Throughout history, logistics has been presented as that balancing force that resolves everything amidst the chaos, which today presents itself through uncertainty, tariffs, geopolitics, natural disasters, blockades, inspections, strikes… and the list could go on. But is logistics truly the yin amidst the yang?
Manuel Farías, an academic and supply chain specialist, tells T21 that logistics stems from necessity and establishes order; in fact, history shows it has been crucial in times of crisis.
“In the world wars, whoever did logistics well won the war,” Farías recalls.
For the specialist, the COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point that made it clear that supply chains are not immune to collapse in the face of global disruptions and that logistics is not all-powerful; it depends on external factors such as infrastructure and security.
For her part, Sandra Aragonez, senior director at Alvarez & Marsal , points out that this “chaos” accelerated the urgency of having more flexible and technologically prepared chains .
“In Mexico, I see two major universes: companies, mostly multinationals, that are innovating with digital tools and collaborative models, and Mexican businesses, especially SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), that are far behind in planning and digitalization,” he warns.
For Aragonez, the path to a more robust supply chain is based on five strategic pillars : advanced demand planning, agility, true collaboration, talent, and digitalization.
Evolution
In recent years, Aragonez has observed a significant transition : previously, demand planners typically came from the sales department; today, the role requires data mastery, working with specialized scientists, and close collaboration with marketing, sales, and operations.
“Now, not only is the forecast measured , but also how it correlates with service level, costs, and profitability. The demand plan is no longer the exclusive property of sales; the entire organization is responsible for meeting it,” he explains.
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