The CII Institute of Logistics organized the 11th Edition of the “Global Supply Chain Summit” with the theme “Building Tomorrow: The Rise of Resilient, Sustainable, and Technology-Enabled Supply Chains” on Friday, 27th September, at The Sheraton Grand, Bengaluru.
The summit focused on key sub-themes such as building resilient supply chains to mitigate risks across the value chain, creating sustainable and environmentally friendly supply chain operations, and leveraging Generative AI (GenAI) to develop best-in-class supply chains. It explored innovative operating models, world-class infrastructure, and evolving legislation to achieve these three supply chain pillars. The event saw significant participation, with 270 national and international thought leaders and influential figures from across India.
(L-R)Dr. K. Ganesh, Member, CII National Committee on Logistics & Partner McKinsey & Company, Ms. Mansi Nagri, Chief Product & Marketing Officer, Mahindra Logistics Ltd, Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao P, General Manager, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Mr. Pramod Kumar Agrawal, Principal Chief Commissioner, CGST, Bengaluru Zone, Government of India, Mr. Durgadutt Nedungadi, Senior Vice President International Business, Netradyne Technology India Pvt Ltd, Mr. Sukumar K Chief Executive Officer TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited, Dr Bhanumathi K, Chief Operating Officer, CII Institute of Logistics
During inaugural session, Mr. Pramod Kumar Agarwal, Principal Chief Commissioner of CGST, Bengaluru Zone, Government of India, highlighted key revisions in customs duty rates aimed at supporting importers and exporters, simplifying trade, boosting exports, and enhancing India’s global competitiveness. He emphasized the expanded role of the Advance Ruling Authority (ARA) in expediting resolutions for GST-related supply chain disputes. Additionally, he stressed the significance of green warehousing and transportation practices in promoting sustainable logistics solutions. Mr. Agarwal outlined several CBIC initiatives to facilitate trade, including ICEDASH, ICETRACK, eSANCHIT, and TURANT, while reinforcing the government's commitment to building resilient, sustainable, and technology-driven supply chains, positioning India for continued growth in global trade.
The session also discussed the significant effects of recent disruptions, social changes, and new laws on global supply chains, revealing important weaknesses and shifting industry challenges. It focused on the $330 billion Indian logistics market, which is expected to lead in sustainable supply chain solutions by 2025. The role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in identifying and reducing climate-related risks was also highlighted, ensuring that operations can continue during extreme weather events. Additionally, the discussion covered global strategies to improve supply chain resilience, demonstrating how sustainable practices and AI integration can enhance operations while supporting broader goals like road safety.
(L-R) Ms. Carola Wagner, Solution Leader and Associate Partner, McKinsey and Company, Mr. Neelanchal Panda, Head of Supply Chain, Himalaya Wellness Company, Mr. Hanumanth Melligeri, Plant Head, Mars Wrigley, Mr. Rajshekhar Kolkur, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. Mr. Vivekanand kumathalli, Head of Supply Chain, Orkla India, Mr. Anil Arora, Founder and Managing Director, Aetos DigiLog, Mr. Anoop Chauhan, Chief Executive Officer - Contract Logistics, Subcontinent, DP World
Session1 “What does it take for a supply chain to be resilient” highlighted the importance of building resilient supply chains and how companies are making informed decisions to mitigate risks and reduce disruptions. Session discussed how modern supply networks face challenges like operational, organizational, regulatory, financial, and data security issues, with disruptions potentially costing companies up to 45% of their annual EBITDA. The session highlighted the need for greater visibility across the supply chain to sense high-impact threats and respond collaboratively through "what-if" scenario planning and dynamic optimization. They also explored the challenges companies face when shifting to risk-resilient value chains and the technologies gaining traction to enhance resilience. The session also touched on the role of autonomous planning, requiring rapid decision-making via a central nerve center, and stressed the importance of collaborating with partners to build agile, integrated supply chains.
(L-R) Ms. Suchita Bansal, Global Supply Chain Lead GM, A.P. Moller – Maersk, Mr. Manoj Sharma, Head of Supply Chain & Business Processes, Zeiss India, Mr. Abhishek Gaurav, Head of Supply Chain (Planning and logistics), Britannia Industries Limited, Dr. K Ganesh Member, CII National Committee on Logistics and Partner McKinsey and Company, Mr. Seetharam Srinivasan, Head of Operations Smart Wearables, Titan Company Limited, Ms. Florence Petit, Country Head - Supply Chain Management, Legrand India, Mr. Suumit Joshii, Chief Learning Officer and Head - Business Excellence, Addverb.
Session2 “How to create a sustainable and environment friendly supply chain” highlighted the increasing need for companies to adopt sustainable practices in their supply chains, focusing on reducing carbon footprints, improving infrastructure, and integrating new technologies. Session discussed how organizations are enhancing sustainability across the end-to-end value chain while navigating regulatory policies and overcoming challenges like cost pressures and operational resistance. Emerging trends, including circular economy practices and robotics, were highlighted as key drivers for sustainable supply chain transformation. The panel explored how companies can balance cost efficiency with sustainability, especially in warehousing and transportation, and stressed the importance of building an integrated supply chain ecosystem for long-term growth. Setting measurable targets, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and engaging suppliers in sustainability efforts were identified as critical steps, alongside embracing lean manufacturing to optimize resource consumption and minimize environmental impact.
(L-R) Mr. Kamlesh Kumar, Senior Director - Engineering, Manhattan Associates, Mr. Bhargab Dutta, Chief Digital Officer, Century Plyboards (I) Limited, Mr. Amith S Kumar, Senior Director – Marketing, Netradyne, Ms. Tannistha Ganguly, Global Head - Warehouse Management Systems (IT Delivery), Kimberly-Clark, Mr. Raushan Rishu, Vice President Supply Chain, Jockey India, Mr. Ankush Bagwale, Head of Supply Chain Excellence, Amazon
Session3 “How can emerging technologies enabled supply chain boost operations” explored how Generative AI (GenAI) and other emerging technologies are transforming supply chain operations, making them more autonomous, agile, and efficient. The session highlighted how GenAI is particularly suited for challenges like predictive scenario planning and supply chain control towers, offering distinct use cases compared to traditional AI. Successful applications of GenAI in improving supply chain visibility through IoT, blockchain, and collaborative networks were also discussed. The evolution of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) from basic tools to advanced productivity systems was examined, alongside insights on where warehouse automation fits best. The role of start-ups in driving supply chain innovation, particularly in AI/ML optimization and robotics, was explored. The session also shared strategies for managing disruptions with technology and addressed GenAI's opportunities and risks, stressing the need for preparation and leveraging integrated supply chains for innovation.