JP Wiggins

Special Guest Blog Post written by Demostenes (Demo) Perez, Photo by Rikin Katyal   After more than 25 years in logistics and supply chain management and having led over 200 regional distribution projects, I’ve come to realize that the questions people don’t ask are often the most important. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with global multinationals, emerging brands, and family-run businesses. I’ve helped move everything from underground mining equipment to high-fashion goods, from pharmaceuticals and food to toys and chemicals. Some supply chain models I helped design are still thriving today; others were shut down after a few years. Many didn’t even make it past the drawing board. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with logistics professionals from nearly every corner of the world and making lifelong friends in the process. Yet no matter the company size or product type, I still wish more people would ask these five questions before launching or scaling their operations in Latin America: 1. How well do I understand the diversity within Latin America? “Latin America” is often treated as a single market. It’s not. Logistics conditions in Mexico are completely different from those in Brazil. Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Chile…

Key Takeaways from the Supply Chain Now Webinar with Bastian Solutions In today’s fast-changing world of logistics and manufacturing, one truth is clear: there’s no hiding from automation. Whether you’re a global enterprise or a growing regional player, success depends on choosing the right technology—and, just as importantly, the right partner. In a recent Supply Chain Now webinar, The Power of Supply Chain Partnerships, hosts Scott Luton and Marty Parker sat down with Matt Kuper and Bastian Himmeroeder from Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Automated Logistics company, for an in-depth conversation about how to unlock the true potential of automation through strong integrator relationships. Here are a few key takeaways that stood out: 1. Strategic Partnerships Trump One-Off Projects According to Bastian, the age of “one-and-done” automation projects is over. Today’s complexity demands long-term, strategic relationships between companies and their integrators—ones built on transparency, shared values, and a deep understanding of each other’s goals. 2. Culture Fit Matters as Much as Technology Matt emphasized that cultural alignment is the first critical element in selecting an integrator. Shared values, open communication, and mutual respect ensure that the partnership thrives well beyond implementation. 3. Experience and Support Drive Success Choosing a partner with…