Supply Chain Now

Latest Episodes:

The Visibility Illusion: Why Seeing the Problem Was Never the Same as Solving It Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Why has three decades of supply chain visibility investment failed to produce meaningful results for the industry?

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Dr. Glenn Richey, Harbert Eminent Scholar at Auburn University, and Matt Brolsma of SPS Commerce, about why visibility tools keep falling short and what actually moves the needle.

Glenn brings ten years of supply chain experience across procurement, manufacturing, and logistics at Scott Paper Company and S.P. Richards, paired with his research at Auburn's Center for Supply Chain Innovation, while Matt works directly with enterprise retailers and distributors at SPS Commerce to translate supplier collaboration challenges into actionable strategy.

The conversation covers why AI can amplify the consequences of bad data, how one retailer recovered $38 million through stronger supplier compliance, and what questions leaders should ask before investing in another visibility platform. Glenn and Matt also explore the link between trusted relationships and trusted data, and why vendor guides deserve more attention.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(06:44) Distinguishing visibility, transparency, and traceability

(12:30) Why 30 years of visibility tools fell short

(18:22) What happens when teams lose trust in the system?

(22:57) Does AI solve or magnify the visibility problem?

(25:40) When AI recommendations go wrong at the port

(30:30) Why visibility tools still leave planners chasing answers

(35:45) Building stronger trading partner relationships

(37:49) Why structured compliance programs outperform

(42:41) How one retailer recovered $38 million

(47:20) What should leaders ask before buying more tech?

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Matt Brolsma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbrolsma/
Learn more about SPS Commerce: https://www.spscommerce.com/
Connect with Robert Glenn Richey, Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennrichey/
Learn more about Auburn University: https://www.auburn.edu/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/visibility-illusion-why-seeing-problem-never-same-solving-1649

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buzz: AI Innovations, Hurricane Disruptions, and Building Resilient Supply Chains Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

From AI investments that fail to deliver results to shifting trade policies and growing supply chain disruptions, today's leaders face mounting pressure to adapt. But what does it really take to turn challenges into opportunities?

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, hosts Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot welcome Dr. Rod Thomas, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas, and Joanna Pachnik, Founder and CEO of BlueClip, for a discussion on the issues shaping global supply chains. From attracting and developing the next generation of supply chain talent to navigating Hurricane-related energy disruptions and USMCA trade uncertainty, the conversation explores how organizations can build greater resilience. The panel also examines the growing role of AI in transportation, procurement, and reverse logistics, why promising technology initiatives often fail to scale, and how leaders can move beyond AI hype to deliver measurable business results.

Key Takeaways:

Developing supply chain talent: Discover three practical strategies for attracting, hiring, and preparing the next generation of supply chain professionals through meaningful internships, university partnerships, and effective onboarding.
Navigating global disruptions: Explore how hurricane-related energy disruptions, rising transportation costs, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding USMCA negotiations are influencing supply chain strategies.
Rethinking supply chain optimization: Learn why companies must move beyond periodic network optimization and continuously evaluate cost, flexibility, and operational resilience.
Preparing for the future of reverse logistics: Examine how growing retail returns, expanding secondary markets, and AI-powered solutions are changing the way businesses manage returns.
Turning AI investments into measurable results: Understand why choosing the wrong use cases and lacking leadership support can derail technology initiatives, and how starting small can accelerate ROI.
Empowering people through technology: Discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and enable employees to focus on higher-value work.

Whether you're navigating global trade uncertainty, building a stronger supply chain workforce, or looking for practical ways to make AI deliver real business value, this episode offers actionable insights for today's supply chain leaders. Tune in to learn how forward-thinking organizations are turning disruption into opportunity, strengthening their operations, and preparing their people and technology for what's next.

