Hungry for hyper localization We’ll see a significant resurgence of localized production. Reshoring and nearshoring will become more popular as companies look to reduce risks from global disruptions and geopolitical tensions. This will bring manufacturing closer to home—shortening lead times and creating a more resilient supply chain. However, it will also force businesses to adopt advanced technologies such as high-tech manufacturing to remain competitive and ecient. – LION SHIRDAN, Co-Founder, JXB Global Inventory placement will continue to expand closer to the final mile. Micro- fulfillment and faster delivery are the desired methods to succeed. 3D printing will revolutionize the industry. – HAROLD BOYETT , CEO, Blue Streak, CLDA Board Member Diversifying diversification Many shippers
TECH TO WATCH Artificial intelligence gets autonomous and predictive. While generative AI was all the rage in 2024, helping manufacturers write training manuals and documentation, create new processes, or distill information from IoT sensors, there’s also a new bot in town, in the form of AI agents and predictive quality analytics. 25% of enterprises using GenAI are expected to deploy AI agents in 2025, growing to 50% by 2027, Deloitte predicts. – VICK VAISHNAVI , CEO, ETQ
Predictive AI. In the chaotic period we’re about to enter, predictive AI will become one of the most important technologies in the supply chain manager’s toolbox.
– STEVE BASSAW , Product Manager, SYSPRO
Agentic AI or the use of AI agents to help understand and simplify complex data sources. Agentic AI can provide calculations that most humans couldn’t even contemplate, which will help us come up with better solutions for inventory management, route optimization, supplier relationship management, operational eciency, and so many other dierent areas of supply chain. – DAVID WARRICK , EVP, Enterprise, Overhaul
began to diversify after the pandemic highlighted the need for greater supply chain
Digital twins will help businesses simulate dierent scenarios to provide insights without the need to disrupt day-to-day operations. – CHRIS COOTE , Head of Product, Dexory
Autonomous supply networks (ASNs). ASNs will emerge as a defining buzzword as organizations move beyond linear supply chains to self-orchestrating networks powered by AI. Unlike traditional supply chains that require constant human intervention, ASNs will automatically sense disruptions, evaluate multiple response scenarios, and execute optimal solutions in real time. This represents a fundamental shift from “manage and respond” to “sense and adapt” operations, where AI systems coordinate complex decisions across multiple tiers of suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers. – MARK TALENS , Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & Solution Ocer, ParkourSC
agility and are not starting at square one. Beyond decoupling from from
China, shippers are also looking for diversification across modes, such as ocean to air, full containerload to less- than-containerload, and even shifts in inland strategies. Diversification for supply chain agility remains crucial as it allows adaptability during changing market conditions. Shippers have made significant progress, but there’s still much work to be done. – MIKE SHORT, President, Global Forwarding, C.H. Robinson
Humanoids. The acceleration of humanoid robotics has been incredible to watch, and there will continue to be significant advances from Figure, Agility, and others. That said, the biggest robotics impact in 2025 and the next few years will still be from purpose-built robots performing repetitive tasks such as picking, sorting, and moving goods inside and outside the warehouse walls. – JOE WIECIEK , Director of Technical Operations, Outrider
96 Inbound Logistics • January 2025
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