Supply Chain Now Radio

From saving time, cutting costs, and enhancing efficiency to mitigating errors, relieving workforce pressures, and reducing employee turnover, technology adoption can pay dividends when it comes to freight auditing.In this unique episode of Supply Chain Now, we’re joined by two companies that have worked together to realize the benefits that technological innovation can bring to the freight auditing table.With Ecolab having undergone its own highly successful transformation journey, Natalie Rekow, Senior Logistics Manager, Transportation Admin, Cost Performance and Freight Payment, offers up her firsthand experiences on the differences that embracing key solutions can make.Alongside her is Shannon Vaillancourt, President and Founder of RateLinx – the partner enterprise that stepped in to support Ecolab during its process optimization venture – who provides a window of insight looking at exactly what’s involved in moving from a manual to technology-driven operation.Tune into this insightful discussion on freig

As businesses strive to adapt to an increasingly digital world, the industrial metaverse is emerging as a powerful tool for achieving competitive advantage. From Caterpillar's virtual reality lab to Microsoft's integration of generative AI in supply chain management, organizations worldwide are embracing the industrial metaverse to drive innovation and enhance decision-making. In this new episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, join hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson in an engaging exploration of the industrial metaverse and its profound impact on various industries. From revolutionizing product development to optimizing supply chain management, discover how businesses are leveraging this transformative technology to drive innovation and achieve extraordinary outcomes.Listen in and learn:Exactly what the industrial metaverse is, its benefits, and practical applicationsHow the industrial metaverse strengthens teams by enabling seamless collaboration and empowering individuals to make faster

The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week's episode of The Buzz, host Scott Luton welcomes Tandreia Belamy back to Supply Chain Now, now as an official Supply Chain Now co-host! Together they discuss:How the Red Sea attacks are affecting all kinds of supply chains- including teddy bears!Closing the warehouse labor gapHow the manufacturing industry is working to interest high schoolersWhat is causing huge headaches for the world's biggest chip suppliersKey takeaways from MODEXAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comLearn more about National Supply Chain Day: https://supplychainnow.com/nscdWEBINAR- Exploring Rebate Strategies in Supply Chain Partnerships: https://bit.ly/48KmfAvWEBINAR- Building an Antifragile Supply Chain: Dr. Sch

Cybersecurity is a global issue impacting almost every industry. Staggeringly, it’s estimated that cybercrime cost the world $8 trillion in 2023 – a figure exceeding the annual GDP of every country barring the USA and China.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson sit down with Allison Giddens, Co-President of Win-Tech, Inc., an aerospace manufacturer, to discuss the critical intersection between cybersecurity and manufacturing.Conversations begin with a focus on risk prioritization, with Giddens explaining the manufacturers need to start with the computers in their front office before worrying about the threats facing their connected equipment. “We’re telling manufacturers, hey, you need to know how to run a marathon and they don't even know how to walk a 5K,” she states.Discussions then turn to the importance of multi-factor authentication, the need to balance investments in both people and technology, the criticality of understanding cyber even whe

Why is it time to treat maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) as a first-class citizen? How can these processes be properly optimized? What makes business leaders hesitate to adopt new technologies?To discuss this, and a whole lot more, not one, but two experts from Verusen joined hosts Scott Luton and Mary Kate Love for this episode of the Supply Chain Now, with Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Paul Noble alongside Senior Manager of Product Management Danny Ramos in the hotseat.Paul has just returned from Las Vegas from the SAP Innovation Days for Supply Chain conference, and kicks things off by highlighting some of the key themes that he and other attendees discussed on the ground. Chief among them is the supply chain tech stack and the ways organizations are seeking to unify systems, and how MRO is being folded into these transformational strategies.This is important, the duo say, because MRO is essential to running businesses effectively. “You can’t produce a product if you’re uncertain of what’s ha

The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week's episode of The Buzz, host Scott Luton introduces new Supply Chain co-host Kim Reuter to the show. Together they discuss:A delay in the $5B Rivian Plan in GeorgiaHow consumer prices continue to riseThe Taylor Swift economic impactAssessing supply chain risk at ZaraSoftware that enables seafood tracing from catch to saleAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWEBINAR- Navigating Logistics Disruptions with Advanced Technology and Automated Collaboration: https://bit.ly/42KfZazWEBINAR- Exploring Rebate Strategies in Supply Chain Partnerships: https://bit.ly/48KmfAvWEBINAR- Building an Antifragile Supply Chain: Dr. Schär’s Climb to Inventory Excellence: https://bit.ly/3Pc7wanThis episode is

Who's ready to celebrate the amazing supply chain professionals who keep the world connected? The ladies of Supply Chain Now, Mary Kate Love, Amanda Luton, and Katherine Hintz, take over the podcast in today's episode, as they look forward to the upcoming National Supply Chain Day on April 29th!Listen in and learn more about:The genesis of National Supply Chain Day and the reasons behind the mission of celebrating the crucial role supply chain professionals play in the global workforce, economy, and marketplaceThe importance of supply chains in various sectors, including e-commerce, disaster relief, healthcare, and manufacturing.The special National Supply CHain Day livestream on Monday, April 29th at 12 Noon ETAnd how you can be a part of the National Supply Chain Day celebration!Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about National Supply Chain Day: https://supplychainnow.com/nscdJoin our National Supply Chain Day livestream: https://bit.ly/3VedefQLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainn

