The pace of change in global supply chains isn’t slowing down — and on this week’s episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Marty Parker are back to break down the headlines, trends, and real-world implications leaders need to watch. From winter storms in metro Atlanta to rising cost pressures and workforce challenges, this episode cuts through the noise to explore what’s shaping supply chain strategy in 2026 and beyond. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EPG! Scott and Marty welcome featured guest, Heidi Benko, VP Product Management and Strategy for Infor Nexus, to join in diving into the biggest stories impacting supply chains today — and what they mean for operators, planners, and executives alike. Together, they discuss: Why analysts are forecasting a challenging year ahead for the automotive industry and what slow post-pandemic recovery means for manufacturers How the American Logistics Aid Network continues to meet urgent needs — and the growing impact of the “Never Normal” leadership series How Walmart is using AI-driven tools to boost performance during extreme weather events New survey data revealing how tariffs are driving up costs, fueling layoffs, and raising recession concerns across the industry The growing skills gap in…

Never has such a bright spotlight been shone on the supply chain as a vital strategic component of business success. The industry is undergoing significant transformation across several key areas, from digitalization to sustainability and building resiliency. Sitting down with John Wharff, Senior Sales Engineering Manager at EasyPost, we walk through five critical aspects that organizations must focus on addressing, solving, and optimizing to futureproof their supply chain strategies in 2024 and beyond. 1. Sustainability: Sustainability is no longer a competitive advantage, but an expectation. So, how can companies most successfully embrace sustainable supply chain practices? 2. Returns: According to the National Retail Federation, returns for 2023 totaled 743 billion. So, how can companies make the returns process more efficient and cost effective? 3. Reliability: How can we best improve the performance and reliability of our supply chains, and what performance standards and metrics are both realistic and achievable? 4. Data: How we can access, translate, and use data, not just for better visibility, but to also empower teams with the ability to make more informed decisions? 5. Omnichannel: How important is omnichannel fulfilment, and how can approaches be optimized to cut costs, improve the customer experience, and improve operational…