Europe leaped ahead of North America and Asia Pacific in achieving significant cost reductions, revenue gains, and sustainability improvements through supply chain advancements, according to the 2008 Global Survey of Supply Chain Progress from Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC), Supply Chain Management Review magazine, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Michigan State University, and Supply Chain Europe magazine.

The survey, completed by supply chain professionals representing 22 industries and more than 32 countries, showed that Europe has a significantly broader scope of supply chain optimization vs. North America. Asia-Pacific, (which includes New Zealand and Australia) fell into a lower position as compared to the other geographical sectors in most areas of supply chain advancement, such as strategic alignment, customer integration, and supplier integration. However, the region ranked slightly ahead of Europe and North America in innovation management.

In terms of industries, survey results show that aerospace and defense, chemicals, and consumer goods are leaders in overall supply chain performance. As their supply chain efforts mature, leaders are shifting focus from traditional core competencies, such as excellence in warehousing and transportation, to broader process improvements that help distinguish them within market segments.

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