Sourcing & Procurement > Manufacturing | Supply & Demand Chain Executive

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A Reflection on Peak Returns Season

As the industry moves into 2025, businesses must refine their reverse logistics strategies to balance customer experience, fraud prevention, and environmental responsibility, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable future for returns management.

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State of Warehousing: Most Agile Warehouses Will be Most Successful

The current and future state of warehousing encompasses the impact of AI and automation, taking consideration of cybersecurity risks, balancing human and tech-driven solutions, and adopting sustainable practices.

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Pros to Know Award: Supply Chain Leaders Over-Deliver in All Facets of Logistics

Every year, Supply & Demand Chain Executive's Pros to Know award celebrates the true supply chain professionals to know. Let's meet the winners.

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44% of U.S. Businesses Plan to Pass Tariff Costs to Customers

Nearly 90% of business leaders report macroeconomic factors have impacted their pricing levels over the past 12 months, with 44% describing the impact as “significant” or “severe.”

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Emerging Regions May Offer Opportunities for Global Trade: QIMA Study

For the first time since the pandemic, China’s relative share in the sourcing portfolios of Western buyers has diminished. This suggests that North American and European supply chains are intensifying efforts to reduce dependency on China.

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Global Business Optimism Continues to Decline: Dun & Bradstreet

While financial confidence dropped 8.6% amid challenging business conditions, optimism levels for supply chain continuity were flat.

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Spot AI Introduces Universal AI Agent Builder for Security Cameras

Iris is said to be world's first universal video AI agent builder for enterprise cameras and conversational interface for video data in manufacturing, logistics, retail, construction, healthcare and more.

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North American Manufacturers Report Sharp Pullback Amid Tariff War: GEP Study

Overall, manufacturers’ stockpiling was the lowest in nine years, highlighting caution among procurement leaders worldwide about future demand.

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Ransomware Reaches Historic High in Q1

Manufacturing was the top industry hit by ransomware in Q1.

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Dimerco: Freight Markets Face New Tariff Realities

As supply chains continue shifting away from China, Southeast Asia is absorbing more manufacturing activity, increasing intra-Asia trade flows.

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Pros to Know: Miebach's Pablo Gonzalez Talks Advantages of AI and Automation

We talked exclusively with Gonzalez about end-to-end optimization, cutting-edge technologies and the benefits of AI and automation to the future of supply chain.

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Production Manufacturing & Supply Chain Solutions to Navigate Tariff Challenges

This new AI-driven supply chain platform integrates intelligence, automation, and quality control throughout the lifecycle, dynamically routing production, optimizing Design for Manufacturability, and proactively mitigating tariff risks.

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Manufacturing Leaders Bullish on AI for Supply Chain Growth: Study

A majority (92% of executives, 100% of supply chain leaders) agree that AI-driven insights are essential for predicting and preventing disruptions.

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The Modern Lean Mandate

Instead of addressing issues piecemeal to achieve an aggregated result, modern lean strategy requires working backward from the desired outcome to create optimal conditions necessary to achieve it.

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SMEs to Make Major Changes to Sourcing Strategies: Study

Just over one-third of U.S. SMEs say that sourcing products at more cost-effective prices (36%) is a top priority in 2025, followed by finding trusted suppliers (35%).

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Mexico Surpasses China as Top Tariff Disruptor: Research

64% of companies began preparing for trade shifts before the 2024 U.S. election, while 36% are now racing to adjust. Automotive, manufacturing, and aerospace industries are driving change.

Pros To Know 2025 [color]

Pros to Know Award: Supply Chain Leaders Over-Deliver in All Facets of Logistics

Every year, Supply & Demand Chain Executive's Pros to Know award celebrates the true supply chain professionals to know. Let's meet the winners.

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2025 Top Supply Chain Projects Award: Nominations Open

Nominations are open for Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 2025 Top Supply Chain Projects award, which profiles innovative case study-type projects designed to automate, optimize, streamline and improve the supply chain.

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Global Electronics Supply Chains Shift to Chaos Amid Tariff Mandates

Electronics suppliers, particularly purveyors of multi-sourced parts, have cut capacity to throttle supply and maintain pricing. The increase in sales is translating into new demand for suppliers.

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Supply Chain Industry Reeling from Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty: Fictiv Study

The report also shows significant momentum in areas like onshoring, AI adoption, and increasing reliance on digital manufacturing platforms.

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Electronics Manufacturing Increasing Sustainability Despite Global Headwinds

59% of respondents expect their companies to increase sustainability efforts in 2025, with contract manufacturers anticipating the greatest growth.

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Why 2025 is the Year of the Snake (I Mean, Success)

According to Chinese culture, the snake is said to be the luckiest of the Chinese zodiac signs; it resembles success and financial luck. Here's how this translates to the supply chain space.

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U.S. Manufacturers to Stockpile Ahead of Tariffs Mandate: GEP Study

In the United States, manufacturers’ demand for raw materials and components saw a notable uptick in February, reflecting a mix of preparations for orders and efforts to avoid higher costs from additional tariffs.

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Digital Transformation in Finance Key Trend in B2B Payment Space: PrimeRevenue Report

Trade policy uncertainty is forcing finance teams to rethink how they manage working capital, adjust supplier payment strategies, and prepare for rising cross-border costs.

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Efficiency Gaps Still Plaguing Supply Chain Distribution: ORTEC Survey

Survey respondents poor load optimization as a primary contributor to rising delivery costs.

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International Women’s Day Details Urgent Need for More Women in Tech and Engineering

Gender diversity is not an optional add-on; it’s a business imperative. Whether it’s automated order-fulfillment technology or artificial intelligence, the ability to integrate diverse thinking into engineering projects is crucial.

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Trade Wars and Compliance Pressures Weigh on Global Supply Chains: QIMA Report

Supply chain disruptions are escalating across key industries, according to the 2025 Sourcing Survey, presented by QIMA. Here's a breakdown of what that looks like.

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Overcoming Market Challenges to Enhance Efficiency in Manufacturing, Distribution

Given current market conditions, manufacturers must continuously seek new ways to stay competitive, agile, and cost-effective.

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Freight Report Signals Rising Tariffs, Shifting Demand, Capacity Realignments Across Global Supply Chains

Global ocean freight networks continue to face uncertainty as carriers assess the safety of resuming Red Sea transits through the Suez Canal.

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How Expanded Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Impact Automotive Companies

Potential reinstatement of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico goes into effect March 4, with a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum on the horizon, scheduled for March 12. Here's what to expect.

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Private Businesses Focus on Cost Cutting Following DOGE Cuts

Existing supply chain agreements are being rocked, not only by U.S. imposed levies but by the flurry of counter tariffs that other countries will impose in retaliation. Here's next steps.

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Tariffs Will Hurt Consumers, Retailers and Restaurants to Varying Degrees

Broad-based tariffs could hurt more U.S. consumer products and retail companies this time around than in 2018.

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Long-View Planning: Adapting to Four Key Shifts for a Resilient Future

The ability to adapt and thrive is no longer optional—it’s essential. By taking the strategic long view, organizations can move beyond the daily grind and achieve a future marked by innovation, stability, and growth.