In this special episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton shares the inspiring business journey of his beloved grandfather: Leroy “Dick” Winton Rutland. Throughout his life, Dick Rutland represented the ‘gold standard’ in terms of professional integrity and action-based, servant leadership. He was a dedicated employee at Winn-Dixie and Kimberly-Clark, providing an example that now lives on – at scale – through Supply Chain Now’s organizational values. Like most people, Dick Rutland was loyal to a few brands – the Solo Cup Company and Buick in particular – and his relationship with their products serve as emblematic reminders of his personal values. Among the key lessons we learn in this week’s episode are:
- Don’t let anything go to waste if you can avoid it, even if it means eating chitlins or handwashing a ‘disposable’ cup
- Strive for balance between work and family, making your own luck and opportunities as you can
- Let your actions speak for themselves, doing the right thing for its own sake, not the attention it may garner
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2026
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January 9, 2026
The Buzz: Supply Chain Predictions for 2026
The future of supply chain is entering a defining chapter, and today, we dig into the signals, shifts, and strategic decisions shaping what’s ahead in 2026. From ongoing trade volatility and labor disruptions to the accelerating role of AI and integrated planning, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what leaders must prepare for now. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EPG! Listen in as hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa break down the most important developments influencing global supply chains — and how leaders can build resilience in the face of constant disruption. They’re joined by special guest Alex Pradhan, Founder of Alchemy Advisors, who brings practical perspective on how organizations are adapting strategy, technology, and decision-making for what’s next. Together, they discuss: Why systemic disruptions — from trade policy shifts and labor unrest to natural disasters — are no longer exceptions, and how leaders must rethink resilience as a core capability Key predictions for 2026, including the normalization of tariff impacts, a potential U.S. manufacturing boom, and the continued maturation of integrated business planning How AI is moving beyond experimentation to accelerate decision-making, supported by a real-world case study from a major beauty brand using AI…