The word “innovation” carries the weight of expectation, and it can be intimidating. Innovation doesn’t have to be earth-shattering — it can be continuous and include small improvements.

There’s a difference between fads and transformations. Fads wax and wane relatively quickly — whereas transformations leave a lasting mark. The digital revolution is the latter. Although the pandemic rapidly accelerated digital adoption, the writing has been on the wall for decades. Digital is here to stay, and even more than that, it’s the new reality for the chemical and manufacturing industry despite our industry’s hesitance and often outright unwillingness to adopt new technologies.

After the last year, anyone who deigns to announce: “Digital is the way of the future!” will be met with an eye-roll and an incredulous “No kidding.” By now, everyone intimately knows that the pandemic forced the world to work remotely last year. Beyond that, we know businesses and consumers alike experienced a new version of what is possible for communications, e-commerce, and — when it comes down to it — managing the global supply chain.