A new study from DHL Supply Chain shed light on some of the top concerns on the minds of logistics CEOs. The survey found that while 99% of executives view the supply chain as critical to business success, 73% expect their supply chains to be more reliant on artificial intelligence, and 70% anticipate cybersecurity threats to disrupt operations by 2030.
“Since 2020, supply chains have been in a period of transformation,” said Mark Kunar, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America. “While supply chain leaders may be hoping for a period of stability in the coming years, the research presented in this report indicates the pace of change may actually be accelerating.”
“While advanced systems and increased automation have become essential in managing the modern supply chain, these technologies also bring their own set of concerns, as well as implementation and management challenges,” he added.
The report, “Insight 2030: Opportunities and Challenges for the Supply Chain of the Future,” said that supply chain leaders are expecting a range of disruptive forces through 2030. As a result, a strong majority of respondents said it expects to become more dependent on established and emerging technologies in the next five years.
DHL Supply Chain also benchmarked the current state of the supply chain and identified the most significant changes expected by 2030. The company‘s report shared insights into the obstacles leaders face in ensuring their supply chains continue to support business objectives.
Key findings from the report
Seventy-three percent of participants said they expect their supply chains to become more reliant on AI in the next five years. Another 68% cited increased dependence on robotics to perform routine tasks, and 63% of respondents see an increased focus on the ability to orchestrate supply chain resources to reduce costs.
Less than half of participants (44%) said they have deployed warehouse robots. In addition, only 34% of vice presidents and director-level executives were fully satisfied with their use of the technology.
Rapid technology evolution also emerged as a key concern. About half of participants were concerned about “inadequate technological solutions” (49%) and “outdated systems” (47%), even though nine out of 10 said they were using management systems installed or upgraded in the past five years.
Seventy percent of survey participants anticipated that cybersecurity threats will affect their networks through 2030. Other disruptive forces cited include higher labor costs (69%), labor shortages (66%), natural disasters (63%), and international tensions (62%).
DHL adopts a digital mindset
Over the past three years, DHL Group, the parent of DHL Supply Chain, has invested over €1 billion ($1.1 billion U.S.) in automation in its contract logistics division alone.
Across its global network, the group said it now uses more than 7,500 robots, over 200,000 smart handheld devices, and close to 800,000 Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to optimize operations, enhance working conditions for employees, and deliver measurable value for customers. Today, more than 90% of DHL warehouses worldwide are equipped with at least one automation or digitalization solution.
“While we’re committed to maximizing the benefits of robotics and automation across our operations, it’s essential that these advancements are supported by a strong cybersecurity foundation,” said Mike Kreider, chief information officer for DHL Supply Chain North America.
“Our three-stage framework, focused on prevention, response, and recovery, helps customers reduce risk and minimize the impact of potential threats,” he said. “No organization can guarantee complete protection, but integrating cybersecurity into a broader supply chain risk management strategy is a critical step toward resilience.”
To meet the demands of an increasingly digital supply chain, DHL said its Accelerated Digitalization Strategy offers a proven path to operational efficiency and resilience, ensuring that organizations extract the maximum benefits of automation in their operations.
Inside DHL’s survey methodology
W5, an independent marketing research firm, conducted a quantitative online survey of 350 North American supply chain executives and C-level business leaders from Feb. 12 to March 7, 2025.
The Insight 2030 survey targeted leaders from very large enterprises with more than $1 billion annual revenue, but it was also open to C-Level executives from large enterprises with $500 million to $1 billion in annual revenue. Participants were screened to ensure they had decision-making power or influence over supply chain operations.
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