#23 – Nintendo vs. Tariffs, Sustainable Packaging, and MedTech Conquering Asia

🎮 Nintendo Switch 2: The Perfect Launch Amid Tariff Chaos

When Nintendo unveiled details of its highly anticipated Switch 2 on April 2, it couldn’t have known that the same day would mark a turning point in global trade. Just hours after the gaming giant revealed the successor to its successful Switch console, President Donald Trump announced plans to implement universal reciprocal tariffs.

Perfect (or perfectly bad) timing: Trump called for a base 10% tariff and higher duties on numerous countries, immediately casting uncertainty over the June 5 launch of the Switch 2. Nintendo had to delay pre-orders from April 9 to April 24 to assess the impact of the tariffs.

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The survival strategy: Nintendo currently produces many of its U.S.-bound products in Vietnam, with part of its production in China. Geographic diversification is proving crucial: Vietnam faces 46% tariffs, China a staggering 145%.

The procurement dilemma: “How aggressive should I be in chasing those back orders? And should I plan to fulfill demand only, say, 30 days at a time, which inherently limits my maximum capacity?” explains a supply chain expert.

The lesson for everyone: Nintendo demonstrates that in 2025, product launch timing is inseparable from geopolitics. Those who can navigate tariff uncertainty while keeping prices stable (Switch 2 remains at $449) win. Those who wait lose market share during the most critical period of the year.

🔗 Sources: Supply Chain Dive, Game Developer, Cnbc

📦 Sustainable Packaging: When Legislation Becomes the Driver of Change

The EU Regulation 2025/40 on packaging came into force in February 2025, completely rewriting the rules of the game. Each year, around 88 million tons of packaging are produced in Europe, and now the EU has decided to get serious.

The numbers that shake things up: EU member states will be required to gradually reduce per-capita packaging waste. Compared to 2018 levels, the goal is a 5% reduction by 2030, rising to 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040. It’s no longer a matter of if, but when companies must adapt.

The materials revolution: From January 1, 2030, plastic packaging placed on the European market will have to meet minimum targets for recycled content sourced from post-consumer waste. The targets are ambitious: 30% for sensitive-contact packaging such as food.

The food sector in the spotlight: It accounts for about 60% of all packaging produced in Europe, with a market valued at $75.24 billion in 2025. The new rules require structural changes in food packaging design, forcing the elimination of many multi-layer solutions currently in use.

The procurement lesson: Legislation is no longer just a constraint but the main driver of innovation. Companies that adapt quickly will not only avoid fines but gain lasting competitive advantage. Sustainable packaging is becoming a top priority for 9 out of 10 companies over the next 3–5 years.

🔗 Sources: Esg News, Green Forum

🌏 DKSH: The MedTech Supply Chain Conquering Asia

DKSH, a Swiss giant with CHF 11.1 billion in revenue, is transforming Asian healthcare through supply chain innovation. With 7,940 healthcare specialists and over 24,500 SKUs in medical devices, it operates across 36 markets while facing a unique challenge: the healthcare last mile.

The problem: world-class hospitals in cities but poor logistics in rural areas. The solution: regional hubs + decentralized distribution centers, such as the one in East Malaysia that now manages medical devices alongside pharmaceuticals.

Tech innovation: DKSH uses RFID and Machine Vision Systems for quality control, moving from item-by-item checks to single-capture systems using industrial cameras and AI.

The “Home Pulse” case: hospital-at-home services (blood tests, teleconsultations, remote monitoring) that won Hospital Partnership of the Year – Thailand at the 2025 Healthcare Asia MedTech Awards.

The lesson: rethinking the supply chain from the perspective of the end patient can create tremendous value even in the most regulated sectors.

🔗 Sources: SupplyChain Digital, The Thaiger