In the latest episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton and guest Mike Griswold from Gartner discuss a variety of topics including the impact of the pandemic on smaller suppliers, the transformation of Macy's, the use of AI in supply chain optimization, and the importance of networking and continuous learning in supply chain careers. Listen in as Scott and Mike emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs, investing in smaller suppliers, and improving visibility in the supply chain. Mike also highlights the need for supply chain professionals to have a clear career path and to be open to lateral moves to gain necessary skills and experiences.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWEBINAR- Navigating Logistics Disruptions with Advanced Technology and Automated Collaboration: https://bit.ly/42KfZazWEBINAR- Exploring Rebate Strategies in Supply Chain Partnerships: https://bit.ly/48KmfAvWEBINAR- Building an Antifragile Supply Chain: Dr. Schär’

Join us today for the Digital Transformers edition of The Buzz, Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream! Held at 12 noon ET each week, The Buzz focuses on some of the leading stories from global business and global supply chain, always featuring special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week's episode of The Buzz, hosts Scott Luton, Kevin L. Jackson, and Mary Kate Love discussed a variety of news stories and topics including:The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chainsThe importance of digital transformation in business to business (B2B) companiesThe reduction of veteran homelessnessListen in as the hosts highlight the benefits of AI in improving global visibility, reporting, and forecasting accuracy in supply chains, the need for B2B companies to adapt to digital transformation to enhance customer retention and satisfaction, and the significance of the decrease in veteran homelessness, attributing the success to collaboration among local, state, and national e

Our Supply Chain Leadership Across Africa series continues in earnest with a fascinating discussion around the proposition of using drone technology for social good.In this episode, hosts Scott Luton welcomes Prashant Yadav to the show, a globally recognized expert in healthcare supply chains and affiliate professor at global business school INSEAD, where he leads the Africa Initiative. Prashant is something of a media virtuoso, having appeared in prominent publications such as The Economist and Financial Times to share his expertise.Sitting alongside Prashant is Olivier Defawe of VillageReach, a global nonprofit that transforms healthcare delivery to reach everyone by working with partners to build responsive primary healthcare systems that deliver health products and services to the most under-reached.A key priority for both guests centers around realizing the immense potential for drones to unlock healthcare access, supply chain optimization, and socioeconomic development across the African continent.Durin

Host Scott W. Luton adapts his weekly Midweek Market Rundown from social media into today's Monday Market Rundown podcast episode! Listen in as Scott shares industry news, data, and factoids in today's episode. Learn more about what's new in automotive manufacturing, how Walmart's efforts in making their eCommerce business more efficient are going, what a 40% increase in permits for single family homes means for the housing market, the astronomical price tag the banking industry and others are facing as they face upgrading outdated tech infrastructure, and so much more!Be sure to follow Scott Luton on LinkedIn and Twitter to catch i=his normal Mid-week Market Rundown!Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWEBINAR- Navigating Logistics Disruptions with Advanced Technology and Automated Collaboration: https://bit.ly/42KfZazWEBINAR- Exploring Rebate Strategies in Supply Chain Partnerships: https://bit.ly/48KmfAvWEBINAR- Building an Antifragile Supply Chain:

The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week's episode of The Buzz, host Scott Luton and co-host Billy Taylor welcome special guest, CEO & President of World Emblem, Randy Carr, to the show. Together they discuss:An update on the status of manufacturing growth in the USHow the Biden administration is embracing onshoringCarr's own experience with nearshoring with his company, World EmblemAnd so much more!Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about World Emblem: https://www.worldemblem.com/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWEBINAR- Navigating Logistics Disruptions with Advanced Technology and Automated Collaboration: https://bit.ly/42KfZazWEBINAR- Exploring Rebate Strategies in Supply Chain Partnerships: https://bit.ly/48KmfAvWEBINAR- Building an An

Everybody's favorite socks come with quite the impact. Operating from a one-purchased, one-donated model, Bombas has made 50 million donations to homeless shelters since their start in 2013. They've also got 3,500 giving partners across the U.S - and another 4,000 on the waitlist. So who better to give pointers on how to get up and running with charitable giving than Bombas VP of Community and Giving Kelly Cobb? As we look forward to the 100th episode of Logistics with Purpose, tune into this crossover episode and learn more about the Bombas mission and how it has evolved - and stay for the invaluable best practices that can help you activate your company's charitable purpose.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWEBINAR- Data-Driven Decision Making in Logistics: https://bit.ly/49lt102WEBINAR- Navigating Logistics Disruptions with Advanced Technology and Automated Collaboration: https://bit.ly/42KfZazThis episode is hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi P

