Big congratulations to the talented team from Stockholm Riding Club, who secured a bronze medal at the Swedish Championships in Eventing! With strong performances across all three disciplines, the riders demonstrated both skill and determination. The club’s second team also impressed with a solid eighth-place finish.

Eventing combines dressage, show jumping, and cross country, a sport that takes focus, strategy, and passion. The same mindset drives Optilon’s work, which makes this partnership feel like a perfect match.

Jens Stenquist, VP Sales & Marketing at Optilon, says:

— “We’re incredibly proud to sponsor this talented group of riders. No matter the weather, schoolwork, or how their day’s been, they show up – for their horses and for each other. Their teamwork and spirit are truly inspiring, and that’s exactly what Optilon wants to celebrate.”

The bronze medal is a well-deserved recognition of the team’s dedication and effort as they have turned months of hard work into a podium finish. Looking ahead, Optilon is proud to have supported their journey and excited to see what comes next.

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At the Optilon Supply Chain Conference 2025, industry leaders gathered to tackle the realities of todays challenges. In a time of global uncertainty and rapid change, the conference focused on how resilient, agile, and smart supply chains can drive future success in a world of Business as Unusual.

A highlight of this year’s event was the launch of the Optilon Spotlight, a new initiative created to recognize and celebrate outstanding customer achievements. Spotlight highlights real journeys of transformation, showing how companies are turning challenges into opportunities through innovation, collaboration, and mindset.

This year, three companies were awarded for their remarkable accomplishments:

Global Impact Award – IKEA

Recognized for a planning transformation that improved precision, scalability, and efficiency. Their advice to others: “Always think across four dimensions, process, tools, people, and technology. One cannot work without the others, and change management is key.”

IKEA, winner of the Global Impact Award, represented by Hagen von Petersdorff and Srinivas Gajjala.

Design for Growth Award – Synsam

Honored for moving from fragile Excel-based planning to a robust replenishment system. Reflecting on their journey, they said: “Before, we were nervous if the Excel-macro was going to work or not. Thats where we decided to contact Optilon and we got this new system SO99+, which has been a great journey for us.”

Synsam, winner of the Design For Growth, represented by Lena Ehinger Ek.

Long-term Partnership Award – Thule

Celebrated for nearly two decades of collaboration with Optilon. Looking back, they highlighted a major shift: “The biggest impact has been changing our mindset, moving from only focusing on forecasts to looking holistically at inventory, service levels, and availability for our customers.”

Together, Synsam, IKEA, and Thule show how businesses can turn challenges into opportunities, and how the right mix of innovation, collaboration, and mindset creates long-term impact.

Thule, winner of the Long-Term Partnership, represented by Michael Wolfsteiner and Albin Enmark.

Want to experience more from the event?

Explore the full recap here!

On September 4th, 2025, more than 300 supply chain professionals gathered at Berns in Stockholm for this year’s Optilon Supply Chain Conference. With our theme “Business as Unusual”, we discovered how to keep up and stay ahead in a world where the unexpected is the new normal.

The day was filled with inspiring keynotes, practical insights, and a matchmaking segment where we had the opportunity to discuss both future challenges and opportunities in the industry, as Optilon celebrated 20 years of supply chain.

In case you weren’t there, here’s a look back at the conference highlights!

A milestone year

This year’s conference was extra special. Marking 20 years of Optilon, we reflected not only on how supply chains have evolved but also on the challenges and opportunities ahead. With global disruptions, AI breakthroughs, and sustainability demands reshaping the industry, the Optilon Supply Chain Conference 2025 offered fresh perspectives on how to thrive in a world where change is constant.

Key takeaways from the day

The day began with breakfast to keep the participants energized for the day ahead. Soon after, our moderator Sabinije von Gaffke took the stage and introduced the lineup of keynote speakers.

First up was Marcus Wandt, an ESA astronaut who shared his story from the Muninn Mission to the International Space Station, which really set the tone of the entire day.

Josefin Aspegren and Jonatan Westberg from Essve showed us how they bridged the gap between sales and supply chain. By working more data-driven and collaboratively, Essve found a balance between growth, efficiency, and customer service while boosting return on investment.
Madelén Frykman from Uddeholm talked about how the steel manufacturer is using production optimization to drive both sustainability and competitiveness. Her session highlighted the power of operational excellence in achieving climate goals.

