Christine Barnhart

A Legacy Behind the Mission At Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas, Scott Luton sat down with Stefan Groschupf, CEO & Founder of Centrum AI, to discuss how a new generation of technology is being purpose-built for today’s supply chain realities, rather than yesterday’s assumptions. What began with a lighthearted joke about multivitamins quickly turned personal. When Scott quipped that “Centrum” reminded him of a vitamin from the eighties and nineties, Stefan shared the real inspiration behind the name. “My dad… the biggest building he constructed was called Centrum,” he explained. “That was the inspiration. His legacy, a head nod to him.” For Stefan, the company name represents more than branding; it reflects a mission rooted in impact and responsibility.   Designing for Today’s Reality “We’re building a new tech platform for the supply chain industry that is really built on the foundation of the reality today,” Stefan said. That reality includes uncertainty, dirty data, data silos, and geopolitical shifts that are reshaping global trade. He offered a simple example: in many ERP systems, a lead time is entered as a fixed number — say 15 days. “That’s of course nonsense,” Stefan noted. “It’s anywhere between nine days and 18 days……

As logistics leaders look to future-proof their operations, they face a complex landscape filled with critical decisions ranging from navigating supply chain volatility and shifting customer expectations to evaluating fast-changing automation technologies. Successfully planning, designing and implementing large-scale automation solutions requires specialized expertise that many organizations don’t have in-house. This white paper from Bastian Solutions is designed to help you understand how the right consulting partner can make a meaningful difference in the success of your automation initiatives. It outlines the strategic role integration consultants play in optimizing distribution operations and provides practical guidance on how to assess their capabilities—so you can confidently choose a partner that aligns with your goals and complexity.   Why download this guide? Find the right partner – Learn how to evaluate and choose a consulting partner that fits your goals and complexity. Go beyond the tech – Understand why process-focused strategies, not just automation, drive real results. Know what OEMs and traditional consultants miss – See the value of objective, end-to-end expertise that prioritizes your full operation. Leverage data & design – Explore how advanced analytics and simulation tools lead to smarter decisions. Follow a proven roadmap – Use a four-phase framework to confidently…