The supply chain landscape rarely stands still, and the past few weeks have offered a number of developments that provide useful insight into how organisations are adapting to change.

From sector-specific production shifts to strategic logistics partnerships and evolving workforce models, The Brief highlights a selection of stories shaping conversations among supply chain leaders right now.

UK vehicle manufacturing slump impacts supplier chains

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show UK vehicle production fell to its lowest level since the 1950s last year, creating knock-on pressure across supplier networks.

The automotive sector has always been a bellwether for wider supply chain activity. While the current slowdown is sector-specific, it highlights how quickly external geopolitical, technological, or demand-led pressures can flow through supplier ecosystems. For many leaders, it’s less about short-term response and more about keeping a watching brief on how suppliers adapt, diversify, and rebalance over time.

Arla Foods and XPO Logistics to build central distribution centre

Arla Foods and XPO Logistics are moving ahead with plans for a new central distribution centre in Northamptonshire, designed to bring Arla’s chilled pallet network under one roof by 2027.

Large-scale network consolidation projects tend to reflect confidence in longer-term demand patterns and stronger forecasting capability. Across the sector, there’s growing interest in simplifying infrastructure to improve visibility and reduce unnecessary complexity. Moves like this offer a useful reference point for how mature supply chains are driving both efficiency and service improvements. Projects of this scale also tend to place greater emphasis on leadership capability, particularly in change management and cross-site integration.

DHL Supply Chain has renewed its contract with Airbus

DHL Supply Chain has renewed and expanded its long-standing logistics partnership with Airbus, continuing its role in managing complex global transport flows for aircraft production.

Long-standing logistics partnerships are increasingly valued for the operational stability they provide. In complex, high-value supply chains, continuity often enables better collaboration, institutional knowledge and more agile disruption management. This renewal highlights the value placed on leaders who can build long-term partnerships and maintain performance in environments where precision and reliability are critical, and perhaps a broader preference for trusted, strategic relationships over frequent supplier rotation.

Amazon to cut 16,000 jobs in latest restructuring

Amazon has announced plans to reduce its global workforce as part of an ongoing effort to streamline operations and refocus investment. While most of the cuts are expected outside the UK, some UK positions are expected to be impacted, although specific figures were not disclosed.

Across many sectors, organisations are reassessing operating models in light of changing demand patterns and advances in automation. Developments like this offer a broader insight into how large enterprises are reassessing cost structures and layers of management. It contributes to the wider conversation around workforce planning and overall organisational design, reinforcing the importance of regularly reviewing team structures, succession plans and critical skill gaps, particularly as technology continues to reshape how decisions are made and operations are managed.

Economic Growth Partnership between the UK and Indonesia

The governments of the United Kingdom and Indonesia have agreed to a new Economic Growth Partnership aimed at strengthening trade links and improving supply chain cooperation across sectors, including infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing.

Trade partnerships often set the direction of travel for future investment and sourcing opportunities. While impacts tend to unfold gradually, agreements like this can influence where supply networks expand and how cross-border operations evolve. For organisations with international exposure, it’s useful context when considering longer-term decisions around where to source from, who to partner with, and how global supply relationships may develop over time.

SCALA appoints new executive director in UK supply chain consultancy

UK consultancy SCALA Consulting has appointed Eamonn Woodcock as Executive Director, bringing additional senior experience into its leadership team at a time when demand for supply chain transformation support continues to grow.

Appointments at this level often reflect a broader market focus on strengthening leadership capability during periods of change. As supply chains become more complex and expectations around efficiency, resilience and innovation continue to evolve, organisations are placing increased value on leaders who can guide both strategic direction and operational delivery.

Across the sector, this is contributing to a steady demand for executives with a blend of transformation experience, commercial awareness, and the ability to lead teams through ongoing change, reinforcing the role of executive hiring as part of longer-term business planning.

Leadership and talent outlook

As leadership demands continue to evolve, many organisations are taking a more proactive approach to succession planning and executive hiring, ensuring they have the right expertise in place to navigate change and maintain momentum.

Through our work in recruitment and talent consultancy, we remain closely connected to these shifts, regularly speaking with supply chain leaders about team structure, leadership challenges, and the capabilities needed for the future. Those conversations continue to offer valuable perspective on how organisations are approaching long-term talent planning.

If it’s ever useful to exchange views on the market or sense-check a hiring plan, we’re always open to a conversation.

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We’ll be back in two weeks with The Brief. Until then, feel free to share this with your team or let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to explore next.

Till next time,

The MVP Recruitment & Talent Solutions Team