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Celebrating National Supply Chain Day! At Augment Ventures, we reflect on a decade of pioneering investments in supply chain innovation, like our early backing of LLamasoft, which soared to unicorn status. Today, on this significant day, we revisit the critical role of supply chains in our interconnected global economy and their impact on everything from daily consumer goods to complex industrial systems. In my latest Medium article, "Beyond Borders: How Supply Chains Shape Our World," I discuss the evolution of supply chains from their early days to the formidable networks they are today. As we push for more adaptable, resilient, and sustainable supply chains, we embrace technologies like AI, diversify sourcing strategies, and prioritize environmental sustainability. Join me in exploring how these vital networks not only support global trade but are essential in shaping our future. Let's discuss how we can invest in and fortify supply chains to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Read more about our journey and the future of supply chains here: https://lnkd.in/e-aQJhr8 Your insights are invaluable as we explore ways to improve and sustain our supply chain processes. Please share your thoughts and comments as we gear up for a future ready supply chain! #SupplyChainDay #Innovation #Sustainability #FutureOfSupplyChain

The path to success for companies lies in their ability to balance efficiency and growth effectively. Both objectives are vital, but the challenge is to harmonize them. Read more: https://hubs.li/Q027GQ8-0 Post written by Gayatri Iyengar, Forbes Councils Member.

As a result of the pandemic's tumultuous impact on the transportation and logistics sector, the landscape of M&A activity has undergone a rollercoaster ride. From frenetic activity during the height of the pandemic, to a decline post-pandemic, the industry now stands at the threshold of a new era in 2024. Undoubtedly, the pandemic shed a spotlight on the strategic significance of supply chains. Many players within transportation and logistics turned to M&A as a means to expand their scope of service beyond their core business or to grow their global presence. While deal activity dropped sharply in 2023 to USD 63bn (McKinsey), the dawn of 2024 brings the promise of fresh & large opportunities and deals. Leading investors have amassed substantial funds, poised to inject vitality back into the market. Yet, the M&A environment is evolving rapidly, driven by financial & macroeconomic dynamics, geo politics, market trends, and technological advancements that are fundamentally reshaping the industry. The major forces: Financial Realities: 2024 is primed for buyers, but with a twist. Logistics players, having tapped deep cash reserves accumulated from 2020 to 2022, face new financial challenges exacerbated by rising financial costs. Survival favours the financially fittest with high focus on cash flow & operating margins. #profitability Market Dynamics: The transportation and logistics sector continues to evolve, becoming more complex and competitive. Customers demand for globally seamless, green & multimodal services, end2end visibility which drives the need for diversified portfolios and reliable, sustainable, lean operations. #LogisticsMarket #sustainability #leanandagile Technological Advancements: Cutting-edge supply chain designs are embracing digitalization and automation. From online channels to AI-driven analytics and robotics, technology is reshaping operations for efficiency and competitiveness. #SupplyChainTech #DigitalTransformation This year prospective dealmakers must brace themselves for a transformed landscape and look into highest potential subsectors benefitting from these trends. Strategic foresight and proactive adaptation are paramount. It’s a good time to prepare and recalibrate investment strategies aligned with these emerging priorities. This will define success in M&A in the transportation and logistics industry. Check out the McKinsey & Company article for more insights. #globallogistics #acceleratedgrowth #transportindustry #MergersAcquisitions

Is it worth investing in supply chain? Sure it is! There's no doubt about the benefits, as recent data shows a significant increase in the number of companies committing more than $10 million to transformation initiatives, with nearly 38% on board. Digtial transformation is a fact in 2024!🚀 🚀 Generating additional revenue: Investments in custom software developemnt can lead to higher returns through innovation.   💡 Asset protection and development: New opportunities gained through investments protect and strengthen business assets.   💼 Two-sided benefits: Investments in custom software can generate profit-sharing opportunities for shipping companies.   🎯 Stay ahead with trends: By investing in custom software, you can get ahead of the areas where companies are focusing their latest investment efforts and stay competitive. See more here: https://lnkd.in/dMd4Cgdb #freightservices #vesselmanagement #marine #export #transportationengineering #transportplanning #supplychain #globaltrade #freightforwarding #routeoptimization #roadfreight #freightservices #vesselmanagement #marine #export #adexin

After frenetic activity during the pandemic and a decline postpandemic, M&A in transportation and logistics enters a new world in 2024. But major forces are transforming the industry and creating five priorities for M&A investment. The pandemic highlighted the strategic importance of supply chain execution. Many transportation and logistics players looked to M&A to keep things moving and profited handsomely. In 2023, deal activity slowed to a crawl, but 2024 promises new opportunities, as leading investors have amassed funds that they are ready to spend. But the M&A environment is changing, as financial, market, and technology forces are transforming the industry. Would-be dealmakers should prepare for this new world now.

