In the energy sector, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. As the world faces urgent environmental challenges, the energy industry plays a critical role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting a cleaner future. Sustainable practices are not only essential for environmental stewardship but also for ensuring long-term resilience and competitiveness in an evolving market. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, Scott Luton and his co-host Kevin L. Jackson are joined by Dwight Jacobs, the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Chief Procurement Officer at Duke Energy. They delve into various aspects of the intersection between supply chain procurement, technology, and sustainability within the energy sector. Dwight shares insights from his journey at Duke Energy, emphasizing the importance of a people-centric approach and servant leadership in driving success. He reflects on Duke Energy’s mission to power communities and discusses the evolving role of technology in achieving sustainability goals, such as transitioning to net zero carbon emissions. Join us for this conversation that covers a range of topics, from the role of procurement in organizational success to the impact of technology on decision-making processes. Listen in as Dwight highlights Duke Energy’s initiatives, including supplier development…

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter welcome Bobby Holland, Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, and Heather Shilt, Director, Global Logistics at Fortive, to unpack Q3 2025 findings from the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index, one of the industry’s most referenced trucking indicators, informed by tens of billions in transactions. The panel explores why volumes are down even as costs rise, how tariffs and manufacturing softness are reshaping regional performance, and where rate pressure and capacity tightness are showing up first. Together, they dig into nine key takeaways from the national and regional views (West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast): most significant sequential gains in the West in four years, persistent softness in the Southwest, and mixed signals elsewhere as consumer demand, housing starts, and labor dynamics tug the market in different directions. From shipper playbooks (carrier-mix depth, lane-level cost vigilance, and alternate modes) to practical watch-outs for Q4 and early 2026, this data-driven conversation equips operators to trend, plan, and pressure-test their assumptions in a volatile environment. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Kim Reuter, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional Links…