Kevin Heath

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…

Tariffs have the entire world on edge, and the Supply Chain Now hosts are staying abreast of the very latest developments on the tariffs front to share them with listeners. But believe it or not, there’s a lot more going on in the world that affects the supply chain industry than tariffs, and Supply Chain Now is keeping listeners informed about all the topics important to them. Tariffs, Of Course, and Government Regulations The Trump administration has cranked up trade tensions with its 145% tariff on most imports from China and the end of the de minimis exemption that allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter the United States duty-free. The Port of Los Angeles, the United States’ largest maritime gateway, is one of the American powerhouses that has been bracing for the impact. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said on April 24 that he expected within the next two weeks container ship arrivals would “drop by 35% as essentially all shipments out of China for major retailers and manufacturers have ceased, and cargo coming out of Southeast Asia locations is much softer than normal.” At Supply Chain Now, we’re constantly monitoring what’s happening in LA and Washington —…