Supply Chain Uncertainty Continues To Rise



November 9, 2026

Supply Chain Uncertainty Continues to Rise

NPA Insights, November 2026

Hi all!

Supply chain leaders are navigating growing pressure from both disruption and demand. Security risks in key shipping lanes, ongoing shortages of critical materials, and congestion at major trade routes are forcing companies to reassess sourcing and logistics strategies.

At the same time, booming AI investment is driving major expansion across manufacturing and semiconductor supply chains, while new advances in AI and robotics are helping organizations improve efficiency and operational resilience.

The takeaway: as uncertainty and demand continue to rise, companies that invest in capacity, flexibility, and technology will be best positioned to stay competitive.

AND NOW SOME OPERATIONS NEWS

The State of Manufacturing

The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded for the tenth consecutive month in October, following a 10-month period of contraction. The index registered 55.5%, an increase of 1 percentage point from September.

The New Orders Index expanded for the tenth consecutive month after four months of contraction, registering 55.5%; up 0.2 percentage points from September's 55.3%.

The Production Index read 59.0% in October, 2.3 percentage points higher than September's 58.3%.

As supply chains become more volatile, forecasting is emerging as a critical competitive advantage. While capacity constraints, geopolitical risks, and shifting demand continue to pressure global operations, many organizations are discovering that traditional, historical planning methods leave them reacting too late.

Modern data-driven forecasting combines demand signals, supplier information, ERP data, and external market inputs into a single planning environment, giving teams the ability to identify risks earlier and act faster. Powered by AI, these tools help organizations model disruptions, test alternative scenarios, and make more confident decisions before shortages, delays, or cost increases impact the business.

Resilience depends not only on securing capacity but also on improving visibility. Organizations that connect data across their operations and embrace predictive planning will be better positioned to anticipate change, mitigate risk, and make faster, more informed decisions when disruption strikes.

STARTUP STUFF

Boston-based Lazarus AI, providing AI solutions for regulated industries such as insurance, healthcare and banking, secured $43M million in funding to expand strategic partnerships, invest in R&D and bring new products to market.

Re:Build Manufacturing has raised $2.1 billion in a late-stage round. The Framingham-based company designs and manufactures hard tech products and incubates industrial startups across aerospace and defense, electrification, medical, energy, and robotics.

ASI, the Boston-based frontier AI company advancing critical infrastructure and national security, announced a $325 million funding round, bringing its valuation to $3 billion.

The International Conference on Robotics and Smart Manufacturing (ICROSMA) is bringing together researchers, academics, students, and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements in robotics, automation, and smart manufacturing on November 16 in Boston.

Automation Fair is the premier industrial operations event exploring the future of manufacturing. Attendees can discover the latest advancements in automation, AI, software, and digital transformation November 16-19 at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center.

The HBS Entrepreneurship Conference brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and business leaders for a day of learning, networking, and innovation. Attendees can gain insights from industry experts, participate in interactive sessions, and connect with fellow innovators. Learn more here.