Additional Links & Resources:

Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-Develop
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-11-Oct-2026
The Readiness Rules: https://now.supplychainnow.com/the-readiness-rules
Connect with Rod on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-thomas-a409a41/
Manifest Vegas 2027! Register now & save $900: https://manifestvegas.partners/partners/SupplyChainNow
USMCA status as of October 2026: https://bit.ly/USMCA-Status-12-Oct-2026
Connect with Tony Sciarrota: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sciarrotta-235570/
Connect with Scot Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotcase/
Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teams
Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-pachnik-6329b55a/
Learn more about blueclip: blueclip.ai
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ:https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning:https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom:https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain:https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust:https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-innovations-hurricane-disruptions-building-resilient-supply-chains-1648

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apex's Jorge Bayona on Building a Supply Chain Strategy for Latin America Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Anyone can buy a plane. What sets a logistics company apart in Latin America is whether the people on the ground trust it with their cargo. Earning that trust takes time, local knowledge, and a commitment to understanding what makes each market different.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot speak with Jorge Bayona, Vice President for Latin America at Apex Logistics International, about how companies can incorporate the region into their supply chain strategies to improve agility, diversify risk, and unlock growth.

Jorge shares his journey from ADM to Deutsche Post and DHL, through leading the expansion of FEMSA Group’s logistics division, Solistica, to building Apex’s Latin American footprint across 18 countries in about two and a half years. Drawing on that experience, he explains why the region can’t be measured by a single average, why the right to play and the right to win are two different things, and why each market rewards a different approach.

The conversation explores nearshoring opportunities, emerging trade corridors, regional challenges, and the roles of Miami, Panama, and Mexico as key logistics gateways. Jorge also shares what businesses should look for in a logistics partner, why complementarity matters more than size, and how strong local relationships help companies navigate the region with confidence and build more resilient supply chains.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction
(03:39) Jorge Bayona on growing up on the island of San Andres, Colombia
(04:44) The grandmother who ran a gas station and the grandfather who was a general
(07:59) From ADM to DHL to Solistica: Jorge's career path
(13:34) What Apex Logistics International does and how it grew in Latin America
(22:47) The opportunities and weaknesses shaping supply chains in the region
(28:55) The most common mistake: the right to play vs. the right to win
(34:03) Four landscapes to evaluate before entering a market
(39:43) Why patience and talent matter when entering a new region
(45:15) Country by country: gateways and key markets across Latin America
(53:17) What to look for in a logistics and supply chain partner

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Jorge Bayona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-bayona-iregui/
Learn more about Apex Logistics International: http://www.apexglobe.com
Connect with Scott DeGroot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-degroot-4600368/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/apex-building-supply-chain-strategy-latin-america-1647

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Got Chips? Managing Your Electronic Component Supply Chain Risk in the Face of Global Instability Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

A single overlooked component can stop an entire product from shipping. Justin Sears explains why supply chain risk now has to shape design decisions from day one, not after engineering hands the design off to procurement.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Jake Barr speak with Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium, about rising component risk, hidden supplier dependencies, and why engineering and procurement teams need better visibility into supply conditions earlier in the product development process.

They also explore how AI can help teams surface risks, strengthen requirements, and evaluate alternatives while human judgment remains essential. The conversation highlights how better data, earlier collaboration, and stronger lifecycle thinking can help manufacturers build more resilient products.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction
(02:24) Meet Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium
(04:18) Justin's lifelong running passion and how it clears his head
(05:35) Justin's background and the Altium family of supply chain solutions
(10:23) Three structural risks: tariffs, global conflict, and AI data center demand
(14:59) The Digi case study: why manual sourcing doesn't work anymore"
(17:43) "Shift left": making supply chain a design input, not an afterthought
(22:52) The postage stamp problem: when a cheap part stops a $30K GPU shipment
(27:30) Two tiers down: hidden supply chain failures you can't see
(29:52) AI and human judgment in hardware design: who asks the questions?
(42:31) Counterfeit parts: why fraudsters chase volume, not scarcity
(53:57) Three takeaways: what hardware teams should start doing today

