Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive deep into the implications of a recent $6 billion federal loan aimed at supporting Rivian’s expansion in Georgia, while also examining the broader impact of tariffs and political dynamics on the automotive industry. In this episode, host Scott Luton welcomes special guest host Koray Kose to the show to discuss: Rivian's significant hurdles and the future of the EV market The rise of agentic AI, which has the potential to transform supply ch...
Dec 06, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 1361
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Jake Barr are joined by two of Manhattan’s best - Kristin Kay, Senior Design Lead, and Laura Beth Andres, Solutions Consulting Advisor. Together, they discuss the importance of transportation planning in enhancing supply chain efficiency and performance. The conversation explores the best practices in inbound and outbound logistics, offering insights into optimizing shipment consolidation, resource allocation, and carrier selection. K...
Dec 04, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1360
In this new episode of our Supply Chain Leadership Across Africa Series, hosts Scott W. Luton and Jenny Froome are joined by Edwin Mulwa, Director and Team Lead, Digital Solutions Global Technical Team at VillageReach, and Derick Lung’aho, Acting Chief Programs Officer at Medic. Together, they explore the transformative power of digital tools in strengthening community healthcare supply chains across Africa. Edwin and Derick share insights into how their organizations are leveraging innovative t...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 1359
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive into how adaptive planning is revolutionizing how organizations approach supply chain management, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to a changing market. In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter welcome special guests Rick McDonald, CEO of Rick McDonald Supply Chain Advisory, and Mike Landry, CEO of ketteQ, to discuss the challenges of traditional planning methods, and highlight the need for innovative solutions t...
Nov 29, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 1358
In this episode, hosts Scott W. Luton and returning guest Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, get into an insightful conversation about the trends and technologies shaping the future of supply chain management. From the importance of risk management and resilience post-pandemic to navigating the complexities of scope three emissions, they explore the key strategies and tools that are driving change across industries. Mike shares his thoughts on how companies are adapting their supp...
Nov 27, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1357
In this episode, Scott W. Luton and Tandreia Bellamy explore the latest insights from the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index for Q3 2024 with Bobby Holland, Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, and Cathy Morrow Roberson, Founder & President of Logistics Trends and Insights. Together, they discuss national and regional freight trends, discussing how data-driven decisions are shaping the future of domestic truck freight. The panel highlights emerging trends in transportation, from...
Nov 25, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1356
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive into workforce challenges, growth strategies, and supply chain transformation and collaboration. In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Marty Parker welcome special guest Maria Villablanca, CEO of the Future Insights Network, who shares valuable takeaways from the recent TFest24 conference, and her extensive experience in leveraging technology to streamline processes and improve efficiencies in global supply chains. Listen in as the panel a...
Nov 21, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1355
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson welcome Rahul Shahani, Partner at McKinsey & Company, for a comprehensive discussion of the current challenges and priorities in the manufacturing industry. With expertise spanning Industry 4.0, supply chain optimization, and digital transformation, Rahul provides valuable insights into the human factors driving successful manufacturing operations. The discussion covers the role of technolo...
Nov 20, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1354
Tired of the supply chain status quo? Let us introduce you to the Anti-ERP ERP Club. In the first part of our first-ever two-episode interview, host Scott Luton dives into a transformative conversation with Wiley Jones, Co-founder and CEO of Doss, about reshaping how companies approach their biggest challenges. The discussion centers on common obstacles businesses face, such as managing complex data and integrating systems across their value chains, and how solutions that prioritize customer pai...
Nov 18, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 1352
In the second episode of this two-part interview on Supply Chain Now, co-host Marty Parker joins Scott Luton to continue the conversation with Wiley Jones, Co-founder and CEO of Doss. Building on the foundation laid in part one, this episode dives deeper into the challenges of scaling operations and the innovative solutions transforming resource planning. Wiley shares insights into addressing common operational pain points—such as order management and full-stack operations—through adaptive and e...
