Leaders
Bharat Thakre's Vision for Sustainable Supply Chains and AI-Driven Technology
Bharat Thakre, a seasoned expert with over 16 years of experience at major corporations like General Electric and Amazon, is reshaping global supply chain management by integrating cutting-edge AI with sustainable logistics. Recently awarded the Global Achievers Award for 2024-2025, Thakre is recognized for his transformative vision in the industry.
Transformative Leadership and Achievements
Thakre's career is marked by significant contributions to sustainability and technological integration in logistics. At General Electric, he led initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region, slashing operational costs by $30 million and spearheading India's largest grid stabilization project. His leadership extended to Amazon, where he boosted throughput by 25% and played a key role in the $400 billion Inbound Regionalization initiative of 2024.
A Six Sigma certified professional and Senior Member of IEEE, Thakre's research focuses on leveraging AI-powered solutions to create sustainable supply chains. His work on India's largest solar power facility offsets over 150,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, showcasing his commitment to eco-conscious logistics.
The Role of AI in Supply Chains
Thakre envisions a future where AI-driven technology and sustainable practices drive efficiency in supply chains. By 2025, AI is expected to be embedded across supply chains, with 60% of executives predicting AI assistants will manage most traditional and transactional processes. Organizations will use advanced AI capabilities and digital twins technology to improve lead-time predictions, analyze production errors, and monitor asset wear and tear.
"Agentic AI is poised to take supply chain decision-making to the next level," Thakre asserts, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in logistics.
Despite the potential, only 6.5% of current supply chain job openings mention automation, and a mere 1.6% include artificial intelligence. This highlights a gap in understanding the value of automation, with many businesses lacking the qualified personnel to implement and maintain new technology.
Sustainability and Visibility as Key Drivers
Sustainable supply chains are at the forefront of Thakre's vision, aligning strategies with global sustainability standards. As visibility becomes the new currency of customer experience in the supply chain industry, 'Visibility as a Service' is expected to simplify information for consumers through intuitive dashboards, alerts, and notifications.
Thakre's vision involves building a fully integrated supply chain solution, enhancing broker and carrier relationships, and improving communication with Transportation Management System (TMS) updates. Enhanced connectivity will increase transparency and traceability, with leaders prioritizing data governance and cybersecurity in an increasingly digital landscape.
"Organizations are increasingly turning towards more robust security frameworks to secure their supply chains as a competitive advantage," Thakre notes, underscoring the importance of cybersecurity in modern supply chains.
The Future of Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities
As supply chains continue to digitize, the integration of AI-driven technology is viewed as a key component for sustainability. With 40% of supply chain organizations investing in generative AI, the focus is on quickly parsing supply chain intelligence and automating manual tasks in design, sourcing, and procurement.
Nearshoring is gaining traction as organizations seek to localize their supply base to reduce risk. Manufacturing growth indicators are down, but carriers are expected to seek recovery by leveraging rates and capacity needs. Enhanced connectivity will provide real-time insights, helping businesses track compliance with evolving regulations.
"Resilience in supply chains is being driven by investments in people, processes, and technology, with AI playing a key role," Thakre states, emphasizing the need for robust frameworks to navigate future challenges.
While many companies lack a clear understanding of the value automation can bring, the demand for people leaders in supply chain and logistics is critical to drive the digitization process. With 12% of U.S. workers using AI daily, 65% have self-taught their skills, highlighting the need for structured training programs to harness AI's potential.
In summary, Bharat Thakre's vision for sustainable supply chains and AI-driven technology presents a comprehensive approach to transforming logistics on a global scale. As organizations adapt to this evolving landscape, Thakre's leadership and expertise offer a roadmap for integrating sustainability and technology into the core of supply chain management.