The Future of Supply Chain

Latest Episodes:

Episode 153: How Communication Shapes Transformation – From the Shopfloor to the Boardroom with Markus Kirchschlager Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we are joined by Markus Kirchschlager, who explains how mindset, organization, skills, and AI-enabled platforms build trust, fight change fatigue, and connect shopfloor and boardroom.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we talk about communication as the operating system of supply chain transformation. Together with our guest Markus Kirchschlager, we explore his three pillar framework, how to build trust across ecosystems, prevent change fatigue, integrate AI and digital platforms, and empower leaders as communicators from the shopfloor to the boardroom.

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Guest: Markus Kirchschlager, Managing Partner PANTARHEI Advisors

Markus Kirchschlager is an entrepreneur and managing partner of PANTARHEI Advisors, deeply invested in communications and technology. As an experienced communicator and strategy consultant – and as a trained computer scientist – his focus is on international transformation projects at the intersection of communication, technology, leadership, and organisational change.

At PANTARHEI, his clients include DAX-listed companies such as Bayer, the BMW Group and Lufthansa, Rolls-Royce (FTSE-100) as well as globally operating mid-sized businesses and international tech scale-ups.

Markus’ background includes the frontlines of Public Affairs on EU level. He has worked at PANTARHEI’s Brussels office, was part of the European Commission’s information service in Vienna and a spokesperson for the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

He is a trained computer scientist, studied communications management and holds an MBA in General Management and Finance from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Markus’ voluntary work includes being one of the contributors to the World Economic Forum’s “Future 50” programme on intergenerational foresight as well as being a team member the European Commission’s Team Europe.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Sin To

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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Show Links:

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠

World Economic Forum (WEF): https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/07/accelerating-transformation-in-manufacturing-from-the-factory-floor-to-the-boardroom/

Follow Us on Social Media :

Markus Kirchschlager

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kirchschlager/

Richard Howells:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells

Sin To:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208

SAP Digital Supply Chain:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:01:28: Guest introduction

00:02:23: Three‑pillar communication framework

00:03:31: Communication as ecosystem “campfire”

00:04:54: Transparency, risk and trust

00:06:16: Preventing change and transformation fatigue

00:07:40: Global message, local realities

00:09:02: AI, platforms and new intermediaries

00:09:47: Communication skills for modern leaders

00:13:57: Digital platforms, analytics and targeting

00:15:39 What's the future of the supply chain?

00:17:51: Outro

Episode 152: Supply Chain Planning with SAP’s Lori Harner Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

This week, we explore how AI, trusted data, and planning agents are redefining supply chain planning, helping planners shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, autonomous, decision-centric planning.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠

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In this episode, SAP’s Lori Harner explains why now is the moment to reimagine supply chain planning with AI, as volatility, sustainability, and talent pressures rise. Together, we discuss the “planner of the future,” real-life customer use cases with agents, how SAP helps organizations move beyond spreadsheets, and how governance, data quality, and six core planning pillars enable the journey from efficiency to resilient, autonomous planning.

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Guest: Lori Harner, Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for Supply Chain Planning, SAP

Lori Harner is the Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for supply chain planning at SAP. With a long track record of building and leading high-performing teams, Lori brings a customer-first mindset to her role, driving innovative solutions that meet the complex needs of today's supply chains. Prior to joining SAP, Lori built the product marketing function and team for WEX, a leading financial services firm. Her extensive experience also includes leadership positions at Microsoft, Blue Yonder, E2open, and others. When not driving supply chain innovation, Lori enjoys an active lifestyle in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves hiking, walking, and biking. 

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Show Links:

SAP POV: Reinventing Planning for a New Era of Supply Chain
AI-Infused Supply Chain Planning: IDC Info Brief & Infographic
Webinar: Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: Register,or view a previous webinar video & transcript

Supply Chain Management:

⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠

⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠

Follow Us on Social Media :

Lori Harner: LinkedIn

Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠,

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:00:56: Guest’s Introductions

00:01:36: Why transform planning now?

00:03:36: How AI addresses industry‑specific challenges across different industries

00:05:12: Day in the life of the planner of the future

00:08:40: Real‑world early adopters

00:11:09: How SAP helps bridge the adoption gap and help with a true business planning culture

00:14:28: Data, trust, and governance

00:17:02: Common pitfalls in planning transformations

00:19:20: What is the Future of Supply Chain?