Nov 18, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1353
Join us for this week's Digital Transformers edition of The Buzz, as we celebrate Veteran's Day and dive deep into the critical theme of transforming supply chain management through innovative technology and collaboration. In this episode, special guest Karen Betancourt, CEO of Vanguard Medical Logistics, also joins hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson, to share her extensive experience in leveraging technology to streamline processes and improve efficiencies in global supply chains. Listen in...
Nov 15, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1351
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa are joined by Ellen Meiner, Founder and Principal of the Ellen Meiner Consulting Group, and Kerry Fogarty, Senior Vice President of Client Relations at PartnerLinQ, for an insightful conversation about current and future insights of the fashion retail industry. The panel explores key trends shaping the fashion industry, focusing on the critical role of AI and machine learning in demand planning and forecasting. Ellen and Kerry s...
Nov 13, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1350
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Tandreia Bellamy are joined by Barbara Dirnberger, Principal Consultant at Sedex, and Irene Gari Chia, Consulting Solutions Manager at Sedex. Together, they discuss the pressing needs for businesses to move on and beyond compliance and emphasize the importance of nurturing the impact of supply chains on ESG, Environmental and Social Governance. Barbara and Irene get elbow-deep in how Sedex’s expertise guides companies to assess and mi...
Nov 11, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1349
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive into the evolving landscape of supply chain management, and the critical role of AI in supply chain planning and execution, showcasing innovative use cases that promise to revolutionize the industry. Additionally, hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr welcome special guests Dr. Stephanie Thomas, Associate Professor of Practice of Supply Chain Management and Executive Director of WISE, University of Arkansas, and Katherine Thomas, Student and Pres...
Nov 08, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 1348
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa are joined by Richie Daigle, Enterprise Account Executive at Tive, and David Shillingford, Co-founder of Everstream Analytics. Together, they discuss the critical challenges of freight security and how the ever-evolving threat landscape impacts global supply chains. Richie and David share their expertise on the latest trends in cargo theft, the importance of building strategic technology stacks, and how digitization and Io...
Nov 06, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1347
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Billy Ray Taylor are joined by Landon Mumbower and Johnathan McRary, both Managers of Consulting at Bastian Solutions, for an insightful conversation on optimizing distribution center performance through strategic consulting and automation. The panel explores five critical strategies for navigating the complexities of distribution center design and management, including single-point responsibility, data-driven insights, and the importance o...
Nov 04, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1346
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive deep into the current landscape of supply chain planning, shedding light on critical shifts in manufacturing and the impacts of mergers and acquisitions. Hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome special guest Dr. Madhav Durbha from RELAX Solutions to the show, and they discuss the key insights from the recent Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit, emphasizing the importance of aligning AI advancements with practical business problems. Liste...
Oct 31, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1345
Welcome, ghouls and goblins, to a hauntingly good episode of Supply Chain Now! Join us as Scott Luton and Mike Griswold reveal this year’s Halloween craze, with imports of spooky goods up by a spine-tingling 18.6%. Consumers are splurging on yard skeletons and inflatables, while costume sales see a surprising dip. Then, brace yourself for the “Global Chocolate Crisis”—a bitter reality as cocoa prices skyrocket due to aging trees and tricky weather. Finally, Walmart and Unilever team up to use re...
Oct 30, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 1344
Sustainability is a strategic imperative that can drive cost savings, optimize operations, and build resilience across the supply chain. But how can businesses effectively integrate sustainability into their core operations to achieve real results? In this episode, Scott W. Luton is joined by Evan Junker, Chief Growth Officer, and Tjeerd de Jong, Partner at Sparq360, to discuss actionable strategies for embedding sustainability into everyday supply chain management. From reducing greenhouse gas ...
Oct 28, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1343
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive into the significant impact of the upcoming U.S. elections on global supply chains. Hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter welcome special guest Dave Food, Strategy Director for Prophetic Technology to the show, and they explore how potential changes in U.S. policies could lead organizations worldwide to reassess their supply sources, particularly in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, amidst rising protectionism concerns. Listen in as our...
