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Supply Chain by the Numbers

July 17, 2026

Supply Chain by the Numbers for July 17, 2026

Big Layoffs Coming to VW. Fast Growth for Smart Conveors. US Manufacturing June. Gartner Says too many Companies Changing their Minds on Network Design


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16.3%
That is the projected annual global growth of something called smart conveyors through 2035, according to a new report from MarketGenics. If accurate, the result would be market growth from $6.1 billion in 2025 to $27.8 billion over the period. So just what is a smart conveyor? The report says the technology involves a combination of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence (AI), advanced sensors, robotics, and real-time monitoring capabilities. These technologies enable manufacturers and warehouse operators to automate material flow, reduce downtime, enhance productivity, and improve supply chain visibility, the report claims.

72%

That is the share of supply chain leaders said they have had to revisit final approvals for network investment decisions at least once, contributing to delays, according to research from business and technology insights firm Gartner, released this week. More than half said they revisited those decisions three or more times, leading to lower satisfaction in the outcome. “Most organizations plan for major disruptions, but it’s the day-to-day instability, or what we call turbulence, that steadily drives up costs, decreases service levels, and forces leaders to regret their decisions,” Vicky Forman, senior director analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice, said in a statement.



97.9
That was the level of US manufacturing output in June, as represented in the monthly index from the Federal Reserve Bank, which was released this week. That was basically flat from May (with a score of 98.0), as the index has been in range that has seen it hover around the 96 -98 level for more than six months, with no real growth, but not recessionary declines either.However, June output was up just 1.1% versus the same period in 2025. But at an index level of 97.9, it means US manufacturing output is now below that of the baseline year of 2017 (index = 100) now nine years later. It is also well below the all-time high of about 108, reached in late 2007.

50,000

That is the huge number of additional job cuts auto giant Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said might be needed across the company, in an internal memo obtained by the Wall Street Journal and reported this week. Volkswagen’s traditional business model of developing cars in Germany to sell around the world has been upended by rising costs in Europe, new tariffs in the U.S., and the emergence of globally competitive Chinese technology. The latest cost-cutting measures come on top of the 50,000 job cuts already negotiated with labor representatives for its namesake brand as well as key subsidiaries including Audi and Porsche.

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