Imagine a century-old food giant maintaining its vitality in fierce market competition while continuously launching innovative products. Dole is providing answers through concrete actions. At the 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, Dole executives will share their supply chain transformation strategy, offering valuable insights for mid-sized consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies seeking growth and innovation.
Dole to Spotlight Supply Chain Transformation at 2025 NextGen Conference
The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, jointly organized by Supply Chain Management Review and Peerless Media, will take place from October 22-24 at the W Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Todd Stillwell, Vice President of Supply Chain and Manufacturing for Dole Packaged Foods, and Kimberly Galante, Global Head of Product Development and Innovation at Dole, will deliver a keynote address titled "Scalable Growth and Innovation in Mid-Sized CPG Supply Chains."
Their presentation will detail how Dole transformed its supply chain into a growth engine through strategic investments in flexible manufacturing, streamlined logistics, and data-driven demand forecasting. These initiatives have enabled the company to rapidly commercialize new products while maintaining efficiency and quality at scale.
Three Core Strategies Behind Dole's Supply Chain Transformation
Dole's success stems from a series of strategic changes to its supply chain operations, focusing on three key areas:
- Flexible Manufacturing: Moving beyond traditional manufacturing models that struggle with rapid market changes, Dole invested in flexible manufacturing technologies that allow quick production line changes and customized output. This agility enables the company to swiftly adjust product offerings to meet evolving consumer preferences, such as launching low-sugar, high-fiber snacks in response to growing health consciousness.
- Streamlined Logistics: Recognizing that efficient logistics are crucial for smooth supply chain operations, Dole optimized its logistics network to reduce product transit times. This approach not only lowered costs but also improved product freshness. The company also implemented smart logistics technologies, including IoT systems to monitor product location and temperature during transportation.
- Data-Driven Demand Forecasting: To prevent both overstocking and shortages, Dole developed sophisticated demand prediction models incorporating historical sales data, market trends, seasonal patterns, and promotional impacts. This data-centric approach has significantly improved forecast accuracy and production planning efficiency.
Lessons for Mid-Sized CPG Companies
Dole's transformation offers valuable insights for other mid-sized CPG firms:
- Define Clear Objectives: Companies should establish specific goals for their supply chain transformation, whether focused on efficiency gains, cost reduction, or enhanced innovation capabilities.
- Invest Strategically: Prioritize investments in flexible manufacturing, smart logistics, and predictive analytics based on organizational needs and capabilities, recognizing that technological adoption requires sustained commitment.
- Cultivate Data Literacy: Building a data-driven culture requires establishing robust data collection and analysis systems while training staff in data-informed decision-making.
- Embrace Continuous Improvement: Treat supply chain transformation as an ongoing process, regularly evaluating results and adjusting strategies in response to market and technological developments.
Dole's approach represents more than technological upgrades—it reflects a fundamental shift in strategic thinking. By strategically investing in and optimizing supply chains, mid-sized CPG companies can overcome growth barriers and achieve sustainable development. In today's competitive environment, this perspective is essential for corporate survival and success.
The case also underscores supply chain management's central role in modern business competition. An efficient, adaptable, and data-powered supply chain not only reduces costs and improves efficiency but also enables rapid response to market shifts and successful product innovation. For mid-sized CPG firms pursuing growth and innovation, Dole's experience offers a compelling blueprint.
Conference attendees will gain detailed insights into Dole's practical implementation of these strategies and opportunities to engage with company leadership. The presentation will likely stimulate significant discussion and action regarding supply chain transformation among mid-sized CPG organizations.