Enhancing supply chain resilience: Key strategies from risk to flexibility

In an increasingly interconnected world, the journey of a product from origin to consumer is often taken for granted. Yet, this journey, navigating through a complex web of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, is often fraught with hidden vulnerabilities.

Global challenges, complex realities

Recent events have shown us that global challenges and complexities are here to stay. Cross-border health emergencies, geopolitical instability, and climate change are just some of the major threats to supply chains. At the same time, increasingly stringent regulatory requirements are putting pressure on companies to build more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

To bring these challenges to life, Maersk collaborated with Deloitte to tell the story of Soulsneakers, a fictional trainer company with a global footprint. Taking you from origin to consumer, this journey demonstrates the intricacies of global supply chains. Using relatable examples and insights from Deloitte and Maersk’s work with multinational clients, we highlight common supply chain challenges and strategies for mitigating risks and responding to disruptions. This story demonstrates that strategic investments in resilience, cross-functional collaboration and communication, proactive risk management, and supply chain transparency are paramount for building robust and sustainable supply chains.

Understanding the Risks: From Source to Shelf

Risks are present throughout a product's lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to delivering the final product. If left unchecked, these risks have the potential to disrupt operations, impacting not only a company's profitability but also its reputation and stakeholder trust.

Three Pillars of Supply Chain Resilience

In an era of interconnected and ever-evolving supply chain risks, organisations must adopt a strategic, resilient approach. By focusing on three foundational pillars—each underpinned by transparency, communication, and cross-functional collaboration—businesses can create adaptable, sustainable supply chains equipped for modern challenges.

1. Proactive Risk Management: Resilient supply chains begin with the ability to anticipate and manage risk proactively. Effective risk management relies on transparency and open communication across the supply chain, from sourcing through to delivery. Leveraging data-driven tools and engaging with stakeholders enables companies to identify, assess, and monitor risks in real-time. By maintaining these open channels, organisations make faster, well-informed decisions, proactively mitigating risks and swiftly responding to emerging threats.
2. Pre-emptive Alternative Solutions: A resilient supply chain requires redundancy of critical processes and infrastructure. By proactively identifying backup suppliers, flexible transport routes, and contingency strategies, businesses can minimise disruptions. This approach not only reduces operational delays but also fosters cross-functional collaboration. When functions like Procurement, Business Resilience, and Digital Solutions work seamlessly, silos are broken down, allowing for a unified, agile response that strengthens the organisation’s ability to adapt under pressure.
3. Strategic Partnerships with Key Suppliers: Collaborative relationships with critical suppliers build resilience through shared goals and collective problem-solving. Open dialogue and transparency with these partners foster trust, enabling organisations to align on sustainability, risk mitigation, and continuity. This pillar supports long-term resilience by encouraging joint planning for potential disruptions and strengthening a unified approach toward a sustainable supply chain.

Supply chain disruptions: Aligning strategy with action

Building a resilient supply chain is a strategic endeavour that requires balancing immediate costs with long-term value. High implementation costs, initial investments, data gaps, and complex partnerships may challenge progress. To navigate these hurdles, leaders must align resilience investments with organisational priorities, making data-driven decisions that maximise long-term impact. By articulating the strategic benefits of resilience clearly, leaders can secure senior management buy-in, driving transformative change and enabling a robust, sustainable supply chain that aligns with the company’s broader mission.

The Journey towards resilience for global supply chains

Evolving global supply chain risks and vulnerabilities demonstrate that resilience and sustainability are not end states, but rather ongoing processes of adaptation and improvement. By embracing transparency, fostering collaboration, and aligning strategy with action, organisations can navigate the complexities of global trade and build more resilient and responsible supply chains for the future.

Learn more about how Maersk can help building resilience in your supply chain

About Deloitte

Deloitte is a leading professional services firm, driven by a purpose to make a positive impact. Our Reputation, Risk, Crisis and Resilience team is the world's largest, fully dedicated team of its kind, combining deep expertise in enterprise risk, organisational resilience, crisis management, and strategic communications. We empower organisations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions to delivery of critical services. Our Extended Enterprise team focuses specifically on helping clients manage risks associated with third-party relationships, offering a range of services from software and trade compliance to cyber TPRM and advisory services.