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NuevoThe Buzz: The AI Readiness Gap, Rising Retail Returns, and the Future of Supply Chain Planning13 de noviembre de 2026 · 57 min
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523
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13 Nov 2026
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Sobre el podcast

Discover why Supply Chain Now is the #1 Voice of Supply Chain. Our hosts comprised of seasoned industry-leaders, practitioners, and solution providers address the industry’s challenges, trends, and innovations for our global audience. With engaging, informative, and on-trend content, our podcasts, livestreams, and webinars bridge expertise and entertainment, empowering supply chain professionals to elevate their businesses. Listen, watch, and subscribe to the #1 Supply Chain Podcast on Apple Podcasts, ranked in the Top 1% of all Global Podcasts!

Episodios 523

  1. The Buzz: The AI Readiness Gap, Rising Retail Returns, and the Future of Supply Chain Planning

    57 minEpisodio 1659

    AI adoption is accelerating, retail returns are creating new challenges, and supply chain leaders are facing growing pressure to deliver results from technology investments. But are organizations truly prepared …

    Notas del episodio

    AI adoption is accelerating, retail returns are creating new challenges, and supply chain leaders are facing growing pressure to deliver results from technology investments. But are organizations truly prepared for what's next?

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by National Supply Chain Day®, hosts Scott Luton and Tony Sciarrotta welcome Dr. Rod Thomas of the University of Arkansas and Alex Pradhan, founder of Alchemy Advisory, to explore the latest developments shaping global supply chains. The conversation examines the rising costs of retail returns, the importance of accurate product information, and the growing opportunities in reverse logistics and circularity. The panel also breaks down new research revealing significant gaps in AI workforce readiness, trust, and adoption. Plus, Rod shares insights from the WISE Future Leaders Symposium, while Alex highlights key takeaways from the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit, including AI return on investment, decision-making, automation, and rising technology costs.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The growing retail returns challenge: Explore why online returns continue to rise and how better product information can reduce costs, waste, and customer dissatisfaction.
    • AI workforce readiness: Discover why 83% of surveyed organizations report employees are unprepared to use AI effectively and what that means for supply chain transformation.
    • Data quality and AI trust: Understand how inaccurate data, broken processes, and cybersecurity concerns can undermine AI adoption and automation.
    • The future of supply chain talent: Hear findings from the WISE Future Leaders Symposium about student career confidence, employer expectations, and opportunities to recruit emerging talent.
    • Supply chain planning trends: Learn why organizations are shifting their focus from forecasting accuracy toward better decisions, faster execution, and measurable business value.
    • The real cost of AI: Examine concerns about AI investment returns and a Gartner prediction that supply chain planning software costs could rise more than 50% by 2030.

    From reducing costly returns to preparing employees for AI-driven operations, today's supply chain challenges require more than new technology. They demand better data, stronger leadership, and smarter decisions. Tune in for expert perspectives, industry research, and practical insights to help your organization navigate change, improve performance, and prepare for the future of supply chain management.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tony Sciarrotta, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-readiness-gap-rising-retail-returns-future-supply-chain-planning-1660

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


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  2. Driving Business Growth Through Smarter AI Investments

    42 minEpisodio 1658

    AI is creating new opportunities for businesses, but are organizations adopting it with the right priorities in mind?In this episode, Scott W. Luton welcomes Vin Vashishta, CEO of V-Squared, for a …

    Notas del episodio

    AI is creating new opportunities for businesses, but are organizations adopting it with the right priorities in mind?

    In this episode, Scott W. Luton welcomes Vin Vashishta, CEO of V-Squared, for a thought-provoking conversation on the unintended consequences of AI adoption and how businesses can use technology more intentionally. Vin explores how AI agents are disrupting traditional marketplaces, from hiring and retail to consumer services, and why organizations must rethink business models built on information imbalances. He also examines the growing disconnect between smart technology and customer needs, highlighting the importance of trust, data privacy, and delivering meaningful value.

    They also discuss practical strategies for making smarter AI investments, including aligning technology with business goals, prioritizing revenue growth over cost-cutting, and avoiding the pitfalls of AI adoption without a clear purpose. Vin shares his perspective on the rise of agentic commerce, the importance of workforce development, and why human expertise remains essential to building sustainable, AI-driven businesses.
     

    Jump into the conversation:
    (00:00) Intro
    (02:41) The value of thoughtful gifts
    (04:32) How AI agents are disrupting the hiring process
    (09:13) The unintended consequences of AI-driven marketplaces
    (13:09) When smart technology fails to deliver customer value
    (16:47) Building consumer trust through data privacy
    (21:33) A look back at the 2010 San Francisco Giants
    (23:34) Aligning AI investments with business growth
    (28:16) Why AI adoption without strategy creates more work
    (33:26) The rise of agentic commerce in retail
    (35:58) Preparing the workforce for an AI-driven future
    (37:52) Building effective workflows for human-AI collaboration

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/driving-business-growth-through-smarter-ai-investments-1659

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. The Future of Self-Coordinating Supply Chains: AI Agents in Action

    49 minEpisodio 1657

    Technology plays a critical role in keeping global supply chains moving. Yet behind the systems, much of the coordination still depends on emails, spreadsheets, and manual follow-ups. Can AI agents change …

    Notas del episodio

    Technology plays a critical role in keeping global supply chains moving. Yet behind the systems, much of the coordination still depends on emails, spreadsheets, and manual follow-ups. Can AI agents change that?

    Supply Chain Now hosts Scott Luton and Rick McDonald welcome Nick Gospodinov, co-founder and CEO of Mandel AI, to explore how agentic AI is transforming supplier communication, procurement workflows, and supply chain coordination.

    Nick shares how AI agents can spot disruptions, handle backorders, and bring together information scattered across different systems. He explains how these tools can take repetitive tasks off employees' plates while keeping people in control of important decisions. The discussion offers practical insights into where AI can make a difference today and how supply chains can move beyond simply recording information to taking action.

    Jump into the conversation:
    (00:00) Intro
    (05:55) From kid programmer to supply chain founder
    (09:33) Why a $26T industry runs on email
    (13:21) When the truth sits in an inbox
    (17:44) Email's hidden cost and lost tribal knowledge
    (20:38) How AI agents resolve backorders for buyers
    (26:08) One person directing hundreds of AI agents
    (28:13) Why SOPs never match how work happens
    (34:24) Scaling without headcount: ROI in 24 hours
    (40:55) What a self-coordinating supply chain looks like
    (43:37) From system of record to action
    (45:49) How to connect with Nick and Mandel AI
    (46:28) Rick's takeaway: Keep humans in the loop
     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Rick McDonald, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/future-self-coordinting-supply-chains-ai-agents-action-1658
     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. The Buzz: From Prime Day to Peak Season with The Collective

    45 minEpisodio 1657

    What can Amazon's early days teach us about today's retail landscape, startup challenges, and holiday supply chain planning? With billions in Prime Day sales, rising startup failures, and an unusual peak …

    Notas del episodio

    What can Amazon's early days teach us about today's retail landscape, startup challenges, and holiday supply chain planning? With billions in Prime Day sales, rising startup failures, and an unusual peak shipping season, supply chain leaders have plenty to consider as the year comes to a close.

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, host Kim Reuter is joined by fellow members of The Collective, Kerry Gibson-Morris, Jack Mowreader, and Derreck Travers, to break down the latest developments in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and global supply chains. Drawing on their firsthand experiences helping build Amazon's early operations, the panel discusses the evolution of Prime Day, the balance between customer loyalty and profitability, and the growing influence of AI-assisted shopping. They also explore why venture capital-backed startups are struggling, what separates successful founders from failed ventures, and the importance of understanding customer needs, managing finances, and knowing when to pivot. Finally, the group examines the 2026 Q4 shipping outlook, including early inventory movement, port congestion, trucking capacity, and strategies for navigating continued supply chain disruptions.

