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Collaboration in Food Supply Chains

Is collaboration both the key solution and the biggest challenge in building a more sustainable supply chain? At CargoON, we are conducting a study in partnership with UPF Barcelona School of Management, exploring how collaboration can drive greater efficiency and competitiveness in supply chains while overcoming structural barriers.

1/30/2025Author: Nuria Fuentes

This research focuses on the benefits, barriers, and solutions, with shippers as the central drivers of change. The initiative was introduced during the kick-off event at the Logistics & Automation 2024 fair in Madrid, where we presented key insights from existing industry research as a foundation for further exploration.

The second phase of the study, focusing on real-world experiences, was introduced during a Focus Group meeting at UPF Barcelona School of Management. This session brought together experts from CargoON, El Mercantil, and ICIL, along with key representatives from the food and distribution supply chain, including Danone, Nestlé, Unilever, Frit Ravich, Condis, Mercadona, and Palibex International. Their insights reinforced the preliminary findings of the study, which is being led by academics Oriol Montanyà and Andrei Boar.

Unlocking the power of collaboration

Supply chain management has evolved beyond fragmented operations – it is now a transformative force shaping both the economy and society. Our initial research underscores the pivotal role of collaboration among shippers in driving this transformation, unlocking benefits such as enhanced operational efficiency, greater service resilience, accelerated innovation, and measurable progress toward sustainability.

Technology stands out as a crucial enabler for fostering collaboration among supply chain stakeholders, particularly by providing full visibility and transparency throughout the process. However, Jorge Sevillano, Director of Customer & Patient Solutions at Danone, highlighted that while the necessary tools are readily available, the real challenge lies in aligning professionals’ intentions and democratizing information to work toward a shared objective.

In this context, the discussion highlighted the need to overcome fears, align efforts, and draw insights from other organizations to develop a cohesive, shared strategy.

Customer & Patient Solutions Director at Danone

Jorge Sevillano

"Collaboration precedes strategy. While interests may seem conflicting at first, the key is to engage with one another to identify common goals."

What stands in the way of logistical collaboration

While industry experts advocate for open collaboration, they also recognize persistent challenges highlighted in previous studies: resistance to change, technological barriers, and a lack of trust.

They also explored challenges tied to legislative inconsistencies and the lack of standardized processes and practices. In this context, the discussion emphasized the pressing need for dialogue with regulatory bodies to foster consensus and ensure regulations align with the realities of daily operations. This is especially crucial for measures impacting logistics, such as last-mile urban distribution (DUM).

Among the key insights from the discussion, the main barriers identified were resistance to change – both at an individual and cultural level, the challenge of process standardization, and a lack of trust among logistical stakeholders.

Logistics and IT Director at Condis

Victor Escanciano

"We must share success stories, foster a collaborative mindset among professionals, and cultivate trust."

Finding the path to effective collaboration

To tackle these challenges, the discussion underscored the need for transformative leadership backed by clear incentives that highlight the value of collaboration. Building trust among partners emerged as a critical factor, along with ensuring an equitable distribution of benefits – key insights also highlighted in El Mercantil’s coverage of the event.

🟢🟢 The study Collaboration in the Supply Chain is set for release in mid-2025. If you’re interested in contributing to the survey and receiving the report, you can request it here (link).