What a Resilient Supply Chain Really Means for Your Business in 2026

Published on January 7, 2026

What a Resilient Supply Chain Really Means for Your Business in 2026

After publishing a 10-part series on tariffs, volatility, and supply chain resilience, I’ve received several recurring questions from converters and industry leaders. Instead of answering them one by one, I wanted to open the conversation.

Here are a few questions worth asking as we head into the new year:

Q1: Is supply chain volatility a temporary issue — or the new normal?

A: Volatility isn’t going away. Tariffs, sustainability regulations, freight disruptions, and geopolitical shifts are now permanent variables. The difference between struggling and thriving comes down to how prepared your supply chain is to absorb change.

Q2: Does resilience always mean higher costs?

A: Not necessarily. In many cases, resilience reduces hidden costs — downtime, expedited freight, compliance penalties, and last-minute sourcing premiums. The right model focuses on total cost, not just unit price.

Q3: How many suppliers are “enough” to be resilient?

A: There’s no magic number. What matters is access — alternative regions, qualified materials, and partners who can pivot quickly when conditions change.

Q4: What’s the biggest mistake companies make today?

A: Waiting for disruption before acting. Resilience is most effective when it’s built before it’s urgently needed.

Q5: What should companies focus on first in 2026?

A: Visibility, diversification, and partners who bring insight — not just materials.