The SCF Corporate Event at the Academiegebouw in Utrecht on October 24, 2024, was a inspiring gathering, delivering groundbreaking insights into the evolving landscape of supply chain finance (SCF). Set against the backdrop of Utrecht’s historic centre, the day brought together professionals and thought leaders to explore the latest trends and foster valuable networking. 

The event commenced with a warm welcome and the keynote from Dr. LingLi Zhou, Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She was joined later in the day, among others, by Francesco Sardaro from MAIRE S.p.A and Tim Butler from BT Sourced, who offered their perspectives on critical supply chain issues, including sustainability, finance strategies, and innovation in SCF. 

Lingli Zhou opened the session with a presentation on “Criticality Assessment and Material Impact Roles.” She emphasized the risks associated with the supply of critical raw materials and the mechanisms to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Zhou also introduced the concept of dynamic criticality, offering a fresh perspective on how reserves of key materials fluctuate over time. 

Following this, Francesco Sardaro took the stage to present MAIRE’s SCF Strategy, highlighting the company’s approach to reverse factoring and ESG-linked initiatives. His talk sparked lively discussions among attendees about the future direction of SCF in Europe and the role of sustainability in these financial strategies. 

Michiel Steeman from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences focused on sustainability within supply chains, stressing the importance of understanding and mapping critical suppliers, particularly those supplying multiple companies. Steeman pointed out that while data is being produced in abundance, the real challenge lies in turning this data into actionable insights, especially with the added complexity of new regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSD) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). 

Ronald Kleverlaan, from Stichting MKB Financiering, explored the financing challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He discussed the decline in traditional bank funding and the rise of alternative finance, noting that many companies are seeking more diverse funding sources to ensure resilience in their operations. 

Christiaan de Goeij and Gregory Cronie presented insights from the Order to Cash Monitor, a research initiative by Windesheim University of Applied Sciences’ Supply Chain Finance group and Diesis. They shared key strategies for enhancing the order-to-cash (O2C) process, focusing on practical, data-backed recommendations that organizations can adopt to improve cash flow and efficiency.

A key highlight of the event was Tim Butler’s presentation on BT Sourced’s innovative SCF solutions, supported by John Anderson from C2FO. They addressed the common pitfalls of Deep Tier SCF approaches and shared insights on how BT Sourced has developed scalable solutions that aim for long-term economic growth while aligning with global sustainability goals. 

The day continued with insightful contributions from Maxime Bouillon and Christiaan Verhoef of Windesheim UAS, who explored the role of AI in making supply chains truly sustainable. Their talk challenged the audience to rethink simplistic approaches to sustainability and consider the deeper, more complex realities that come with global supply chains. 

Next, Luca Gelsomino discussed the Disclosure Project, a long-standing research project of the SCF Community that focuses on collecting and analysing disclsoure data from a sample of 1000 companies. Noting a surge in corporate disclosures as companies react to evolving standards. Gelsomino highlighted trends, including reductions in reported program sizes and emerging SCF impacts, such as those driven by CBAM. His insights encouraged attendees to consider the future trajectory of SCF and disclosure. 

Finally, the panel discussion, featuring experts like Christian de Goeij, Bart Ras, and Francesco Sardaro, delved into sustainability in SME financing and the role of AI in enhancing SCF processes. The panelists underscored the importance of collaboration, transparency, and innovation in shaping the future of supply chain finance. 

In conclusion, the SCF Corporate Event in Utrecht delivered a wealth of knowledge, sparking thought-provoking conversations on sustainability, innovation, and the future of supply chain finance. The event’s success was a testament to the collaborative spirit of the SCF community, and it sets the stage for continued exploration and innovation in this dynamic sector.  

The SCF Community Team extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants and speakers, and looks forward to future events across Europe, the USA, and Asia. Stay connected for more opportunities to engage and collaborate in shaping the future of SCF! 

To learn more about the topics around SCF, join us at our next event in Germany! Register here: https://scfcommunity.org/event/scf-corporate-event-germany-2/