Welcome to a special edition of The Buzz, as we explore the evolution of the marketing behind the NFL's biggest game of the year, The Super Bowl! As host Scott Luton was away at Manifest 2025, special hosts Mary Kate Love, Amanda Luton, and Katherine Hintz step in to tackle the intricate relationship between marketing and the Super Bowl, an event that serves as a pivotal platform for brands to showcase their advertising prowess. Listen in as they examine the profound impact of this annual specta...
Feb 14, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1391
In today's episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton shares his thoughts on leadership, empathy, and life experiences in a podcast recorded in Las Vegas before the Manifest 2025 conference. He emphasizes the importance of empathetic leadership, recounts a memorable trip to Dallas with his son, and reflects on his personal journey, including a challenging high school experience and his time in the United States Air Force. Scott also pays tribute to his late friend Greg Chapman, who pursued hi...
Feb 12, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 1390
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, sponsored by Microsoft, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson sit down with aerospace leaders Allison Giddens, President of Operations at Win-Tech Inc., and Tyler Kowalczik, Vice President and Co-owner of Component Products Corporation. Together, they explore how digital transformation is reshaping aerospace manufacturing—helping businesses scale, improve efficiency, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Allison and Tyler share firsthand insights on the...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 1389
As the recent imposition of substantial tariffs by the White House is poised to exert significant influence on global supply chains, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa navigate through these developments in this week's episode of The Buzz! Listen in as Scott and Karin cover the top headlines and also welcome Mark Irvin, Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Best Buy to the show. They discuss: The intricacies of how automotive manufacturers are adapting to new efficiencies ami...
Feb 07, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1388
In this episode, host Scott W. Luton dives into the evolving state of the freight industry with an expert panel featuring Lee Klaskow, Senior Analyst for Transportation & Logistics at Bloomberg Intelligence and host of Talking Transports, and Brian Oxley, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Vector Global Logistics. Together, they discuss the biggest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping global freight in 2025. This insightful conversation covers the rise of the zero-click environment...
Feb 05, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1387
In today's special episode of Supply Chain Now, we introduce a new series, "Breaking News Now," to bring live, timely, and relevant stories to its audience. In the inaugural episode, hosts Scott Luton and Kristi Porter discuss the devastating impact of the California wildfires with Janice Steverding, Chief Impact and Operations Officer at Gifts for Good. The conversation highlights the resilience and community spirit of Angelenos, the challenges faced by first responders, and the importance of s...
Feb 03, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 1386
Hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter discuss key topics and latest trends shaping the global supply landscape in this week's episode of The Buzz! Join us as they welcome Pam Simon, EVP of Programming for Manifest, and listen as they discuss: The ambitious $1.4 billion nearshoring incentive plan announced by Mexico, aimed at bolstering local manufacturing and creating 1.5 million skilled jobs The increasing importance of predictability in supply chain management as companies adapt to evolving market ...
Jan 31, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1385
In today's new episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Sofia Rivas Herrera welcome Dr. Yossi Sheffi, Director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, to the show. Listen in to a discussion covering a range of topics including the evolving skillsets required for supply chain professionals, the impact of AI on the industry, and the importance of understanding supply chain dynamics for all managers. Dr. Sheffi emphasized the need for risk-taking in business, the practical cha...
Jan 29, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 1384
Discover how Georgia Tech is shaping the future of supply chain management in this new episode of Supply Chain Now! Host Scott W. Luton sits down with Chris Gaffney, Managing Director of Georgia Tech's Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, Charles Easley Jr., Director of the LEAP Program, and student leaders Sam Deckbar and Brady Clements, to discuss groundbreaking innovations and student-driven initiatives redefining the industry. Be inspired by their insights into sustainable sourcing, AI-powe...
Jan 27, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 1383
Digital transformation, digital twins, and secure semiconductor supply chains remain pivotal topics in global supply chain discussions, as highlighted in this engaging episode of The Buzz on Supply Chain Now. Hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson explore these ongoing challenges and opportunities in global supply chain, and also welcome special guests Dr. Sarah Sengupta and Chris White to the show. Listen in as the panel discusses: Digital transformation in supply chain management The need for ...
