Supply chain organizations continue to innovate and optimize to meet the mounting demands of our modern business landscape. In 2024, we covered the most critical disruptions, innovations, and trends driving change in the supply chain space. Below, we’re highlighting just a few of our top supply chain insights from 2024. You can read more of our supply chain insights here.

Top 7 Supply Chain Insights from 2024 

1. Understanding the Impact of Hurricane Helene on the Medical Supply Chain 

As natural disasters and other disruptions to the supply chain have mounted in recent years, life sciences companies are increasingly focusing efforts to manage the impact of these events. In this piece, author Allyson Hein and contributors Stacey Erickson and Susan Shockey discuss significant disruption caused by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on September 27, 2024, and severely impacted the medical supply chain in the U.S. The storm forced the closure of Baxter’s North Cove, North Carolina manufacturing site, which produces 60% of the nation’s IV fluid and dialysis supplies. The post highlights the collaborative efforts of Baxter, government agencies, and competitors to mitigate the crisis, while stressing the importance of robust disaster recovery and business continuity planning. 

Learn more about the impact of Hurricane Helene on the medical supply chain > 

2. Incorporating AI Augmentation into Network Design: Key Considerations for Supply Chain Leaders 

Businesses continue to seek innovative ways to leverage AI for improved operations, especially in supply chain areas such as network design. In this blog post, Clarkston’s Chandler Kneer explores how supply chain professionals can optimize network design using AI augmentation. Network design decisions, such as integrating suppliers, facilities, or distribution centers, have long-lasting impacts and require a balance of human intuition and advanced analytics. The post outlines a phased approach—starting with data foundation improvements, progressing to integrating AI models for frequent decisions, and advancing to real-time network management.  

Read more about incorporating AI augmentation into network design > 

3. Nine Steps for Establishing Antifragility in the Supply Chain 

Antifragility has become a key supply chain trend in the face of a seemingly endless onslaught of disruption over recent years. In this post, Supply Chain Lead and Director Liz McGuire provides an overview on the history of antifragility, originally introduced by Nassim Taleb in Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder. The post outlines nine steps for embedding antifragility, including aligning executive risk strategies with supply chain operations, stress-testing systems, leveraging advanced analytics, and integrating AI and machine learning for predictive modeling.  

Dive into establishing antifragility in the supply chain > 

4. How AI Can Improve Inventory Optimization in the Supply Chain 

Inventory optimization is only becoming a more critical competency for consumer products companies. Achieving balanced inventory across multiple distribution centers and production facilities is just that – a balancing act. In this piece, Chandler Kneer explores how AI and machine learning can enhance inventory optimization in consumer products supply chains. AI improves efficiency by recommending inventory allocation strategies, optimizing customer satisfaction, and streamlining forecasting, production, and purchasing decisions. Throughout the piece, Chandler explores how businesses can phase AI into inventory optimization and best scale it up.  

Explore how AI can improve inventory optimization > 

5. Addressing Data Siloes in the Retail Supply Chain with Integrated Data Analytics 

Data siloes have long been a challenge in many businesses. As we increasingly rely on advanced data and analytics to empower decision-making, this piece by Robin Dolan and Chandler Kneer covers the most effective steps for addressing these siloes and what capabilities and benefits businesses stand to achieve in addressing siloed data. As supply chains face increasing complexities, creating a cohesive data landscape enhances flexibility, resilience, and customer satisfaction.  

Discover how to address data siloes in the retail supply chain > 

6. Preparing for the BIOSECURE Act and Its Impact on Your Supply Chain 

The BIOSECURE Act stands to leave lasting impacts on supply chain operations in the life sciences industry. Aiming to improve competitiveness and national security, the BIOSECURE Act prohibits businesses with certain foreign entities. To address the potential impacts of the BIOSECURE Act, Clarkston Life Sciences Practice Lead Janel Firestein and Supply Chain Lead Liz McGuire, discuss some of the proactive measures companies can take. By adopting proactive measures, such as diversifying suppliers, stress-testing strategies, and mapping supply chain changes to financial metrics, organizations can prepare for future disruptions and maintain competitiveness. 

Continue reading about the BIOSECURE Act and its impact on your supply chain > 

7. Top 5 Demand Planning Mistakes and How Supply Chain Leaders Can Avoid Them 

We’re fortunate to work with a wide variety of companies across the life sciences, consumer products, and retail industries. This purview affords us perspective on the most common challenges businesses face in critical operational areas, including supply chain and demand planning. Supply Chain Consultant Scott Shaw highlights the top five demand planning mistakes in supply chain management and provides strategies to avoid them.  

Learn more about top demand planning mistakes and how to avoid them > 

Final Thoughts 

Looking ahead to 2025, there’s no crystal ball portending the future disruptions we may face in the supply chain landscape. However, we are poised to help businesses be best prepared for disruptions of any and every type. To learn more about our supply chain services, capabilities, and success stories, visit us here or contact us today.