From challenges to solutions: Highlights from NextGen 2024

Supply chain managers across most industry sectors have a lot on their plates right now. Rising business costs, the threat of new tariffs, geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and ever-evolving customer expectations are just some of the top challenges keeping them up right now. Add growing global supply chain complexity and the need for greater sustainability and ethical sourcing to the mix and the situation becomes even more complex to navigate and difficult to manage.

Fortunately, every year the NextGen Supply Chain Conference offers a lifeline to anyone who has found themselves navigating a turbulent industry landscape. Brought to you by Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review, this annual event not only provides a platform for connecting with industry peers, it also features an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and presenters focused on building resilient, anti-fragile supply chains.

This year’s event was no different. Held at the landmark Chicago Athletic Association hotel in October, the NextGen Supply Chain Conference attracted more than 175 sponsors/exhibitors, speakers, and attendees. This year, the premier educational and networking event effectively answered the question: Digitization is here, what’s next? The 6th annual event brought attendees and exhibitors together to ponder that question, learn, network, share best practices and get an up-close look at the latest in supply chain management technology.

The event kicked off with an opening reception on Monday, Oct. 21, followed by two full days of content.

The sponsors for this year’s NextGen Supply Chain Conference included Honeywell Intelligrated (Diamond); Körber, Addverb, and Zion Solutions Group (Platinum); Hai Robotics (Gold) and Dematic (Silver). The event’s Bronze sponsors were Aptean, Gather AI, and Intellistore, and Associate Sponsors were TGW, Made4Net, Peak Technologies, Paccurate, Squint, Waites Sensor Technologies, Lowry Solutions, Levata, Honeywell, Osa, Arvist, Tag-N-Trac, SC Codeworks, and Plus One Robotics.

Recognizing the best of the best

A valuable resource for supply chain professionals who want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in the industry, the conference featured a selection of keynote presentations on topics like How Procter & Gamble Partners to Maximize on Shelf Availability, How Whirlpool Achieved The Trifecta With Lithium Ion Fleets, and a fireside chat with Luis Roman, VP of MedTech Supply Chain at Johnson & Johnson.

Other presenters discussed the impacts of digitalization on leadership, supply chain resilience, the future of transportation, and navigating digital transformation in supply chain.

In her keynote, Procter & Gamble’s DeLynn Louth shared best practices and innovative strategies that the CPG employs to ensure full product availability on shelves. She also addressed common challenges P&G faces in maintaining on-shelf availability and discussed how the CGP is leveraging AI and advanced analytics in its supply chain to deliver supply in-full at the shelf level.

During the Change Leadership in the Digital Age session, Amy Augustine of U.S. Cellular talked about how having a change management plan in place is no longer enough in this digital supply chain age. That plan must also be robust, and it must start with the heartbeat of your organization—the people. Augustine walked attendees through the steps of developing an effective change leadership plan that results in real organizational change.

The conference also featured a number of breakout sessions, including a panel discussion on the Future of Transportation. One of the sessions featured Walmart’s Vijay Cherukuru and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Endowed Professor Yanfeng Ouyang discussing how the future of transportation and logistics is going to look “very different” in the not-too-distant future. One of the main differences, they say, will be the number of autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs) that will be moving goods around the globe.

In another breakout session entitled The Real Housewives of Supply Chain: Finance, Family, Anxiety, Amy Augustine and P&G’s Amy Rardin led an interactive, small-group session of women supply chain leaders in a discussion about the issues impacting women in the supply chain. The pair shared their own experiences and lessons learned along the way, and engaged with attendees on topics like how to be financially and mentally prepared for life.

And the award goes to…

Every year the NextGen Supply Chain Conference recognizes industry leaders that include leading solution providers, startups, and supply chain visionaries that are leading the way in the adoption of next-generation technologies. To recognize and celebrate leaders in the adoption of the technologies that are empowering the supply chains of the future in 2024, Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review presented nine different awards across four different categories (Visionary, End User, Solution Provider, and Startup). The startup category was added in 2023 and joins the other categories, all of which were launched in 2019.