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Justin Sears: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinsears/
Connect with Jake Barr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barr-3883501/
Learn more about Altium: https://www.altium.com/
Learn more about BlueWorld Supply Chain Consulting: https://www.blueworldscc.com/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning:https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain:https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/got-chips-managing-electronic-component-supply-chain-risk-face-global-instability-1646

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buzz: AI, Cybersecurity, and the New Risks Reshaping Supply Chain Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Technology may be advancing faster than ever, but people, resilience, and smart decision-making remain at the center of supply chain success. In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, Scott Luton and Maithili Shenoy are joined by cybersecurity experts Andrew Alston and Bob Carver to unpack some of the biggest issues shaping supply chain and business, from manufacturing pressures and technology talent gaps to AI-enabled cyberattacks and growing third-party risk.

The conversation begins with a look at the latest U.S. manufacturing activity, rising input costs, and the supply chain challenges surrounding the rapidly growing humanoid robotics industry. The panel also explores the widening technology skills gap and why organizations need people who can combine critical thinking with emerging AI capabilities.

Then, in recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Andrew and Bob break down how AI is changing the cyber threat landscape. They discuss ransomware-as-a-service, faster exploitation of vulnerabilities, third-party exposure, governance, business continuity, and why traditional cybersecurity approaches are no longer enough. The group also explores why supply chain leaders need to think beyond their own organizations and build cyber resilience across the entire supplier ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

People remain a critical differentiator in the age of AI. Technology alone doesn't create value; organizations need people who can use it to make better decisions, manage trade-offs, and respond quickly to change.
Manufacturers are facing significant cost and profitability pressures. Rising input costs, tariffs, labor constraints, and supplier delays are creating challenges even as manufacturing activity continues to grow.
The humanoid robotics opportunity exposes major supply chain gaps. Actuators, semiconductors, critical minerals, and domestic manufacturing capacity could become major constraints as robotics scales.
The technology skills gap is holding back AI, cloud, and cybersecurity initiatives. Organizations need to rethink how they develop both technical capabilities and foundational cognitive skills.
AI is accelerating cyber threats as well as cyber defenses. Ransomware is becoming more accessible, vulnerabilities are being exploited faster, and organizations can no longer assume traditional patching and security practices will be enough.
Cybersecurity must become an ecosystem-wide supply chain priority. Governance, business continuity, supplier vetting, redundancy, and third-party visibility are essential to keeping operations running when, not if, disruptions occur.

Supply chain leaders can't afford to treat cybersecurity, AI, talent, and resilience as separate issues. They are increasingly interconnected, and the risks extend far beyond the four walls of any single organization. Tune in to hear practical perspectives on where the biggest vulnerabilities are emerging, why third-party risk deserves greater attention, and what leaders can do now to build stronger, more resilient supply chain ecosystems.

Additional Links & Resources:

Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-Develop
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-3-Oct-2026
Maithili’s Keynote: https://bit.ly/Maithili-Keynote
Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership: https://bit.ly/Meena-Medler-on-SCN
How Supply Chain Management Degree Programs are evolving: https://bit.ly/SCM-Programs-Evolving
U.S. manufacturing data for September: https://reut.rs/4hHL06P
Actuator shortages in U.S. robotics supply chains: https://on.mktw.net/4rPkkFS
Tech leaders see skills gap costing businesses big time: https://bit.ly/Costly-Tech-Skills-Gap
Connect with Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobcarver/
Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-alston-a62990/
Connect with Maithili on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithili-shenoy/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking:https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ:https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships:https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Maithili Shenoy, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-cybersecurity-new-risks-reshaping-supply-chain-1645

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pressure-Test Your Shipping Decisions Before They Cost You Thousands Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Shipping teams often don’t discover wasted spend until the invoice arrives. By then, the opportunity is already gone. John Wharff explains why hidden surcharges, outdated shipping rules, and overlooked shipment outliers can quietly drive up costs, and why the best savings opportunities often come from rethinking the decisions teams already make every day.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor speak with John Wharff, Senior Director of Product Management at EasyPost, about how shippers can uncover hidden costs and build more adaptable shipping strategies. They discuss why base rates only tell part of the story, how service levels and carrier choices impact total cost, and why teams need to look beyond average shipments to find where money is being lost.

