As supply chains face growing complexities and disruptions, industry leaders are rethinking strategies to build resilience. At a recent panel discussion, executives from General Motors, Panasonic Energy, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), DSV, and Stardust Power shared their perspectives on strengthening the supply chain through collaboration, innovation, and smarter data management.
Uday Devasper, CFO of Stardust Power, underscored the importance of harnessing domestic resources, particularly in critical minerals. “The U.S. has significant lithium reserves, but lacks the refining capacity to bring them to market. We aim to change that,” Devasper noted, highlighting the need for local supply chains to reduce dependency on foreign imports.
Allison Dane Camden, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy at USDOT, spoke about the government’s role in supporting the private sector. “While supply chains are largely run by private actors, our investments through the bipartisan infrastructure law in ports, highways, and airports are crucial for resilience,” she said. Public-private partnerships are key to optimizing infrastructure and addressing bottlenecks in logistics.
Eva Ames, VP at DSV, highlighted how data can transform the supply chain. “Supply chains are complex, especially with battery production, which can involve over 50 different companies. We need technological solutions and better integration,” she explained. Ames stressed that improved data sharing and government support are critical to simplifying and securing the supply chain.
Jeff Morrison, SVP of Global Purchasing & Supply Chain at General Motors, emphasized smarter supply chain management over stockpiling. “Instead of building large inventory buffers, we’re focused on improving resilience through data-driven strategies,” Morrison said, pointing to the importance of optimizing material flow while minimizing excess.
Panasonic Energy’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, Robert Winans, echoed the importance of visibility and data. “Our materials travel from Asia, across the ocean, and through domestic routes. The challenge is ensuring seamless movement and knowing where everything is,” Winans said. He highlighted the need for robust data systems to monitor and mitigate disruptions across global supply chains.
In conclusion, the panel emphasised that building a resilient supply chain requires collaboration, innovation, and data integration. As companies and governments work together to address infrastructure gaps and streamline logistics, resilience will become a competitive advantage in an increasingly complex global market.
Panel – “Building resilience across the supply chain”
- Jeff Morrison, SVP – Global Purchasing & Supply Chain, General Motors
- Robert Winans, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Panasonic Energy of North America
- Allison Dane Camden, Deputy Asst. Sec for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy, S. Department of Transportation
- Eva Ames, VP, Electrification & Mobility Competence Center, DSV
- Uday Devasper, CFO, Stardust Power
- Moderator: Ernest Scheyder, Senior Correspondent, Reuters
