How digital transformation and supply chain automation is helping businesses navigate disruption

Dematic offers intelligent, automated solutions to drive competitiveness and adaptability.

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Distribution and Logistics have never stood still, being subject to continual change and disruption. However, today many businesses are under more pressure than ever, with new challenges hitting whilst they are still grappling with existing issues. Yet the old idiom stands true: challenge presents an opportunity, and it’s the businesses which see those opportunities and activities, which become more resilient and adaptable to new challenges as they arise.

Pressures from disruption and volatility 

There are not many businesses that are immune to the volatility of the current environment; Any business that uses materials, people, space, or equipment will be impacted. In addition to addressing the challenges and disruptions, some businesses have also had to handle exceptional increases in demand because of the volatility.

For example, the spike in e-commerce in 2020 increased demand for electronic chips, resulting in significant shortages and long manufacturing lead times. For almost everyone, the volatility brought about a need to adapt to change and, for some, an additional need to determine how to scale profitably whilst mitigating the risk of over investing in capacity.