As the world grapples with geopolitical instability, rapid technological changes, economic volatility, and the drive towards net zero, addressing the complex challenges facing supply chain professionals is more critical than ever.
This ‘Supply Chains for Resilience and Sustainability in Uncertain Times’ event, hosted by the University of Bristol Business School, brought together supply chain leaders, academics, and industry experts to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and explore solutions for building resilience and sustainability across various sectors. The day also saw the launch of the new Business School Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains Research Theme – a vehicle for collaboration with industry and policy makers to co-create research.
Two parallel sessions with linked roundtable co-production group sessions were co-hosted by Business School academics and industry experts.
Session 1: Manufacturing Supply Chains and Critical Imports
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK, outlined five critical challenges currently impacting supply chains:
- Brexit’s Impact on Supply Chains
- Pandemic’s Effect on Manufacturing
- Decarbonisation and Energy Transition
- Rising Protectionism and Trade Barriers
- Geopolitical Instability.
Pioneering Solutions for Semiconductor Supply Chains:
The academic lead for this session, Associate Professor Minhao Zhang, presented the University of Bristol Business School’s Rewire Project. Zhang believes that the Project can help address these challenges. This innovative initiative aims at enhancing resilience in semiconductor supply chains. The project focuses on reducing energy waste in power electronics using advanced materials like gallium nitride and silicon carbide. It involves collaboration among universities such as Bristol, Cambridge, and Warwick, along with industrial partners. The project integrates geopolitical risk analysis into supply chain management through advanced data analytics and decision support tools, aiming to strengthen global supply chains.
The Rewire Project also focuses on developing the next generation of supply chain leaders, with nine PhD students co-funded by industry partners and ongoing professional training programmes.
Session 2: Food Security and Sustainability
Led by Dr Lucy McCarthy and Mat Thewlis, Operations Director at Yeo Valley, this session examined global and local challenges like geopolitical instability, environmental issues, and the UK’s economy. Discussions included resilience and sustainability, farming policies related to carbon emissions and food security, and food policy concerns regarding consumer awareness and ultra-processed foods. The session ended with insights on academic and industrial partnerships, focusing on innovations in food, agriculture, and the use of data science and AI.
McCarthy also presented her research project on the Circular Agriculture Hub, which serves as a relationship facilitator focused on connecting farmers with users of their surplus. The project aims to tackle food poverty, surplus, and environmental concerns by intercepting fruits and vegetables that don’t make it past the farm gate. It provides additional routes for redistribution and value recovery, ensuring that no food is wasted. The initiative is in the process of becoming a social enterprise.
Top takeaways from the Panel Discussion: Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainability
The event concluded with a dynamic panel discussion. Stephen Phipson and Mat Thewlis were joined by Chris Whitley of Osborne Clarke, Professor Palie Smart of University of Bristol Business School and Professor Jennifer Johns also from the Business School, acting as Chair. The discussion delved deeper into the day’s topics. Key insights included:
- Collaboration and Sustainability in Manufacturing
Panellists highlighted the shift from siloed manufacturing practices to collaborative approaches. They noted the opening of seven new UK factories seeking alternative power sources, operating off-grid, sparking interest in sustainable practices. The importance of vertical collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies like data science and AI in driving sustainability were emphasised. Companies are recognising the benefits of working together, and a cultural shift towards valuing sustainability and compliance roles was seen as vital. Learning from other sectors and sharing best practices were deemed key to driving innovation. - Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance
The discussion covered essential regulatory issues, including CS Triple D, deforestation legislation, and forced labour regulations. The need for transparency and proactive engagement with supply chain partners, especially concerning new requirements like General Product Safety and carbon border adjustment mechanisms, was highlighted. A roadmap for compliance and understanding contract flow-downs was deemed crucial. The discussion drew parallels between financial and sustainability reporting, stressing the need for standardised terminology and embedding sustainability into organisational governance. - Skills Gap and Workforce Challenges
The significant skills gap in manufacturing, with 64,000 vacancies and high demand for vocational skills, was discussed. The impact of economic inactivity post-pandemic and the need for retraining in green technologies and sustainability skills were underscored. The importance of apprenticeships, vocational training, and academia’s role in aligning with manufacturing trends was highlighted. Panellists also discussed the challenges of attracting younger individuals to vocational training, advocating for better pay and career opportunities, making vocational skills appealing and the role of companies in providing promising career paths. - Public Procurement and Social Value
The role of public procurement in promoting ESG standards and social value was discussed, highlighting its impact on winning public tenders. The need for support for SMEs in providing required data and the importance of academia-industry collaboration to ease compliance challenges was noted. - Resilience and Sustainability Trade-offs
The panel explored the trade-offs between resilience and sustainability, noting that increased resilience might lead to reduced efficiency. Strategic trade-offs and the need for evidence-based decision-making were highlighted, along with the role of resilience in enhancing sustainability. - Academia and Industry Collaboration
The potential for academia and industry to support sustainability and resilience efforts was discussed. Emphasis was placed on evidence for green and human health claims and the role of universities in supporting SMEs and emerging technologies. Better collaboration between universities and industry partners was seen as crucial. - Supply Chain Localisation and International Trade
The debate over local versus international supply chains was addressed, with discussions on the potential for reshoring to enhance sustainability through advanced technologies. A balanced approach to localisation and the importance of international trade for global stability is needed.
The Future Starts Here
The insights and discussions from today’s event will shape the future of supply chain management. The University of Bristol Business School’s research showcased the power of academic-industry partnerships, offering practical solutions to today’s challenges. From enhancing semiconductor resilience to advancing sustainability, these innovative approaches are crucial for building adaptable supply chains. Today’s conversations mark the start of ongoing collaborations that will drive future progress and inspire new strategies for a resilient and sustainable future.
Find out more about resilient and sustainable supply chains