Donald Frieson

Execution Is Everything At Manifest 2026, Scott Luton spoke with Aadil Kazmi, Head of AI at Infios, to discuss the next chapter of intelligent supply chain execution. Infios provides an integrated suite of supply chain execution software: order management, warehouse management, and transportation management – all running on a single data model. “When a supply chain runs on a single data model, you can make better decisions,” Kazmi explained. Fragmented systems require expensive data lakes and normalization efforts before even basic BI is possible. An integrated ecosystem simplifies intelligence from the start. For Kazmi, AI is not about flashy demos. But rather, it is about execution. The most advanced technologies mean little if companies cannot execute faster, smarter, and more resiliently in the real world.   Disruption Isn’t Going Away Reflecting on 2025, Kazmi did not sugarcoat reality. Ports closed. Trade wars escalated. Wildfires disrupted domestic production. Shipping lanes tightened. “We don’t believe that supply chain disruptions are going away anytime soon,” he said. Volatility is becoming the baseline, not the exception. But what is changing in 2026 is mindset. Kazmi describes what he calls the “Amazon effect for AI.” Just as Amazon forced retailers to rethink last-mile execution a…

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with Tevon Taylor, Senior Vice President of Contract Logistics at Pegasus Logistics Group, for a candid conversation about what’s really driving success (and failure) in today’s supply chains. From tariffs and AI to warehouse inefficiencies and leadership mindset, Taylor’s perspective cuts through the noise with a simple truth: technology matters, but execution matters more.   Disruption Is the New Normal If there’s one constant in 2026, it’s disruption. Tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting trade lanes are no longer occasional challenges. They’re baked into the system. “You can’t stick to the old methods of running your supply chain. You must constantly find new ways to gain resilience,” Taylor explains. That resilience starts with flexibility. Companies that rely on rigid, linear networks are increasingly vulnerable. Instead, supply chain leaders must rethink how they design and operate their networks. Taylor emphasizes the need for multi-threaded strategies: nearshoring, domestic sourcing, and diversified transportation routes. In short, supply chains must evolve from static systems into adaptable ecosystems.   AI Is More of a Requirement Than a Buzzword While some technologies come and go as industry cliches or flavor of the month, Taylor is clear that artificial…