Managing supply pressures in a tariff-strained season

Leader spotlight

Ram Reddy 

A Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Nagarro. His focus is on developing scalable and sustainable solutions that are primarily designed to deliver valuable information.

Bringing stability, foresight, and cost discipline to Santa’s production network
 

When we held our Fluidic Advisory session, we assessed the workshop, and one theme stood out: the supply chain was being squeezed from all directions. New import tariffs pushed component costs higher, deliveries slowed, and key materials became harder to secure. The risk wasn’t only financial — it was operational continuity in the most critical season of the year.

The transformation

An AI-driven operations platform was introduced to unify supplier data, production planning, cost forecasts, and workflow alternatives into a single decision environment. Instead of reacting to shortages or price spikes, the workshop could anticipate them. The system identified tariff-free suppliers, recommended viable alternatives, and even suggested subtle design modifications to reduce dependency on high-tariff components — all without compromising quality.

Cross-functional coordination strengthened as well. Supply chain, finance, and production teams now operate from one real-time dashboard, replacing fragmented judgment calls with shared clarity.

The workshop today

The workshop maintained production schedules despite rising costs and material uncertainty. Decisions that once required extensive coordination now happen in minutes, supported by real-time intelligence. Costs stabilized, morale improved, and the entire operation entered peak season on a stronger strategic footing.