John and Tevon also explore the role of pressure testing in shipping decisions, using real shipment data to identify gaps before they become expensive problems. From improving cost per package to using AI for analysis and simulation, the conversation highlights how supply chain teams can make smarter decisions, strengthen their processes, and stay ahead of a constantly changing shipping environment.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:31) Meet John Wharff, Senior Director of Product Management at EasyPost
(02:33) Warm-up: John's motorcycle passion and first Harley Davidson
(06:40) Why carrier bills still surprise experienced shippers
(08:27) The trap of static rules in a dynamic shipping environment
(11:10) Bell curves and outliers: where shipping costs really hide
(15:15) Carrier mix and service levels: building your roster for peak season
(23:22) Why your master spreadsheet falls apart in real-world shipping
(32:43) Pressure testing explained: John's methodology for finding hidden costs
(37:13) AI in logistics: where it genuinely helps and where it's hot air
(46:41) Call to action: what shippers should do right now before peak season

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with John Wharff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wharff-7423403a/
Connect with Tevon Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevontaylor/
Learn more about EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/
Learn more about Pegasus Logistics Group: https://www.pegasuslogisticsgroup.com/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships: https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/pressure-test-your-shipping-decision-before-they-cost-you-thousands-1644

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Enterprise Unleashed: Rethinking the Transformation Playbook Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Enterprise transformation does not start with technology. It starts with understanding the business problem you are trying to solve. John Cusick explains why organizations often struggle with implementations when they focus on selecting systems before defining outcomes, and why successful transformation requires rethinking processes, improving data foundations, and designing technology around the way the business needs to operate.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Wiley Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of DOSS, and John Cusick, President of Echo Park Consulting, about how AI-native solutions are changing enterprise implementations and why companies need a new playbook for transformation. They explore why traditional ERP approaches often fail, how best-of-breed technology strategies are becoming more practical, and why organizations should focus on business outcomes instead of forcing their processes into rigid platforms. John and Wiley discuss how companies can use flexible architectures, better data management, and AI-enabled capabilities to create systems that evolve alongside the business.

John also explains how agentic implementation is changing the role of technology teams and consultants by accelerating tasks like data mapping, configuration, integration, and testing while allowing humans to focus on validation, judgment, and process design. The conversation explores why AI agents require strong context, clean data, and clear sources of truth to make reliable decisions, and why the future of enterprise technology will depend on combining automation with human expertise.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:13) Meet Wiley Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Doss, and John Cusick, President of Echo Park Consulting
(06:11) Why transformation projects succeed or fail
(09:24) Why organizations start with technology instead of business problems
(12:44) The biggest challenges in enterprise implementations
(20:20) Why best-of-breed technology strategies are gaining momentum
(25:25) How AI agents are changing implementation processes
(31:05) Why process design must come before automation
(32:05) Rethinking the ERP implementation playbook with Doss
(37:05) How AI is changing the human role in implementations
(42:13) Building trust, context, and governance for AI agents
(45:21) What the future of enterprise technology looks like
(53:15) Wiley Jones' key takeaway on outcome-driven transformation

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with John Cusick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-cusick/
Connect with Wiley Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wileycwjones/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships: https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Wiley Jones and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/enterprise-unleashed-rethinking-transformation-playbook-1643

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buzz: Unlocking the Potential of Digital Product Passports Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

What if every product came with a digital story, one that followed it from raw materials and manufacturing through use, repair, reuse, and ultimately its next life?

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton and Marty Parker welcome Marion Rouzeaud, founder of DiPPa and author of DiPPa: Rethinking the Way We Buy Things with Digital Product Passports, for a timely conversation about digital product passports (DPPs), circularity, and the future of manufacturing.

Scott, Marty, and Marion explore why digital product passports have the potential to become far more than another compliance requirement. Marion explains how DPPs can create a living digital record for products, giving manufacturers, consumers, repairers, recyclers, and other stakeholders access to trusted information throughout the product lifecycle.

