Source: forbes

In today’s volatile market, supply chain digitalization has become critical for procurement leaders, with 57% of executives now considering it a top priority according to an Economist Impact study. Molex, a global leader in electronics and interconnectivity solutions, exemplifies this shift through its successful implementation of SAP Business Network to manage 70,000+ globally sourced components.

As the company outgrew its legacy supplier portal, it sought a solution enabling real-time collaboration and improved visibility. “This move significantly improved visibility into purchase orders, inventory, quality defects, and invoices,” said Tony Gainsford, Director of Supply Chain at Molex. “Near real-time data sharing provided us with up-to-date supply levels and delivery schedule confirmations.”

Guided by a dedicated committee of supply chain leaders, Molex created user-centric tools including native-language training videos and a digital scorecard tracking real-time progress. The transformation began in Asia, where a significant portion of its supply chain is based.

Within just 18 months, Molex onboarded over 900 suppliers and transacted more than $1 billion on the platform. Nearly 90% of purchase orders are now confirmed through the network, reducing order confirmation cycle time by one-third and eliminating 8-9 hours of weekly manual processing for buyers.

Molex’s journey demonstrates how manufacturers can create robust, future-ready supply chains through strategic technology investments. By streamlining operations and enhancing supplier collaboration, the company has strengthened its ability to meet customer commitments while building resilience against supply chain disruptions.