James L. Heskett

Special Guest Blog Post written by Bart A. De Muynck   The past few years have exposed just how fragile our supply chains can be. From tariff shocks to pandemic disruptions, from inflationary pressures to mounting parcel surcharges, the landscape has shifted beneath our feet. Companies that once managed logistics as a back-office function are now grappling with its role as a front-line business risk.   What’s often missed in this conversation is the role of freight audit and payment (FAP). Long considered a tactical necessity, FAP has quietly become a strategic imperative. And as I explored in the Better Supply Chains Market Radar: Freight Audit & Payment, the companies that treat it that way are the ones best equipped to weather today’s volatility.   Why FAP Has Become Mission-Critical   When tariffs can add 15–20% to input costs almost overnight, or when the elimination of the U.S. de minimis exemption threatens to reshape cross-border e-commerce, companies need more than visibility. They need real-time intelligence and agility.   Traditional FAP approaches—manual audits, siloed spreadsheets, reactive error correction—are no longer sufficient. Modern FAP platforms, powered by AI and advanced analytics, enable shippers to:   Audit with precision at scale, uncovering hidden…

This week on Supply Chain Now, we released our 500th episode, gained key insight into the latest industry news, & heard from featured guests who shared their journeys into supply chain. Make sure you’re up to date on all the latest episodes, interviews, conversations, and livestreams! On Saturday, Brandon Mason, a lead analyst for Eaton’s Global Market Intelligence group shares with Scott his insights into automotive industry trends, including emerging technologies & economic trends.   On Monday, the Supply Chain Now team got together to celebrate 500 episodes and look back on the journey so far.   On Tuesday’s podcast episode, Scott & Greg welcomed Hank Picken and Jeff Picken, the father-son team leading Beaumont Products. Listen up as they share what its like to be part of a family business as well as key insight into manufacturing.   For Veteran’s Day on Wednesday, we featured the Veteran Voices podcast where Scott welcomed Rear Admiral Casey W. Coane, U.S. Navy (Retired) to talk about his military service and the mission he’s on now.     On Thursday, Karin Bursa & Sofia Rivas Herrera joined Scott & Greg on the Supply Chain Buzz. Listen up as they dive into giving forward…