SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA — Axon, a manufacturer of body cameras and public safety technology, has shifted its supply chain strategy to prioritize flexibility and resilience over cost minimization. Brittany Bagley, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Axon, discussed this change at the COO Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona, on June 2, 2026.

The company's decision follows rising memory chip prices and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Memory chip prices have recently increased by four to six times. Bagley stated that these continuous challenges necessitate a robust supply chain approach, and that the company ships hardware to law enforcement agencies across the U.S.

Bagley remarked that the investment in a flexible and resilient supply chain is worthwhile for the company. She said, "The investment to have it be flexible and resilient is absolutely worth it." Bagley also acknowledged the effort involved in maintaining smooth operations. She said, "A lot of times the supply chain team makes it look easy."

Jackie Zhu, senior vice president and North America supply chain officer at Schneider Electric, also spoke at the summit. Zhu oversees supply chain operations for Schneider Electric's North American division. "Before 2019, most of the disruptions were isolated cases," Zhu said.

Schneider Electric, a French manufacturer of energy management and industrial automation equipment, operates a manufacturing and logistics network in North America. The company uses modeling software to dynamically reroute trade flows as tariff policies change. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company allocated components to a small German manufacturer producing automated equipment for cancer treatment medications. "At that time we decided that It's not a matter of money," Zhu said.