In May 2011 KPMG released a report based upon a survey and interviews they performed in the UK specifically about how has the complexity of the supply chain changed and what does that mean.

The results are not unique to the UK, the themes and messages echoed in this report appear to be common across all regions and territories globally.

It is interesting that the report does reinforce the messages and concepts we have continued to share with you from our first white paper, A Case for An Integrated Trade Compliance Strategy.

Quote from Reports Conclusion
“There is no doubt that global supply chains are in a state of flux. Massive change and upheaval, increased risk and new sustainability considerations have coalesced to push supply chain high onto the corporate boardroom agenda.

This survey and related analysis clearly demonstrates that those organizations with mature supply chain approaches are inherently better suited to meet and respond to these complexities and challenges.”

Some of the findings from this report that reinforce the concepts introduced in an Integrated Trade Compliance Strategy can be summarized as follows:

• Underlying all of this data, however, three main themes seemed to resonate across the country:
• The drive for more efficient and interconnected supply chains has exposed network operations to unexpected risks;
• Many supply chains are incapable of keeping up with the pace of change underway in the business world; and Sustainability measures will force changes in operating models that will bring additional complexity to the supply chain.

You can access this report on the KPMG website

http://www.kpmg.com/Ca/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Pages/SupplyChainComplexityManagingConstantChange.aspx