00:21:44: Outro

Episode 151: The importance of data with Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠

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In this episode, we are joined by Maria Clara Sayeg from the World Economic Forum to discuss the transformative impact of AI and data on modern supply chains and how its role creates a responsive and transparent supply chain. We will discuss the importance of real-time data and the need for cross-industry collaboration. The episode also addresses future trends in manufacturing, focusing on autonomous systems, circular resource flows, and augmented workforce capabilities.

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Guest: Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro

Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro is an industrial AI strategist and product builder who's spent the last decade at the intersection of management consulting and technology, first at DuPont Sustainable Solutions, where she led engagements across industrial clients and built a global SaaS portfolio, and now at the World Economic Forum, where she leads AI and Data Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains.

With a background spanning four languages, an Executive MBA from EPFL, and deployments across 190+ industrial sites globally, Maria brings a rare mix of strategic perspective and hands-on product instinct to every conversation. She's passionate about making industrial AI real, not just a slide deck, but a working system that drives measurable outcomes in sustainability, resilience, and operational performance.

Host 1: Richard Howells

Host 2: Sin To

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Show Links:

SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm

World Economic Forum (WEF):
https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/sessions/factories-that-think/

https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-advanced-manufacturing-and-supply-chains/lumina

https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Value_Chains_Outlook_2026.pdf

https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Lighthouse_Network_2026.pdf

Follow Us on Social Media :

Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaclarasayeg/

Richard Howells:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells

Sin To:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208

SAP Digital Supply Chain:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction to Future Supply Chains

00:00:43 Meet the Guest Maria Clara Sayeg

00:02:18 AI and Data in Modern Supply Chains

00:04:08 Real-World AI Implementations

00:10:03 Transparency and Sustainability

00:12:41 Data Integration Challenges

00:16:04 Cross-Industry Collaboration

00:20:20 Future Trends in Manufacturing

00:24:12 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Episode 150: The Customer Experience Supply Chain: Meeting Expectations in the Age of Same-Day Delivery with OneRail Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

This week, we explore how real time data, AI driven orchestration, and proactive communication are transforming last mile delivery into a powerful driver of customer experience and loyalty.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠

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In this episode, Richard Howells talks with OneRail founder and CEO Bill Catania about turning last mile delivery from a cost center into a strategic CX advantage. They cover inventory visibility, carrier optionality, AI driven orchestration, proactive customer communication, and why real time data will shape the future of supply chain.

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Guest: Bill Catania, CEO, OneRail

Bill Catania is the Founder and CEO of OneRail, a last-mile delivery orchestration platform that combines AI-powered software with logistics-as-a-service to deliver the speed, reliability, and visibility businesses need to meet their delivery promises. A seasoned startup entrepreneur, Catania specializes in building and scaling real-time technology networks for enterprise retailers and wholesalers. A recognized thought leader in AI-driven fulfillment and last mile logistics, Catania is a frequent speaker at major retail, supply chain, and technology forums, sharing insights on the future of delivery orchestration and customer-centric supply chains.

Prior to founding OneRail, Catania launched M-Dot Network, a digital coupon pioneer and the first retail POS-to-cloud transaction engine to enable real-time digital coupon redemption at grocery checkouts across North America. Under his leadership, M-Dot won the Amazon Web Services Start-Up Challenge, surpassing more than 1,500 companies from 23 countries. His entrepreneurial leadership and sustained impact on enterprise technology earned him recognition as one of Goldman Sachs’ Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2024 at the Builders and Innovators Summit. Across his career, Catania has built category-defining platforms at the intersection of data, intelligent networks, and real-time decisioning—solving complex, operational challenges at enterprise scale.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠Richard Howells⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Show Links:

OneRail: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onerail-lastmile

Supply Chain Management:

SAP Supply Chain Management

SAP Insights: Supply Chain

Follow Us on Social Media :

Bill Catania: LinkedIn

Richard Howells: LinkedIn,

SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:01:04: Guest’s Introductions

00:01:45: How customer experience has evolved with e‑commerce and the Amazon effect

00:03:10: Biggest challenges: inventory visibility, micro‑warehouses, and carrier optionality

00:04:43: Balancing speed, cost, sustainability and why Excel and “deliver at all costs” no longer work

00:12:08: How the delivery experience directly impacts brand loyalty

00:19:32: How can advanced delivery orchestration platforms help companies?

