Alex Shumway-Jones

A British logistician is credited with coining the term “supply chain management” in the early 1980s, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that the world became familiar with such aspects of supply chain operations as logistics, inventory and supplier management, and procurement. The influence of supply chain leaders also has grown with the understanding of the importance of the supply chain in the global economy. Supply chain management is a complex field with many moving parts, and the need for accurate and reliable information is more crucial than ever. Industry leaders help facilitate discourse and spur innovation to shape the future of the supply chain. In this article, we highlight five of these supply chain leaders, showcasing their extensive expertise and experience in the industry and what they are planning for the future. Making Moves: Five Supply Chain Leaders on the State of the Industry 2024 has been an exciting year so far. The OSRA 2022 ruling went into effect to better regulate demurrage and detention charges; Chinese e-commerce businesses are heating up the airfreight industry; and in dire contrast, the U.S. trucking industry continues to struggle through a lengthened lean patch. In an increasingly volatile ecosystem, the industry…

Zebra Robotics Automation is revitalizing AMR-assisted picking to optimize fulfillment efficiency and productivity with up to 30% fewer robots need in comparison to legacy systems. Their innovative approach can help significantly lower your cost per unit by combining workers and robots into a streamlined partnership that increases throughput without sacrificing performance rates, accuracy or reliability. Maximize AMR-assisted picking efficiency with Zebra’s three-fold strategy: Balanced Utilization: Use low-cost carts for buffering instead of extra robots or labor, reducing costs. Increased Capacity: Carts boost pick density and eliminate AMR wait times, handling 150-300% more items while cutting robot needs by up to 30%. Optimized Workflows: Seamless coordination ensures every picker and robot stays productive—no idle time, no wasted effort.   Download the “Unlocking Fulfillment Potential” eBook here to learn more