I'm seeing companies continue to prioritize supply chain resilience in 2025, largely driven by persistent geopolitical tensions and a desire to reduce over-reliance on single manufacturing hubs. The 'China Plus One' strategy, for example, is now a widespread approach.
We're noting a significant increase in nearshoring and friend-shoring initiatives, particularly for critical components and goods. This shift aims to shorten lead times, reduce transportation costs, and minimize vulnerability to disruptions, whether from trade disputes or regional conflicts.
This diversification strategy also involves heavier investment in robust inventory management systems and real-time visibility tools. It's clear that the lessons learned from recent global shocks are leading to more agile and geographically dispersed supply networks.