At the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium in May, David Paulson, Global Vice President of Avnet Velocity, joined a Supplyframe panel discussion, Turning Chaos into Clarity with Real-World Lessons in Supply Chain Resilience, to discuss how organizations can build stronger supply chains in an increasingly complex environment.
A central theme of the discussion was that supply chain resilience starts at design. Rather than waiting until production to address supply chain challenges, companies should identify and mitigate risks much earlier in the product development process.
This means evaluating bill of materials (BOM) health, identifying end-of-life components, flagging parts not recommended for new designs and continuously monitoring risks from prototype through production. By addressing potential issues early, organizations can respond faster and reduce disruptions later in the product lifecycle.
Paulson also highlighted the importance of designing for the supply chain. This approach incorporates supply chain considerations while products are still being developed, using BOM analysis tools and AI-driven insights to identify risks and recommend alternatives before designs are finalized. The result is a more resilient product and a more agile supply chain.
Another key focus was visibility. Many organizations have insight into their direct suppliers but lack a clear view of sub-tier suppliers, where hidden vulnerabilities often exist. Improving visibility across the supply chain helps companies identify risks sooner and make more informed decisions.
For customers, this is where Avnet delivers value. By harmonizing supply and demand data, providing visibility and analytics, managing supplier relationships, and identifying BOM and lifecycle risks early, Avnet helps customers build supply chains that are more responsive, resilient and prepared for change.
As supply chains continue to evolve, resilience can no longer be an afterthought. It must be built into the process from the start.
The importance of that approach is reflected in the results Avnet delivers for customers every day. Earlier this year, Avnet was recognized by General Motors as a 2025 Supplier of the Year. The recognition reflects Avnet’s long-standing collaboration with GM and its ability to help address supply chain challenges and enable resilience during periods of disruption and uncertainty.
For organizations looking to learn more, Avnet’s latest supply chain automotive white paper examines how greater visibility, shared insights and coordinated supply chain orchestration can help organizations reduce risk and improve resilience.
