Resilience, Adaptability, and Efficiency

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The chemical distribution outlook report by Boston Consulting Group, outlined on the previous pages, presents six key findings that capture the strategic pressures and capability shifts transforming the chemical disgtribution landscape, setting the stage for four imperatives that will help distributors to win amid uncertainty. Madjar Navah, one of the authors of the report, introduced the most significant results of the study at the FECC Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany, in mid-September. Among the audience were executives of the largest chemical distribution companies, some of which we asked to share their opinions on the report’s conclusions with us. It is obvious that the leaders of Azelis, Biesterfeld, Brenntag, IMCD, and Nordmann share a clear common ground: all five emphasize the need for resilience, adaptability, and efficiency in the face of industry uncertainty and transformation. They highlight the importance of building robust and flexible supply chains, investing in digital and technological capabilities, and most notably, prioritizing their people. They also stress the balance between operational efficiency and forward-looking investments, particularly in digitalization and sustainability. Ultimately, the leaders agree that the future of chemical distribution will be shaped by those who combine technological advancement with human expertise, collaboration, and strong customer focus.