00:23:01: Cross‑functional operating model and how SAP–OneRail integration enables real‑time last‑mile execution

00:26:45: What is the Future of Supply Chain?

00:29:26: Outro

Episode 149: International Women’s Day: Women, Leadership, and AI-Driven Transformation in Supply Chain Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

For International Women’s Day, we speak with SAP’s Mindy Davis and Lori Harner on empathetic leadership, “Give to Gain,” AI-driven supply chain change, talent strategies, and embracing change.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠

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In our International Women’s Day episode, SAP’s Mindy Davis and Lori Harner discuss empathetic leadership, the “Give to Gain” principle, and how AI is transforming supply chains.
They highlight the importance of context, inclusivity, and being open to change, share strategies for attracting talent, and note the shift from efficiency and resilience toward autonomy in supply chain management.
Come join us for this exciting journey!

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Guest: Mindy Davis, Global Vice President, Product Marketing, SAP Supply Chain Management

Mindy Davis is global vice president of product marketing for SAP Supply Chain Management, where she leads the marketing strategy for SAP’s supply chain solution portfolio. Since joining SAP in 2004, Mindy has held key roles in marketing, alliances, merchandising, and business development. She is recognized for her expertise in building high-performing teams and providing innovative strategic leadership in the software industry.

Mindy was featured on the front cover of CIO Look Magazine in 2022 as one of the 10 most influential leaders in supply Chain. She hosted a very well received LinkedIn Live series for Women in Supply Chain and speaks regularly at events around the world.

Guest: Lori Harner, Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for Supply Chain Planning at SAP

Host 1: Sin To

Host 2: Zoriana Zahorodnia

Zoriana is a Product Marketer specializing in Supply Chain Management. As an engaging content creator, blogger, and podcaster, she explores how supply chain innovations and sustainability shape the future of global business.

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Show Links:

SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm

Follow Us on Social Media :

Mindy Davis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-davis-88a2b54/

Lori Harner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-harner/

Sin To:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208

Zoriana Zahorodnia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoriana-zahordnia-a3096a205/

SAP Digital Supply Chain:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00 Supply Chain Transformation

00:00:41 Podcast Welcome

00:01:18 Meet Mindy and Lori

00:02:39 Women Leading with Empathy

00:04:52 Give to Gain Leadership

00:06:21 From Efficiency to Resilience

00:09:14 AI and Agentic Opportunities

00:11:29 AI in Practice at SAP

00:16:20 Women in Supply Chain Today

00:19:11 Inclusive Leadership in Uncertainty

00:21:20 Attracting the Next Generation

00:25:18 Advice for Young Women

00:27:55 Future of Supply Chain

00:30:42 Closing and Thanks

Episode 148: Trade Disruptions, Tariffs, and Geo-Political Uncertainty: Mitigating Global Risk with ArchLynk Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

This week, we talk about how tariffs, sanctions and geopolitical uncertainty disrupt global supply chains, and how companies can improve visibility, ensure compliance and build resilient, de-risked global trade operations

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript

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In this episode, we unpack how tariffs, sanctions, regulations and geopolitical tensions are reshaping global trade and supply chains. We explore the role of data and technology in managing risk, improving compliance, and designing more resilient global networks for the future

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Guest: Kevin McCollom, Vice President of Go to Market, ArchLynk

Kevin McCollom is an experienced enterprise software leader with a long track record in ERP, finance, and global trade. He previously served as Global VP for SAP Cloud ERP and Finance Lines of Business and held strategic leadership roles across SAP’s Finance and Risk organization. He now serves as Vice President of Go to Market (GTM) at ArchLynk, helping guide global supply chain and trade solution strategy.

Guest: Nilesh Shimpi, Associate Director, ArchLynk

Nilesh Shimpi is an accomplished solution architect with extensive experience in global trade and supply chain management. He has successfully led numerous projects involving SAP Global Trade Services. Currently, he serves as the Associate Director at ArchLynk, where he plays a key role in guiding the development of global supply chain and trade practices.