    Key Takeaways

    • Amazon Prime Day's evolution: Discover how Amazon's early shipping and inventory strategies helped shape Prime Day and influence modern e-commerce.
    • Retail trends and consumer behavior: Explore Prime Day sales performance, discount strategies, AI-assisted purchasing, and what early holiday shopping could mean for retailers.
    • Why startups fail: Understand how weak unit economics, unrealistic expectations, venture capital pressures, and a lack of customer focus can threaten new businesses.
    • Lessons from Amazon's early leaders: Learn why calculated risks, rapid experimentation, financial discipline, and the willingness to fail fast are essential to long-term success.
    • Q4 shipping and import challenges: Examine how early inventory movement, tariffs, port congestion, and transportation capacity are affecting holiday supply chains.
    • Preparing for peak season: Hear practical advice on contingency planning, securing carrier capacity, maintaining inventory buffers, and preparing for post-holiday returns.

    Whether you're managing a supply chain, building a startup, or preparing for the holiday retail rush, this episode offers valuable lessons from leaders who helped shape modern e-commerce. Tune in for firsthand Amazon stories, practical business insights, and strategies to help your organization stay flexible, profitable, and prepared for whatever comes next.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Kim Reuter, Kerry Gibson-Morris, Jack Mowreader, and Derreck Travers, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-prime-day-peak-season-the-collective-1657

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Sneak Preview: Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index

    47 minEpisodio 1656

    Freight costs are climbing, capacity is tightening, and demand isn’t keeping pace. What’s driving today’s transportation market?In this episode, Scott Luton and co-host Karin Bursa welcome Jeff Pape, Senior …

    Notas del episodio

    Freight costs are climbing, capacity is tightening, and demand isn’t keeping pace. What’s driving today’s transportation market?

    In this episode, Scott Luton and co-host Karin Bursa welcome Jeff Pape, Senior Vice President, Head of Product & Marketing Global Transportation at U.S. Bank, and Eric Olson, Support Operations Director, Partnership and Business Development at Total Quality Logistics (TQL), for a live discussion on the Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Drawing on nearly $46 billion in freight transactions, Jeff reveals how shipper spending increased by more than 30% despite marginal shipment growth, signaling a market driven by capacity constraints rather than demand.

    They also explore regional freight trends, from data center construction fueling activity in the Southeast to shifting import strategies nationwide. Eric shares his outlook on tightening truckload capacity, rising transportation rates, and a potentially sharper peak season. The panel emphasizes the importance of data-driven planning, proactive communication, and stronger shipper-carrier relationships to help supply chain leaders navigate uncertainty and prepare for continued volatility.

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Intro

    (01:17) Why freight market volatility is increasing

    (01:58) Inside the Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index

    (03:48) Meet the freight market experts

    (07:24) Why capacity is driving the freight market

    (09:15) How supply chain leaders use freight data

    (11:56) Why freight spending is outpacing shipment growth

    (15:25) Regional freight trends and economic drivers

    (19:11) What to expect from Q4 peak season

    (22:08) How data centers and tariffs impact transportation

    (27:46) Freight market outlook and rising rates

    (30:24) Navigating capacity constraints through stronger partnerships

    (33:41) How to become a shipper of choice

    (39:33) Why data and relationships drive better decisions

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/sneak-preview-q3-2026-us-bank-freight-payment-index-1656

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. The Problem Store: Shipping Sherpas

    1 h 5 minEpisodio 1655

    The shipping landscape is shifting in ways that demand attention from every supply chain leader. Shrinking carrier capacity, rising surcharges, and a freight recession stretching three years have created a …

    Notas del episodio

    The shipping landscape is shifting in ways that demand attention from every supply chain leader. Shrinking carrier capacity, rising surcharges, and a freight recession stretching three years have created a market where old assumptions no longer hold and rate floors are moving in ways many shippers haven't accounted for.

    In this inaugural episode of The Problem Store on Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Jack Mowreader, a veteran CFO who has served in the role five times and spent six years in Amazon operations finance, LeAnne Coulter, former executive at Penske Logistics and Schneider Logistics who now leads Blue Wave Supply Chain, and Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management. They structure the conversation across four segments covering the macros, the setup, the operation, and the enablers, exploring how capacity constraints, parcel surcharge complexity, network design, relationships between shippers and carriers, and the accelerating pace of change are reshaping what shippers need to be doing right now.

    Jack, LeAnne, and Nate also weigh in on where AI can genuinely improve shipping decisions, from invoice auditing and scenario simulation to compressing the time from analysis to action. They challenge shippers to walk their own processes, question legacy carrier strategies, form carrier councils, invest in the driver experience, and treat transportation strategy as supply chain strategy rather than an afterthought.

     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Introduction

    (03:30) Meet Jack Mowreader, LeAnne Coulter, and Nate Skiver

    (05:48) The biggest problems in shipping: capacity, risk, and the pace of change

    (07:39) Labor pressures, fuel costs, and what shippers can't control

    (20:15) Network design and avoiding single points of failure

    (27:01) Shipper of choice and building carrier relationships that last

    (35:16) The operation: resourcing, process design, and trade offs

    (42:33) The three legged stool: balancing cost, service, and resilience

    (52:23) AI in shipping: where it helps and where human judgment stays essential

    (58:34) The Billy Bob hypothetical and how to connect with the panel

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/problem-store-shipping-sherpas-1655


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. The Buzz: Africa’s Growing Supply Chain Influence

    40 minEpisodio 1654

    From the chocolate in your Halloween candy to the critical minerals powering electric vehicles, Africa plays an essential role in global supply chains. But as new technologies, infrastructure investments, and …

    Notas del episodio

    From the chocolate in your Halloween candy to the critical minerals powering electric vehicles, Africa plays an essential role in global supply chains. But as new technologies, infrastructure investments, and manufacturing opportunities emerge, the continent is moving beyond supplying raw materials to creating greater value and driving innovation.

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, Yaseen Ahmid and Michael J. Olivier bring a South African perspective to some of the biggest developments shaping global supply chains. They explore why Africa matters to businesses worldwide, from fluctuating cocoa prices in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to the rise of lab-grown chocolate and its potential impact on African farmers. The conversation also examines Zipline's expanding medical drone delivery network, Morocco's growing automotive manufacturing industry, and investments in the Lobito Corridor connecting Central Africa's critical minerals to global markets. Along the way, Yaseen and Michael discuss AI adoption, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building infrastructure and industries that allow African economies to capture more value from their resources and innovations.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Africa's strategic importance: Discover why the continent's critical minerals, agricultural exports, growing population, and entrepreneurial talent make it increasingly important to global supply chains.
    • Cocoa prices and supply chain challenges: Understand how production disruptions, commodity price fluctuations, and purchasing contracts influence chocolate prices, even when raw material costs decline.
    • Innovation in healthcare logistics: Explore how Zipline's drone delivery network is expanding access to medical supplies in Côte d'Ivoire and demonstrating new approaches to last-mile delivery.
    • Morocco's automotive manufacturing growth: Learn how proximity to Europe, infrastructure development, and nearshoring opportunities are positioning Morocco as a major automotive production hub.
    • Critical minerals and transportation infrastructure: Examine how investments in the Lobito Corridor could improve the movement of copper and cobalt while strengthening regional trade.
    • Building Africa's innovation ecosystem: Hear why financing, talent development, AI governance, entrepreneurship, and local value creation are essential to the continent's economic future.

    Africa's influence on global supply chains extends far beyond its natural resources. For supply chain leaders, manufacturers, investors, and innovators, understanding the continent's evolving role is becoming increasingly important. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping Africa's future and what they mean for global trade, resilience, and economic growth.

    Additional Links & Resources: 

    This episode was hosted by Yaseen Ahmid and Michael Olivier, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-africa-growing-supply-chain-influence-1654


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. When Yesterday's Supply Chain Playbook Stops Working

    44 minEpisodio 1653

    Is AI really saving supply chain teams time, or are we overlooking the human expertise needed to make it work? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President …

    Notas del episodio

    Is AI really saving supply chain teams time, or are we overlooking the human expertise needed to make it work?
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to discuss the evolving role of AI in supply chain planning, the importance of workforce development, and how leading companies are rethinking their supply chain strategies.
     

    Mike brings his expertise in supply chain planning and Gartner research to a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges organizations face as they adopt new technologies, manage growing complexity, and prepare their teams for the future.
     

