Glen Gilmore

At Manifest 2026, Scott Luton shared a cup of coffee with Max Garland, Senior Reporter at Supply Chain Dive, an Informa TechTarget publication, for a boots-on-the-ground perspective from one of the industry’s most plugged-in observers. Garland covers freight, logistics, retail fulfillment, and parcel delivery: the parts of the supply chain where strategy meets reality. And after a bruising 2025, he sees an industry that’s not just reacting anymore. It’s recalibrating.   From Plan B to Plan D If 2025 had a theme, Garland says it was contingency planning. “Last year was when a lot of companies were putting together those Plan B’s, Plan C’s, and Plan D’s,” he explained, pointing to tariff upheaval and shifting trade policy that forced leaders into constant reaction mode. Companies prioritized flexibility: diversifying sourcing, adjusting procurement strategies, and preparing for fires wherever they might spark. In 2026, that flexibility remains. But the tone has shifted. Now companies are “firming up their plans, fine-tuning, making sure those back-up plans are cost-effective as well.” It’s no longer just about avoiding disruption; it’s about operating efficiently within it. In other words, supply chain leaders aren’t just jumping over candlesticks anymore (like Jack from the old nursery rhyme). They’re…

Turn data into insight – map, monitor, and mitigate fortced labor risks across your value chain. Since the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) went into effect in 2022, sub-tier supply chain visibility has become an increasingly critical and ubiquitous prerequisite for import compliance. Automotive companies, due in no small part to their highly complex supply chains, are among the hardest hit by this requirement of anti-forced labor and ESG regulations. A recent study by Sayari analysts found that 95% of leading OEMs’ exposure to forced labor risk comes from sub-tier suppliers. The ability to identify and mitigate risks throughout their value chains is critical for OEMs aiming to minimize operational disruptions, avoid detentions, and maintain competitive advantage. Download the report to learn how Sayari is overcoming barriers to supply chain visibility, enabling OEMs to map their sub-tier supply chains, identify indirect exposure to forced labor risk, and foster greater supply chain resilience in an increasingly dynamic trade landscape. DOWNLOAD NOW