What an inspiring few days! At ASCM’s CHAINge conference, global supply chain leaders came together to explore how our field is becoming a strategic engine of growth, resilience and innovation.
One highlight for me was former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. She spoke candidly about why supply chain sovereignty demands partnership. No one — government, industry or academia — can solve these challenges alone. Her leadership on the CHIPS and Science Act, as well as the SCALE initiative, illustrated what’s possible when those sectors pull in the same direction. Raimondo also reminded us that “bringing manufacturing home” isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. It requires policy alignment, workforce development and logistics infrastructure — plus a nuanced understanding of global interdependencies.
Adding to the momentum was Katelyn Christ, recently appointed Assistant Secretary Supply Chain Initiative, which reports into the Department of Commerce. Christ discussed how the new Supply Chain Center goals are to leverage advanced data and analytics to improve supply chain visibility and resilience across both government and private-sector supply chains, with an emphasis on enabling private industry to operate more effectively. She noted how this effort connects to emerging policy tools including the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, which seeks to strengthen critical networks and encourage cross-sector collaboration.
Another standout voice was Henrik Von Scheel, widely recognized as an architect of Industry 4.0. Von Scheel challenged the audience to view today’s supply chains not just as logistical systems but as adaptive, self-optimizing networks. Drawing on his experience shaping the original Industry 4.0 framework, he explored how AI, cyber-physical systems and next-generation manufacturing can create supply chains that sense, learn and react in real time. His insights underscored that the next competitive edge lies at the intersection of digital transformation and operational resilience.
The Chain Documentary release
The insight and innovation were not limited to the conference floor. This week also marked a major milestone for ASCM with the launch of "The Chain," a new docuseries now streaming on Prime Video. Produced in partnership with WAG Entertainment, the six-part series gives viewers a rare look at the hidden infrastructure that makes the world work.
“The Chain” uses expert interviews and compelling stories to reveal the often-invisible world of supply chains, bringing them to life and recognizing the invaluable contributions of professionals in the field. The series was created to spark conversation, raise awareness about the systems that keep our world moving and empower consumers to make more informed decisions. It's a unique way to elevate our profession and demonstrate its profound impact on our modern world.
I encourage you to watch and help us spread the word on social media using #TheChain #ASCM #SupplyChainDocumentary. To access it, search for "The Chain" in Prime Video; or, on Amazon.com, search for "The Chain documentary." You can also watch all six trailers.
The series clearly demonstrates how the daily choices people make are the ultimate drivers of meaningful change. After all, when consumers understand everything that goes into keeping our global networks running both efficiently and ethically, they can help us harness the potential of supply chains to make the world better for all.