    The conversation covers why AI may not deliver the productivity gains many organizations expect, how skills gaps and change management affect technology adoption, and why human expertise remains essential to effective supply chain planning. Scott and Mike also examine General Mills' ambitious supply chain transformation, McDonald's investment in AI-powered operations, and how supply chain education must evolve to prepare the next generation of leaders.
     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Intro

    (01:13) Halloween candy inflation and the candy supply chain

    (04:20) The three biggest barriers holding supply chain planners back

    (05:35) Why cutting entry-level roles kills your AI ROI

    (11:18) Why AI saves slivers of time, not redeployable chunks

    (13:23) Why change management is the most requested Gartner strategy session

    (16:00) General Mills and why supply chain should mean more than cost-cutting

    (19:30) Cereal proliferation as a lesson in SKU complexity and demand planning

    (26:07) McDonald's Archie AI and the danger of equating tech with people

    (33:28) What supply chain undergraduate programs must fix to stay relevant

    (38:04) Why the Gartner Planning Summit keeps getting bigger

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/when-yesterdays-supply-chain-playbook-stops-working-1653
     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  9. The Performance Paradox: Why Your Supply Chain Works But Still Loses Money

    44 minEpisodio 1652

    What happens when your supply chain is performing exactly as designed, yet your business is still losing money and frustrating customers? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Mahesh …

    Notas del episodio

    What happens when your supply chain is performing exactly as designed, yet your business is still losing money and frustrating customers?
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Mahesh Rajasekharan, President and CEO of Cleo, about the performance paradox behind new industry research and what it takes to orchestrate a supply chain rather than merely integrate one.
     

    Mahesh brings a PhD in industrial engineering from Texas A&M and an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where he graduated first in his class, along with prior experience as COO of SumTotal Systems, to his role leading Cleo into a high growth, AI native supply chain orchestration company serving over 5,000 customers.
     

    The conversation covers why 63% of companies say their supply chains perform as designed while 73% lose revenue, how automation increases complexity when coordination stays manual, and why the planning and execution gap persists. Mahesh and Scott also explore the shift from systems of record to systems of action, how context turns raw AI into useful decisions, and controlled delegation toward autonomous orchestration.
     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Intro

    (03:55) Flying taxis and what they teach about orchestration

    (06:10) What Cleo does beyond integration

    (09:20) Why human judgment stays nonnegotiable

    (14:58) Why visibility is passé and orchestration is the real prize

    (18:45) From systems of record to systems of action

    (21:46) How context turns raw signals into intelligence

    (26:58) Why the gap between planning and execution persists

    (33:16) Why pilot fatigue keeps AI from delivering value

    (38:59) From reactive firefighting to proactive problem solving

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/performance-paradox-why-your-supply-chain-works-still-loses-money-1652


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  10. The Buzz: Why Procurement Is More Important Than Ever

    56 minEpisodio 1651

    As supply chain disruptions continue, costs climb, and artificial intelligence reshapes the industry, procurement professionals are facing new challenges and opportunities. How can organizations move beyond …

    Notas del episodio

    As supply chain disruptions continue, costs climb, and artificial intelligence reshapes the industry, procurement professionals are facing new challenges and opportunities. How can organizations move beyond traditional strategies to build stronger supplier relationships, embrace emerging technology, and prepare for the future?

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, host Scott Luton and co-host David Shillingford welcome Ben Farrell, MBE, Global CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), for a conversation about the evolving role of procurement and supply chain leadership. The discussion explores the biggest barriers to scaling AI, including poor data quality and disconnected systems, along with new research from CIPS revealing rising transportation, technology, and food costs heading into the holiday season. Ben shares why long-term supplier collaboration is essential for navigating disruptions, how procurement professionals can deliver greater strategic value, and what skills future leaders will need. The conversation also examines CIPS' plans to modernize professional development, the growing importance of trust and ethical leadership, and why procurement deserves a stronger voice in business decision-making.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Rethinking supply chain priorities: Discover why recovering quickly from disruptions, making fewer decisions, and designing for change may be more valuable than predicting every challenge or pursuing complete automation.
    • Overcoming AI adoption barriers: Explore how poor data quality, disconnected systems, governance challenges, and unclear ROI continue to prevent organizations from realizing AI's full potential.
    • Preparing for rising supply chain costs: Learn what CIPS' Q3 2026 Global Pulse Survey reveals about anticipated price increases in transportation, technology, and food, and how businesses can prepare.
    • Building stronger supplier relationships: Understand why long-term collaboration, trust, and flexible supplier networks are becoming essential for managing disruptions and controlling costs.
    • Developing the next generation of procurement leaders: Explore how AI, ethical decision-making, communication, and problem-solving are reshaping the skills procurement professionals need.
    • Elevating procurement's strategic influence: Discover why procurement must move beyond traditional purchasing functions to become a stronger driver of business outcomes, resilience, and organizational success.

    From navigating rising costs and global disruptions to embracing AI and developing future-ready talent, procurement has never played a more important role in business success. Tune in for insights from Ben Farrell and David Shillingford on strengthening supplier relationships, overcoming technology challenges, and positioning procurement professionals as strategic leaders in an increasingly complex global economy.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and David Shillingford, and produced by Triha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-why-procurement-more-important-than-ever-1651

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  11. From Planning to Orchestration: The Future of Supply Chain with Kinaxis CEO Razat Gaurav

    1 h 7 minEpisodio 1650

    AI is changing supply chain planning, but automation is only part of the story. The next big shift? Turning planners into orchestrators. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa …

    Notas del episodio

    AI is changing supply chain planning, but automation is only part of the story. The next big shift? Turning planners into orchestrators.
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Razat Gaurav, CEO of Kinaxis, to explore how supply chains have evolved, why faster decision-making matters, and how AI is driving the shift from traditional planning to orchestration.
     

    Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software and supply chain technology, Razat examines the growing role of AI agents and the transition of supply chain planners into orchestrators. He also highlights why human judgment, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration remain essential as organizations adopt new technologies. The conversation offers a broader perspective on how supply chain leaders can move beyond automation to achieve meaningful business outcomes.
     

    Jump into the conversation:
    (00:00) Intro 
    (06:31) How supply chains have evolved over 25 years 
    (13:08) Supply chain's shift from operations to strategy 
    (17:43) Managing trade-offs through scenario planning 
    (23:48) Why supply chains can't return to normal 
    (28:39) Supply chain: Sensing, planning, and execution 
    (35:12) The hidden costs of supply chain latency 
    (40:19) Why decision-making speed matters 
    (42:13) Rethinking supply chain workflows with AI 
    (52:02) The shift from planners to orchestrators 
    (55:47) What will define successful supply chain leaders?

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-planning-to-orchestration-future-supply-chain-kinaxis-ceo-razat-gaurav-1650


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  12. The Visibility Illusion: Why Seeing the Problem Was Never the Same as Solving It

    56 minEpisodio 1649

    Why has three decades of supply chain visibility investment failed to produce meaningful results for the industry? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Dr. Glenn Richey, Harbert …

    Notas del episodio

    Why has three decades of supply chain visibility investment failed to produce meaningful results for the industry?
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Dr. Glenn Richey, Harbert Eminent Scholar at Auburn University, and Matt Brolsma of SPS Commerce, about why visibility tools keep falling short and what actually moves the needle.
     

    Glenn brings ten years of supply chain experience across procurement, manufacturing, and logistics at Scott Paper Company and S.P. Richards, paired with his research at Auburn's Center for Supply Chain Innovation, while Matt works directly with enterprise retailers and distributors at SPS Commerce to translate supplier collaboration challenges into actionable strategy.
     

    The conversation covers why AI can amplify the consequences of bad data, how one retailer recovered $38 million through stronger supplier compliance, and what questions leaders should ask before investing in another visibility platform. Glenn and Matt also explore the link between trusted relationships and trusted data, and why vendor guides deserve more attention.
     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Intro

    (06:44) Distinguishing visibility, transparency, and traceability

    (12:30) Why 30 years of visibility tools fell short

    (18:22) What happens when teams lose trust in the system?

    (22:57) Does AI solve or magnify the visibility problem?