Allen Jacques knows a thing or two about the world of life sciences and the various nuances that characterize the medical and pharmaceutical supply chains. Today, he serves as a Thought Leader at Kinaxis, a cloud-powered supply chain insight platform which combines human intelligence with AI and concurrent planning to help companies plan for the future, monitor risks and opportunities, and keep up with the speed of change.In this episode, sponsored by Microsoft, Allen sits down with hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson to offer his take on a range of trends, issues, opportunities, and challenges relating to supply chains, drawing on his experience from the biopharma world.Listen in and learn more about the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry- including manufacturing challenges, regulatory constraints, and how these contribute to lengthy lead times- and how technology is helping supply chain professionals within the sector. Allen highlights the evolution of various digital and AI-powered solutions in

The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week's special episode of The Buzz, host Scott Luton and guest host Kristi Porter with Vector Global Logistics and Logistics with Purpose welcome three very special guests: Yaroslav Hnatusko with Restore Ukraine, Oksana Butrameeva with Mama Plant a Tree, and Vicki Bachmann with MATTER.Listen in and learn more about the incredible work our guests are doing to contribute to humanitarian efforts and aid to Ukraine, and how you can embody our mission, 'Deeds, not words,' dig in, and help.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Restore Ukraine: https://restore-ukraine.org/Learn more about Mama Plant a Tree: https://www.mamaplantatree.com/Learn more about MATTER: https://www.matter.ngo/Get involved! Check out Leveraging Logistics & Suppl

Never has such a bright spotlight been shone on the supply chain as a vital strategic component of business success. The industry is undergoing significant transformation across several key areas, from digitalization to sustainability and building resiliency.Sitting down with John Wharff, Senior Sales Engineering Manager at EasyPost, we walk through five critical aspects that organizations must focus on addressing, solving, and optimizing to futureproof their supply chain strategies in 2024 and beyond.1. Sustainability: Sustainability is no longer a competitive advantage, but an expectation. So, how can companies most successfully embrace sustainable supply chain practices?2. Returns: According to the National Retail Federation, returns for 2023 totaled 743 billion. So, how can companies make the returns process more efficient and cost effective?3. Reliability: How can we best improve the performance and reliability of our supply chains, and what performance standards and metrics are both realistic and achiev

Joining us for this new episode of Supply Chain Now is Mike Griswold, Vice President of Research for Retail at Gartner. Here, we discuss Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2024 – a list of key innovations that can help organizations accelerate towards their business goals in the fast-evolving age of AI. Of these 10, Griswold deep dives into the three that he believes supply chain professionals and supply chain organizations need to be most aware of:#1 – Sustainable Technology: With customers paying ever greater attention to DE&I, environmental and governance practices, one wrong step could have catastrophic consequences. So, how can technologies play a role in enhancing sustainability practices and ensuring enterprises don’t end up in the limelight for the wrong reasons?#2 – Democratized Generative AI: Goldman Sachs reports that investment in AI globally should approach $200 billion just by 2025. So, how can everyone leverage AI to achieve more and be more successful, not just the technologi

The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week's episode of The Buzz, hosts Scott Luton and Allison Giddens discuss some of the top news stories and trends in supply chain and industry today. Listen in and learn more about:Frontline workers and the burden they bearThe allegations that management at Boeing have been placing priorities on speed of production and profits over safety and qualityThe report that sources within US intelligence are saying that Russia is attempting to build a nuclear space weapon to take out satellites that area critical to our modern way of lifeThe intersection of supply chain, greater industry, global trade shifts and politics- and Mexico becoming the US' top trading partner recentlyAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://su

How is data helping to transform the supply chains connecting the dots in the African healthcare market? How are technology providers and analytics specialists working with medical and development to bring cutting-edge capabilities to the frontline where it is needed most?Joining us on this episode of the podcast are two experts with their ears to the ground.Director of VillageReach’s Global Technical Team and experienced health supply chain expert Tapiwa Mukwashi is our first guest. On a day-to-day basis, Tapiwa ensures VillageReach’s various teams across Sub-Saharan Africa have the technical assistance they need to do their jobs, working closely with vendors such as data analytics company Kapsule to do just that. David Chen, Kapsule’s Co-CEO and Co-Founder, also joins us to explain how.During the conversation, the duo highlight the progress made but emphasize the need for more mature modeling and professionalization of the supply chain to better underpin African healthcare networks. Here, the importance of

Joining Scott Luton and special guest host Will Chu in today's episode of Supply Chain Now are two supply chain supremos in the form of Patrick Leblond, Director of Supply Chain Systems and Process Optimization at GAF, and his colleague Derek Heer, Supply Chain Systems & Process Optimization Manager.GAF is North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, with over 4,000 employees and 35 manufacturing operations spread across 27 locations in the US.Due to this formidable footprint, its supply chain is extremely multifaceted and nuanced, and it is Patrick and Derek’s job to ensure operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. This involves careful management and curation of a technology stack made up of different systems and software that sings in harmony. For example, a major priority for them right now is warehouse optimization, a multi-year project which involves the modernization of a legacy WMS platform.Patrick and Derek also spend a lot of time collaborating with and providing