Guest: Thomas Frenehard, Senior Manager, SAP

Thomas is Senior Manager within the Governance, Risk, and Compliance Product Marketing team at SAP where he focuses on International Trade Compliance and Enterprise Risk and Compliance topics. He is also a regular contributor on social media (SAP GRC Tuesdays & LinkedIn) and presenter at various SAP and non-SAP conferences on GRC matters.

Host 1: Richard Howells

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Show Links:

Supply Chain Management:

SAP Supply Chain Management

SAP Insights: Supply Chain

https://archlynk.com/

Follow Us on Social Media :

Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:01:00: Guest introduction

00:02:19: How tariffs, sanctions, and regulations are reshaping supply chains

00:08:40 What risks are companies facing from an operational perspective?

00:12:27: How are companies turning these challenges into opportunities?

00:15:53: Role of technology and data in managing global trade

00:18:26: What should leaders prioritize to stay ahead of the global trade risks

00:20:39 What's the future of the supply chain?

00:22:24: Outro

Episode 147: What the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel Means for Europe's Infrastructure and Supply Chain – Insights from Kai Gerullis Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

One of Europe’s most strategic infrastructure projects: Richard and Sin talk with Kai Gerullis from the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce about how the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is reshaping logistics corridors, transport efficiency, and cross-border supply chains.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript

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In this episode, Richard Howells and Sin To speak with Kai Gerullis from the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce about the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, one of Europe’s most strategically significant infrastructure projects. The fixed link between Germany and Denmark is reshaping transport times, trade routes, and regional competitiveness.

The focus: European logistics corridors, political and economic implications, technology, multimodality, and sustainability and why the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is setting new benchmarks for cross-border infrastructure.

Essential listening for those who don’t just manage supply chains, but shape them.

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Guest: Kai Gerullis, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Transport and Port Affairs at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Kai Gerullis is Deputy Managing Director and Head of Transport and Port Affairs at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. He also leads the Infrastructure Committee of the Fehmarnbelt Business Council (FBBC), a cross-border network of business organizations from Denmark, Germany, and Sweden dedicated to strengthening the Fehmarnbelt region and supporting the economic opportunities linked to the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel.

With an academic background in political science and professional training as a journalist, Kai has many years of experience in the fields of ports, mobility, and logistics. His work focuses on infrastructure and port development, regional cooperation, and the future of transport.

Host 1: Richard Howells

Host 2: Sin To

Sin To brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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Show Links:

Fehmarnbelt Business Council: https://fbbc.eu/

SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm

Follow Us on Social Media :

Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Sin To: LinkedIn

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction to the episode

00:01:24 Guest Introduction: Kai Gerullis

00:02:26 Project Details and Goals

00:03:41 Economic and Regional Impact

00:05:07 Supply Chain Benefits

00:05:55 Multimodal Logistics Opportunities

00:06:48 Sustainability and Environmental Impact

00:09:04 Political and Strategic Significance

00:10:20 Challenges and Risk Management

00:12:58 Technological Innovations

00:15:35 Future Outlook and Outro

Episode 146: Supply Chain Orchestration with Deloitte's Jagjeet Singh Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we explore why hyperconnected, orchestrated supply chains are critical, covering visibility, disruption management, talent, AI, collaboration, and how SAP and Deloitte help leaders modernize.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week we, together with Deloitte’s Jagjeet Singh discuss the shift toward hyperconnected, orchestrated supply chains. They discuss today’s top challenges - limited visibility, constant disruptions, and talent gaps - and how to break silos, align planning with execution, and use AI, control towers, and collaboration platforms to improve decisions.

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Guest: Jagjeet Singh, US SAP Supply Chain Market Offering Leader, Deloitte

Jagjeet is a principal (equity partner) in the Deloitte US firm providing Consulting Services to clients in several industries including MedTech, Pharma, Consumer and Manufacturing. In his experience of more than 25 years, he has led global and complex enterprise transformation programs creating value for organizations through simplification, standardization, AI-enabled innovation and automation with SAP. He leads the US SAP Supply Chain market offering for the firm driving external relationships, internal talent enablement, and asset development for the supply chain domain. His end-to-end transformation expertise includes advising companies on implementing best business strategies to maximize revenue, minimize cost and improve margins.