    (25:40) When AI recommendations go wrong at the port

    (30:30) Why visibility tools still leave planners chasing answers

    (35:45) Building stronger trading partner relationships

    (37:49) Why structured compliance programs outperform

    (42:41) How one retailer recovered $38 million

    (47:20) What should leaders ask before buying more tech?

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/visibility-illusion-why-seeing-problem-never-same-solving-1649


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  13. The Buzz: AI Innovations, Hurricane Disruptions, and Building Resilient Supply Chains

    53 minEpisodio 1648

    From AI investments that fail to deliver results to shifting trade policies and growing supply chain disruptions, today's leaders face mounting pressure to adapt. But what does it really take to turn challenges …

    Notas del episodio

    From AI investments that fail to deliver results to shifting trade policies and growing supply chain disruptions, today's leaders face mounting pressure to adapt. But what does it really take to turn challenges into opportunities?

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, hosts Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot welcome Dr. Rod Thomas, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas, and Joanna Pachnik, Founder and CEO of BlueClip, for a discussion on the issues shaping global supply chains. From attracting and developing the next generation of supply chain talent to navigating Hurricane-related energy disruptions and USMCA trade uncertainty, the conversation explores how organizations can build greater resilience. The panel also examines the growing role of AI in transportation, procurement, and reverse logistics, why promising technology initiatives often fail to scale, and how leaders can move beyond AI hype to deliver measurable business results.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Developing supply chain talent: Discover three practical strategies for attracting, hiring, and preparing the next generation of supply chain professionals through meaningful internships, university partnerships, and effective onboarding.
    • Navigating global disruptions: Explore how hurricane-related energy disruptions, rising transportation costs, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding USMCA negotiations are influencing supply chain strategies.
    • Rethinking supply chain optimization: Learn why companies must move beyond periodic network optimization and continuously evaluate cost, flexibility, and operational resilience.
    • Preparing for the future of reverse logistics: Examine how growing retail returns, expanding secondary markets, and AI-powered solutions are changing the way businesses manage returns.
    • Turning AI investments into measurable results: Understand why choosing the wrong use cases and lacking leadership support can derail technology initiatives, and how starting small can accelerate ROI.
    • Empowering people through technology: Discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and enable employees to focus on higher-value work.

    Whether you're navigating global trade uncertainty, building a stronger supply chain workforce, or looking for practical ways to make AI deliver real business value, this episode offers actionable insights for today's supply chain leaders. Tune in to learn how forward-thinking organizations are turning disruption into opportunity, strengthening their operations, and preparing their people and technology for what's next.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-innovations-hurricane-disruptions-building-resilient-supply-chains-1648

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


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  14. Apex's Jorge Bayona on Building a Supply Chain Strategy for Latin America

    1 h 5 minEpisodio 1647

    Anyone can buy a plane. What sets a logistics company apart in Latin America is whether the people on the ground trust it with their cargo. Earning that trust takes time, local knowledge, and a commitment to …

    Notas del episodio

    Anyone can buy a plane. What sets a logistics company apart in Latin America is whether the people on the ground trust it with their cargo. Earning that trust takes time, local knowledge, and a commitment to understanding what makes each market different.

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot speak with Jorge Bayona, Vice President for Latin America at Apex Logistics International, about how companies can incorporate the region into their supply chain strategies to improve agility, diversify risk, and unlock growth.

    Jorge shares his journey from ADM to Deutsche Post and DHL, through leading the expansion of FEMSA Group’s logistics division, Solistica, to building Apex’s Latin American footprint across 18 countries in about two and a half years. Drawing on that experience, he explains why the region can’t be measured by a single average, why the right to play and the right to win are two different things, and why each market rewards a different approach.

    The conversation explores nearshoring opportunities, emerging trade corridors, regional challenges, and the roles of Miami, Panama, and Mexico as key logistics gateways. Jorge also shares what businesses should look for in a logistics partner, why complementarity matters more than size, and how strong local relationships help companies navigate the region with confidence and build more resilient supply chains.
     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Introduction
    (03:39) Jorge Bayona on growing up on the island of San Andres, Colombia
    (04:44) The grandmother who ran a gas station and the grandfather who was a general
    (07:59) From ADM to DHL to Solistica: Jorge's career path
    (13:34) What Apex Logistics International does and how it grew in Latin America
    (22:47) The opportunities and weaknesses shaping supply chains in the region
    (28:55) The most common mistake: the right to play vs. the right to win
    (34:03) Four landscapes to evaluate before entering a market
    (39:43) Why patience and talent matter when entering a new region
    (45:15) Country by country: gateways and key markets across Latin America
    (53:17) What to look for in a logistics and supply chain partner

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/apex-building-supply-chain-strategy-latin-america-1647
     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


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  15. Got Chips? Managing Your Electronic Component Supply Chain Risk in the Face of Global Instability

    1 hEpisodio 1646

    A single overlooked component can stop an entire product from shipping. Justin Sears explains why supply chain risk now has to shape design decisions from day one, not after engineering hands the design off to …

    Notas del episodio

    A single overlooked component can stop an entire product from shipping. Justin Sears explains why supply chain risk now has to shape design decisions from day one, not after engineering hands the design off to procurement.

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Jake Barr speak with Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium, about rising component risk, hidden supplier dependencies, and why engineering and procurement teams need better visibility into supply conditions earlier in the product development process. 

    They also explore how AI can help teams surface risks, strengthen requirements, and evaluate alternatives while human judgment remains essential. The conversation highlights how better data, earlier collaboration, and stronger lifecycle thinking can help manufacturers build more resilient products.

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Introduction
    (02:24) Meet Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium
    (04:18) Justin's lifelong running passion and how it clears his head
    (05:35) Justin's background and the Altium family of supply chain solutions
    (10:23) Three structural risks: tariffs, global conflict, and AI data center demand
    (14:59) The Digi case study: why manual sourcing doesn't work anymore"
    (17:43) "Shift left": making supply chain a design input, not an afterthought
    (22:52) The postage stamp problem: when a cheap part stops a $30K GPU shipment
    (27:30) Two tiers down: hidden supply chain failures you can't see
    (29:52) AI and human judgment in hardware design: who asks the questions?
    (42:31) Counterfeit parts: why fraudsters chase volume, not scarcity
    (53:57) Three takeaways: what hardware teams should start doing today

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/got-chips-managing-electronic-component-supply-chain-risk-face-global-instability-1646

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  16. The Buzz: AI, Cybersecurity, and the New Risks Reshaping Supply Chain

    54 minEpisodio 1645

    Technology may be advancing faster than ever, but people, resilience, and smart decision-making remain at the center of supply chain success. In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, Scott Luton and …

    Notas del episodio

    Technology may be advancing faster than ever, but people, resilience, and smart decision-making remain at the center of supply chain success. In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, Scott Luton and Maithili Shenoy are joined by cybersecurity experts Andrew Alston and Bob Carver to unpack some of the biggest issues shaping supply chain and business, from manufacturing pressures and technology talent gaps to AI-enabled cyberattacks and growing third-party risk.

    The conversation begins with a look at the latest U.S. manufacturing activity, rising input costs, and the supply chain challenges surrounding the rapidly growing humanoid robotics industry. The panel also explores the widening technology skills gap and why organizations need people who can combine critical thinking with emerging AI capabilities.

    Then, in recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Andrew and Bob break down how AI is changing the cyber threat landscape. They discuss ransomware-as-a-service, faster exploitation of vulnerabilities, third-party exposure, governance, business continuity, and why traditional cybersecurity approaches are no longer enough. The group also explores why supply chain leaders need to think beyond their own organizations and build cyber resilience across the entire supplier ecosystem.

