Supply chains are more complex than ever before. Businesses are facing new challenges, and disruptions are the new normal. At the same time, supply chain is not only at the forefront of the C-level and society, but also investments.
In this context, on June 13, 2023, supply chain decision makers gathered for 4flow Logistics Day “Winning the complexity game – agility-driven supply chain management”. On-site, guests eager to network and exchange ideas helped create a positive atmosphere for open dialogue. Speakers from Ineos Automotive, Mars, Resideo, Stellantis, Kühne Logistics University and 4flow presented insights into innovative supply chain solutions, current trends and the latest innovations.
The day-long event took place at municon conference center in Munich, Germany. Between the presentations, coffee breaks and a group lunch provided a chance to network and discuss the featured solutions with other supply chain experts.
Author
Elizabeth Whitney
Content marketing
4flow
Two approaches to transportation network data
Yoann Pothain, European transport control tower operations manager at Mars, presented “Getting proactive with transportation management – how Mars is transforming its transportation operating system”. He highlighted measures Mars and 4flow have implemented to improve transportation operations across the Mars network in Europe. The solution demonstrated how logistics can inspire change for the entire organization.
Pierre-Henry Marbot, EMEA logistics director at Resideo Technologies, and Andrea Karáth, project leader SCE transport planning at 4flow, shared the stage to highlight the collaboration between 4flow and Resideo Technologies. In “From fragmented data to supply chain value with a 4PL”, they explained how Resideo is using its fragmented TMS data to find creative solutions with impressive impact.
Digital solutions to solve future challenges
Professor Dr. Hanno Friedrich of Kühne Logistics University spoke about “Start-ups and platforms in logistics and supply chain management – the development of software ecosystems”. He presented how the investment in logistics start-ups will help businesses solve future challenges with software ecosystems.
In the afternoon, Wendelin Gross, head of 4flow research, spoke about the future of quantum computing for logistics optimization in “Will quantum computing solve all your logistics problems?”. He featured likely use cases, including load building and route optimization. He also recommended a mix of optimism and realism looking ahead – realism about the kinds of problems quantum computing can solve, and optimism about potential scientific breakthroughs to speed up or enhance the development of the technology.
Agile supply chain management is a central element in automotive businesses
In “Taking control of inbound logistics, a key step in achieving resilience at Stellantis”, Dr. Achim Rinne, VP supply chain IT at Stellantis, gave the audience a look at one of the largest transformations in the automotive industry. He pointed out that this was not just an IT project, but also a processes project, which depended on collaborative partnership and a clear common vision. The presentation focused on the business’s approach to inbound logistics to take control of the entire supply chain.
Finally, in “Supply chain’s essential role in automotive start-ups”, Fredrik Karlsson, head of supply chain management at Ineos Automotive, demonstrated how the business has built an entirely new supply chain to start production of a new vehicle. His presentation touched on the balance of solving everyday challenges of logistics and supply chain while structurally developing the organization.
By sharing knowledge, we speed up innovation across the supply chain industry. Success in one industry can spark a creative idea in another and even pave the way for new best practices. Some solutions presented at 4flow Logistics Day give a glimpse at supply chain optimization in the future, such as quantum computing. Many others respond to today’s unique set of challenges with innovation and push the standards of supply chain management forward. In both cases, learning from one another helps us collectively take a step in the right direction.