Vin Vashishta

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…

Execution Is Everything At Manifest 2026, Scott Luton spoke with Aadil Kazmi, Head of AI at Infios, to discuss the next chapter of intelligent supply chain execution. Infios provides an integrated suite of supply chain execution software: order management, warehouse management, and transportation management – all running on a single data model. “When a supply chain runs on a single data model, you can make better decisions,” Kazmi explained. Fragmented systems require expensive data lakes and normalization efforts before even basic BI is possible. An integrated ecosystem simplifies intelligence from the start. For Kazmi, AI is not about flashy demos. But rather, it is about execution. The most advanced technologies mean little if companies cannot execute faster, smarter, and more resiliently in the real world.   Disruption Isn’t Going Away Reflecting on 2025, Kazmi did not sugarcoat reality. Ports closed. Trade wars escalated. Wildfires disrupted domestic production. Shipping lanes tightened. “We don’t believe that supply chain disruptions are going away anytime soon,” he said. Volatility is becoming the baseline, not the exception. But what is changing in 2026 is mindset. Kazmi describes what he calls the “Amazon effect for AI.” Just as Amazon forced retailers to rethink last-mile execution a…