Jan 24, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 1382
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa sit down with Mike Griswold from Gartner to dig into some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the supply chain today. They discuss what we learned from the 2024 holiday shopping season, the growing problem of returns, and how AI is changing the game when it comes to managing risk. Karin and Mike also share their thoughts on why respect matters more than ever in keeping teams engaged and what supply chain leaders...
Jan 22, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1381
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton welcomes back Ray Attiyah, a tireless entrepreneur and leadership expert, to discuss three proven tips for optimizing leadership performance in 2025. The conversation highlights the importance of creativity in strategic planning, the necessity of defining risk tolerance, and the critical role of visioning and storytelling in leadership. Ray emphasizes the unique challenges and opportunities of 2025, including market deceleration, the rise of ...
Jan 20, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 1380
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we delve into the evolving landscape of supply chain resilience and innovation. In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Richard Donaldson welcome special guest David Heacock, Founder and CEO of FilterBuy. Listen in as they discuss: Key findings from the recent U.S. Quadrennial Supply Chain Review, highlighting the critical need for diversification and the challenges of relying on single-source suppliers David's entrepreneurial journey from finance t...
Jan 17, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 1379
Prepare for an engaging deep dive into the future of global supply chain in today's episode of Supply Chain Now! Listen in as hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr welcome back returning guest Hans Moerman, CFO of Digital Technology at DP World. In this episode, Hans shares his incredible journey—from scaling a delivery startup in Southeast Asia to driving digital transformation at one of the world’s largest logistics providers. Discover how DP World is revolutionizing trade, the critical role of peop...
Jan 15, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1378
In this episode of Supply Chain Now , hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa are joined by Gustav Khambatta, Senior Vice President of Freight Payment Sales at U.S. Bank, to unpack key takeaways from 2024 and explore what lies ahead for global supply chains in 2025. The conversation delves into the evolution of ERP technology, the critical role of cybersecurity, and the growing importance of quality data in driving decision-making. Gustav highlights the value of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index as ...
Jan 13, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1377
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we take a deep dive into the critical topic of returns management during the peak returns season, aptly dubbed "Returnuary." As retailers brace for an anticipated 17% return rate of all sales in 2024, equating to a staggering $890 billion in returns, the conversation highlights the operational, logistical, and financial challenges that come with managing these returns. In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Sofia Rivas explore: The implications of ...
Jan 10, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1376
The University of South Carolina's Operations and Supply Chain program is renowned for its practical, hands-on approach to education, which has propelled it to the top ranks in the nation. In today's episode of Supply Chain Now, we continue our NOW Generation series, as host Scott Luton welcomes Giuliano Marodin , the Continental Chair Professor in Operations & Supply Chain at the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, along with three of his students, Yana Patel, Aide...
Jan 08, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 1375
In this first episode of 2025 here at Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton sits down with Alan Amling, Distinguished Fellow at The University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute, and Don Maier, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for an insightful conversation on navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in the evolving supply chain landscape. Alan and Don share insights on the competitive dynamics between industry giants like FedEx and UPS, the growing i...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 1374
Sustainability plays an essential role in shaping the future of supply chains - take your first steps to going green here. In this classic episode, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter engage with seasoned experts Paul Delbar and Bart Verbruggen from OMP to illuminate the complexities and opportunities of sustainable supply chain planning. Throughout their discussion, they emphasize the proactive steps required for meaningful sustainability initiatives, the challenges of integrating sustainability i...
Jan 03, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 1373
Now’s the time to learn to stay ahead of supply chain disruptions and improve your materials management capabilities for a competitive edge. In this classic episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kim Reuter explore the evolving landscape of materials management in the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain space. Joined by Michael King, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Nulogy, and Kevin Wong, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Nulogy, the discussion uncovers the critic...