    Key Takeaways
    • People remain a critical differentiator in the age of AI. Technology alone doesn't create value; organizations need people who can use it to make better decisions, manage trade-offs, and respond quickly to change.
    • Manufacturers are facing significant cost and profitability pressures. Rising input costs, tariffs, labor constraints, and supplier delays are creating challenges even as manufacturing activity continues to grow.
    • The humanoid robotics opportunity exposes major supply chain gaps. Actuators, semiconductors, critical minerals, and domestic manufacturing capacity could become major constraints as robotics scales.
    • The technology skills gap is holding back AI, cloud, and cybersecurity initiatives. Organizations need to rethink how they develop both technical capabilities and foundational cognitive skills.
    • AI is accelerating cyber threats as well as cyber defenses. Ransomware is becoming more accessible, vulnerabilities are being exploited faster, and organizations can no longer assume traditional patching and security practices will be enough.
    • Cybersecurity must become an ecosystem-wide supply chain priority. Governance, business continuity, supplier vetting, redundancy, and third-party visibility are essential to keeping operations running when, not if, disruptions occur.

    Supply chain leaders can't afford to treat cybersecurity, AI, talent, and resilience as separate issues. They are increasingly interconnected, and the risks extend far beyond the four walls of any single organization. Tune in to hear practical perspectives on where the biggest vulnerabilities are emerging, why third-party risk deserves greater attention, and what leaders can do now to build stronger, more resilient supply chain ecosystems.

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Maithili Shenoy, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-cybersecurity-new-risks-reshaping-supply-chain-1645

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  17. Pressure-Test Your Shipping Decisions Before They Cost You Thousands

    54 minEpisodio 1644

    Shipping teams often don’t discover wasted spend until the invoice arrives. By then, the opportunity is already gone. John Wharff explains why hidden surcharges, outdated shipping rules, and overlooked shipment …

    Notas del episodio

    Shipping teams often don’t discover wasted spend until the invoice arrives. By then, the opportunity is already gone. John Wharff explains why hidden surcharges, outdated shipping rules, and overlooked shipment outliers can quietly drive up costs, and why the best savings opportunities often come from rethinking the decisions teams already make every day.
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor speak with John Wharff, Senior Director of Product Management at EasyPost, about how shippers can uncover hidden costs and build more adaptable shipping strategies. They discuss why base rates only tell part of the story, how service levels and carrier choices impact total cost, and why teams need to look beyond average shipments to find where money is being lost.
     

    John and Tevon also explore the role of pressure testing in shipping decisions, using real shipment data to identify gaps before they become expensive problems. From improving cost per package to using AI for analysis and simulation, the conversation highlights how supply chain teams can make smarter decisions, strengthen their processes, and stay ahead of a constantly changing shipping environment.
     

    Jump into the conversation:
    (00:00) Introduction
    (01:31) Meet John Wharff, Senior Director of Product Management at EasyPost
    (02:33) Warm-up: John's motorcycle passion and first Harley Davidson
    (06:40) Why carrier bills still surprise experienced shippers
    (08:27) The trap of static rules in a dynamic shipping environment
    (11:10) Bell curves and outliers: where shipping costs really hide
    (15:15) Carrier mix and service levels: building your roster for peak season
    (23:22) Why your master spreadsheet falls apart in real-world shipping
    (32:43) Pressure testing explained: John's methodology for finding hidden costs
    (37:13) AI in logistics: where it genuinely helps and where it's hot air
    (46:41) Call to action: what shippers should do right now before peak season

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/pressure-test-your-shipping-decision-before-they-cost-you-thousands-1644


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  18. Enterprise Unleashed: Rethinking the Transformation Playbook

    57 minEpisodio 1643

    Enterprise transformation does not start with technology. It starts with understanding the business problem you are trying to solve. John Cusick explains why organizations often struggle with implementations …

    Notas del episodio

    Enterprise transformation does not start with technology. It starts with understanding the business problem you are trying to solve. John Cusick explains why organizations often struggle with implementations when they focus on selecting systems before defining outcomes, and why successful transformation requires rethinking processes, improving data foundations, and designing technology around the way the business needs to operate.

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Wiley Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of DOSS, and John Cusick, President of Echo Park Consulting, about how AI-native solutions are changing enterprise implementations and why companies need a new playbook for transformation. They explore why traditional ERP approaches often fail, how best-of-breed technology strategies are becoming more practical, and why organizations should focus on business outcomes instead of forcing their processes into rigid platforms. John and Wiley discuss how companies can use flexible architectures, better data management, and AI-enabled capabilities to create systems that evolve alongside the business.

    John also explains how agentic implementation is changing the role of technology teams and consultants by accelerating tasks like data mapping, configuration, integration, and testing while allowing humans to focus on validation, judgment, and process design. The conversation explores why AI agents require strong context, clean data, and clear sources of truth to make reliable decisions, and why the future of enterprise technology will depend on combining automation with human expertise.

    Jump into the conversation:
    (00:00) Introduction
    (02:13) Meet Wiley Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Doss, and John Cusick, President of Echo Park Consulting
     (06:11) Why transformation projects succeed or fail
     (09:24) Why organizations start with technology instead of business problems
     (12:44) The biggest challenges in enterprise implementations
     (20:20) Why best-of-breed technology strategies are gaining momentum
     (25:25) How AI agents are changing implementation processes
     (31:05) Why process design must come before automation
     (32:05) Rethinking the ERP implementation playbook with Doss
     (37:05) How AI is changing the human role in implementations
     (42:13) Building trust, context, and governance for AI agents
     (45:21) What the future of enterprise technology looks like
     (53:15) Wiley Jones' key takeaway on outcome-driven transformation

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Wiley Jones and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/enterprise-unleashed-rethinking-transformation-playbook-1643


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  19. The Buzz: Unlocking the Potential of Digital Product Passports

    55 minEpisodio 1642

    What if every product came with a digital story, one that followed it from raw materials and manufacturing through use, repair, reuse, and ultimately its next life?In this episode of The Buzz, powered by …

    Notas del episodio

    What if every product came with a digital story, one that followed it from raw materials and manufacturing through use, repair, reuse, and ultimately its next life?

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton and Marty Parker welcome Marion Rouzeaud, founder of DiPPa and author of DiPPa: Rethinking the Way We Buy Things with Digital Product Passports, for a timely conversation about digital product passports (DPPs), circularity, and the future of manufacturing.

    Scott, Marty, and Marion explore why digital product passports have the potential to become far more than another compliance requirement. Marion explains how DPPs can create a living digital record for products, giving manufacturers, consumers, repairers, recyclers, and other stakeholders access to trusted information throughout the product lifecycle.

    The conversation also examines the growing role of AI and automation in manufacturing, how companies are navigating cost pressures and supply chain complexity, and why collecting customer feedback means little without action. Marion walks through her DEPA framework and explains how organizations can connect product strategy, sustainability, data, and circularity to rethink not only how products are made but what happens to them after they enter the market.

    Key Takeaways
    • Digital product passports can go far beyond compliance, creating a living record that provides useful product information throughout the entire lifecycle.
    • AI and automation continue to reshape manufacturing, helping organizations address labor shortages while improving forecasting, logistics, operations, and decision-making.
    • Trusted product data can enable circularity by supporting repair, maintenance, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling.
    • Manufacturers need to think beyond the point of sale, considering during the design process how products can remain valuable and useful for as long as possible.
    • Customer feedback only creates value when companies act on it, making listening and responsiveness essential to building long-term trust.
    • A successful DPP strategy starts with the “why,” connecting customer needs and business priorities to the right data, measurements, and actions.

    Digital product passports may be driven partly by regulation, but their potential reaches much further. Tune in to hear how organizations can use DPPs as a strategic tool to connect product design, manufacturing, sustainability, customer needs, and the circular economy. You’ll also hear practical perspectives on AI, automation, customer experience, and the evolving manufacturing landscape, and why the companies that get the most value from new technology will be the ones that turn information into action.

     

    Additional Links & Resources: 

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Marty Parker, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-unlocking-potential-digital-product-passports-1642

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  20. From Planning to Retail: Where Supply Chain Is Headed

    58 minEpisodio 1641

    AI, tariffs, shifting consumer expectations, and new delivery models are creating fresh challenges and opportunities for supply chain leaders. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Jake Barr sit …

    Notas del episodio

    AI, tariffs, shifting consumer expectations, and new delivery models are creating fresh challenges and opportunities for supply chain leaders. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Jake Barr sit down with Gartner’s Noha Samara to bust some of the biggest myths surrounding AI in supply chain planning. Then, Scott talks with Wall Street Journal reporter Liz Young about the forces reshaping retail and logistics, from product assortment and tariffs to trucking, last-mile delivery, drones, and returns.

