Luke Tomlinson on Why Crisis Could Be Procurement's Biggest Opportunity Yet
RS Integrated Supply's rising changemaker shares why procurement's biggest challenges might be creating its best opportunities, and your weekly risk roundup!
Hey Changemakers,
We’re back with another edition packed with insights you won't want to miss. Here's what we’re covering this week:
A Conversation with Luke Tomlinson
Global Risk Roundup: What to Watch Now
The Art of What's Possible: Your 24/7 Supplier Risk Agent
A Conversation with Luke Tomlinson
We recently caught up with Luke Tomlinson, Global Category Manager at RS Integrated Supply and a rising changemaker on the frontlines of strategic procurement. From his thoughts on facing economic uncertainty to procurement innovation that keeps humans at its core, we covered why the challenges facing procurement today might actually be setting us up for success tomorrow.
What we covered:
His practical approach to implementing ESG frameworks beyond checkbox exercises.
Why the current economic crisis might be procurement's biggest opportunity yet.
How this massive technological shift could make procurement the most people-focused it’s ever been.
Why creativity may be procurement’s most underdeveloped skill in a tech-savvy world.
“The world’s a scary place economically at the moment, there’s a lot that has happened in the last few years. Supply chain needs more optimism.
There’s two sides to it…”
Don't miss the full conversation:
Global Risk Roundup
All eyes have been on the wave of new tariffs coming from the US and what they might mean for global trade. Here are some of the key risks you need to watch this week:
1. Sweeping US Tariffs on Critical Industries
The 25% tariffs announced earlier for automotive parts, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals are now locked in. This hits some of our most important industries, with automotive manufacturers likely feeling the biggest pinch in their supply chains. (Source)
2. Steel and Aluminum Costs Hit Manufacturing
The new steel and aluminum tariffs could add about $1,500 to the cost of making each vehicle. With no exceptions allowed, manufacturers are faced with some tough choices: find new suppliers, raise prices, or absorb the costs. Some companies will feel this more than others, but anyone using steel in their production needs to prepare for higher costs. (Source)
3. Reciprocal Tariff Policy Takes Effect
A new "you tax us, we tax you" policy is now in place for all US trade relationships. Simply put, if any country puts a tariff on US goods, the US will respond with the exact same tariff on their goods - a move that could trigger a chain reaction in global trade. (Source)
4. Mixed Signals on Suez Canal Recovery
Timeline for ships returning to the Suez Canal remains unclear, with predictions ranging from late March to the end of 2025. The Suez Canal Authority is optimistic about getting back to normal by mid-year, but shipping companies like Maersk are leaning towards late 2025. Meanwhile, geopolitical developments, including recent statements on Gaza’s future, have added another layer of uncertainty. (Source)
Only 29% of Supply Chains Ready for Future Challenges…
How many companies are actually prepared for tomorrow's supply chain challenges? Gartner’s latest research shows it's fewer than you might think. Only 29% of supply chain organisations have built the essential capabilities needed to handle what's coming next.
While companies that take a long-term, strategic approach are better positioned to succeed, those focusing on short-term fixes struggle to keep up.
The Art of What’s Possible
Ever discovered a major supplier issue only after it's already caused delays? Or spent hours manually checking different risk signals only to miss the one that really mattered?
You're juggling hundreds of data points across dozens of suppliers, and missing this difference could cost your business millions.
We put together a simple demo to show you just how easy it is to stay on top of supplier risks when you have an AI agent watching your supply base 24/7:
That’s it for this week, Changemakers!
Have feedback, ideas, or something you’d like us to cover next? Interested in collaborating with us on the Spotlight Interview series or contributing your work to an upcoming edition? Hit reply - we’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Deana
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