John Conte

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with RD Deshmukh, Chief R&D Officer at ID Logistics US, to explore how supply chains must evolve to keep pace with a rapidly shifting retail and e-commerce landscape. From AI deployment to warehouse design and customer expectations, RD offers a clear message: the old playbook no longer applies; and those who fail to adapt risk falling behind quickly.   A “Day-One” Mindset for Continuous Change Drawing from his experience at Amazon, RD emphasizes the importance of maintaining a “DayOne” mindset, which is one rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and constant reinvention. “Be curious, be innovative… the day you’re not curious, it will kill you,” he explains. In today’s environment, where disruption is constant, this mindset isn’t optional. It’s essential. Leaders must prepare their teams not just to respond to change, but to expect it. As RD puts it, the only certainty is that “tomorrow is going to change.” This philosophy underpins how ID Logistics approaches innovation, engineering, and customer solutions; always with an eye toward flexibility and resilience.   AI: Start with the Problem, Not the Technology While artificial intelligence continues to dominate industry conversations, RD cautions against rushing into implementation without…

Supply chain technology is a hot commodity. Venture capital investments in supply chain tech and technology-based logistics companies have totaled an estimated $15.4 billion in 2024, and more than 150 supply chain startups have been acquired in the last two years as logistics companies work to leverage cutting-edge technology to improve their services. According to a Kearney report, the biggest capital infusions have been in delivery technology, warehouse automation, and supply chain digitization and artificial intelligence (AI), and the investments are paying off. “Quite simply, the more you invest, the better you get at monetizing breakthrough innovation.” Freight brokerages, in particular, are looking to technology to help set them apart – or stay in business. Brush Pass Research reported there are 17.5% fewer active freight brokerages today than there were two years ago. Three Supply Chain Startups to Know StartUs Insights identified the top nine supply chain innovations and trends for 2025: AI Internet of Things (IoT) Flexible supply chains Big data and analytics Robotics Supply chain sustainability Supply chain traceability Last-mile delivery Cybersecurity   “The supply chain has several variables that hinder its efficiency, including globalization, government regulations, pandemics, international transportation costs, increasing competition, and more,” StartUs said of…