“The question became one of who owned the streets. Today we think of streets as a place for cars. Back then, however, ownership was in transition at best – if anything – the streets belonged to pedestrians.”
– Kelly Barner, Dial P for Procurement
In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner remembers key innovations, inventions, and firsts that took place between August 2nd and the 6th. In our main story, we learn about the installation of the first electric traffic light and how the road went from being the domain of pedestrians to a throughway for cars. We’ll also learn about the release of the TRS-80 personal computer by Radio Shack and the establishment of the first Federal income tax.
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In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Deborah Dull welcome Will Mansard and Ahmed Arif of Bastian Solutions for a practical, field-tested conversation on retrofitting brownfield warehouses and the real cost of doing nothing. They frame retrofits as logistical projects first, unpack why so much existing space goes underutilized, and share how to minimize disruption while upgrading live operations. They discuss the playbook that works in the real world: start with discovery and reverse engineering when documentation is thin, build a phased mechanical plan, sequence electrical with quick-connect, preassembled components, and treat controls and software as the heart of the system using emulation and thorough testing. With rules one and two both being “get orders out the door,” they stress contingency planning, speaking the customer’s language, and orchestrating equipment, controls, and software to avoid faults and bottlenecks. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Deborah Dull, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Learn more about Bastian Solutions Strategy Guide: Consulting Strategies for Warehouse Distribution Operations Learn more about the Hercules Sealing Products…
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Three Ways to Optimize Your Supply Chain Risk Management
In this new episode of Whiteboard Wisdom on Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton and special guest Patrick Van Hull dive into the critical topic of supply chain risk management. They explore three essential capabilities to optimize risk management strategies: due diligence, continuous monitoring, and executive reporting. Summary: Listen in as Patrick emphasizes the importance of understanding and preparing for various risks, including geopolitical, cyber, and environmental factors, and shares insights from industry surveys highlighting the significant financial impacts of supply chain disruptions. The discussion also covers the necessity of building risk intelligence and operational resilience to ensure business continuity in the face of adverse events. This episode is a must-watch for supply chain professionals looking to enhance their risk management practices and drive competitive advantage.