It was both enlightening and a pleasure to participate in the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Top 10 supply chain trends for 2024 compilation (link below), and rewarding to see reference to it grow. https://bit.ly/3Sd8mFR

What misconception do people outside of your industry hold about it? People outside the logistics industry often view it as boring, mundane, and low-tech, thinking it’s just about moving goods from point A to point B. However, modern logistics is a dynamic and essential part of the global economy, heavily reliant on technology, data analytics, and innovative solutions. It involves complex processes like supply chain management, transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and customer service, all working together to optimize efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience. This misconception overlooks the strategic importance of logistics in overall business operations, its role in driving innovation and sustainability, and its significant impact on the global economy. How would you have answered this question? Thanks to EnterpriseZone.cc for the great questions and the opportunity for reflection #ezcc

In a world of commodities, consumables, CapEx, and point solutions why swap to a platform? What does that even mean? Bain Capital Ventures' Ajay Agarwal and Zeeza Cole just published this article on Industrial Renaissance, which covers some of the successes and visions of how to shift from thinking about physical processes and hardware as a burden to a strategic advantage. When you get a contextual understanding of granular processes, and the productivity benefits of a platform optimized to support physical processes, the little things become huge wins for reliability and operational excellence. This is a great read for founders, operations and supply chain leaders, and anyone who wants to be on the winning side of the next generation of the industrial world. https://lnkd.in/exCt_M9g

CORTMA highlights the transformational power of digital logistics: Expanding digital logistics capabilities can generate significant value in cost and service delivery, boosting operational performance, sustainability, customer satisfaction—and revenue in some cases. https://lnkd.in/d9d_ynxJ A new McKinsey & Company survey of more than 250 global shippers and logistics providers reveals that technology investments are set to increase, with numerous companies already piloting advanced use cases. Harness the competitive advantage_ _____ Relevant browsing https://lnkd.in/d5nDB-k6 https://lnkd.in/dMYXscu8 ______ Follow our thinking At a glance: At Mactur, we provide advisory on Corporate Turnarounds: Operationalizing Restructurings and enterprise-wide Transformations. At CORTMA, we apply an entrepreneurial ecosystem-based approach to facilitate the lower mid-market (MSME) business transfer. Enjoy my insightful content curation, and thank you for letting me be a part of your reading world. ______ #Growth #Marketing #Technology #Ecosystems #Turnarounds #Management #Entrepreneurship #CortmaTranferOfSMEs #logisticsmanagement #logistics

The M&A landscape in transportation and logistics has undergone significant changes, especially highlighted by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, there was a surge in M&A activity as supply chain execution became a critical strategic capability, leading to unprecedented deal values and high profitability for logistics players. However, 2023 saw a sharp decline in both deal volume and value due to various factors, including differing market outlooks between buyers and sellers, tightened capital access, and weakened demand for logistics services. Despite the slowdown, 2024 presents new opportunities driven by substantial funds held by leading investors ready to capitalize on lower valuations and evolving market conditions. Financial, market, and technology forces are reshaping the industry, setting five priorities for M&A investment. These include targeting acquisition opportunities created by the downturn, expanding service portfolios, investing in sustainability, creating market champions through integration, and acquiring transformative technologies. Investors must act now to set the right vision, develop a value creation plan, and ensure robust capabilities for execution and integration. By doing so, they can navigate the evolving M&A landscape and unlock substantial value in the transportation and logistics sector. Strategic acquisitions in the transportation and logistics sector can provide companies with the necessary tools to adapt to market changes, enhance service offerings, and stay competitive. Companies that prioritize sustainability and technological advancements will be better positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry. As the market continues to evolve, companies must remain agile and proactive in their M&A strategies. This will enable them to seize opportunities, drive growth, and achieve long-term success in the dynamic transportation and logistics landscape. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/etS_C-DQ #Logistics #MA #Transportation #SupplyChain #Technology