TRAILBLAZER
Sustainability a key area for Brown One key area of professional concern for Brown is sustainability , a subject he has spoken on with passion and knowledge . “ Today we mostly operate a linear economy ,” he says . “ We use raw materials to make goods that get used and then are disposed of as waste . It ’ s a one-way conveyor belt that pulls resources out of the economy .
“ Estimates by McKinsey suggest that savings in materials alone could exceed US $ 1tn a year by 2025 , while potentially creating more jobs and innovation . Chief Supply Chain Officers like myself spend the majority of our time at this convergence of supply , cost savings , talent development , and competitive differentiation .”
Brown says that changing the way the world approaches the economy “ is no small undertaking ”.
He adds : “ There is a lot of built-in inertia that favours our existing linear model . As pressures mount , disruptive leaders are going to find the ways to design , source and build to this circular method . I believe technology will lead the charge .”
Tech ‘ has way more potential for supply beyond manufacturing ’ Brown feels that mobile technology and the Internet of Things ( IoT ) present great opportunities for the supply chains of the future to be more sustainable .
“ IoT has long been a part of the manufacturing process ,” he says . “ From sensors used to monitor environmental conditions to adjusting processes to maintain optimal inventory .”
But Brown says the tech has the power to reach way beyond manufacturing , to revolutionise any supply chain .
He says : “ In agriculture , sensors and edge computing can help farmers optimise watering , increase yields , and identify which crops are ready for harvest and reduce spoilage .
“ That same type of technology , applied to smart traffic solutions , can give drivers realtime access to better routes , while giving planners and managers greater control over traffic flow to assist emergency personnel and reduce congestion .
“ These same smart solutions yield an even more important means of transitioning to a circular economy .”
20 May 2022