Tom Kelly
Managing Director, Arvato Ireland
Tracy Burke
Business Development Director, Arvato Ireland
With the help of their logistics partners, savvy companies can build flexible, scalable and sustainable supply chains that respond to market impacts and evolving customer needs.
We live in an uncertain world — and uncertainty can hit businesses hard. Take supply chains, which are currently under enormous strain due to uncertainty caused by (among other pressures) tariffs, rising fuel prices, high consumer expectations and an urgent clamour for sustainability. That’s why savvy companies are driving supply chain resilience to the top of their agendas in 2025 and beyond.
Need for flexible, scalable logistics solutions
Companies must be agile and flexible enough to respond quickly to supply chain disruptions and evolving customer needs, but without compromising performance, quality or sustainability. Yet, it’s not just agility and flexibility that are important, says Tom Kelly, Managing Director of Arvato in Ireland.
“These days, the big requirement is to be scalable because things can change so dramatically and quickly,” he explains. “Look at the tech sector. Because of AI, the demands of big players such as hyperscalers are doubling — and could continue to double in the years ahead. The same thing is happening in other industries. When an unforeseen market impact gives companies a huge growth spurt, they need a logistics partner that is equipped to deal with scalable volumes.”
Ireland is a digital infrastructure powerhouse and home to top hyperscalers. “Our acquisition of ATC Computer Transport and Logistics strengthens our footprint in high-tech logistics, particularly for data centres and hyperscalers and positions us at the heart of this ecosystem, enabling us to deliver critical, high-value logistics services where speed and precision are key,” adds Kelly.
By listening to the needs of our Irish based
clients, we’re able to develop localised
solutions that are bespoke to them.
Responding quickly and proactively to change
Arvato, a global provider of B2C and B2B supply chain solutions, supports businesses across a wide range of sectors, including tech, healthcare and consumer products.
Though part of a global network, Arvato’s in-country teams have the flexibility to deliver solutions tailored to local clients.
“By listening to the needs of our Irish-based clients, we’re able to develop localised solutions that are bespoke to them,” says Tracy Burke, Business Development Director. “Then, it’s about responding quickly and proactively when things change and remaining in close contact with regular strategic reviews and rapid response consultations.”
Using innovation to enhance resilience
Digital transformation has been a key ingredient of supply chain resilience. For instance, Arvato’s cloud-based infrastructure increases speed, visibility and control during the picking, packing and shipping process while still ensuring iron-clad security of customer data.
Meanwhile, AI advances are being used to improve the efficiency of warehouses, optimise inventory, monitor performance in real time and proactively manage risks. “If clients have more insightful information about how their operation is working — and what might happen in the future — it will help them add value to their supply chain decision-making,” says Burke.
Great logistics innovations come in every shape and size. “Take warehouse robotics, which allows for high levels of scalability that weren’t necessarily achievable in the past,” says Kelly. “But smaller enhancements, such as wearable tech, can also significantly improve productivity and efficiency.”
Supply chain resilience and sustainability
Naturally, today’s businesses must also include sustainability measures in their supply chain resilience strategies. “Sustainability is included in the content of every RFP and RFQ we receive,” reveals Burke. “It’s a real expectation from our clients.”
Arvato is dedicated to building greener, more responsible supply chains. Its own carbon-reducing initiatives in Ireland include onsite EV charging stations, rooftop solar PV systems and 100% renewable energy usage. Following its acquisition, ATC contributes to this effort with a growing fleet of e-trucks for green transport. “We found that investing in more sustainable solutions has been beneficial to our operational results,” says Kelly.
While resilient, sustainable supply chains weather storms more effectively, creating them requires businesses and their logistics partners to work closely together.
