My 6 Key Takeaways from Manifest 2025: The Future of Supply Chain & Logistics

Manifest 2025 made one thing clear: supply chains are evolving faster than ever.

Last year after Manifest 2024, I shared the themes that dominated the three-day supply chain & logistics conference. One year later, the show saw many of those themes evolve, while new hot topics emerged. As a follow-up to last year’s recap, here are my top takeaways from Manifest 2025: The Future of Supply Chain and Logistics.¹

1. AI is No Longer the Future… It’s the Present

It should surprise no one that AI was a part of countless conversations at Manifest (it is everywhere!). What was surprising was how people were talking about it. Last year, AI was a buzzword. This year, it’s fully operational. Companies are moving beyond theoretical use cases and deploying AI-driven predictive analytics, intelligent inventory optimization and real-time decision-making tools to enhance efficiency and drive growth. The focus has shifted from “Can AI help?” to “How quickly can we scale AI across our operations?”

For more on this, I recommend listening to this panel:

• A Transparent and Predictable Supply Chain: How Data is Propelling the Industry²

2. Automation Innovation is Enhancing Efficiency (But Requires Striking a Balance with Human Oversight)

Most companies we heard from are moving beyond manual processes and actively deploying increasingly automated workflows: AI-driven replenishment, robotics-powered warehousing, dynamic fleet management and automated fulfillment systems to name a few. We heard stories of automation reducing shipping delays, optimizing warehouse workflows and enhancing real-time decision-making – which hits output by reducing delays and operational costs. But there are still growing pains, with challenges around data accuracy and transparency coming up most frequently. To stay competitive, businesses must adopt a balanced approach, integrating automation while maintaining human oversight in critical decision-making.

For more on this, I recommend listening to these panels:

• AI Logistics: Unlocking Smarter Shipping Decisions for Predictive Success³
• Optimizing Supply Chain Decision-Making through Automation: Harnessing Software and Hardware Innovations⁴

3. A Future-Ready Workforce is Critical to Building a Resilient Supply Chain

If last year was about recovering from global supply chain disruptions, 2025 is about fortifying against the next one. Building a resilient supply chain requires proactive strategies and predictive analytics to mitigate risks before they disrupt operations. Companies are diversifying suppliers, leveraging nearshoring and incorporating AI-powered forecasting to enable real-time adjustments to supply chain disruptions and shift risk mitigation from reactive to proactive decision-making at the executive level.

For more on this, I recommend listening to these panels:

• Proactive Fraud Prevention: Enhancing Partner Verification & Supply Chain Visibility⁵
• Ensuring Data Security and Control During the Age of GenAI & Digital Tools⁶
• Proactive Supply Chain Fortifying Organizational Resilience to Safeguard Against External Risks⁷

But that’s only half the story. While automation continues to streamline logistics, humans remain one of the most critical components of supply chain resiliency. As companies transition from legacy systems to technology driven / automation supported operations, employees may struggle to adapt. To address this, companies are investing in reskilling and upskilling their workforce so they can work alongside and gain leverage from technology. Conversations at Manifest focused on leveraging AI-driven decision-support tools, co-bots (collaborative robots) and hands-on training programs to empower workers rather than fuel fears of displacement.

For more on this, I recommend listening to this panel:

• Internal Change Management – Aligning on Our Vision for Supply Chain Transformation⁸

Real-time supply chain visibility is no longer a differentiator – it’s an expectation.

4. Visibility & Transparency are Foundational

Real-time supply chain visibility is no longer a differentiator – it’s an expectation. End-to-end transparency powered by technologies like IoT is crucial in managing a dynamic supply chain. Companies are choosing to invest in tools like predictive alerts, centralized data systems and automated issue resolution to help enhance visibility and proactively tackle disruptions before they escalate. Effective inventory planning can be a key component of this strategy, ensuring supply chains remain agile and responsive.

For more on this, I recommend listening to these panels:

• Unlocking End-to-End Visibility: A Key to Exception Based Planning Success⁹
• Enabling Connectivity & Transparency Across the Supply Chain¹⁰
• Inventory Planning: The Ins and Outs of Managing a Vital Asset¹¹

5. Last-Mile Logistics are Evolving with Consumer Demands

E-commerce growth and the rising consumer expectations that come with it continue to put last-mile logistics in the spotlight. AI-powered route optimization, micro-fulfillment centers, real-time delivery tracking and alternative delivery models (drones, lockers and autonomous vehicles) are becoming mainstream. Rather than solely focusing on speed, companies are shifting towards “right-time delivery models” that optimize cost, sustainability and customer satisfaction – all of which impact long term growth and the bottom line.

For more on this, I recommend listening to these panels:

• Last Mile Excellence with Speed, Agility & Visibility in E-Commerce Logistics¹²
• Improving Customer Experience CV Through the Last Mile¹³

The most successful companies are the ones breaking down silos and working closely with suppliers, customers and even competitors…

6. Sustainability and Strategic Partnerships: A Shared Responsibility

Sustainability initiatives in supply chain continue to cement their place as essential for competitiveness and long-term efficiency. Companies are embedding carbon tracking, energy-efficient manufacturing and circular supply chain models into operations to meet both regulatory demands and consumer expectations. Investments in electric fleets, automation-driven energy optimization and sustainable packaging are accelerating, which helps reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.

For more on this, I recommend listening to this panel:

• Scalable and Sustainable Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: A Call for Commitment, Collaboration, and Innovation¹⁴

Manifest 2025 reinforced that no company can optimize its supply chain alone. The future of logistics depends on partnerships—whether through data-sharing networks, AI-supported collaboration or ecosystem-wide sustainability initiatives. The most successful companies are the ones breaking down silos and working closely with suppliers, customers and even competitors to build agile, responsive supply chains for the long term.

For more on this, I recommend listening to this panel:

• Proactive Supply Chain Fortifying Organizational Resilience to Safeguard Against External Risks¹⁵

Here’s the bottom line.

Manifest 2025 made one thing clear: supply chains are evolving faster than ever. AI, automation and data-driven decision-making are no longer futuristic concepts—they’re the foundation of modern, scalable and resilient supply chains. Supply chain leaders need to be thinking about these things today to maintain competitiveness tomorrow – so set your strategic priorities accordingly!

I’m already looking forward to Manifest 2026, see you next year in Las Vegas!

LLR is proactively seeking platform investments in Supply Chain Management and Transportation and Logistics.