“ Maintaining the ability to quickly pivot and adapt requires investment in technology , skilled personnel and often higher inventory levels ,” he adds . “ There is also some complexity in managing diverse suppliers and partners , as well as potential challenges in maintaining consistent quality .”
Richard Tucker , Director of Supply Chain Business Development at Endava , points out that , in today ’ s fast-paced global market , a significant proportion of organisations are favouring agility in a bid to keep up with ever-changing demand .
He stresses , however , that any decision between the two different paths should depend on the type of business and its goals .
“ Most of the time , lean supply chains are more cost-effective and predictable , while agile supply chains are more flexible and able to react to market changes quickly ,” says Richard . “ You need to consider your product , your customers and end users , the market and your partners and suppliers to determine which strategy works best for you .”
Supply chain strategy : a hybrid approach So , if both of these supply chain management approaches offer such appealing benefits , how realistic is it to enjoy the best of both worlds and find a middle ground ?
138 September 2024