The conversation also examines the growing role of AI and automation in manufacturing, how companies are navigating cost pressures and supply chain complexity, and why collecting customer feedback means little without action. Marion walks through her DEPA framework and explains how organizations can connect product strategy, sustainability, data, and circularity to rethink not only how products are made but what happens to them after they enter the market.

Key Takeaways

Digital product passports can go far beyond compliance, creating a living record that provides useful product information throughout the entire lifecycle.
AI and automation continue to reshape manufacturing, helping organizations address labor shortages while improving forecasting, logistics, operations, and decision-making.
Trusted product data can enable circularity by supporting repair, maintenance, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling.
Manufacturers need to think beyond the point of sale, considering during the design process how products can remain valuable and useful for as long as possible.
Customer feedback only creates value when companies act on it, making listening and responsiveness essential to building long-term trust.
A successful DPP strategy starts with the “why,” connecting customer needs and business priorities to the right data, measurements, and actions.

Digital product passports may be driven partly by regulation, but their potential reaches much further. Tune in to hear how organizations can use DPPs as a strategic tool to connect product design, manufacturing, sustainability, customer needs, and the circular economy. You’ll also hear practical perspectives on AI, automation, customer experience, and the evolving manufacturing landscape, and why the companies that get the most value from new technology will be the ones that turn information into action.

Additional Links & Resources:

Download the free DiPPa™ Framework canvases at: https://www.dippa.eu/framework
MFG.inc: https://mfg.inc/
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-28-SEP-2026
CSCMP EDGE: https://www.cscmpedge.org/
Manifest: https://manifestvegas.com/SCN
EasyPost Guard: https://bit.ly/EasyPost-Guard-460k
Scott's Post: https://bit.ly/Think-Different-1997
Automation, AI among biggest trends shaping manufacturing in 2026: AMT: https://bit.ly/Mfg-Trends-from-IMTS
6 food manufacturers talk supply chain tactics: https://bit.ly/6-Manufacturers-Priorities
Retailers are asking for feedback but are shoppers feeling heard? https://bit.ly/Are-Shoppers-Being-Heard
MFG.inc Leadership Training: https://mfg.inc/scn
The Digital Product Passport Registry is now live: https://bit.ly/4xTUAtt
DiPPa: Rethinking the Way We Buy Things with Digital Product Passports: https://bit.ly/4rEVatE
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Marion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-rouzeaud/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking:https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ:https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships: https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom:https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Marty Parker, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-unlocking-potential-digital-product-passports-1642

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Planning to Retail: Where Supply Chain Is Headed Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

AI, tariffs, shifting consumer expectations, and new delivery models are creating fresh challenges and opportunities for supply chain leaders. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Jake Barr sit down with Gartner’s Noha Samara to bust some of the biggest myths surrounding AI in supply chain planning. Then, Scott talks with Wall Street Journal reporter Liz Young about the forces reshaping retail and logistics, from product assortment and tariffs to trucking, last-mile delivery, drones, and returns.

Noha challenges the idea that AI success is simply about doing the same work faster, emphasizing instead the need to redesign jobs, rethink processes, build trust with planners, and focus AI investments on a smaller number of high-impact use cases. She also explains why productivity gains should be measured by the higher-value work AI enables, not simply by workforce reduction.

Later, Liz brings a reporter’s perspective to the rapidly changing retail supply chain. She shares how companies are reducing product variety to manage tariffs and complexity, building greater flexibility and resilience into their networks, and navigating increasingly diverse consumer expectations around delivery. The conversation also explores rising trucking costs, the potential of drone delivery, generational shifts in shopping behavior, and the costly challenge of product returns.