Oct 25, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1342
The future of supply chain starts with educating young and bright minds with the best programs that, fortunately, The University of Arkansas has covered. In this episode, Scott W. Luton sits down with Dr. Stephanie Thomas, Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas, and three outstanding students from the JB Hunt Department of Supply Chain Management: Ethan Helm, Madison Simpson, and Kelly Henderson. Together, they explore their passions as the next generation of supply chain thought star...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 1341
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Kim Reuter are joined by Glen Clark, CEO of DP World in the US and Mexico, and Terry Donohoe, Senior Vice President of Freight Forwarding for DP World Americas, for an insightful discussion on logistics innovation and how it can unlock massive opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. The panel discusses key trends transforming the logistics landscape, from automation and AI to sustainability practices that reduce costs without s...
Oct 21, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 1340
Join us for this week's Digital Transformers episode of The Buzz, as we explore the intersection of real-world assets and blockchain technology in supply chain. In this episode, host Kevin L. Jackson welcomes special guest Dr. Chris Smithmyer, CEO of Black Wallet Ltd to the show, and they delve into the transformative potential of tokenization in the supply chain sector. Listen in as the conversation continues and covers: How integrating digital assets with real-world assets can enhance transpar...
Oct 18, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1339
Managing large-scale shipping operations comes with its own set of challenges. So, how can supply chain leaders optimize processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs across multiple divisions? In this episode, Scott W. Luton is joined by Reza Ghazimoradi, Director of Supply Chain at a performance gear manufacturer, and Shannon Vaillancourt, CEO of RateLinx, to discuss innovative strategies for automating and optimizing shipping operations. With a focus on leveraging technology to simplify co...
Oct 16, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1338
AI is a big buzzword and seems to be all business leaders want to talk about these days. But in real-world applications, how are cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud solutions revolutionizing the way energy companies operate to meet the growing demand for renewable resources? In this new episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson are joined by Amy Dale, Vice President, SAP Americas, with Capgemini, and Jon Cwiak, Managing Enterprise Arch...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 1337
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive deep into the recent developments in labor negotiations affecting U.S. ports, specifically the tentative agreement between the ILA and USMX, which has temporarily averted a significant strike. Hosts Scott Luton and Billy Ray Taylor welcome special guest Jon Gold, VP, Supply Chain and Customs Policy for the National Retail Federation (NRF) to the show, and discuss the implications of this agreement, including a 62% wage increase over six yea...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 1336
Security in manufacturing has become a critical concern as production systems become more digitized and interconnected. As this digitization advances, improving cybersecurity preparedness is vital to safeguarding operations and staying ahead of emerging threats. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson are joined by Thomas Marr, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer at Lockheed Martin. They discuss the critical intersection of cybersecurity, ...
Oct 09, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1335
As we know, supply chain leaders face challenges on a daily basis. So, what can we learn about keeping our teams learning and fine-tuning their skills for future success? In this episode, Scott W. Luton is joined by Sam Pemberton, CEO of Skill Dynamics, and Kevin Takier, Manager of Portfolio Strategy and Analytics at Delta Airlines, to discuss the critical issue of the supply chain skills gap. With a rising need for targeted upskilling and leadership development, the conversation explores how or...
Oct 07, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1334
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, packed with actionable insights and expert perspectives! Dive into the latest developments shaking up the global supply chain landscape, including the imminent ILA/USMX stalemate that could lead to the first strike since 1977, potentially costing the U.S. economy billions. Hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter are joined by special guest Sofia Rivas, the newly appointed host and CEO of Supply Chain Now en Espanol, who brings fresh insights into the evolvin...
Oct 04, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1333
How are procurement and IT leaders addressing the growing challenges of cybersecurity in 2024? In this episode, Scott W. Luton is joined by Richard McVay, Senior Director and IT Telecom Subject Matter Expert at OMNIA Partners, to dive into the increasingly complex world of procurement technology and cybersecurity. With cyber threats like ransomware and third-party breaches on the rise, Richard shares how businesses can protect their operations while optimizing procurement strategies. The discuss...
Oct 02, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1332
