Matthew GriffinFounder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
G7 · G20governments advised
850+keynotes
102countries
17codexes
Mobility and logistics sessions forBuyInAutoalan KeskusliittoSlovakiaTechLondon Borough of HounslowWISTA InternationalManagement Events
Featured inBloombergThe Wall Street JournalThe Telegraph
Vishnu and the team at CWI invited Matthew to give the keynote at the annual CWI Procurement and Supply Chain Summit in Malaysia. Industry professionals from around the world gathered to discuss the supply chain problems that had stalled much of the world's post-pandemic recovery, and to look ahead at the role emerging technologies will play in building the supply chains of 2030, 2040 and beyond.
Matthew split his session into two linked areas: the future of supply chains, and the future of trade, energy and manufacturing. He argued that the two are intertwined, especially when it comes to helping the world build resilient, sustainable supply chains in an increasingly complex and bipolar world.
"3D printing and on demand manufacturing have the potential to eliminate and collapse almost every kind of supply chain and shift the global balance of power."Matthew Griffin, Malaysia, March 2022
He worked through the trends already reshaping the field, from flattening supply chains to strategic dislocation, which is rising as countries such as China and the US continue to square off against one another. He also covered the first examples of quantum supply chains, shifting consumer behaviours and new trade ratios.
He closed with what he calls the ultimate disruptive technology of them all: 3D printing and on-demand manufacturing. Together, he argued, they have the potential to eliminate and collapse almost every kind of supply chain, and to shift the global balance of power.
311 Intelligence
What this means for your leadership team
Supply chains and trade are linked.
Matthew argued that the future of supply chains and the future of trade, energy and manufacturing are intertwined. Resilient, sustainable chains depend on both. Leadership teams should plan them together, not in separate silos.
Dislocation is already under way.
Strategic dislocation is rising as China and the US square off. Trade is being rerouted around that rift, with connector economies and the Global South gaining. Sourcing plans built for a single world system will come under strain.
Local making could shift power.
Matthew said 3D printing and on-demand manufacturing could collapse almost every kind of supply chain. Flattening chains already cut part counts and shorten routes. Leaders should test where making closer to the customer could replace long chains.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
Which of our supply chains would a flatter design shorten first?
Where are we exposed if trade is rerouted around the US-China rift?
Which parts could we make on demand instead of shipping them?
The trends and technologies behind this session
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
It means supply chain and trade strategy should be planned together. Matthew pointed to flattening chains, strategic dislocation, quantum supply chains and new trade ratios. He argued that on-demand manufacturing could shift the global balance of power.
How does 3D printing relate to supply chain strategy?
3D printing builds a solid object, layer by layer, from a digital design. Matthew said it and on-demand manufacturing could eliminate and collapse almost every kind of supply chain. 311 rates it Watch, with wide use by 2036.
How do flattening supply chains relate to this session?
3D printing, electrification and chip integration are cutting part counts and shortening supply chains. That is the trend Matthew placed first among those already reshaping the field. 311 rates it Explore, with wide use by 2032.
How can 311 brief our leadership team on this?
Through a private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector, in person first.
Bring this to your leadership teamA private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. In person first, anywhere in the world.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s session and 311 data.
If Matthew gave this session today
The forces of global disruption are accelerating.
This codex sets out the forces accelerating global disruption and how close we are to disrupting whole industries in a day, the same threat 3D printing poses to today's supply chains.
