In this episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton shares background on three unsung heroes in business history: Olive Ann Beech, Fred Harvey & Bayard Rustin. Learn more about Olive Ann’s contributions to the aviation industry; Fred’s impact on the North American restaurant industry; and Bayard’s impact on society in general, especially the civil rights movement.
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process
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June 3, 2024
Pendulum Shifts in Logistics – From Click-and-Order to Brick-and-Mortar
The secret to mastering retail and e-commerce supply chains is through repeatable, scalable processes and solid partnerships. Join hosts Scott W. Luton and Kim Reuter as they dive deep into the intricacies of retail and e-commerce supply chains with experts Wes Arentson and Tony Thrasher from SPS Commerce. In this episode, you’ll learn why repeatable processes are key to success and how having a well-defined onboarding procedure can prevent you from reinventing the wheel. Wes and Tony will also provide actionable strategies for integrating orders into warehouse management systems (WMS), embracing flexibility in warehouses, and the decision-making process behind building or outsourcing your company’s tech stack. If you’re aiming for a strong foundation in your business operations and want to navigate the complexities of omnichannel retail and inventory management, then this episode is a must-listen.
logistics
Podcast
September 8, 2025
From Brownfield to Breakthrough: Evolving Your Operations with Retrofits
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Deborah Dull welcome Will Mansard and Ahmed Arif of Bastian Solutions for a practical, field-tested conversation on retrofitting brownfield warehouses and the real cost of doing nothing. They frame retrofits as logistical projects first, unpack why so much existing space goes underutilized, and share how to minimize disruption while upgrading live operations. They discuss the playbook that works in the real world: start with discovery and reverse engineering when documentation is thin, build a phased mechanical plan, sequence electrical with quick-connect, preassembled components, and treat controls and software as the heart of the system using emulation and thorough testing. With rules one and two both being “get orders out the door,” they stress contingency planning, speaking the customer’s language, and orchestrating equipment, controls, and software to avoid faults and bottlenecks. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Deborah Dull, 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: Learn more about Bastian Solutions Strategy Guide: Consulting Strategies for Warehouse Distribution Operations Learn more about the Hercules Sealing Products…