    Noha challenges the idea that AI success is simply about doing the same work faster, emphasizing instead the need to redesign jobs, rethink processes, build trust with planners, and focus AI investments on a smaller number of high-impact use cases. She also explains why productivity gains should be measured by the higher-value work AI enables, not simply by workforce reduction.

    Later, Liz brings a reporter’s perspective to the rapidly changing retail supply chain. She shares how companies are reducing product variety to manage tariffs and complexity, building greater flexibility and resilience into their networks, and navigating increasingly diverse consumer expectations around delivery. The conversation also explores rising trucking costs, the potential of drone delivery, generational shifts in shopping behavior, and the costly challenge of product returns.

    Key Takeaways
    • AI productivity requires redesigning work, not simply accelerating existing tasks. Organizations need to rethink workflows, roles, processes, and decision-making to unlock AI’s full potential.
    • Trust must come before adoption. Planners need to understand how AI reaches its conclusions and how humans and AI will work together before organizations can expect meaningful adoption.
    • AI productivity doesn’t automatically mean workforce reduction. The greater opportunity may be redeploying saved time toward scenario analysis, root-cause analysis, inventory optimization, and other higher-value work.
    • More AI use cases don't necessarily mean more value. High-performing organizations are selective, concentrating resources on fewer, higher-impact initiatives and building capabilities that can support future use cases.
    • Retailers are using assortment and sourcing decisions to manage complexity. Reducing product variety can help companies concentrate on best sellers while simplifying sourcing and tariff exposure.
    • Flexibility and optionality are becoming essential supply chain capabilities. Companies are diversifying sourcing, improving visibility, reconsidering inventory strategies, and preparing for disruptions that may be impossible to predict.
    • The last mile is no longer just a race for speed. Consumers have different expectations around delivery time and cost, forcing retailers to get smarter about inventory placement and fulfillment choices.
    • Returns and emerging delivery models remain major questions for retail. Drone delivery is expanding while retailers continue searching for better ways to manage the cost and complexity created by online returns.

    Tune in for a wide-ranging look at what supply chain leaders should be thinking about now and what may matter even more in the years ahead. From separating AI reality from hype to preparing for tariffs, transportation shifts, changing consumer behavior, and new fulfillment models, this episode offers practical perspectives for building supply chains that are more adaptable, focused, and prepared for the unexpected.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-planning-retail-where-supply-chain-heading-1641

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  21. Think Different: Planning Challenges, AI & Procurement Leadership

    34 minEpisodio 1640

    Supply chain planning is changing fast, but technology is only part of the story. As AI capabilities expand, procurement becomes more strategic, and planners face an accelerating pace of change, organizations …

    Notas del episodio

    Supply chain planning is changing fast, but technology is only part of the story. As AI capabilities expand, procurement becomes more strategic, and planners face an accelerating pace of change, organizations must determine how to embrace innovation without losing sight of the people who make supply chains work.

    In this episode of Supply Chain Today and Tomorrow, Scott Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to explore some of the biggest trends shaping supply chain planning and leadership. Mike breaks down the top barriers preventing planners from performing at their best, including the pace of change, digital skills gaps, and the continued need for strong communication and collaboration skills. They also discuss the debate around slowing AI development, the emerging role of AI agents, procurement's growing strategic influence, and how automation can give employees valuable time back. Plus, Mike shares what makes the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit a valuable opportunity for planning professionals.

    Key Takeaways
    • Supply chain planners remain essential. Technology may change how planning gets done, but organizations continue to invest in both planning technology and the people responsible for making critical decisions.
    • Change management is becoming even more important. Leaders need to clearly communicate how AI will affect planning roles and help employees understand where they fit into the future of the organization.
    • Soft skills still matter in an AI-powered workplace. AI can help teams arrive at an answer, but influencing, collaboration, conflict management, communication, and consensus-building remain human responsibilities.
    • AI agents may reshape supply chain teams. Future planning organizations could include both human planners and AI agents, making governance, oversight, and human-machine collaboration increasingly important.
    • Procurement is becoming more strategic. Procurement's influence across the broader supply chain continues to grow while AI creates opportunities to automate repetitive and transactional activities.
    • Automation should give people time back. Removing repetitive work allows employees to spend more time applying expertise, solving problems, being creative, and performing higher-value work.

    The future of supply chain isn't simply about adopting more technology; it's about figuring out how people and technology can work together more effectively. Tune in to hear Scott and Mike unpack practical ways leaders can support planners, approach AI thoughtfully, rethink repetitive work, and prepare their organizations for what's coming next.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/think-different-planning-challenges-ai-procurement-leadership-1640

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


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  22. The Buzz: How Smarter Automation is Reshaping Manufacturing

    52 minEpisodio 1639

    AI, robotics, and automation are advancing quickly, but successful transformation takes more than adopting the latest technology. It requires the right strategy, the right people, and a clear understanding of …

    Notas del episodio

    AI, robotics, and automation are advancing quickly, but successful transformation takes more than adopting the latest technology. It requires the right strategy, the right people, and a clear understanding of the business outcomes you're trying to achieve.

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton is joined by guest co-host Dr. Muddassir Ahmed and Christine Bush, Director of the Robotic and Motion Center of Excellence at Schneider Electric, to explore how AI and robotics are changing manufacturing and the workforce. They discuss the growing debate around AI safety and speed, why companies should focus on augmenting people rather than simply replacing them, and how manufacturers are using robotics to address skilled labor shortages and create more flexible operations. Christine also shares insights into IT/OT convergence, open software-defined automation, and what separates organizations that successfully scale automation from those that remain stuck in pilot mode.

    Key Takeaways

    • Why organizations need a clear AI strategy that balances speed, safety, and business outcomes
    • How AI can augment engineers, operators, and maintenance teams rather than simply replace them
    • Why labor shortages are accelerating investments in robotics and advanced automation
    • How manufacturers can build greater flexibility into production by making robotics part of the process from the start
    • The role of IT/OT convergence, IoT, and open software-defined architectures in the future of manufacturing
    • Why successful automation projects require the right mix of people, perspectives, and technology to move beyond pilot mode

    AI and robotics offer enormous potential, but technology alone won't transform manufacturing. Tune in to hear practical perspectives on how manufacturers can combine human expertise with smarter automation, build more adaptable operations, and turn promising technology investments into real business value.

    Additional Resources & Links: 

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Dr. Muddassir Ahmed, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-smarter-automation-reshaping-manufacturing-1639

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


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  23. From Overlooked to Optimized: Rethinking Yard Management

    42 minEpisodio 1638

    The yard may be one of the most overlooked areas of the supply chain, but its impact extends across transportation, warehousing, customer service, safety, and the bottom line.In this episode of Supply Chain …

    Notas del episodio

    The yard may be one of the most overlooked areas of the supply chain, but its impact extends across transportation, warehousing, customer service, safety, and the bottom line.

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton sits down with Adam Newsome, CEO of Lazer Logistics, to explore how greater visibility, intelligence, and action can transform yard operations into a strategic advantage.

    Adam shares how Lazer Logistics combines connected technology, operational data, AI, and decades of institutional knowledge to improve decision-making across hundreds of locations. He explains why visibility alone is not enough, how AI can help teams identify the “next right thing” to do, and why technology must solve real operational problems.

    The conversation also introduces “Uncle Phil,” Lazer’s AI coaching tool designed to capture the experience of longtime operations leaders and make that knowledge available to managers at scale.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The yard connects the supply chain. Inefficiencies between transportation and warehousing can affect the entire operation.
    • Visibility must lead to action. Data creates value when it improves safety, productivity, service, and financial performance.
    • AI needs operational context. Combining technology with institutional knowledge produces more practical guidance.
    • People remain essential. Culture, communication, and hands-on experience are critical to operational excellence.

    Tune in to learn how Lazer Logistics is moving beyond visibility, scaling decades of expertise with AI, and creating a more connected, efficient, and human-centered approach to yard management.

