Supply chain benchmarking has been evolving rapidly, but the biggest shifts in driving true organizational value may still be unfolding. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Lora Cecere (Founder of Supply Chain Insights), are joined by Dave Winstone (Global Director, Supply Chain Excellence at Dow) and Wael Abdelmalek (CEO of Uthereal). Together, they explore what it truly means to define and measure supply chain excellence, moving from rigid historical spreadsheets to data-driven, dynamic benchmarking and human-AI partnership. The panel highlights how 32 top-performing companies outperformed the market by focusing on metrics that correlate directly to market cap rather than a simple popularity contest. Dave draws on nearly four decades of global leadership to make the case for focusing on portfolio rationalization and network design while bypassing traditional distractions like massive ERP implementations. Meanwhile, Wael shares how agentic AI platforms can condense 15 years of industry-leading research into minutes, creating a powerful learning engine that works alongside humans to scale organizational insights. The guests share the core operational pillars that separate top performers from the rest of the market: leadership alignment, clear strategic direction, customer focus, and balanced performance scorecards. By embracing data objectivity and the…

In today’s episode of Supply Chain Now, we discuss the critical role of truck drivers in the supply chain, representing nearly 73% of freight delivery in the United States, as we celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost!! Today, hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson welcome special guest Kevin Lawton, Founder & Host of The New Warehouse podcast. Listen in as Scott and ‘Team Kevin” explore: The current state of the freight economy, highlighting the challenges faced by industry professionals amid a prolonged slump in freight pricing The significant concerns raised by the largest rail industry labor union regarding the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which may significantly impact safety practices and workforce environments Truck Driver Appreciation Week, acknowledging the essential role that truck drivers play in the supply chain and the pressures they endure, as evidenced by survey data revealing their dissatisfaction The ramifications of the current freight market dynamics on operational efficiency, underscoring the necessity for innovation and adaptability in logistics Emerging trends in warehouse technology, particularly the integration of computer vision to improve operational efficiency Join us as we advocate for a greater appreciation of professional truck drivers,…