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The New Warehouse Podcast

The New Warehouse podcast hosted by Kevin Lawton is your source for insights and ideas from the distribution, transportation and logistics industry. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday morning bring you the latest from industry experts and thought leaders.

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Episodes

EP 624: Bringing Robotics to the Warehouse Floor with Boston Dynamics

This episode features Madi Weiss, Field Application Engineer at Boston Dynamics. She discusses how robotics is transforming logistics and warehouse operations. Boston Dynamics, renowned worldwide for its innovative robots, has transitioned from viral videos to real-world industrial applications. With robots like Spot, Stretch, and the evolving Atlas, the company is delivering practical solutions for inspections, container unloading, and future warehouse automation. Madi shares how these robots o...

Sep 10, 202533 min

EP 623: Building Purpose-Driven Fulfillment with Ecomspaces

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Maïré Bavarday, CEO and Founder of Ecomspaces, a unique hybrid of a creator accelerator and third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Bavarday’s journey into logistics began in her bedroom back in 2013, eventually leading her to launch Ecomspaces in 2020. Today, her company helps small and growing e-commerce brands scale through fulfillment services, strategic guidance, and community-driven support. From overcoming cash flow challenges t...

Sep 08, 202547 min

Live from WERC: Synkrato is Changing Warehousing from the Ground Up with AI

This episode of The New Warehouse podcast comes to you on site at the 2025 Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) conference in New Orleans. Amin Sikander, founder and CEO of Synkrato , joined the show to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping warehouse operations. With more than 30 years of experience building and implementing logistics systems, Sikander is now focused on AI-powered tools that help warehouses make smarter decisions in real time. Synkrato's platform builds up...

Sep 05, 202524 min

EP 622: Warehouse Inventory Accuracy Takes Off with Verity

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Michael DeLeonardis, Chief Revenue Officer at Verity, about how the company is transforming warehouse operations through autonomous drones, computer vision, and AI-driven insights. Verity positions itself as a warehouse intelligence platform that goes beyond traditional cycle counting to uncover lost goods, increase accuracy, and boost operational resilience. With more than 150 deployments worldwide across industries like retail, 3PL...

Sep 03, 202527 min

EP 621: Harnessing Technology to Advance Cold Storage Operations at Lineage

Welcome to this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, where Kevin chats with Eric Ristow, VP of Global Technology Services at Lineage. Lineage, formerly Lineage Logistics , is the world’s largest temperature-controlled logistics provider, operating nearly 500 warehouses in 20 countries and moving over 250 billion pounds of food annually. With a mission to eliminate waste and help feed the world, Lineage is redefining cold chain logistics through innovation, acquisitions, and a strong technology ...

Sep 01, 202538 min

EP 620: Putting AI in Air Freight with Aircon

Air freight has always been a fast-moving, high-stakes sector of global trade. In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Chris Condon, CEO and founder of Aircon, a company building AI agents to transform air freight operations. Chris shares how Aircon began with a mission to help small and medium-sized freight forwarders compete at scale. He also explains why air freight is more strategic than many assume and how AI is reshaping quoting, booking, and exception management. Fo...

Aug 27, 202532 min

EP 619: Safeguarding Pharmaceutical Logistics with Cardinal Health

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Joel Wayment, Vice President and General Manager of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Packaging Solutions at Cardinal Health. Joel shares how Cardinal Health supports pharmaceutical manufacturers by managing complex logistics and packaging requirements to ensure life-saving products reach patients in perfect condition. He also discusses sustainability, visibility technology, and network planning for pharmaceutical logistics. He emphasi...

Aug 25, 202533 min

Rack Safety with UpRight Warehouse Solutions: Fast Repairs, Real Prevention, and Smarter Response

Kevin chats with Dan Klinger, President and Founder of UpRight Warehouse Solutions, in this special episode of The New Warehouse Podcast’s Safety Series. The conversation centers on rack safety in warehouses—one of the most critical yet often overlooked elements of warehouse operations. UpRight Warehouse Solutions is best known for its patented UpRight Rack Repair system and proactive inspections that help facilities prevent catastrophic failures. In the episode, Dan walks us through how his com...

Aug 21, 202535 min

EP 618: Optimizing Warehouse Operations with AI and Digital Twins

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Bart Gadeyne, founder and CEO of Optioryx, about how his company helps warehouses digitize and optimize warehouse operations. Drawing on over a decade of experience in logistics optimization, Bart shares how Optioryx began with solving “too much air in shipments” and grew into a suite of AI-powered tools for 3D load building, slotting, picking optimization, and mobile SKU dimensioning. The conversation explores why accurate master da...

Aug 20, 202528 min

EP 617: Building a 3PL Family with 3Linx Unified Commerce

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Kashif Raza, founder and CEO of 3Linx Unified Commerce. Kashif shares the company’s evolution from a basement operation to a technology-driven fulfillment network and how it now serves as a bridge between e-commerce brands and 3PL providers. Built out of frustration with slow, expensive warehouse management systems, 3Linx was designed to simplify operations, foster collaboration, and keep brands informed in real time. Kashif offers c...

