From manufacturing data and AI adoption to workforce trends and the evolving role of women in industry, supply chain leaders are navigating a fast-changing landscape. In this episode of The Buzz, hosts Scott Luton and Karen Betancourt break down the latest global supply chain news and welcome Tracy Hyatt Bosman of Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company to explore how economic signals, workforce dynamics, and site selection strategies are shaping the future of manufacturing and logistics. Buckle up and join us for this week’s insights and conversations — welcome to The Buzz powered by Project44! This episode dives into the latest developments impacting global supply chains, including new data on U.S. manufacturing performance, the rapid rise of AI in factory operations, and the workforce dynamics influencing site selection and economic development. The conversation also highlights Women’s History Month, explores real-world examples of supply chain and marketing alignment, and examines how emerging technologies and shifting economic signals are reshaping industry strategy. Tune in and learn: What the latest U.S. manufacturing data signals about jobs, tariffs, and production costs How manufacturers are deploying AI to improve productivity, quality, and resilience Why workforce availability and skills remain the biggest factor in manufacturing site selection…

Joining us for this 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 technologists? What are the risks, and what are the opportunities? #3 – Augmented Connected Workforce: One of the biggest challenges facing the supply chain industry is attracting and retaining top talent. So, what role can technologies play in improving competency…