Jan 01, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1372
Ever wondered how AI is transforming the future of supply chains? In this classic episode, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson are joined by David Vallejo, Vice President and Global Head of Digital Supply Chain Product Marketing at SAP, and Ronny Horvath, Partner Digital Supply Chain at IBM Consulting, to explore the game-changing role of artificial intelligence in supply chain management. Together, they dive deep into the practical applications of AI, revealing how companies are leveragin...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 1371
Prepare your supply chain for peak season success with actionable insights from industry experts. In this classic episode, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kim Reuter are joined by special guests Wes Arentson and Tony Thrasher from SPS Commerce to discuss essential strategies for navigating the busiest time of the year. From making the right investments in Q4 preparation to the importance of post-mortem reviews in Q1, our experts share invaluable advice on optimizing your logistics and retail operations...
Dec 27, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1370
This classic episode of Supply Chain Now dives into how Georgia-Pacific, a nearly 100-year-old company, embraces digital transformation. Listen in as hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson welcome Roshan Shah, VP of Applied AI and Products at Georgia-Pacific, to discuss how they use machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve decision-making, reduce waste, and make their operations more sustainable. Join us for this captivating conversation as Scott, Kevin, and Roshan highlight the i...
Dec 25, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1369
Selecting the right Transportation Management System (TMS) solution can be crucial for businesses. Finding a solution with the right balance of cost efficiency, visibility, good customer service, scalability, risk management, and analytics can be a difficult decision. Sometimes you get it right- and sometimes you get it wrong! In this classic episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Mary Kate Love welcomed Cody Graham, founder and president of Neon Logistics, and Anthony Ceritelli, sen...
Dec 23, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1368
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we dive deep into the ever-changing dynamics of global supply chains while reflecting on the year's challenges and successes. In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Tandreia Bellamy emphasize the importance of adapting to emerging trends like quantum computing, the latest developments in the U.S. warehousing industry, and the introduction of new Chinese export restrictions. They also welcome special guest Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger, who shares ...
Dec 20, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1367
In this episode, host Scott W. Luton is joined by Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, for a thought-provoking discussion on the most impactful supply chain trends of 2024 and bold predictions for 2025. Together, they explore how advancements in generative AI are reshaping supply chain operations and the renewed emphasis on investing in people to drive innovation and productivity. Mike shares insights from Gartner’s Supply Chain Top 25, spotlighting companies like P&G for their ...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1366
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott W. Luton sits down with David Morin, Vice President of Client & Retail Strategy at Narvar, to explore the evolving world of returns management and the operational complexities shaping today’s retail landscape. David shares insights into how Narvar is enhancing customer experiences post-purchase while addressing the critical challenges of returns logistics. From the role of AI in improving returns processing to strategies for fostering a seamles...
Dec 16, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 1365
Join us for this week's episode of The Buzz, as we delve into the evolving landscape of supply chain management, emphasizing the critical role of automation and technology. In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson welcome special guest Nathan Chaney, Founder of Supply Chaney, to discuss: Amazon's latest automated distribution center in Shreveport, Louisiana The latest ongoing negotiations between the USMX and ILA, where automation has become a significant sticking point, raising c...
Dec 13, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 1364
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kim Reuter explore the world of retail supply chain innovation with an outstanding panel featuring Venky Avunoori, Vice President of eCom and Customer Technologies at Spencer's & Spirit, Jim Ray, Divisional Vice President of Supply Chain Technology at Spencer's & Spirit, and Justin Cramer, Co-founder at ProShip. Together, they uncover the behind-the-scenes strategies powering the iconic retail brands Spencer’s and Spirit Hallo...
Dec 11, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 1363
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Jake Barr welcome Craig Allan, President of BWS Logistics, and Sam Foley, Chief Growth Officer at Turvo, to uncover how next-generation tech is advancing logistics and setting new standards for customer satisfaction. Craig and Sam share their experiences in modernizing logistics operations, from drastically cutting billing times to simplifying the complexity of multi-leg shipments through enhanced visibility and real-time tracking. To...
Dec 09, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1362