Which Companies Made Gartner's Europe Supply Chain Top 15?
Amid significant geopolitical tensions and shifting trade deals, businesses must adapt at breakneck speed to simply ensure the smooth running of operations.
The supply chain is a core part of every business, with capacity to boost its strength and resilience.
In its Europe Supply Chain Top 15, Gartner celebrates the leading supply chains in the region, highlighting those adopting sustainable measures or emerging tech to their advantage.
Macro trends amongst leaders
This year, there are three main trends which supply chain leaders have picked up and worked with:
- Agentic AI - by using machine learning, deep learning and reinforcement learning, agentic AI adapts to new information, helping transform supply chains through demand forecasting, supplier selection and route optimisation
- Autonomous operations - these operations help increase productivity, enhance workplace safety and mitigate risks within the supply chain. This is because autonomous operations are able to self-monitor and self-regulate.
- Water stewardship - supply chain leaders are developing water stewardship plans after recognising the importance of water in corporate settings. To responsibly use water, leaders are consistently integrating water considerations into decisions like site selection.
Companies embracing these trends and swiftly implementing them into their supply chains are not only enjoying enhanced efficiency and environmental impact, but they're presenting themselves as innovators.
Simon Bailey, VP Analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain practice, comments: âThe best supply chains now have ESG criteria firmly embedded in their operations, while delivering higher-than-average growth rates, better returns on physical assets (ROPA) and stronger margins.â
Top five European leaders
Gartner ranks Schneider Electric as its number one supply chain in Europe. The consulting giant notes the launch of 'Impact Supply Chain', a journey Schneider Electric has founded to focus on transforming the impact and relationship with people, the planet, customers and performance.
The digital transformation and energy giant continuously aims to make a positive impact on the communities in which is operates, as reflected by recognition as Corporate Knights' World's Most Sustainable Corporation over the past two years.
Simon adds: "Schneider Electric again performed strongly across every component of the methodology, including securing the highest number of Gartner expert votes. The company is reaping the benefits of a three-year transformation initiative that has strengthened customer and supplier relationships, while improving the resilience of their operations."
AstraZeneca takes second spot thanks to its next-generation direct-to-patient solution which is improving the clinical trial process. Moreover, through continuous manufacturing transformation, the organisation has reduced lead time from development to stable production by 67% and cycle time by 98%.
In third is L'Oréal, which has been working to enhance traceability, ensuring sustainable and ethical practices across ingredients and packaging supply chains. Elsewhere, it has increased workforce efficiency through its smart fulfilment centre boasting automated picking lines and mobile robots.
Fourth-placed Danone is celebrated by Gartner for its advancement towards autonomous operations and its partnership with Microsoft aimed at integrating AI into the supply chain. This shows a willingness to adapt to emerging technologies to successfully compete with other brands.
At five is NestlĂ© â largely down to its concerted shift to regenerative agriculture practices. This responsible sourcing move is helping improve soil health and working to actively give back to the planet.
Through the adoption of agentic AI, autonomous operations and water stewardship, these companies are demonstrating willingness to adapt to a changing world and make improvements to their supply chains.
