Top 2021 Supply Chain Trends

In our previous post we shared Estafeta CEO Ingo Babrikowski’s views about continued adjustment and moving forward in 2021. And the new year’s already showing us how much more adjusting it takes for moving forward and seizing opportunities. So, to that end, we’ve compiled a list of top 2021 supply chain trends to watch for.

Estafeta’s Top 2021 Supply Chain Trends

1. The age of Covid is also the age of ecommerce. This is the most obvious of the top 2021 supply chain trends. The ecommerce surge calls for business model innovations in facing the changes that the market expects. And, ecommerce is here to stay, as predictions agree that it will continue to grow post Covid.
2. Working with expert 3PL companies will keep growing as best practice in the industry. Because having 3PL partners allows companies to outsource logistics and shipping operations, and focus on their strengths. To establish working alliances with 3PLs, companies will seek those using new technologies and proven shipping and parcel management efficiencies.
3. Smart Contracts based on automation of key routine tasks, like invoicing and shipping timeline notification emails. These will allow to keep management at all levels well informed and in the loop.
4. The future is digital: End-to-End Digital Supply Chains can make every step of the process visible. Cue in the Internet of Things (IofT), for increased visibility and real time tracking.
5. Digital Supply Chains make cybersecurity a requisite for survival. The last of our top 2021 supply chain trends is by no means the least. Cybersecurity becomes crucial in protecting the digital supply chain’s systems and preserve their data’s integrity. Per ASCM’s (Association for Supply Chain Management) 2021 Top Ten Supply Chain Trends, resilience is a must for risk prevention. Because all the interwoven digital systems are also creating new vulnerabilities, which need to be guarded with cybersecurity.

Let’s keep growing together in 2021!

Watch for these supply chain trends, as they’ll shape the way we do business for a while. 2021 is definitely a time for seizing opportunities and moving forward into the new post-Covid “normal”. And at Estafeta we’ll be here for our clients. We’ll continue to work on our internal processes and systems so we can provide the best services. And we look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know if you have any specific questions, which our team will be happy to answer. We’re here for you, let’s keep growing together!