The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2022

In short:

• Each year, Gartner researches the supply chains of hundreds of companies and scores them using a mix of quantitative (financials, ESG) and qualitative (community opinion) data. 
• This year, Cisco retains the top slot. Schneider Electric, Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson and PepsiCo round out the top five.
• The top performers offer valuable lessons in supply chain excellence, including the value of developing self-stabilising supply chains and creating supply chain ecosystems.

Supply chain, once known as a ‘steady hands on the wheel, below deck and out of sight’ function, is now front and centre, helping to steer the broader business in the face of sustainability expectations, escalating customer requirements and a perpetually disrupted environment. In our research, we find that today’s differentiated supply chains deliver on their organisation’s purpose by:

• embracing expanded responsibilities across an ever broadening ecosystem;
• enabling leaders to stabilise more quickly after external shocks;
• providing visibility and transparency into sustainability performance and
• prioritising digital literacy and dexterity.

Download now: What Top Supply Chain Companies Do Differently

Recognising sustained supply chain excellence

In the wake of the 18th edition of the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25, organisations are combating ‘The Great Resignation,’ delivering on sustainability objectives, continuing along a digital transformation journey and working through myriad supply chain challenges. Innovative and strategic actions are vital. Our ranking highlights companies that are taking these actions and showcasing other differentiating capabilities.

Since 2015, we have acknowledged ‘Masters’ to recognise sustained supply chain excellence. To be considered a master, companies must attain top-five composite scores for at least seven out of the past 10 years. Amazon, Apple, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble and Unilever continue to be shining examples of adaptability, resilience and agility for the supply chain community. Along with the Masters category, the Supply Chain Top 25 offers a platform for insights, lessons, debates and contributions to the rising influence of supply chain practices on the global economy.

Cisco Systems scored the top spot for the third consecutive year, followed by Schneider Electric, Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson, and PepsiCo. 

Find out more: The Methodology Behind Gartner's Supply Chain Top 25 Research

Adapting in various ways to a changing environment, leveraging the cloud for its markets and operating models, and keeping sustainability top of mind earned Cisco its place on our list. Cisco has made progress in greenhouse gas reductions, virgin plastic reductions, sustainable packaging and a 99.9% reuse or recycle of products returned.

The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 Companies for 2022

Apart from peer and Gartner opinion, the rankings are based on scores on key attributes such as ESG, three-year weight return on physical assets (ROPA) and revenue growth and inventory turns. 

The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2022

Note: ‘Ranks’ for tied composite scores are determined using next decimal point comparison. Source: Gartner (May 2022)

Lessons learned from the best supply chain companies

Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) and other supply chain leaders can leverage these strategy and leadership best practices from the top global supply chain companies:

• Ensure supply chain is a strategic partner to the board and the C-suite by sharing with them best practices of leading and differentiated supply chains.
• Create supply chain ecosystems that move toward cooperation-based relationships to drive advantaged customer outcomes that only these partnerships can deliver.
• Develop self-stabilising supply chains to continually flex resources between mission-critical challenges and vital transformations. 
• Expand your ESG agenda and hold internal and external partners accountable for it. Invest in and provide a 360-degree look into your sustainability efforts.
• Maintain balance across your digital transformation journey to align long-term investments (like automation) with immediate investments that make work easier, safer and more rewarding.

Listen now: Sustainability Is a Growing Focus for Execs. Here is What That Means for You.

Click on the image below for a graphic and savable representation of the Supply Chain Top 25