New research shows technology investment is accelerating, but performance gains remain limited
ATLANTA, GA — [March 3, 2026] — Blue Ridge Global, a leader in supply chain planning and inventory optimization, today announced the release of its 2026 State of the Supply Chain Industry report, The Execution Gap. The report reveals a widening disconnect between increased technology investment and measurable improvements in supply chain performance.
Based on a survey of 230 supply chain leaders, the research shows that while organizations are modernizing and adopting new technologies in the past year, improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory efficiency remain incremental rather than transformational.
According to the report, only 23% of organizations continuously update forecasts, with most relying on monthly or quarterly planning cycles. This lag in responsiveness contributes to persistent issues such as stockouts, excess inventory, and missed service targets.
The report identifies several key trends shaping the industry:
- Investment without impact: Technology adoption is widespread, yet performance improvements continue to plateau
- Planning gaps persist: Many organizations still rely on infrequent planning cycles and manual processes
- AI interest is high, but adoption is slow: Data quality and integration challenges remain key barriers
“Many supply chains have hit a performance ceiling,” said Kyle Pexton, CEO at Blue Ridge. “They’re optimizing within legacy processes that weren’t built for today’s level of volatility, and that’s why improvements continue to plateau.”
Looking ahead, supply chain leaders are prioritizing outcomes over tools, with a focus on improving inventory accuracy, service levels, and cost control. The report concludes that future success will depend on how effectively organizations connect planning, intelligence, and execution, not just the systems they deploy. Download the full report here
About Blue Ridge Global
Blue Ridge provides a leading AI-powered supply chain planning and inventory optimization platform for distributors, retailers, and manufacturers. Its cloud-native platform helps organizations improve forecast accuracy, optimize inventory, and increase profitability through better, faster decision-making. Learn more at https://www.blueridgeglobal.com.