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-overlooked-optimized-rethinking-yard-management-1638

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  24. Less Waste, Better Outcomes: Rethinking Transportation with BNSF Logistics

    52 minEpisodio 1637

    Transportation may be essential to global supply chains, but that doesn’t mean more movement, more technology, or more complexity automatically creates better results. Sometimes the smartest transportation …

    Notas del episodio

    Transportation may be essential to global supply chains, but that doesn’t mean more movement, more technology, or more complexity automatically creates better results. Sometimes the smartest transportation strategy starts by asking a much simpler question: What is the customer actually trying to accomplish?

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor welcome David Ivan, President and CEO of BNSF Logistics, for a conversation that challenges conventional thinking around transportation, customer experience, lean principles, technology, and the role of rail in today’s supply chain.

    With more than 25 years of experience on the manufacturing and customer side of logistics, David Ivan brings a unique perspective to leading a logistics organization. He shares why transportation providers need to move beyond selling modes and capabilities and instead focus on solving the customer’s underlying business problem.

    The conversation explores the trade-offs between simplicity, certainty, and cost, why predictability can be more valuable than shippers realize, and how lean thinking can help organizations identify and eliminate unnecessary transportation waste. David, Scott, and Tevon also discuss the growing complexity of logistics, opportunities for rail, the right role for AI and automation, and why technology should support, not replace, human judgment when exceptions arise.

    Key Takeaways
    • Start with the customer’s desired outcome, not the transportation mode. The best solution may look very different once the underlying business problem is understood.
    • Transportation should be viewed through a lean lens. Every unnecessary mile, touch, delay, or handoff can introduce cost and waste into the supply chain.
    • Simplicity, certainty, and cost require trade-offs. Shippers cannot always maximize all three, and priorities may shift depending on market conditions and business needs.
    • Certainty has real financial value. Predictable transportation can reduce safety stock, labor inefficiencies, expedited freight, downtime, and operational disruption.
    • Technology should simplify good processes—not automate bad ones. AI can improve data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision support, but automation alone cannot fix a broken process.
    • Human judgment still matters. Technology is powerful for routine work and identifying risk, but people remain essential for exception management, customer relationships, and complex decisions.
    • The people closest to the work often understand the problems best. Respect for people remains a foundational lean principle and an important leadership discipline.

    If your transportation strategy still begins with rates, modes, or available capacity, this conversation offers a different way to think. David Ivan brings the perspective of both a longtime transportation buyer and logistics provider to show why successful logistics starts with understanding the business problem, reducing friction, and creating outcomes customers can actually rely on.

    Tune in to learn how lean thinking, smarter use of technology, greater certainty, and customer-focused transportation strategies can help organizations reduce waste while turning logistics into a competitive advantage. 

    Additional Resources & Links: 

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/less-waste-better-outcomes-rethinking-transportation-1637

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  25. The Buzz: AI at Scale, Panama Canal Risk, and the Future of IBP

    54 minEpisodio 1636

    Supply chains are facing pressure from every direction, from inflation and shifting consumer behavior to climate-driven disruption and rapidly evolving AI capabilities. For leaders, the challenge isn’t simply …

    Notas del episodio

    Supply chains are facing pressure from every direction, from inflation and shifting consumer behavior to climate-driven disruption and rapidly evolving AI capabilities. For leaders, the challenge isn’t simply keeping up. It’s figuring out where to focus, how to make faster and better decisions, and how to turn emerging technology into measurable business value.

    In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton and special guest co-host Tanzil Uddin with Manifest are joined by Dheera Anand, Partner at Bain & Company, to unpack some of the biggest forces shaping supply chain today. They explore the latest challenges at the Panama Canal, changing consumer behavior, and lessons in regional resilience from APAC before diving deep into AI and supply chain transformation.

    Dheera shares practical examples of how organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and “pilot fatigue” to create real operational value. The conversation also explores high-frequency decision-making, the importance of choosing the right AI applications, and how AI could reshape integrated business planning through faster scenario planning, continuous monitoring, and an “always-on” approach to IBP.

     

    Key Takeaways
    • Predictability and visibility are critical to resilience. Disruptions such as those affecting the Panama Canal demonstrate why companies need to understand their exposure throughout the supply network, not just at tier one.
    • Consumers are still spending, but they’re becoming more value-conscious. Retailers need greater precision around inventory, working capital, automation, and productivity as economic pressures continue.
    • AI’s greatest value may be in high-frequency decisions. Thousands of small operational decisions can create significant value leakage when humans simply don’t have the capacity to address them all in real time.
    • Moving beyond AI pilot fatigue requires better use-case selection. Leaders should consider data availability, decision frequency, variability, and the consequences of error when determining where AI can deliver scalable value.
    • World-class IBP is a decision process—not a reporting process. Effective IBP should drive decisions, trade-offs, scenario planning, and preparation for what happens when the plan changes.
    • AI could make IBP increasingly “always on.” Faster scenario modeling, automated assumption monitoring, and early-warning signals could move organizations beyond the traditional monthly planning cadence.
    • Not all complexity creates value. Organizations need greater visibility and governance to distinguish complexity that customers value from complexity that adds cost without meaningful return.

     

    Supply chain leaders don’t need more technology experiments; they need practical ways to turn technology, data, and planning into better decisions. Tune in to hear Scott, Tanzil, and Dheera explore how leaders can move beyond AI pilots, strengthen resilience, rethink IBP, and build supply chains that are better equipped to compete in an increasingly complex environment.

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tanzil Uddin, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-scale-panama-canal-risk-future-IBP-1636

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  26. What Have We Learned Thus Far From AskLora.AI?

    53 minEpisodio 1635

    Supply chain performance is still being measured by outdated assumptions. Lora Cecere argues that optimizing individual functions for lower cost does not necessarily improve the business. In fact, it can throw …

    Notas del episodio

    Supply chain performance is still being measured by outdated assumptions. Lora Cecere argues that optimizing individual functions for lower cost does not necessarily improve the business. In fact, it can throw the entire supply chain out of balance. Better performance starts with understanding what is actually feasible within an industry, focusing on the metrics that drive value, and recognizing that supply chains are complex systems that cannot be improved one function at a time.
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Lora Cecere, founder of Supply Chain Insights, and Wael Abdelmalek, CEO at Uthereal, about the research behind Supply Chains to Admire and how that work is being brought into Ask Lora, an AI-enabled benchmarking and advisory platform. They explore why traditional supply chain rankings and generic AI tools can reinforce conventional thinking, how verified research and industry-specific data can create better benchmarks, and why leaders need a more balanced view of growth, operating margin, inventory turns, and return on capital employed when evaluating performance.
     

    Lora and Wael also explain how Ask Lora combines 10 years of research and benchmarking data with a private large language model designed specifically for supply chain decision-making. Rather than serving only as a Q&A tool, users are applying it as a trusted peer to benchmark performance, review strategy documents, pressure-test presentations, compare organizational and technology maturity, and challenge assumptions before taking ideas to leadership.

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Introduction
    (01:14) Meet Lora Cecere, founder of Supply Chain Insights, and Wael Abdelmalek, CEO at Uthereal
    (04:36) Fearless Friday: career leaps and personal risk-taking stories
    (08:04) The origin of Supply Chains to Admire and why "best practices" is a myth
    (14:44) What supply chain leaders still get wrong about cost and performance
    (19:22) What is Ask Lora? Inside the private LLM built on 10 years of research
    (21:30) Private LLMs vs. generic AI: accuracy, guardrails, and the Ethereal partnership
    (28:57) How organizations are using Ask Lora: benchmarking, strategy review, and reports
    (43:57) Pricing tiers, governance, and integration for Ask Lora
    (50:33) Vision for Ask Lora's future and how to connect with Lora and Wael

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/what-have-we-learned-thus-far-asklaura-ai-1635

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  27. Lessons Learned from 50 Years in Leadership in the Transportation World

    53 minEpisodio 1634

    Most transportation companies talk about technology, efficiency, and growth. But after more than 50 years in the industry, the lesson is simpler: people, relationships, and the ability to adapt are what keep a …

    Notas del episodio

    Most transportation companies talk about technology, efficiency, and growth. But after more than 50 years in the industry, the lesson is simpler: people, relationships, and the ability to adapt are what keep a business moving forward.
     

