The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries, and the supply chain is no exception. From real-time tracking to predictive maintenance, IoT is helping organisations build smarter, faster, and more resilient supply chains. According to recent statistics from Gitnux, the benefits of IoT in supply chain management are not only significant but rapidly accelerating.

Rapid Growth in IoT Adoption Across Supply Chains

The global IoT in supply chain market is forecast to grow from $20 billion in 2020 to over $100 billion by 2026. This fivefold increase reflects a major shift in how businesses are reimagining logistics, warehousing, and inventory management. It’s no surprise that 75% of supply chain professionals now consider IoT essential for effective inventory control.

Enhanced Visibility and Operational Efficiency

Visibility is one of the most critical elements in any supply chain. With IoT, companies can track goods from origin to destination in real time. The adoption of IoT in logistics has improved operational visibility by an impressive 85%. Additionally, shipment tracking accuracy increases by 85%, dramatically reducing lost or delayed items. In fact, IoT-enabled tracking devices have contributed to a 23% reduction in lost shipments.

Reducing Costs While Improving Performance

IoT isn’t just about tracking—it also drives significant cost savings. Businesses using IoT-based solutions have seen logistics costs drop by 20–30%, thanks to optimised routes, reduced fuel consumption, and automated processes. Moreover, IoT sensors can reduce supply chain shortages by up to 30%, improving the ability to meet customer demand.

Furthermore, 40% of companies using IoT report notable improvements in delivery times, enhancing customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

Smarter Maintenance and Inventory Accuracy

Predictive maintenance is another major advantage of IoT. 60% of supply chain managers now view IoT as a key enabler of predictive maintenance, allowing teams to anticipate equipment issues and minimise downtime. In manufacturing, IoT sensor deployment has been shown to reduce downtime by 25–30%.

IoT also enhances inventory accuracy. RFID technology, a core component of IoT in the supply chain, has improved the accuracy of inventory data by 99%, drastically reducing human error and boosting warehouse productivity.

Infrastructure Still a Key Hurdle

Despite these advantages, the path to full-scale IoT integration isn’t without obstacles. 52% of supply chain leaders identify the lack of IoT infrastructure as a significant barrier, highlighting the need for strategic investment in technology and digital transformation.

The Connected Future of Supply Chains

With the number of IoT devices in supply chain operations expected to reach 14 billion worldwide by 2025, one thing is clear: the future of supply chain management is connected, intelligent, and data-driven. As the technology continues to evolve, organisations that invest in IoT today will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Source: https://gitnux.org/supply-chain-in-the-iot-industry-statistics