GOODQUESTION
THE OVER-THE-COUNTER INDUSTRY’S RELIANCE on single-source active pharmaceutical ingredients is a critical vulnerability. A public health crisis, trade barrier, or geopolitical shock can cut o supply overnight. Diversifying sources and re-anchoring production closer to demand are essential to protect consumer trust. –Philip Hampden-Smith SVP Supply - North America, Reckitt
Preventing Cargo Fraud
Cargo fraud is no longer confined to one department —it’s hitting every level of the supply chain. The cost isn’t just financial; it erodes trust with carriers, customers, and partners while creating bottlenecks. Companies need fraud-resilient processes in procurement, vetting, billing, customer interactions, and continuous training to recognize threats. –Danielle Spinelli Account Executive, Descartes Systems Group Freight fraud costs the industry more than $35 billion every year. Criminals target outdated regulations and weak enforcement, harming small businesses, driving up costs, and risking public safety with stolen sensitive goods. Modernized oversight and stronger enforcement are essential to safeguard the supply chain’s trust, competitiveness, and resilience. –Chris Burroughs President & CEO, Transportation Intermediaries Association Fraud is a rising crisis in logistics, costing billions annually through stolen freight, fake carrier identities, and false claims. Combating it requires urgent modernization: Stronger ID verification, centralized tracking, and tougher licensing standards can deter bad actors, reduce loss, and rebuild confidence across brokers, shippers, and carriers.
POPULATION DECLINE compounds generationally, leading to labor shortages and potentially reduced consumer
demand. Countries with aging populations are already seeing this issue firsthand, with fewer factories and more consolidated supply networks. Innovative technology applications will be key to mitigating these challenges. –Dave Kiesling VP Transportation, Kenco undervaluation and origin fraud are not only illegal—they’re destabilizing for compliant players. Enforcement is rising, and brands must prioritize clean, transparent supply chains. –Thomas Taggart VP Global Trade, Passport THE MISUSE OF TARIFF LOOPHOLES. Shortcuts like
–Aaron Freedman CEO, ACI Transport
data is critical for autonomous systems—poor data causes errors, disruptions, and failed automation. Data quality isn’t a one-time fix; it demands executive commitment and ongoing, rigorous processes. –Tara Buchler Strategy Principal, JBF Consulting
customer satisfaction and brand reputation, while rising ecommerce volumes make streamlined reverse logistics essential for competitiveness. –Alison Ponder Managing Director, FTI Consulting ONGOING TALENT SHORTAGES. While we can’t control market conditions and disruptions, we can empower our employees with the skills and technology to thrive—increasing their engagement, performance, and satisfaction—by investing more in them. An energized workforce can drive your business through economic uncertainty. –Eric Allais President & CEO, PathGuide Technologies POOR DATA QUALITY. In a recent JBF/Pando study, 83% cited data quality as the top barrier to artificial intelligence in logistics. High-quality
THE RISK OF BEING DE-PRIORITIZED as
customers by foreign suppliers with the significant increase in
U.S. taris. Taris have raised the cost of doing business with U.S. companies, making them less attractive compared to customers in countries where suppliers’ margins have remained stable. –Andrei Quinn-Barabanov Supply Chain Industry Practice Lead, Moody’s REVERSE LOGISTICS is costly and complex, requiring significant resources for processing, transportation, and inventory management of returned goods. Poorly handled returns damage
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September 2025 • Inbound Logistics 7
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