry leaders across a wide range of industries. Half of the respondents hold executive-level positions such as CEO, Vice President, General Manager, or Department Head. Participating companies range in size from small to large, with 47% reporting annual sales in excess of $100 million, and 10% reporting annual sales of $10 billion or more.