AMR Research has released the findings from its sixth annual Supply Chain Top 25. The goal of the Supply Chain Top 25 research initiative is to raise awareness of the supply chain discipline and how it impacts the business.

Apple held onto the number one position for the third year in a row. This is the first time a company has been ranked number one for three consecutive years in the Supply Chain Top 25 research. Analysts attribute Apple's success to its ability to consistently bring both operational excellence and innovation excellence to bear in some of the most competitive markets in the world. Apple has broken new ground in transforming a supply chain into a value chain by starting with the consumer experience and designing its network to serve that master first and foremost, according to Kevin O’Marah, group vice president at AMR Research.

Analysts announced the findings from this year's research at the sold-out AMR Research Supply Chain Executive Conference, which is being held here at The Phoenician Resort & Spa through June 4.

"By embedding product and process innovation in supply chain operations and consciously managing and shaping demand from a customer, production and fulfillment standpoint, the companies included in our Top 25 are doing a lot more than just shipping," O'Marah says. "Twenty years ago, a typical product company had supply chain reporting to manufacturing, with responsibility mainly for inbound materials management and outbound shipping. New data shows that supply chain reports to manufacturing in only 6% of companies surveyed, while 61% have the head of supply chain reporting directly to the CEO, general manager or president of the business. It seems clear that supply chain has grown up and the business has taken notice."