How companies can prepare their Supply Chains for the new global reality
Global supply chains are under pressure. With the return of Trump-era tariff policies to the U.S. political agenda, newly announced duties and stricter trade conditions, international trade flows are once again being severely disrupted.
But the storm is not only gathering on the other side of the Atlantic. In Europe, the tone is also intensifying: geopolitical instability, tightening regulations, sustainability requirements, and a politically fragmented landscape are challenging companies to make their supply chains both more resilient and more flexible.
What risks do the new U.S. Tariffs pose?
The revival of protectionist trade policies may lead to:
- Higher import tariffs on goods from China, Europe & beyond
- Disruption of proven supply chain models
- Increased prices & planning uncertainty
- Acceleration of onshoring and nearshoring trends
- Greater volatility in customer demand
Even when not directly impacted, European companies feel the effects: rerouted goods flows, indirect price hikes, supply risk from Asia, and intensified competition in global markets.
T60’s Response: embed Operational flexibility
In a world shaped by volatility and uncertainty, buzzwords are not enough — companies need actionable supply chain strategies.
Drawing on our extensive experience in industrial operations and transformation, we’ve identified four pragmatic levers to help businesses build flexible, responsive, and future-proof supply chains:
1. Make Framework Agreements more flexible
Rather than rigid volume commitments, we enable our clients to negotiate agreements that include:
- Quantity buffers (e.g. ±30%)
- Blanket orders with flexible call-offs
- Contract structures at material group level instead of SKU level
- Commit to the smaller volumes of long-life components rather than 100% finished goods at high values
The result: increased agility, reduced working capital, and greater security of supply.
2. Manage Delivery Schedules proactively
Don’t wait for bottlenecks — prevent them through smarter planning:
- Bottleneck analysis & pre-production of semi-finished goods
- Use of alternate suppliers & backup sourcing strategies
- Clear service-level agreements (SLAs) to streamline internal processes
The goal: ensure availability through foresight, not fire-fighting.
3. Rethink Pricing Models to create flexible offerings
In volatile markets, dynamic pricing strategies make the difference:
- Transparently calculate extra costs for express or last-minute orders
- Use scalable price tiers & spot sourcing options in contracts
- Integrate pricing flexibility into the quoting process
The benefit: faster, more transparent collaboration = real competitive advantage.
4. Create smart Logistics Options
Expand flexibility through smart transport and fulfillment strategies:
- Full spectrum of transport routes (sea, rail, air, LCL/FCL)
- Drop shipments directly from supplier to customer
- SLA-driven processes at goods receipt and quality inspection
- Strategic use of express or special transports
Result: increased responsiveness, without losing control of costs.
Companies that proactively redesign their supply chains today don’t just mitigate risk — they gain a strategic edge.
Conclusion: Supply Chains must be able to breathe
New tariffs and shifting geopolitical dynamics demand a strategic realignment of supply chains — in structure, contracts, and technology.
At T60, we support companies in exactly this transformation:
With an operational 360° perspective, experienced consultants from industry and procurement, and solutions that work.
Christian Eickhorn – LinkedIn
