Supply Chain Digital looks back on five of the biggest stories of the week, featuring SAP, LEGO, British Steel and the Global Commission on Modern Slavery
How Supply Chain Leaders can end Modern Slavery by 2030
With 50 million people currently trapped in modern slavery, the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking warns that international businesses must face a hard truth: supply chains are a key site of exploitation and unless companies take concrete steps to act, they remain part of the problem.
In a major new report launched at the United Nations, the Commission calls on businesses to overhaul procurement systems, enforceethical labourpractices and play a direct role in ending human trafficking.
The report makes clear that ending modern slavery by 2030, a target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, depends on business leaders stepping up.
Global supply chains, especially those spanning low-wage economies and subcontracted manufacturing, are flagged as high-risk environments where forced labour thrives. From the garment industry to electronics and agriculture, supply chains allow trafficking to remain hidden, operating in plain sight.
Why SAP Chose Valerie Blatt to Unify Supply Chain Strategy
Valerie Blattis taking charge as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) for SAP Supply Chain Management, a role that expands on her earlier work with SAP Business Network.
Having spent more than four years leading customer success and go-to-market strategy there, she moves into a post that covers a broader stretch of SAP's portfolio.
She’s now overseeing customer-facing operations across the company's digital supply chain and field service solutions, all brought together under a unified Supply Chain Management structure.
The shift comes as SAP prepares to announce its Q1 financial performance in its earnings update on 22 April. Her appointment aligns SAP’s commercial operations across a full spectrum of supply chain services.
How Unilever's Digital System Sharpens the Supply Chain
A digital platform called the Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) is at the centre of a transformation across 124 factories worldwide. The goal is direct: reduce waste, make production more agile and support growth using data and automation.
UMS builds on the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) model that Unilever began rolling out in 2013. While WCM focused on lean operations and continuous improvement, UMS adds digital capability. Factories are now using smart tools to track performance, manage equipment and respond to changing customer demand — all in real time.
The numbers are clear.Unileverreports a 3% increase in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), 5% higher labour productivity and an 8% drop in costs across the network. These outcomes aren’t just operational benefits — they underpin the company’s ability to grow.
How LEGO’s New Vietnam Plant will Boost Green Supply Chains
The LEGO Group has opened its newest production hub,LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam, in Binh Duong province, marking its sixth factory worldwide and second in Asia.
With US$1bn committed over the next 15 years and a workforce expected to reach 4,000, the factory anchors the company’s supply chain strategy for Asia-Pacific while setting a new internal benchmark for sustainability.
LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam forms a key part of the company’s plan to manufacture close to the markets it serves. This approach, already established in North America with production in Mexico and a new plant coming to Virginia, is now reflected in Asia through the new Vietnam site.
However, the global picture is worrying as higher import duties raise costs across the board and companies reassess where they manufacture goods. Whilst some are moving out of China into the likes of Vietnam, others worry US President Donald Trump's new round of tariffs make this an unwise choice.
Could British Steel Takeover Jeopardise UK-China Trade?
The UK government has taken emergency control of British Steel's operations in Scunthorpe, stepping in after Chinese owner Jingye refused to continue funding production.
The move aims to protect the last two functioning blast furnaces in the country and prevent thousands of job losses.
However, the Chinese foreign ministry has warned Britain against linking trade and security, while AFP reports that Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian is warning Britain to "avoid politicising trade cooperation."
The immediate concern facing officials and steelworkers at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant relates to raw materials.
Without coking coal (a crucial reactant in the steelmaking process) and iron ore, the blast furnaces risk cooling to a point where they cannot be restarted.
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