___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sustainability
by the ongoing development of a new cloud-based supply chain collaboration tool designed to improve the transparency of the data we share with our vendors , and vice versa . It has the dual benefit of allowing us to assess the emissions in the supply chain and improve productivity . The more processes that are automated , the more consistent they are and the less chance there is for human error .
As the global geo-political climate continues to compound disruptions in material availability and transport , the main challenge we have ahead of us is unpredictability . Information sharing is a surefire way of helping players across the supply chain to minimize business disruption , at the same time as promoting sustainability .
Cultural transformation
Close cooperation across functions has also been one of our key strengths . When any new project is under development , we are working to engage each relevant function as early as possible . My department ‒ supply chain ‒ has also become more ‘ front of mind ’ as an essential team to make sure that we fulfil our customers ’ needs . We are working closely with many different departments to develop the right strategies and technologies to reduce our risk exposure in sourcing and improve the sustainability of the products we specify .
It ’ s all part of a greater cultural transformation that places collaboration at the heart of everything we do . Our new , improved ‘ Innovation Days ’ are a great example . Led by the Supply Chain team , we work jointly with R & D and external vendors in manufacturing plants to discuss topics like efficiency , productivity , cost savings , and how to increase data transparency , which create mutually beneficial outcomes .
By bringing everyone together under one roof to discuss our challenges and how to tackle them , we give ourselves the greatest chance of coming up with workable solutions .
The desired outcome of each Innovation Day is to create a concrete action plan for improvements and put in place steps of how we will get there .
For me , it ’ s been a truly productive exercise . Through closer networking , we have built an even stronger level of cooperation between teams and departments across the world .
Sharing best practices to tackle a shared challenge
Sharing data transparently , both within and between companies , is the only way to progress toward a truly sustainable supply chain . We need to join forces , to make sure that we all push in the same sustainable direction and that we minimize any potential barriers to success .
Now is the time for collaboration to take center stage . It is a shared challenge and a global one . If we can join forces to propose creative ideas of how to move forward , everybody will benefit , including our planet and society . In such a complex trading environment , if we don ’ t share common goals or a common direction , it will be impossible to make meaningful changes . At the end of the day , we are all in this together ! ■
Sara Cattaneo www . abb . com
Sara Cattaneo is Head of Supply Chain at ABB Distribution Solutions . ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive , sustainable future . By connecting software to its electrification , robotics , automation and motion portfolio , ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels . With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years , ABB ’ s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries .
manufacturing-today . com 21