Why Supply Chain Disruption Is Expected to Continue in 2026
Summary
A Sedgwick 2026 Forecasting Report — drawing on responses from 300 Fortune 500 executives across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom — warns that trade policy uncertainty, geopolitical volatility and cyber threats will keep supply chains under pressure in 2026. Two-thirds of respondents said recent U.S. trade policies have had a negative impact on their business, with manufacturing and retail among the most affected.
The report also highlights material shortages, labour constraints, extreme weather and gaps in AI preparedness as ongoing challenges. Sedgwick’s recommendation: treat disruption as the norm by building agility, diversifying suppliers and investing in proactive planning and technology.
Key Points
- Sedgwick identifies trade policy, geopolitics and cyber threats as the top supply chain risks heading into 2026.
- Survey of 300 Fortune 500 executives found two-thirds view recent U.S. trade policies as harmful; manufacturing and retail felt the impact most.
- 65% of executives cited economic and geopolitical instability as a primary supply chain risk; 38% pointed to cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
- 70% of firms have AI risk committees, but only 14% feel fully prepared for AI deployment; roughly one-third admit they are lagging.
- Sedgwick urges organisations to prioritise agility, supplier diversification and investment in proactive planning and technology.
- Persistent pressures also include material shortages, labour constraints and extreme weather events.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt: if you work in supply chain, procurement or logistics, this is your 2026 wake-up call. It flags the big threats, shows where major firms are underprepared and tells you what to start fixing now — five minutes well spent.
Context and Relevance
The report is important because it reflects the views of senior leaders at large organisations and mirrors wider trends: tariff shifts, reshoring, more frequent cyberattacks and fast-moving AI adoption. For anyone planning sourcing, risk or technology strategy, the findings underline why resilience, scenario planning and investment in modern systems are essential to avoid being blindsided.
Article Meta
Article Date: 2025-12-22T07:28:00-05:00
Source URL: https://www.supplychain247.com/article/why-supply-chain-disruption-is-expected-to-continue-in-2026
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