Aug 18, 202537 min

Voxel: A Collaborative Approach to Improving Warehouse Safety with AI-Powered Insight

Welcome to this special “Safety Series” episode of The New Warehouse Podcast. Kevin chats with Vernon O’Donnell, CEO of Voxel, a computer vision-based AI company transforming warehouse safety. Voxel isn’t just monitoring environments; it’s actively preventing incidents by detecting hazards in real time using existing security cameras. Vernon shares how Voxel's solution identifies ergonomic risks, vehicle safety issues, and environmental hazards without requiring new hardware or invasive surveill...

Aug 14, 202536 min

EP 616: Gamification in the Warehouse for Stronger Engagement and Performance

Kevin chats with Nick Retzmann, Chief Growth and Product Officer at Vaibe, to explore how gamification can transform warehouse employee engagement. Vaibe offers a software-as-a-service platform that connects to existing systems, turning daily operational KPIs into fun, team-oriented challenges. From increasing pick rates to improving safety compliance, Vaibe creates an environment where employees feel recognized and motivated. With labor shortages, retention struggles, and competitive hiring mar...

Aug 13, 202533 min

EP 615: Navigating Tariffs and Automation in Warehousing

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, host Kevin speaks with Jason Minghini, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions at Kenco, a leader in third-party logistics (3PL) solutions. Jason shares how Kenco proactively navigates tariff complexities affecting global trade and innovatively leverages automation and robotics to overcome persistent labor shortages in warehousing. They explore recent automation initiatives, including collaborations with AutoStore and GreyOrange, delivering v...

Aug 11, 202530 min

EP 614: Take Care of Warehouse Robots, and They’ll Take Care of You

Welcome to this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, where Kevin chats with Dale Walsh, Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Roboworx. Roboworx provides tailored field service solutions for robotics fleets, working directly with OEMs, resellers, and integrators to ensure long-term uptime. From site surveys to installations, preventative maintenance, and customer success, Dale shares how Roboworx helps robotics companies scale while keeping automation performing at its best. With robotic...

Aug 06, 202531 min

EP 613: Reinventing Warehouse Stacking with Ambi Robotics

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Jeff Mahler, CTO and Co-founder of Ambi Robotics. Ambi Robotics applies artificial intelligence and simulation-driven learning to solve some of the most complex challenges in logistics automation. In this episode, Jeff shares how Ambi uses a combination of deep reinforcement learning, modular design, and real-world feedback to help operations scale productivity through robotic systems. From parcel sorting to the latest innovation, Am...

Aug 04, 202532 min

EP 612: Boosting Warehouse Productivity with Vecna Robotics

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Karl Iagnemma, CEO of Vecna Robotics. Vecna Robotics enhances warehouse productivity by integrating AI-driven autonomous robots with human workers, optimizing efficiency and safety. With extensive expertise in robotics and autonomous vehicle technology, Karl discusses his transition from developing autonomous vehicles for public roads to optimizing robotic solutions within warehouse environments. A particular focus of the discussion ...

Jul 30, 202535 min

EP 611: Instawork is Tackling Warehouse Talent Shifts with Flexibility and Data

Welcome to this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, where Kevin chats with Alex Vinden, General Manager of Light Industrial at Instawork. Instawork is a flexible staffing platform redefining how warehouses meet labor demands. Alex dives into Instawork’s tech-powered approach to temporary staffing, its role in collecting real-time labor data, and key insights from their latest State of Warehouse Labor report. As warehouses grapple with evolving labor needs and the uncertainty of tariffs, Alex b...

Jul 28, 202534 min

Supply Chain Point: Shining a Light on Supply Chain Theft with Streetleaf

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with John Hantzis, Head of Operations at Streetleaf and Transportation Sector Chief for InfraGard . Streetleaf is a solar street lighting company recognized for its rapid deployment systems and storm-resilient infrastructure, primarily serving master-planned communities. John shares how Streetleaf developed a lean and adaptive warehouse strategy, built to withstand tariff volatility and unpredictable demand. He also delves into his role w...

Jul 24, 202522 min

EP 610: Sonair is Giving Robots a New Way to See

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Knut Sandven. Sandven is the founder and CEO of Sonair, a Norway-based startup bringing new depth to robotic vision. With a background in ultrasonic sensing and two previous startups under his belt, Knut shares how Sonair is enabling warehouse robots to “see” with ultrasonic depth sensors that work in 3D. These sensors allow autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and robotic arms to detect and navigate around various types of objects, inclu...

Jul 23, 202524 min

EP 609: Scaling Logistics with Charles Ickes of Bergen Logistics

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Charles Ickes, CEO of Bergen Logistics and CloudX Systems. With a background that began in high-end dry cleaning and led to leadership roles in fashion logistics, Charles shares how his journey shaped Bergen’s approach to global 3PL services and warehouse technology. Now operating under the Elanders Group umbrella, Bergen Logistics has grown from a regional fashion-focused provider to a worldwide network of 19 fulfillment centers—all...

