The #1 Voice of Supply Chain

La mayoría de los proyectos de automatización en almacenes no fracasan por la tecnología. Fracasan por la forma en que se implementan. En este episodio, Scott W. Luton conversa con Don DeLash, Director de Ventas en Automatización Logística de SICK Sensor Intelligence, sobre lo que realmente se necesita para modernizar las operaciones de un almacén y cómo evitar los errores que arruinan incluso los proyectos con mayor presupuesto. Con más de 25 años de experiencia en gestión de proyectos, finanzas, liderazgo comercial y automatización logística, Don ofrece una perspectiva práctica y sin rodeos. Su mensaje es claro: deja a un lado los discursos de venta y enfócate en el impacto operativo real, con curiosidad y comunicación directa. Juntos describen cómo luce el almacén moderno de hoy, más silencioso, más ordenado y cada vez más poblado por vehículos de guiado automático, robots móviles, montacargas sin operador y sistemas basados en sensores. Don recorre todo el proceso de automatización, desde la planificación y las pruebas piloto hasta la implementación a gran escala y el soporte a largo plazo. También explica cómo elegir los socios adecuados, definir el éxito desde el principio y construir planes flexibles que se adapten a los cambios. La…

The annual release of a major industry index always sparks intense debate, but the true value lies in the core strategies driving the world’s top performers. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by regular co-host Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, and special guest Laura Rainier, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, to break down the defining macro trends from the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2026. The panel explores how leading organizations navigate global volatility by moving past tech experimentation to deliver true enterprise value. They dive into the realities of the autonomous workforce era, detailing how top-tier supply chains prioritize human-machine collaboration and systems thinking over simple digital literacy. Highlighting standout examples like Unilever’s shared forecasting and Schneider Electric’s disciplined process optimization, the discussion illustrates what it takes to build a resilient, network-centric operation. Laura Rainier also addresses critics directly, explaining why qualitative community opinion remains the ultimate “secret sauce” for capturing true excellence, while Mike Griswold wraps up by challenging leaders to leverage the supply chain as a primary engine for strategic growth.   This episode is hosted by Scott W. Luton. Produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda…

Transitioning from military service to a civilian career can feel overwhelming, especially when service members are unsure where to begin or which resources to use. In this episode of the Tango Tango Podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Marine Corps veteran and UPS veteran recruiter Eric Wesolowski to share honest lessons, practical strategies, and firsthand experience from both sides of the hiring process. Eric reflects on his journey from Marine infantryman and sniper team leader to military instructor, reservist, and veteran recruiter. He opens up about leaving active duty without a clear career plan, accepting the first job he could find, experiencing a layoff, and eventually discovering a new career through an unexpected networking connection. Drawing on their combined experience recruiting and supporting veterans, Eric and Lloyd offer actionable guidance for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. They discuss the importance of starting the transition process early, building genuine relationships, using LinkedIn strategically, keeping resumes current, tailoring applications to each position, and approaching recruiters with clear, professional requests. Key Takeaways Why transitioning service members should begin planning well before their final day in uniform How one conversation or coffee meeting can lead to an unexpected career opportunity Why…

Most supply chain discussions get bogged down in hype and theoretical buzzwords. In this episode, they get stripped back to reality. In this debut episode of The Collective on Supply Chain Now, a powerhouse panel of battle-proven commerce veterans comes together to dive deep into the forces currently reshaping the global trade landscape. The panel features Kim Reuter (Chief Advisor and Leader at CSG Consulting), Derreck Travers, Jack Mowreader (Founder & Principal at Ascendant Business Solutions), and Kerry Gibson-Morris (VP of Global Sourcing & Product Development at BDA, LLC). Drawing on their extensive experience building foundational programs at Amazon and scaling operations across air cargo, trucking, luxury retail, and finance, the team breaks down the critical shifts in modern supply chain management and where the industry is heading next. Kerry kicks off the conversation with a frank look at AI in smart sourcing, warning against the trap of treating technology as a total labor replacement rather than a strategic amplifier. She emphasizes the critical need for “checking the checker,” maintaining strict data hygiene, and exercising executive oversight to avoid costly operational mistakes. Jack pivots the focus to the financial volatility of modern trade, breaking down how rapid tariff changes, shifting…

