This Week's Top Five Stories in Supply Chain
Trump's Steel and Aluminium Tariffs Shake Up Supply Chains
US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminium are set to take effect on 12 March, resulting in major repercussions for supply chains worldwide.
In addition to the tariffs, President Trump has introduced strict new rules defining what qualifies as US-made metal. Steel must be "melted and poured" and aluminium "smelted and cast" within the country to count, a move designed to prevent low-cost materials from China and Russia entering the market via third-party nations.
While the policy aims to boost domestic manufacturing, its impact on global supply chains is a growing concern. The US remains heavily dependent on imported aluminium, particularly from Canada and Mexico and, with this tariff in place, costs are expected to rise across industries.
Why BYD has Bet Big on Brazil for Lithium Supply
BYD, the Chinese EV organisation, has secured mining rights in Brazil's lithium-abundant Jequitinhonha Valley.
This strategic decision taps into Brazil's vast mineral resources, securing BYD's presence in its most prominent market outside of China.
With a keen eye on expanding its EV production capabilities, securing this steady source of lithium could prove to be a significant move in the context of the wider EV industry.
How Accenture is Boosting its Supply Chain Capabilities
Accenture's strategic move to acquire global management consultancy Staufen is poised to enhance its capabilities in aiding clients across diverse sectors of manufacturing and supply chain management.
The incorporation of more than 200 seasoned professionals from Staufen’s teams in the US, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico and Brazil into Accenture’s supply chain and operations practice represents a significant expansion.
This acquisition is particularly advantageous for clients involved in discrete manufacturing sectors such as automotive, medical equipment, industrial goods and aerospace and defence, thanks to Staufen’s robust portfolio of Industry 4.0 solutions.
Sodexo: Focused on Increasing Supplier Diversity
Sodexo's Social Impact Pledge 2030 sets out clear commitments to enhance its impact across the UK and Ireland. The initiative builds on a decade of transparent social impact reporting, marking the next step in Sodexo’s evolving strategy to address societal and environmental challenges.
The pledge focuses on four key areas—partners, people, planet and places—highlighting the role of Sodexo’s 30,000 employees in delivering meaningful change.
Through this approach, the company aims to foster a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future.
Carol B. Tomé, CEO at UPS: A True Logistics Trailblazer
Carol B. Tomé is no stranger to breaking through barriers.
When she became CEO of UPS in 2020, she made history as the company’s first external hire for the role and its first female CEO. More significantly, she was also the first woman to lead a major logistics and transportation company.
A highly-regarded leader in the supply chain sector, Carol continues to drive change and innovation, with a focus on improving the experiences of both employees and customers.
Ranked No.1 in Supply Chain Digital’s latest Top 100 Supply Chain Leaders list, she remains committed to transforming UPS into a people-focused, customer-first organisation.
Explore the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Supply Chain Digital is a BizClik brand.