Anders Björnsson and Simon Panai Ersbo from Alfa Laval shared how they use supply chain network optimization to stay resilient in uncertain times. By testing different scenarios, they can balance service, cost, and capital while preparing for disruptions.

Jan Blomgren from INBEx, explored a critical question: Will the rise of artificial intelligence increase or reduce global energy consumption? His session challenged participants to consider how renewable energy and digital transformation will interact in the years ahead.

The final keynote was delivered by Frida Stranne, Associate Professor of Peace and Development Studies, and one of Sweden’s leading experts on U.S. politics and foreign policy. This keynote looked past the headlines and political drama to explore the deeper shifts reshaping America and the consequences this holds for the international landscape.

Optilon Spotlight

A new feature this year was the Optilon Spotlight, a celebration created to inspire and showcase real customer journeys. During the conference, we presented three awards: the Design for Growth Award to Synsam, the Global Impact Award to IKEA, and the Long-term Partnership Award to Thule.

Each award told a story of how these companies are driving supply chain excellence in their own way. Synsam for daring to rethink its business model and designing a supply chain built for growth. IKEA for creating a true global impact through innovation and scale. And Thule, for nurturing a strong partnership with Optilon that has lasted for more than a decade. These stories highlight how smart thinking and bold action can create meaningful impact within the supply chain.

Matchmaking and networking

The conference also featured matchmaking sessions, giving participants the chance to network with other supply chain professionals. Those interested in learning more about topics such as S&OP, Production, or Supply Chain Design were able to discuss these topics with Optilon experts.

Keep an eye out

If you missed the conference or want to share it with someone, we have gathered all the inspiring keynote presentations and photos, which will be launched soon! Follow us on LinkedIn to be the first to know when they go live.

Twenty years ago, twelve consultants came together around a shared belief: that supply chains could plan smarter, work better, and grow more sustainably. Two decades later, that belief has grown into one of the Nordics’ leading supply chain partners.

Together with our customers, we have overcome global disruptions and built supply chains that create real business value. Every milestone has been achieved together, through collaboration, curiosity, and commitment.

“We said from the beginning – to succeed, we only need to manage three things: our employees, our customers, and our partners. If our people feel good, they’ll bring value to our customers and our partners,” says Richard Barkevall, CEO at Optilon.

As Optilon celebrates 20 years in the industry, the focus remains firmly on the future. With technology evolving faster than ever, the company continues to explore new ways to help businesses become more competitive.

Throughout 2025, we’ll be celebrating this milestone together with our customers, partners, and colleagues. Visit our history and timeline page to revisit key moments from our journey.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next 20 years of shaping what’s next in supply chain.

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Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of business. Companies are facing growing pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to be more transparent and environmentally responsible. The real question isn’t whether businesses should make their supply chains more sustainable, but how they can do it effectively.

To dig deeper into this topic, we spoke with Franz Rothschild Brunlöf, a Senior Supply Chain & Sustainability Specialist at Optilon. He shared his thoughts on the biggest challenges, the benefits of going green, and the key trends shaping the future of sustainable supply chains.

Hi Franz! Sustainability is becoming a bigger priority for businesses but integrating it into supply chains can be complex. Why is it so important for companies to focus on this?

— Integrating sustainability into supply chains is crucial for meeting regulatory demands and staying competitive as customers and investors increasingly seek sustainable products. Transparency in supply chain design and management is key to demonstrating commitment to positive change while maintaining competitive pricing and delivery times.

What benefits can companies expect when integrating sustainability into their supply chains?

— There are quite a few. First, they gain awareness of their societal impacts, ensure regulatory compliance, and set the stage for improvements. Secondly, it builds trust, helping retain customers and investors while enhancing reputation and market share. Finally, sustainability boosts competitiveness by increasing efficiency—using fewer resources and energy, reducing costs, lead times, waste, and emissions.

Franz

What’s the first step for companies looking to integrate sustainability into their supply chains?

– If senior management isn’t fully on board, it’s tough to make real progress. Once leadership is aligned, companies should get familiar with regulatory requirements and benchmark their current practices against industry leaders.

