TAKEAWAYS
FUTURE WATCH: SUPPLY CHAIN 2030 Learning to live with supply chain disruptions has been a top priority for logistics leaders over the past few years—and that pattern is likely to continue, according to a newly released survey from DHL, Insight 2030: Opportunities and Challenges for the Supply Chain of the Future . Participants rank challenges stemming from disruptions, placing cybersecurity as the top concern ( see chart, below ). The survey also finds that 99% of executives view the supply chain as critical to business success, 73% expect their supply chains to be more reliant on AI, and 70% anticipate cybersecurity threats to disrupt operations by 2030. As a result, a strong majority of respondents expect to become more dependent on established and emerging technologies in the next five years. Current technology use is prevalent, with more than two-thirds of survey participants citing core warehouse and transportation management systems in place, and 91% of those saying their warehouse management system had been installed or upgraded in the past five years. “While advanced systems and increased automation have become essential in managing the modern supply chain, these technologies also bring their own set of concerns, as well as implementation and management challenges,” says Mark Kunar, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America. The report benchmarks the current state of the supply chain, identifies the most significant changes expected by 2030, and provides insight into the obstacles leaders face in ensuring their supply chains continue to support business objectives. Additional findings include: • Rapid technology evolution emerged as a key concern with about half of participants pointing to “inadequate technological solutions” (49%) and “outdated systems” (47%). In addition, only 34% of VP and Director level executives were fully satisfied with their use of technology. • Robotics represents another opportunity to increase productivity: 68% of participants expect increased dependence on robotics to perform routine tasks, though less than half of participants (44%) have deployed warehouse robotics, and only 34% of VP and Director level executives were fully satisfied with their use of the technology. • 70% of survey participants anticipate cybersecurity threats will impact their networks through 2030. Other disruptive forces cited include higher labor costs (69%), labor shortages (66%), natural disasters (63%) and international tensions (62%). • 63% of respondents predict an increased focus on the ability to orchestrate supply chain resources to reduce costs.
In Memoriam: LISA H. HARRINGTON Lisa H. Harrington, a highly
respected and principled voice in supply chain and logistics, passed away on November 11, 2025. Over many years of dedicated service, scholarship, and writing, Lisa made profound contributions— not only to Inbound Logistics
as a writer and contributing editor, but also to academic research, consulting, and mentorship—that have shaped the field in lasting ways. Her name appeared repeatedly in our pages over the years; her thoughtful articles translated the complexities of supply chain and logistics management into accessible insights. But her influence extended well beyond our magazine. As senior research scholar with the UMD Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise at University of Maryland, Lisa tackled some of the most critical issues in modern supply chain strategy: risk, sustainability, disaster relief, and global health logistics. Her work informed both public-sector and private-sector leaders—from the Department of Defense and NASA to multinational corporations such as FedEx, Caterpillar, and Microsoft. Lisa was also a committed educator, author, and thought partner. She co-founded the Sustainable Supply Chain Foundation, bringing together academics and business practitioners to drive real-world change. Her three books— X-SCM: The New Science of X-treme Supply Chain Management ; In Real Time: Managing the New Supply Chain ; and Logistics and the Extended Enterprise —will continue to guide and inspire students, executives, and scholars alike. She believed deeply in sharing knowledge, mentoring young practitioners, and bringing voices together across sectors. Lisa’s leadership extended into board service and institutional engagement: she was active in professional associations such as the CSCMP-Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). Through her consulting firm, she helped organizations build more resilient, responsive, and ethical supply chain systems. Lisa’s passing leaves a void in the supply chain community—but her legacy remains alive in the ideas she championed, the frameworks she built, the articles she penned, and the people she mentored.
Source: DHL
December 2025 • Inbound Logistics 15
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