Jul 21, 202533 min

From Startup to Leader in E-Commerce Fulfillment: An Insider's Look at Relay Distribution

In this episode of The New Warehouse podcast, host Kevin Lawton speaks with Derek Dryer, co-founder of Relay Distribution, a thriving e-commerce fulfillment center in Houston, Texas. Derek shares his journey from scaling operations for a fitness YouTuber's brand to co-founding Relay Distribution. They discuss the challenges and strategies of handling influencer-driven product launches, the advantages of their unique YouTube-centric marketing approach, and the impact of installing a Pio automated...

Jul 18, 202534 min

Supply Chain Point: Launching a 3PL with Rodney Galeano

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Rodney Galeano, Founder and CEO of Loki 3PL, about his journey from overseeing massive warehouse operations to launching his own third-party logistics company. Recorded live at Supply Chain Point 2025 , Rodney opens up about the hustle, the strategy, and the sheer grit it took to launch a fully operational 3PL in under six weeks, with clients, forklifts, a WMS, and thousands of pallets ready to go. Rodney shares how his extensive ind...

Jul 17, 202529 min

EP 608: Growth Catalyst Group on Supply Chain Resilience

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Manish Kapoor, founder and CEO of Growth Catalyst Group (GCG), a dynamic network of supply chain-focused companies helping businesses scale with technology, process, and strategy. The conversation spans the shift from traditional distribution centers to omnichannel fulfillment, adapting to global disruptions such as tariffs and pandemics, and why the best supply chains are flexible, provide visibility, and have customer needs at the ...

Jul 16, 202531 min

EP 607: Drop Trailers Unlock New Warehouse Efficiencies

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Andrew Wallen, VP of Distribution and Fulfillment at ITF Group, to unpack the growing role of drop trailer solutions in warehouse operations. The ITF Group positions itself as a one-stop shop for logistics services, encompassing transportation, warehousing, and global forwarding. Andrew walks us through how drop trailer strategies are helping companies reduce dock congestion, improve labor efficiency, and better navigate unpredictabi...

Jul 14, 202528 min

Supply Chain Point: How Zenni Optical Manages Glasses, Contacts, and Global Chaos

Kevin chats with Emily Kelly, Senior Director of Operations at Zenni Optical, during this special Supply Chain Point edition of The New Warehouse Podcast. Known for its affordable eyewear and direct-to-consumer model, Zenni has evolved over its 22-year history to now include a growing contact lens business. Emily shares how Zenni is balancing innovation and stability in a volatile global logistics environment, especially as they manage a dual-channel supply chain for both glasses and contacts. F...

Jul 10, 202518 min

EP 606: Automating Yard Operations with Outrider

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Andrew Smith, Founder and CEO of Outrider, a pioneer in autonomous yard operations. It’s been five years since Andrew first joined the show , and a lot has changed, both in the industry and at Outrider. The conversation explores how the company has evolved since emerging from stealth mode, how it integrates AI and deep learning into its solution, and why the yard may be one of the most dangerous, overlooked segments in the supply cha...

Jul 09, 202530 min

EP 605: Trailer Loading with Modular Simplicity from Slip Robotics

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Jordan Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer at Slip Robotics. Slip has made waves in the logistics world with its ability to load or unload a 53-foot trailer in just five minutes using its autonomous SlipBots. Now, with the launch of SlipBot Plus, they’re expanding the platform’s capabilities even further, enabling highly flexible trailer configurations, safer operations, and smoother workflows. Jordan breaks down how customer feedback ...

Jul 07, 202533 min

Supply Chain Point: Solving Logistics Challenges with Nish George

Kevin chats with Nish George, CEO of Fetch Fulfillment, on this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, recorded at Supply Chain Point 2025 . Nish’s journey from FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) fanatic to logistics disruptor is anything but typical. With a background that includes operations roles and time at Amazon, Nish brings an unconventional, systems-level mindset to the industry—one shaped as much by personal mission as professional ambition. In this conversation, he shares how d...

Jul 03, 202521 min

EP 604: A SIMPL Solution for Automating Warehouses

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Nicholas Gordon, Co-founder and COO of SIMPL Automation, a company redefining ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) deployment. Instead of tearing out infrastructure to make way for automation, SIMPL delivers an adaptive solution that installs directly onto existing racking, cutting down on cost, disruption, and environmental waste. With 15 years of integration experience under his belt, Nicholas brings a holistic view of th...

Jul 02, 202529 min

EP 603: MHI’s Conveyor and Sortation Solutions Group on Smarter Vertical Integration

Kevin chats with Wesley Parkin of Qimarox and Steve Castle of Autoquip in this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, recorded live from ProMat 2025. Representing MHI’s Conveyor and Sortation Solutions (CSS) Industry Group , Wesley and Steve unpack key challenges and emerging solutions in material handling, especially when it comes to moving Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) between facility levels. The conversation dives deep into the CSS Group’s collaborative efforts, the growing need for smarter...

Jun 30, 202522 min
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