Today we’re diving into the multifaceted dynamics of the global supply chain landscape, emphasizing the pivotal role of leadership and workforce management within this intricate system. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost! Hosts Scott Luton and Koray Kose welcome special guest Katie Date with Manifest to discuss: The implications of recent workforce surveys, revealing that a significant proportion of employees express discontent with their managerial relationships The critical understanding that effective leadership in supply chain management can either catalyze or hinder operational efficiency The influence of artificial intelligence in optimizing supply chain processes, positing it as a transformative force that can enhance decision-making and operational agility The importance of adaptability and proactive engagement with emerging technologies, advocating for a shift from reactive to proactive supply chain strategies to ensure resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving marketplace Join us today as we focus on leadership development and technological integration as essential components of modern supply chain management.   This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Koray Kose, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show:   With That Said…

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter welcome Bobby Holland, Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, and Heather Shilt, Director, Global Logistics at Fortive, to unpack Q3 2025 findings from the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index, one of the industry’s most referenced trucking indicators, informed by tens of billions in transactions. The panel explores why volumes are down even as costs rise, how tariffs and manufacturing softness are reshaping regional performance, and where rate pressure and capacity tightness are showing up first. Together, they dig into nine key takeaways from the national and regional views (West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast): most significant sequential gains in the West in four years, persistent softness in the Southwest, and mixed signals elsewhere as consumer demand, housing starts, and labor dynamics tug the market in different directions. From shipper playbooks (carrier-mix depth, lane-level cost vigilance, and alternate modes) to practical watch-outs for Q4 and early 2026, this data-driven conversation equips operators to trend, plan, and pressure-test their assumptions in a volatile environment. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Kim Reuter, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional Links…