Is Your Supply Chain Ready for the Next Disruption?

How Leaders Can Build Resilience Without Sacrificing Efficiency

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that supply chain disruptions are no longer an “if” but a “when.” The reality? Only 21% of supply chain leaders report having a highly resilient network—one that can quickly adapt to shifts in sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution. That leaves nearly 80% of organizations exposed, struggling to balance efficiency with resilience.

A recent report from Gartner provides a roadmap for leaders looking to fortify their supply chains without compromising competitiveness. The challenge? Building resilience costs money. That means leaders must make hard trade-offs—deciding which risks are worth mitigating, which investments make sense, and how much resilience is “enough.”

How Much Resilience Does Your Supply Chain Really Need?

Not all companies need the same level of resilience. Six key factors determine how much security a supply chain requires:

1️⃣ Risk Appetite – How much disruption can your business tolerate? Organizations with razor-thin margins may have less flexibility.
2️⃣ What You’re Protecting – Are you shielding a critical product line, a regional market, or your entire supply network?
3️⃣ Funding Decisions – Who pays for resilience? The business, the supplier, or the customer?
4️⃣ Situation of Critical Partners – If key suppliers are vulnerable, the resilience strategy must address their weaknesses too.
5️⃣ Trade-Off Decisions – Not all resilience strategies are financially feasible. Leaders must decide where to invest and where to accept risk.
6️⃣ National or Trading Bloc Incentives – Governments are reshaping global supply chains through tariffs, incentives, and reshoring policies.

The bottom line? Resilience isn’t just about having backups—it’s about making smart, strategic choices.

6 Strategies to Build a Resilient Supply Chain

The report outlines six ways to strengthen supply networks and mitigate risks without completely sacrificing efficiency:

✅ Inventory & Capacity Buffers – Having extra stock or surge production capacity can be a lifesaver in times of crisis.

✅ Manufacturing Network Diversification – Expanding production to multiple locations reduces geographic and supplier dependency.

✅ Multisourcing – Working with multiple suppliers prevents over-reliance on a single source and improves adaptability.

✅ Nearshoring & Postponement Strategies – Bringing manufacturing closer to the customer reduces lead times and avoids trade restrictions, though costs may increase.

✅ Harmonization of Platforms & Products – Standardizing parts and processes makes switching suppliers easier and minimizes supply chain disruptions.

✅ Ecosystem Partnerships – Strong relationships with logistics providers and contract manufacturers enable faster crisis response and flexibility.

The Trade-Off: Efficiency vs. Resilience

Here’s the hard truth - resilience comes at a cost. While companies are eager to improve their supply chain agility, increased resilience often means higher operational expenses, longer lead times, or increased capital investment.

But what’s the alternative? Relying on fragile, outdated networks that crumble at the first sign of disruption.

The best leaders aren’t choosing between efficiency and resilience - they’re designing supply chains that balance both. They’re leveraging AI-powered forecasting, supplier collaboration, and risk scenario planning to make proactive decisions before a crisis hits.

Are You Ready for the Next Supply Chain Shock?

The next disruption isn’t far away. Whether it’s a geopolitical shift, a natural disaster, or a cyberattack, supply chain leaders must be ready to pivot—fast.

What’s your biggest supply chain risk right now? Share your thoughts in the comments!