What sweet treat started as banana flavored, moved to vanilla because of a World War II supply chain disruption, and contains an ingredient also found in rocket fuel? It’s the Twinkie!
In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner tells the story of the Twinkie from the heart of the Depression, through two bankruptcies, and to a race to push the limits of artificial ingredients and shelf life. She will dispel some popular urban myths and share facts that are stranger than any of the fictions you thought were true!
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supply chain
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February 9, 2026
What’s New at MODEX 2026 & Why It is a Must Attend Event
As manufacturing and supply chain industries evolve, events like MODEX 2026 are key in connecting professionals, driving innovation, and showcasing trends. With growing demands for efficiency, sustainability, and advanced tech, face-to-face gatherings offer vital opportunities to learn, compare solutions, and build relationships. MODEX stands as one of the largest platforms in North America, uniting exhibitors, educators, and live demos in a way hard to replicate elsewhere. In this episode, Scott W. Luton welcomes Daniel McKinnon, Chief Exhibitions Officer at MHI, for a behind-the-scenes look at MODEX 2026. Daniel discusses how MHI supports the industry year-round through standards, safety, and workforce development, and why face-to-face events remain essential for learning and networking. He also previews what attendees can expect in Atlanta, including how MODEX brings together exhibitors, education, and live demos on a grand scale. They also explore what’s new at MODEX 2026, April 13 to 16 at the Georgia World Congress Center, including free registration, 200+ seminars, keynotes with Richard McPhail, Salim Ismail, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., and MHI Industry Night with Jim Gaffigan. Daniel shares advice for first-timers and returning attendees, from planning meetings to carving out time for networking on the show floor. He also highlights on-site experiences…
innovation
Podcast
December 15, 2025
Building Innovative Supply Chains That Perform Under Pressure
Global supply chains are being reshaped by nonstop disruption, accelerating geopolitical tension, and an unprecedented wave of digital innovation. Organizations are under mounting pressure to build operations that can withstand volatility, scale intelligently, and respond to customers with real-time precision. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Mourad Tamoud, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Schneider Electric from the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit North America 2025, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to build a modern, future-ready supply chain. Drawing on nearly three decades with Schneider Electric across seven countries, Mourad shares how the company has evolved into one of the industry’s most advanced, human-centric global supply chains. Scott and Mourad explore the strategies behind Schneider Electric’s “glocal” operating model, the design principles that enable resilient multi-hub networks, and why end-to-end visibility is essential in today’s environment. They also discuss Schneider Electric’s smart factory journey, the real impact of AI on planning and productivity, and why people remain the foundation of every successful transformation. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and…