Rob Cook

From Grocery Innovator to Global Tech Enabler At Manifest 2026, Scott Luton spent time with David Scheffrahn, Vice President of Sales with Ocado Intelligent Automation, to explore how fulfillment technology is evolving in an era defined by volatility. While Ocado is widely known in the UK and Europe for its e-commerce grocery leadership, Scheffrahn explained that the company’s North American focus is different. Over 25 years of building its own advanced grocery e-commerce and fulfillment operations, Ocado developed a powerful technology stack to drive efficiency. “What we’ve done in the last five years,” he shared, “has taken the tech stack that we built for our own use, and now we’re offering it to other companies to buy and use for their operations.” Today, Ocado supports 3PLs and global brands with end-to-end automation solutions that enable companies to maintain greater control over their omnichannel fulfillment, especially those looking for alternatives to marketplace giants.   Volatility Hasn’t Gone Away When asked about dominant supply chain themes heading into 2026, Scheffrahn was direct: “Volatility has not gone away.” He described 2025 as “a massive shock in the system,” with tariffs and shifting trade policies forcing customers to pause projects and reassess strategy. “Almost…

Supply Chain Now Founder and CEO Scott Luton announced that its “Veteran Voices” podcast will re-launch this year in partnership with two non-profit organizations: The Guam Human Rights Initiative and the Military Women’s Collective. “We’re proud to promote the efforts of these two organizations, as we are all highly aligned in our dedicated mission to serve our veteran community. Both organizations are veteran-led, start-up nonprofits that are doing big things out in the market. They are the perfect partners for ‘Veteran Voices,’” said Luton. As noted on its website, the Guam Human Rights Initiative “is a collaborative research nonprofit seeking to advance human rights on Guam and throughout the Pacific through meaningful and impactful research efforts.” Since its founding in 2021, the Military Women’s Collective is determined “to make an impact in the military nonprofit space by focusing on our women veteran population.” Its mission focuses on empowering homeless and food-insecure women veterans as well as providing coaching, mentorship and support for women veterans who are transitioning out of the military. Mary Kate Soliva, host of “Veteran Voices,” said that she has a special place in her heart for both organizations and the good works they do. She is excited…