The growth of online sales has created the expectation among consumers that the next hot product can be manufactured and shipped immediately. A company’s ability to embrace these demand shifts quickly and adapt to changing consumer needs is a major competitive advantage. However, a company must also consider the costs associated with being reactive to these rapidly evolving consumer demand trends.

Successful collegiate football teams execute precise movements, split-second timing, and disciplined coordination – all under immense pressure. A company’s supply chain is similarity complex, requiring carefully timed coordination of its many moving pieces in alignment with the company’s business strategy, model, and competitive positioning.

Talented product designers and engineers today do a wonderful job painstakingly uncovering customer needs by spending countless hours interviewing potential customers about their biggest pains. Tech entrepreneurs then successfully develop painkiller products that address these customers’ needs.

Until recently I would have cringed seeing the word “Disruptive” anywhere near “Supply Chain.” This pause for concern is a result of the now common industry phase “Supply Chain Disruption” which is utilized to describe everything from a localized component supply disruption to a global supply disruption with multiple suppliers due to a natural disaster.

We are fortunate to work with some of the most innovative OEMs, Tier Is/IIs/IIIs and Aftermarket companies in the world and have launched supply chain operations in the US and EU that have included everything from carbon fiber wheels to electric vehicles.