As we look ahead to 2026, supply chain and manufacturing leaders face a landscape defined by strategic adaptation and resilience. Industry forecasts highlight continued investment in smart manufacturing and digital tools to boost competitiveness despite economic uncertainty, while also juggling geopolitical risk, tariff pressures and AI adoption to strengthen operations.

Transportation networks are poised for disruption as new trucking regulations and capacity shifts prompt rerouting and strategic planning, even as domestic warehouse activity surges to its strongest pace since the pandemic era. Meanwhile, organizational health remains under the spotlight with leadership turnover undermining performance, and procurement experts urge a shift from price-focused sourcing toward total cost optimization to build more sustainable supplier relationships. Together, these trends underscore a pivotal moment for supply chain transformation and operational leadership.

—Tyler Fussner