    Scott Luton speaks with Marcia Taylor, owner and CEO of Bennett Family of Companies, about resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of transportation. They explore how Bennett grew from 15 trucks and 30 trailers into a diversified transportation and logistics organization, why listening to customers shaped its expansion, how the company has preserved its family culture through decades of growth, and where AI and emerging technology fit into the future of trucking.

    Marcia explains why diversification helped Bennett navigate changing markets, why AI should support people rather than replace customer and driver relationships, and why leaders must always be developing the next generation. She also shares why professional drivers deserve more recognition, how strong values guide difficult decisions, and why staying close to customers remains one of the best ways to understand what comes next.

     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Introduction
    (03:00) Marcia Taylor on ranch life in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
    (06:27) Inside Bennett Family of Companies: 14 businesses, from freight to aerospace
    (09:31) Why professional drivers are close to Marcia's heart
    (12:58) Taking the helm in 1981 after her husband's sudden passing
    (16:25) The deliberate strategy behind Bennett's diversification
    (24:00) Protecting a family culture built on faith and shared values
    (28:23) Embracing AI without losing the human touch
    (38:58) Leadership lessons: grooming the next generation at Bennett
    (42:54) What people have to understand about truckers
     

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/lessons-learned-50-years-leadership-transportation-world-1634

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  28. The New Rules of Global Supply Chain Strategy

    46 minEpisodio 1633

    Supply chains used to be built primarily around cost and efficiency. Abe Eshkenazi says that era is over. Today’s leaders have to balance AI, resilience, geopolitical risk, talent, cybersecurity, and a level of …

    Notas del episodio

    Supply chains used to be built primarily around cost and efficiency. Abe Eshkenazi says that era is over. Today’s leaders have to balance AI, resilience, geopolitical risk, talent, cybersecurity, and a level of disruption that makes predicting what comes next nearly impossible.
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Abe Eshkenazi, CEO at the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), about how the supply chain profession is changing. From what organizations need to get right before scaling AI, to the reshaping of globalization, the growing importance of optionality, and the evolution of the chief supply chain officer into an enterprise strategist, Abe breaks down the forces redefining supply chain leadership.
     

    Abe explains why AI success depends less on the technology itself and more on data, talent, governance, and strong processes; why globalization is not disappearing but being redrawn around resilience and regionalization; and why supply chain leaders can no longer focus solely on operations. He also shares how ASCM is preparing professionals for jobs that do not yet exist, what leaders can expect from CHAINge 2026, and why his book, “The Chain: Links That Bind Us”, starts the supply chain story with the consumer rather than the factory.
     

    Jump into the conversation:

    (00:00) Introduction
    (02:19) Meet Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of ASCM

    (06:09) AI adoption challenges: data, talent, and governance

    (11:35) Data ownership, the Google–Spirit Airlines deal, and cyber risk

    (14:18) The talent gap and career progression in the AI era

    (17:47) Globalization redrawn: tariffs, resilience, and a multipolar world

    (23:15) Semiconductors, TSMC, and the infrastructure talent gap

    (27:28) How the CSCO role has evolved into an enterprise strategist

    (32:06) What excites Abe most about ASCM in 2026

    (39:10) Abe's new book: "The Chain: Links That Bind Us"

     

    Additional Links & Resources:

     

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/new-rules-global-supply-chain-strategy-1633


     

     


     

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  29. Inside Gallo's Grape-to-Glass Supply Chain

    1 h 4 minEpisodio 1632

    Most wine drinkers picture a boutique vineyard. Andrew Rice says the real story is scale: hundreds of rail cars, thousands of truckloads, and a regulatory maze most consumers never see. In this episode of …

    Notas del episodio

    Most wine drinkers picture a boutique vineyard. Andrew Rice says the real story is scale: hundreds of rail cars, thousands of truckloads, and a regulatory maze most consumers never see.
     

    In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and special guest co-host Wanda Johnson speak with Andrew Rice, senior ERP technical product manager at Gallo, about the wine supply chain. From grape to glass, government regulation and the three-tier system, harvest and weather risk, inventory and aging complexity, and how technology like agentic AI is transforming operations.
     

    Andrew explains why wine supply chain complexity comes down to regulation and aging, how Gallo balances luxury and commercial brands against the unpredictability of nature, why most wine should actually be consumed within one to five years rather than aged indefinitely, and how Gallo's tech-forward culture is helping the company scale one of the world's oldest industries.
     

    Jump into the conversation:
    (00:00) Introduction
    (02:52) Meet Andrew Rice, senior ERP technical product manager at Gallo
    (08:19) What makes the wine supply chain unique: regulation and the three-tier system
    (15:25) From grape to glass: mapping Gallo's supply chain functions
    (24:08) How weather and harvest conditions shape flavor and planning
    (34:10) What surprises people most about the wine industry: it's the scale
    (42:27) The truth about wine and aging: most bottles won't get better with time
    (48:11) How robotics, and agentic AI are transforming Gallo's operations
     

    Additional Links & Resources:

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Wanda Johnson, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/inside-gallos-grape-glass-supply-chain-1632

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  30. The Buzz: From Silicon to Steel - The Supply Chains Behind AI

    55 minEpisodio 1631

    The digital economy may get the headlines, but behind every AI breakthrough, electric vehicle, automated warehouse, and data center is a complex physical supply chain making it possible. In this episode of The …

    Notas del episodio

    The digital economy may get the headlines, but behind every AI breakthrough, electric vehicle, automated warehouse, and data center is a complex physical supply chain making it possible. In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Toyota Automated Logistics, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Gaurav Singh Chaudhary, founder and editor of Silicon and Steel, to explore the infrastructure, materials, energy, and global trade relationships powering some of today’s biggest transformations.

    From Walmart’s massive investment in automated fulfillment to dramatic shifts in the Southern timber industry, Scott, Karin, and Gaurav break down the connections between changing consumer demand, automation, trade policy, and supply chain strategy. They examine the potential impact of semiconductor tariffs on AI infrastructure, why nuclear energy’s fuel supply could become a critical bottleneck, and how AI and EV manufacturers are increasingly competing for the same electronics and manufacturing capacity.

    Along the way, the conversation highlights an important reality: the AI economy isn’t purely digital. Its growth depends on chips, energy, batteries, data centers, manufacturing capacity, logistics networks, and resilient global supply chains.

    Key Takeaways
    • Speed must be designed into the network. Walmart’s next-generation fulfillment investment demonstrates why companies can’t simply compensate for poor network design with more expensive transportation.
    • Automation is changing the nature of warehouse work. As fulfillment processes become increasingly automated, traditional manual roles are giving way to jobs focused on maintaining, operating, and optimizing technology.
    • Supply chains operate on dramatically different timelines. Timber can take decades to mature while demand, tariffs, interest rates, and trade policies can change within months, creating significant challenges for long-term planning.
    • The AI economy has a very physical foundation. Chips, servers, power generation, cooling systems, batteries, and data centers all create supply constraints that can determine how quickly AI infrastructure scales.
    • Nuclear energy presents a supply chain bottleneck. The fuel required by emerging small nuclear reactors creates sourcing and geopolitical risks that extend far beyond simply building more reactors.
    • AI and automotive supply chains are increasingly interconnected. EVs and AI infrastructure compete for electronics, chips, circuit boards, batteries, and manufacturing capacity while AI demand is also creating new opportunities for automotive battery investments.
    • Context turns data into actionable intelligence. Supply chain-specific AI must understand industry terminology, relationships, workflows, and business rules, not simply process general-purpose data.

    Supply chain leaders can no longer look at AI, energy, manufacturing, trade, logistics, and infrastructure as separate conversations. This episode connects the dots between them. Tune in for practical insights into how automation, tariffs, shifting demand, energy constraints, and emerging technologies are reshaping global supply chains and why understanding the physical infrastructure behind the digital economy will be essential for navigating what comes next.

    Additional Links & Resources: 

    This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-from-silicon-to-steel-supply-chains-behind-ai

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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