What Quantum Could Actually Fix in Supply Chains Artwork

Resilient Supply Chain — How Leaders Keep Business Moving

Resilient Supply Chain is for supply chain, operations, procurement and technology leaders who need practical ways to manage disruption, reduce risk and keep business moving.

Each Monday, former SAP Global VP and technology futurist Tom Raftery speaks with the executives, operators, founders and innovators redesigning how goods, information and decisions move through global supply chains.

These are candid conversations about what works in practice—not polished PR narratives or vague predictions. Guests explain how they are responding to supplier failures, geopolitical shocks, volatile costs, capacity constraints, changing regulations and rising pressure to improve both performance and sustainability.

The podcast examines:
Faster planning and decision-making under uncertainty
Supplier risk, sourcing strategy and business continuity
AI, automation, visibility and operational intelligence
Warehousing, logistics and fulfilment performance
Scope 3 emissions, circularity and responsible sourcing
The systems, incentives and organisational changes needed to turn data into action

The central question is simple: what helps a supply chain withstand disruption, adapt quickly and continue serving the business?

New episodes are published every Monday at 7am CET. Resilient Supply Chain+ subscribers also receive bonus analysis, highlights and briefings on emerging industry trends.

Follow Resilient Supply Chain for practical lessons from the people solving real operational problems—and building supply chains that perform when conditions do not go to plan.

All Episodes

Resilient Supply Chain — How Leaders Keep Business Moving

What Quantum Could Actually Fix in Supply Chains

July 14, 2025 • Tom Raftery • Season 2 • Episode 76

0:00 | 41:00

Send me a message

In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with Dr Erik Garcell, Director of Quantum Enterprise Development at Classiq, to explore how quantum computing is moving from theoretical buzz to practical tool, and what that means for supply chains.

We talked about why quantum’s real strength lies in optimisation: solving incredibly complex problems like route planning, inventory management, or energy grid design far faster than classical systems ever could. Erik explained how quantum is already being used via cloud platforms (yes, even on AWS), and why enterprises, from BMW to Mitsubishi Chemicals, are experimenting with it now, not later.

We got into real-world use cases too: dynamic logistics recalculations in response to disruptions, quantum-enhanced digital twins for EV battery design, and how this tech might support real-time, low-carbon decision-making across vast supplier networks.

This isn’t about replacing classical computing, it’s about adding a powerful new tool to the box. Erik also gave practical advice for supply chain leaders: how to start engaging with quantum now, when upskilling your existing team makes more sense than hiring PhDs, and what pitfalls to avoid.

If you’re wondering when, or even if, quantum computing will matter to your business, this is the episode for you.

🎧 Listen now to understand why the smart money is investing in quantum today.

If disruption hit tomorrow, would you know where your supply chain was most exposed? In 15 minutes my free scorecard helps you assess 27 resilience statements, calculate your score, and turn the result into three priorities and a 30 day action plan. You can download the scorecard free at tomraftery.com/scorecard.

Support the show

Podcast supporters
I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:

Alicia Farag
Kieran Ognev
Gary Lynch

And remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.

🎤 Looking for a keynote speaker on supply chain resilience, AI, and sustainability?
I help leaders understand the forces reshaping global supply chains, from geopolitical disruption and climate risk to AI and real-time decision-making.

Download my Speaker Pack: https://tinyurl.com/spkrpck

Finally
If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a message using this link.

If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it.

Thanks for listening.