Key Takeaways

AI productivity requires redesigning work, not simply accelerating existing tasks. Organizations need to rethink workflows, roles, processes, and decision-making to unlock AI’s full potential.
Trust must come before adoption. Planners need to understand how AI reaches its conclusions and how humans and AI will work together before organizations can expect meaningful adoption.
AI productivity doesn’t automatically mean workforce reduction. The greater opportunity may be redeploying saved time toward scenario analysis, root-cause analysis, inventory optimization, and other higher-value work.
More AI use cases don't necessarily mean more value. High-performing organizations are selective, concentrating resources on fewer, higher-impact initiatives and building capabilities that can support future use cases.
Retailers are using assortment and sourcing decisions to manage complexity. Reducing product variety can help companies concentrate on best sellers while simplifying sourcing and tariff exposure.
Flexibility and optionality are becoming essential supply chain capabilities. Companies are diversifying sourcing, improving visibility, reconsidering inventory strategies, and preparing for disruptions that may be impossible to predict.
The last mile is no longer just a race for speed. Consumers have different expectations around delivery time and cost, forcing retailers to get smarter about inventory placement and fulfillment choices.
Returns and emerging delivery models remain major questions for retail. Drone delivery is expanding while retailers continue searching for better ways to manage the cost and complexity created by online returns.

Tune in for a wide-ranging look at what supply chain leaders should be thinking about now and what may matter even more in the years ahead. From separating AI reality from hype to preparing for tariffs, transportation shifts, changing consumer behavior, and new fulfillment models, this episode offers practical perspectives for building supply chains that are more adaptable, focused, and prepared for the unexpected.

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Liz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bylizyoung/
Connect with Noha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noha-samara-4864863/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations:https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Four Eras of Freight Audit: How we got here, and why the Control Era (finally) changes everything:https://bit.ly/4yVXPBx
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking:https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ:https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships:https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom:https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-planning-retail-where-supply-chain-heading-1641

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Think Different: Planning Challenges, AI & Procurement Leadership Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Supply chain planning is changing fast, but technology is only part of the story. As AI capabilities expand, procurement becomes more strategic, and planners face an accelerating pace of change, organizations must determine how to embrace innovation without losing sight of the people who make supply chains work.

In this episode of Supply Chain Today and Tomorrow, Scott Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to explore some of the biggest trends shaping supply chain planning and leadership. Mike breaks down the top barriers preventing planners from performing at their best, including the pace of change, digital skills gaps, and the continued need for strong communication and collaboration skills. They also discuss the debate around slowing AI development, the emerging role of AI agents, procurement's growing strategic influence, and how automation can give employees valuable time back. Plus, Mike shares what makes the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit a valuable opportunity for planning professionals.

Key Takeaways

Supply chain planners remain essential. Technology may change how planning gets done, but organizations continue to invest in both planning technology and the people responsible for making critical decisions.
Change management is becoming even more important. Leaders need to clearly communicate how AI will affect planning roles and help employees understand where they fit into the future of the organization.
Soft skills still matter in an AI-powered workplace. AI can help teams arrive at an answer, but influencing, collaboration, conflict management, communication, and consensus-building remain human responsibilities.
AI agents may reshape supply chain teams. Future planning organizations could include both human planners and AI agents, making governance, oversight, and human-machine collaboration increasingly important.
Procurement is becoming more strategic. Procurement's influence across the broader supply chain continues to grow while AI creates opportunities to automate repetitive and transactional activities.
Automation should give people time back. Removing repetitive work allows employees to spend more time applying expertise, solving problems, being creative, and performing higher-value work.

The future of supply chain isn't simply about adopting more technology; it's about figuring out how people and technology can work together more effectively. Tune in to hear Scott and Mike unpack practical ways leaders can support planners, approach AI thoughtfully, rethink repetitive work, and prepare their organizations for what's coming next.

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/
Learn more about Gartner: www.gartner.com
Upcoming Live Programming:https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital:https://bit.ly/4r94YM6
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations:https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Four Eras of Freight Audit: How we got here, and why the Control Era (finally) changes everything:https://bit.ly/4yVXPBx
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking:https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships:https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/think-different-planning-challenges-ai-procurement-leadership-1640

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.