Every May or June, analyst firm Gartner releases its much-anticipated top 25 supply chains list, a process started 21 years ago by AMR Research, which Gartner acquired in 2009.
Many companies of course would like to be considered for the honor, but wonder if they qualify, and how the process works.
Alas, time has run out for the 2025 exercise, with a deadline of March 10, but we will try to answer both questions anyway to add some context to this year’s results, and get companies thinking about 2026, which if the same holds true will kick off in November, all this based on information released by Gartner not long ago.
Let’s start with what companies qualify to be considered.
Gartner starts with companies from the Fortune Global 500 and Forbes Global 2000, whittling them down to about 250 based on specific criteria. The criteria for 2025 remain the same as in 2024:
Revenue: Companies must report at least $15 billion in revenue, converted to US dollars.
Financial Data: Gartner uses public, audited financials from S&P Capital IQ, excluding most private companies and those without four years of data.
Industry: Gartner focuses on manufacturing, retail and distribution, excluding extractive industries, those tied to volatile commodities and service-based industries (unless asset-heavy with $1 billion in inventory).
Community Sentiment: Companies must meet peer and expert vote thresholds over five years. Experts review those excluded to determine if they should be reconsidered.
ESG Threshold: Companies need an "S&P ESG Score" above a set threshold by October's end.
So to be considered, a company needs to be a public company with at least $15 billion, largely be a retailer, distributor or manufacturer, and be well thought of in terms of supply chain prowess by Gartner analysts and industry peers, with a dollop of ESG scoring thrown in.
But just because a company qualifies doesn’t mean if will get the top 250 or so that are really considered – most do not.
You can just hope that Gartner finds you in its process -or you can be more proactive.
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 For example. Gartner recommends that companies that meet the basic qualifying criteria request to submit a Gartner Top 25 Supply Chain Research Information Packet (SCRIP) to make Gartner analysts more aware of their latest initiatives.
Companies that submit a SCRIP may also apply for the opportunity to conduct a one-hour virtual company briefing to share more information with the Gartner experts who are voting as a key part of the overall scoring.
Good luck if you’re not already part of the process doing so in 20
Any comments on Gartner’s top 25 process? Let us know your thoughts at the Feedback section below.
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