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ABOUT KENCO
Kenco supplies integrated logistics solutions that include distribution, eCommerce fulfillment, comprehensive transportation management and material handling equipment services, and customized supply chain solutions – all designed for Operational Excellence. Kenco continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, building lasting customer relationships for over 75 years. Kenco’s focus is to support customers’ business needs through connected solutions and to redefine third-party logistics by offering innovative solutions.
Concerns around inflation have dominated supply chain planning for the last few years – and it doesn’t appear those concerns are going anywhere.
A trifecta of complexities
Many supply chain-focused businesses are willing to spend big on innovation to cut costs elsewhere.
One in four have an innovation budget of at least $500K
Only 1 in 10 have seen their budget decrease
What’s this going to cost me?
Not every professional will partake in the efficiencies of AI, however. Thirty-five percent indicated they are largely prevented from using AI because of company policy.
22%
Safety
26%
Labor Optimization
29%
Quality Control
33%
Data Visibility
Supply chain professionals are already using AI for…
When considering potential technologies, who are you asking for guidance?
Despite their visibility into daily operations, 3PLs traditionally play a limited role in the partner innovation process.
39%
Inflation
68%
Labor Shortages
50%
Sustainability Costs
52%
71%
59%
50%
64%
Technological Integration
Cost
Change Management
Workforce Challenges
Providing Support and Ongoing Maintenance
29%
Advisor
22%
Implementing Participant
10%
Funder
34%
All of the Above
23%
Internal Resources
20%
Other
8%
Partnering with a 3PL
15%
Partnering with a Consultant or Firm
2025 Report
Transformation
Kenco’s 2025 Supply Chain Innovation survey took a look at how these experts might approach these steps as they’re developing an innovation strategy. Here’s what they said.
With the new year comes a new round of planning for supply chain professionals – identifying their biggest roadblocks, choosing the right technologies to address them, and finding the right guidance on which partners to work with.
Insights from supply chain executives on how their companies are dealing with innovation and AI in 2025.
Even as supply chains are innovating to manage labor challenges, these same challenges could actually cause innovation headaches. Among the most common complexities professionals said could upend their strategy:
Forty-one percent of professionals said AI-powered technologies are the crown jewel of their 2025 innovation strategy.
Making AI the hero
Supply chain professionals know choosing the right tech requires a variety of outside input, and they’re validating their approach with a variety of sources.
Futuristic tech on the warehouse floor
43%
Robotics
Sensors and Automatic Identification
40%
3D Printing
Supply chain professionals know choosing the right tech requires a variety of outside input, and they’re validating their approach with a variety of sources.
Partners in the process
ABOUT thE 2025 SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION SURVEY
Kenco surveyed over 150 North American supply chain executives to gather insights on their company's strategy for innovations and automation for the coming year.
“Compared to last year, my budget has…”
39%
Increased
13%
Decreased
48%
Stayed the same
Innovation
Supply CHAIN
40%
Three challenges directly related to the bottom line are driving 2025 innovation strategy:
41%
35%
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