– From there, mapping out the supply chain is key. Companies need a clear picture of their operations—where materials come from, how they’re used, and where waste or inefficiencies occur. Once they have that foundation, they can start optimizing processes, conducting risk assessments, and implementing strategies to cut emissions and waste.

What are the biggest challenges companies face when integrating sustainability into their supply chains, and how can they address them?

– One big challenge is a lack of knowledge—many companies don’t fully understand their sustainability position or regulations. Internal roadblocks, like short-term thinking, also slow progress.

– To overcome this, businesses should invest in education, set clear sustainability expectations for suppliers, and ensure accountability through incentives. Strong data management is also key—without the right systems, tracking progress is tough. Investing in analytics helps turn goals into action.

Looking ahead, what trends do you think will drive sustainable supply chain practices in the coming years?

— Supply chains play a massive role in sustainability—economically, socially, and environmentally. Moving forward, I think companies will need to go beyond just meeting regulations and focus on building efficient, resilient supply chains that actively reduce their environmental footprint.

– My take on the upcoming trends is that sustainable supply chains will focus on cutting transportation distances and reducing reliance on fossil fuels through smarter logistics and more localized production. There’s also a growing push toward using recycled and sustainable materials, helping companies lower their environmental impact while improving resource efficiency. The circular economy will play a big role too—finding ways to reuse materials instead of wasting them will be key.

– At the same time, the “think global, act local” approach is gaining traction, with businesses strengthening local supplier networks to reduce transport emissions and build more resilient supply chains. And AI is set to be a game-changer. With better data and analytics, companies will be able to optimize operations, anticipate risks, and make smarter, more sustainable decisions.

While things are changing quickly, the key to success will be staying adaptable and working together across different regions. The future of supply chain management will be driven by innovation, resilience, and global collaboration—things that will help businesses stay ahead in a world that’s always evolving.

Want to know more about how these trends could impact your business? Book a meeting with us today!

Optilon is strengthening its supply chain design offering through a strategic partnership with Optilogic, the leading provider of cloud-based supply chain optimization solutions. The collaboration focuses on Cosmic Frog, Optilogic’s cutting-edge platform that enables companies to make data-driven strategic decisions by evaluating trade-offs between cost, service, and risk.

By integrating Cosmic Frog into its suite of solutions, Optilon enhances its ability to support large enterprises in strategic logistics planning and supply chain design. Companies can now model and stress-test future supply chain scenarios, improving resilience and long-term competitiveness.

As supply chain disruptions become more frequent, businesses must continuously refine their strategies to stay competitive in an increasingly complex landscape.

— “At Optilon, we are committed to selecting the best solutions on the market to support our clients’ strategic needs. This partnership gives us a unique position where supply chain design is seamlessly integrated with tactical and operational planning, strengthening our ability to deliver long-term value,” says Richard Barkevall, CEO of Optilon.

— “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Optilon”, says Jim Weber, EVP Sales & Marketing at Optilogic. “This partnership is poised to deliver innovation with exceptional value to our customers and shape the future of supply chain design. We look forward to a successful partnership and the incredible impact we will achieve together.”

Unlike operational planning tools, Cosmic Frog is a 100% cloud-based platform designed for long-term supply chain design. It provides risk assessment, network optimization, and financial performance analysis in a single, unified solution.

In effect since January 2025, this partnership reinforces Optilon’s commitment to delivering independent, best-in-class technology solutions for supply chain management.

About Optilon
Optilon is a leading independent supply chain partner with over 20 years of experience. The company specializes in identifying, selecting, and integrating the best solutions to optimize supply chain strategies. With over 1,000 completed projects for 200+ clients, Optilon continues to drive innovation and efficiency in supply chain management. Learn more at www.optilon.com

About Optilogic
Optilogic is a supply chain design software company that enables companies to build virtual supply chain models which allow them to answer any supply chain question and safely test and implement supply chain changes—big and small. Learn more at www.optilogic.com

For further questions and inquiries, please contact:

Jens Stenquist
VP Sales & Marketing
Phone: +46 709 379 285
Email: jens.stenquist@optilon.com

Richard Barkevall
CEO Optilon
Phone: +46 709 379 280
Email: richard.barkevall@optilon.com

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