--- title: "From Supply Chain to Digital Supply Network: The SMS group Transformation Journey with Laurent Heisserer, EVP and Global Head, Supply Chain Management at SMS group [Speaker Spotlight]" description: "From Supply Chain to Digital Supply Network: The SMS group Transformation Journey with Laurent Heisserer, EVP and Global Head, Supply Chain Management at SMS group [Speaker Spotlight]" image: https://blog.generisgp.com/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20(14)-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/from-supply-chain-to-digital-supply-network-the-sms-group-transformation-journey-with-laurent-heisserer-evp-and-global-head-supply-chain-management-at-sms-g-1790080320543#main-content) [![Generis Logo full Colour (Large) (1)](https://blog.generisgp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Generis%20Logo%20full%20Colour%20(Large)%20(1).png?width=773&height=112&name=Generis%20Logo%20full%20Colour%20(Large)%20(1).png "Generis Logo full Colour (Large) (1)")](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog) - [Supply Chain](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/tag/supply-chain), - [Speaker Spotlight](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/tag/speaker-spotlight) # From Supply Chain to Digital Supply Network: The SMS group Transformation Journey with Laurent Heisserer, EVP and Global Head, Supply Chain Management at SMS group \[Speaker Spotlight\] - October 9, 2026 [Devyn Smith](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/author/devyn-smith) Explore insights from [Laurent Heisserer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-heisserer-6b54912/), EVP and Global Head of Supply Chain Management at [SMS group](https://www.sms-group.com/), on building resilient global supply chains, navigating geopolitical and trade uncertainty, balancing global efficiency with regional flexibility, strengthening supplier collaboration, and using digitalization and AI to improve visibility and performance. Join us at the [European Supply Chain Summit](https://supplychaineu.com/), 20–21 October in Düsseldorf, to hear his full session and gain further insights into the future of global supply chain management.     ---   ### *[![Laurent-Heisserer-EVP-and-Global-Head-Supply-Chain-Management-SMS-group-scaled](https://blog.generisgp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Laurent-Heisserer-EVP-and-Global-Head-Supply-Chain-Management-SMS-group-scaled.webp?width=265&height=265&name=Laurent-Heisserer-EVP-and-Global-Head-Supply-Chain-Management-SMS-group-scaled.webp)](https://supplychaineu.com/)Could you begin with a brief introduction about yourself, and an overview of your responsibilities as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Supply Chain Management at SMS group?*   SMS group, with headquarters in Mönchengladbach, Germany, is a worldwide leader in the field of machinery and plant engineering for the metals industry, with over 13,000 employees worldwide. I lead our global Supply Chain team, which is responsible for procurement, in-house and external manufacturing, logistics, quality assurance, supplier development, expediting, process digitization, and export control and customs — across all our regions, products, and entities   ### *What are the most significant challenges involved in developing and executing a global supply chain strategy for a complex, project-driven industrial business?*   Our work is in constant motion and needs a flexible approach – shaped by customer requirements for the manufacturing concept for their projects, the geopolitical situation, total cost of ownership, time constraints, and the specific supply situation. Specifically, we need to manufacture the same products in various sourcing markets to cope with the global trade situation.     ### *How do you balance global efficiency and standardization with the need for regional flexibility, local market knowledge, and responsiveness to individual customer projects?*   We have a specific supply chain setup in most markets that enables a dedicated approach, with a mix of strong regional and global partners as well as our own Workshops for core high complexity components - enabling the optimal mix of costs, reaction time and high manufacturing quality.     [![Schwertransport-235\_\_1\_3599](https://blog.generisgp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Schwertransport-235__1_3599.jpg?width=1430&height=953&name=Schwertransport-235__1_3599.jpg)](https://supplychaineu.com/)     ### *How are geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade conditions, and supply market volatility influencing decisions around sourcing and global supply network design?*   They affect us every day, in all that we are doing! We therefore design our supply chain, our cost calculations, and our risk mitigations to cope with these situations, and of course follow the legal framework of a globally acting, EU based company.     ### *What capabilities are essential for building a supply chain that can anticipate disruptions and respond quickly without compromising project delivery, quality, or cost?*   It is essential to have enough alternatives sourced across various countries for each product line, a similarly developed QA level everywhere, local teams monitoring vendors and workshops daily, and global processes and IT tools enabling 24/7 transparency as the target.     ### *How can supply chain leaders strengthen collaboration between procurement, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, project management, and commercial teams?*   The expertise of our supply chain teams is needed all along the value chain of our business, starting with the sales phase, closely linking to engineering and order execution, and continuing through into our service business. Close collaboration with our regional offices and product teams, and dedicated teams with deep knowledge of sourcing markets, manufacturing processes and products are all needed in supply chain.     [![Logistics1](https://blog.generisgp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logistics1.jpg?width=1430&height=953&name=Logistics1.jpg)](https://supplychaineu.com/)   ### *What role do digitalization, data, and end-to-end visibility play in transforming supply chain management from an operational function into a strategic business partner?*   Supply chain works 24/7 on a global scale. To assure timely execution and close control of progress and quality, a strong end-to-end ERP along with specific applications support the transparency we need. Processes and standards need to be deployed globally. The combination of sharp cost information, exact manufacturing or shipping status for a customer project, and flexibility in the planning of the manufacturing concept contributes to the strong role of supply chain in the company’s overall success.   ---   *"Processes and standards need to be deployed globally. The combination of sharp cost information, exact manufacturing or shipping status for a customer project, and flexibility in the planning of the manufacturing concept contributes to the strong role of supply chain in the company’s overall success."*   ---   ### *How can organizations work more closely with strategic suppliers to improve resilience, accelerate innovation, and support long-term sustainability objectives?*   A close collaboration with strategic suppliers is key to improving the cost and functionality of products, while further improving the design and accelerating innovations. Ways to do this include workshops, diversification of teams, and a strong focus on product development.     [![Site (1)](https://blog.generisgp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Site%20(1).jpg?width=1920&height=1280&name=Site%20(1).jpg)](https://supplychaineu.com/)   ### *Looking ahead, how do you expect the priorities and responsibilities of global supply chain leaders to evolve over the coming years?*   Well, I expect AI to play a key role in further simplifying processes and to be a massive speed accelerator and cost reduction factor for supply chain functions. This needs to be strongly pushed immediately. Furthermore, it appears foreseeable that the global geopolitical situation has the potential to become even more challenging going forward, which makes a regional approach even more of the essence. What is critical, above all else, is to continue to prioritize people development in their journey with SMS group. This means offering great jobs, attractive workspaces, family compatible flexibility, and career growth opportunities in international context. The nature of our project business requires strong and efficient teamwork at a global scale.     ### *Which aspect of the European Supply Chain Summit are you most looking forward to?*   I am of course looking forward to the opportunities to listen and learn from others and to participate in interesting discussions related to the challenges of our function, with insights from various businesses. Overall, I believe it will be a great chance to refresh and think, and reflect on our own maturity level as a company, with an openness to further improvement.   ---   Our thanks to [Laurent Heisserer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-heisserer-6b54912/), EVP and Global Head of Supply Chain Management at [SMS group](https://www.sms-group.com/), for sharing his perspective on building more resilient, flexible, and globally connected supply chains, from navigating geopolitical uncertainty and regional complexity to strengthening supplier collaboration, improving visibility, and accelerating digital transformation. We invite you to join us at the [European Supply Chain Summit](https://supplychaineu.com/) to hear his full session, gain fresh perspectives from leading supply chain executives, and connect with the people shaping the future of global supply chain management.   ![Devyn Smith](https://blog.generisgp.com/hubfs/Devyn%20Headshot_1.jpg) ## [Devyn Smith Digital Marketing Specialist](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/author/devyn-smith) [LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUMMIT](https://supplychaineu.com/) ## RELATED NEWS [![](https://blog.generisgp.com/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20(14)-1.png)](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/from-supply-chain-to-digital-supply-network-the-sms-group-transformation-journey-with-laurent-heisserer-evp-and-global-head-supply-chain-management-at-sms-g-1790080320543) [Supply Chain](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/tag/supply-chain), [Speaker Spotlight](https://blog.generisgp.com/blog/tag/speaker-spotlight) ### [From Supply Chain to Digital Supply Network: The SMS group Transformation 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