Global supply chains are facing no shortage of complexity from shifting tariffs and changing consumer behavior to rapid advances in artificial intelligence. But having more technology and data does not automatically create a more resilient operation. What matters is how leaders interpret that information and turn it into action. In this episode of The Buzz, host Scott Luton is joined by guest co-host David Shillingford and Shannon Vaillancourt, founder and president of RateLinx. Together, they explore the latest developments affecting global trade, grocery spending, freight operations, supply chain resilience, and AI adoption. The conversation examines why resilience is ultimately a leadership challenge, how poor data can undermine even the most advanced technology, and where human judgment remains essential as organizations automate more decisions. Key Takeaways Why increased tariffs create additional complexity and uncertainty for global trade and supply chain teams How consumer spending pressures, food waste, inflation, and changing purchasing habits may be influencing grocery sales Why supply chain resilience requires action, not simply visibility, risk documentation, or additional technology How experienced leaders use patterns, information, and anticipation to make stronger decisions Why AI often exposes existing data-quality problems rather than creating new ones Which routine supply chain tasks are…

Can businesses help solve one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges? In this episode of Logistics with Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Jesse Langley, CEO of Lotus Sustainables, to explore how innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and supply chain collaboration are reducing our dependence on single-use plastic bags. Jesse shares his remarkable journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to leading a global sustainability company that has already diverted more than 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfills. Together, they discuss why changing consumer behavior is so difficult, the role legislation plays in accelerating sustainability, and how businesses can create products that are better for both people and the planet. The conversation also explores leadership during uncertainty, the power of B Corps and Conscious Capitalism, sustainable innovation, resilient supply chains, and why solving environmental problems starts with building better partnerships. Whether you’re a supply chain professional, sustainability leader, entrepreneur, or simply passionate about creating positive impact, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring ideas for building a better future. In this episode you’ll learn: Why legislation may be the biggest driver of reducing single-use plastics How Lotus Sustainables has diverted over 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfills What…

Freight rates have entered a new phase, and the signals pointing to it have been hiding in plain sight for anyone willing to look past the headlines and into the data. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by Jake Barr, Chris Caplice, Chief Scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics, and Bobby Holland, Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, to dig into the newly launched U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Rates Edition, a joint report combining U.S. Bank’s $46 billion in annual freight payment processing with DAT’s database of more than a trillion in freight market transactions. Chris breaks down why this tightening cycle isn’t the surprise so many transportation executives believe it to be, explaining how capacity, not demand, is the real driver this time around, fueled by driver shortages, tighter regulations, and unprecedented data center build-out. Bobby brings the numbers to life, showing how spot rate movement has historically preceded shifts in contract rates and why shippers should treat that signal as an early warning system rather than an afterthought. The conversation lands on what shippers can actually do about it: stress-testing budgets, segmenting freight into dedicated, contract, and dynamic…

Enterprise technology has long promised to unlock operational potential, but the trade-offs between monolithic ERP systems and fragmented best-of-breed stacks continue to slow organizations down in ways most leaders don’t fully account for. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Wiley Jones (Co-founder at DOSS) are joined by Jindra Zitek(Partner and Head of Scale at Stripes), a former McKinsey consultant and C-level operator whose career spans Chobani, HelloFresh, and a range of board and advisory roles across industry. Together, they unpack what it actually takes to build operations that are truly AI-ready, and why the answer starts with people long before it reaches technology. Jindra draws on firsthand experience leading through hypergrowth and crisis to make the case that both ERP consolidation and best-of-breed ecosystems carry a hidden coordination tax, one that only gets more expensive the longer organizations avoid naming it. He challenges leaders to stop framing AI as a job automation tool and start treating it as a lever for dignity and purpose, giving people the ability to focus on the work that actually requires human judgment. The conversation lands on what separates organizations that experiment successfully from those stuck in pilot purgatory: shared…