The NextGen Supply Chain Conference Awards recognize organizations that are shaping tomorrow’s supply chains today. The winners are all standout companies that help organizations navigate the complexities of the modern supply chain while preparing them for future success. Representatives from the winning organizations accepted the award live at the conference.

This year, Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review presented nine awards across four different categories. This year’s award winners are:

NextGen Visionary Award

Winner: Walmart, Inc.

A prestigious honor, this award recognizes companies that have made significant contributions to the advancement of supply chain management. It celebrates pioneers who have challenged the status quo, embraced innovation and driven transformative change within the industry. The recipient of the NextGen Visionary Award is a visionary leader that has demonstrated exceptional foresight, strategic thinking, and a commitment to shaping the future of supply chain. 

Walmart is not only the world’s leading retailer, but it is also one of the world’s leading companies  when it comes to sustainability, and that leadership extends throughout its supply chain. Karisa Sprague, SVP, U.S. Supply Chain Fulfillment Operations, accepted the award.

End User Awards

These awards recognize organizations that have successfully implemented innovative supply chain strategies and technologies, and whose efforts have produced significant improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. This prestigious award honors companies that exemplify excellence in supply chain management and inspire others to adopt best practices. The winners:

Artificial Intelligence: Estée Lauder (Accepted by Jay Koganti, VP Supply Chain COE) 

Digital Transformation: Schneider Electric (Accepted by Michael Labhart, NA Innovation & Smart Factory Director) 

Robotics: S&S Activewear (Accepted by Cole Lohman, Director of Automation)

Solution Provider Awards

These awards shine a spotlight on organizations that have demonstrated exceptional innovation and excellence in providing cutting-edge solutions to the supply chain sector. Recipients have developed groundbreaking technologies, streamlined processes, and improved supply chain visibility and efficiency.
These prestigious awards highlight the importance of technological advancements and innovative thinking in addressing the complex challenges that supply chain professionals face on a daily basis. The winners:

Robotics: Agility Robotics (Accepted by Pras Velagapudi, Chief Technical Officer) 

Digital Transformation: Westfalia (Accepted by Ryan Smith, VP of Automation) 

Artificial Intelligence: AutoScheduler (Accepted by Keith Moore, CEO) 

Predictive Analytics: Waites Sensor Technologies (Accepted by Rob Ratterman, CEO and Co-Founder) 

Start-Up Award

This NextGen Supply Chain Conference award recognizes those scrappy, disruptive start-ups revolutionizing the industry. Recipients have developed cutting-edge technologies or business models to address critical challenges and drive industry transformation. By recognizing and supporting these emerging companies, Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review aim to foster innovation and accelerate the adoption of new technologies that will shape the future of supply chain management.

Winner: Squint (Accepted by Devin Bhushan, Founder and CEO)

Founded in 2021 by Bhushan, Squint offers a mobile app leveraging artificial intelligence and augmented reality to automate data entry and generate custom procedures.

A glimpse into the future of supply chain 

As end users request faster delivery times and increased supply chain transparency, companies have to find innovative ways to balance speed, cost, and reliability. The NextGen Supply Chain Conference helps them achieve these goals by giving attendees valuable insights, networking opportunities, a firsthand look at the latest technology tools, and a glimpse into the future of supply chain management.

A resounding success, the 2024 conference was barely in the books when its makers started planning for next year’s event. Well aware of the dynamic nature of modern supply chains and the stressors being placed on these critical networks, Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review are now planning for the 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference. Senior-level supply chain professionals will converge at the 7th annual event, which will remain dedicated to helping companies navigate and leverage the transformative changes that are taking place in their supply chains.

Looking ahead to 2025, Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review encourage all supply chain professionals to mark their calendars and join for another year of innovation, education, and inspiration. For more on the NextGen Supply Chain Conference, including speaking and sponsorship opportunities,
visit nextgensupplychainconference.com.

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