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Host: Richard Howells, SAP

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Show Links:

Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com

Supply Chain Management:

⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠

Richard Howells: LinkedIn,

SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:01:25: Guest introduction

00:02:19: Key 2026 challenges: visibility, disruptions, talent

00:04:19: What makes it difficult to react quickly and efficiently to disruptions?

00:09:06: Real impact of internal silos and disconnected systems

00:10:33: What leaders need: orchestration, risk mindset, and decision frameworks

00:12:56: Using data and AI to automate and orchestrate end-to-end 

00:16:36: Collaborating beyond the four walls and multi-tier visibility

00:18:52: Best practices & Quick wins: more agile and orchestrated supply chain

00:22:00: How SAP and Deloitte partner on orchestration

00:24:32 What's the future of the supply chain?

00:25:38: Outro

Episode 145: Automotive Supply Chains: The Secrets of Electric Vehicle Battery Supply Chains with SAP's Hagen Heubach Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

This week, we welcomed SAP’s Hagen Heubach to discuss the EV battery supply chain, covering risks, production strategies, data, AI, and recycling. We also explored why software is increasingly becoming a crucial differentiator for automakers

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we were joined by SAP’s Hagen Heubach to dive into the full lifecycle of EV batteries, from raw material sourcing and plant strategy to quality, second-life use, and recycling. We discussed data, digital twins, industry collaboration, and AI, and examined how in-car software and autonomous driving are reshaping competitive advantage in automotive supply chains.

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Guest 1: Hagen Heubach, Chief Marketing Officer for Supply Chain Management, SAP  

Hagen Heubach joined SAP in 2007 and has held numerous leadership positions. Prior to his current role, he was leading Discrete Industries at SAP, holding the end-to-end business and solution responsibility for Automotive, Industrial Manufacturing, Hight Tech and Aerospace and Defense. He was living for multiple years in Japan and was driving SAP business expansion for Asia Pacific.

Together with his team, he spearheads product marketing, strategic customer engagements, demand generation, thought leadership, and the commercialization of SAP's supply chain portfolio.

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Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP

Host 1: Oyku Ilgar, SAP 

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. 

She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. 

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Show Links:

Supply Chain Management:

⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠

Hagen Heubach: LinkedIn

Richard Howells: LinkedIn

Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn 

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:01:02: Guest introduction

00:01:18: Challenges of EV battery supply chains

00:04:58: How are manufacturers balancing all of these challenges?

00:10:15: Vertical integration vs outsourcing in battery value chains

00:14:02: Zero-life reliability concept explained

00:16:32: Second-life applications for used EV batteries

00:17:21: Data, digital twins and supply chain orchestration

00:21:22: Sustainability, battery passports and dismantling factories

00:24:27: Future technologies, 1,000 km range and AI in battery lifecycle

00:27:16: What's the future of the supply chain?

00:28:18: Outro

Episode 144: Why the future of manufacturing is in the cloud with Shaun Mitra from IBM Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

In this week's episode, we explore why the future of manufacturing is in the cloud, how hybrid architectures, AI, and edge are transforming plants, and what leaders must do on security, data, and people to succeed.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠

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This week, alongside IBM’s Shaun Mitra, we explore why modern manufacturing should be in the cloud. We discuss how hybrid cloud and edge architectures facilitate real-time, data-driven plants, and the roles of AI, digital twins, and Industry 4.0. Additionally, Shaun shares insights on cybersecurity, data governance, workforce upskilling, and practical steps for manufacturers to start their cloud journey.

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Guest 1: Shaun Mitra, Partner, Manufacturing & Enterprise Asset Management, IBM

Shaun Mitra is a Partner at IBM, responsible for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Transformation. With over 25 years of experience, Shaun has led large-scale global ERP and digital manufacturing transformations for complex industrial organizations. He specializes in SAP S/4HANA RISE, Digital Manufacturing, PLM systems and Industry 4.0, enabling clients to modernize operations, optimize assets, and scale globally.

Shaun has successfully delivered multi-region transformation programs for global enterprises including Shell, Air Products and Chemicals, INEOS, Saint-Gobain, and Valmont Industries, driving measurable improvements in operational efficiency, supply chain performance, and asset reliability

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Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP

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Show Links:

IBM: https://www.ibm.com/us-en

Shaun Mitra: LinkedIn

Supply Chain Management:

⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠

⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠

Richard Howells: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!