Supply Chain Now Radio

With 54 different countries, different cultures, and great diversity, the continent of Africa certainly faces its own unique set of challenges on the global supply chain stage. But with its young population and abundant natural resources, there is also great potential for growth, and supply chain can serve as a catalyst in harnessing these opportunities.In this third and final episode of our three-part series, Supply Chain Now host Scott Luton wraps up coverage from the 2023 SAPICS Annual Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. In speaking with three more supply chain leaders, Ken Titmuss, Dr. Andrew Brown, and Thobekile Nxumalo, they cover topics from the great supply chain opportunities in Africa, mass customization, improving access to quality medicines, workforce education development, leveraging technology, and so much more. Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comCheck out our new Supply Chain Now Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3emdLcKSubscribe to Suppl

The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!This week’s edition of The Buzz featured Allison Giddens. Allison is the co-President at Win-Tech, a veteran-owned, woman-owned small business that specialized in aerospace precision machined parts. When it comes to top trends in manufacturing, she has her finger on the pulse.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Scott and Allison discussed:• The tentative deal between UPS and the Teamsters union which (hopefully) averts a massive labor strike, and what the new terms mean for shippers and consumers• Bidding farewell to Yellow Freight, a major player in the LTL space, as they declare bankruptcy• A bill before the U.S. Senate that would boost domestic pharmaceutical production and supply for critical

Digital innovation is fueling change in supply chains through new trends and transformational technologies. As customer and consumer demands increase, many retailers, brands, and logistics providers are feeling pressure to optimize their operations to navigate greater complexities and competitive landscapes.Padhu Raman is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Osa Commerce. He has a strong track record of creating and implementing innovative solutions for end-to-end commerce, including eCommerce & supply chain technology, fulfillment automation, back-end management, warehouse robotics adoption, sustainability, finance, and 3PL/4PL operations strategy.In this livestream-based episode, Padhu explores the importance of putting customers at the heart of supply chain operations with hosts Scott Luton and Greg White:• How collaborative visibility helps forge strong partnerships between suppliers, logistics providers, and other stakeholders• Why building end-to-end visibility helps improve risk management a

When you build something that has never been done before, you need clear understanding – and a solid plan – for every level of the supply chain. Stone Distributing, a leading premium beverage wholesaler in southern California, wanted to get their team out of the load building business. They partnered with Zengistics, a technology driven supply chain and logistics partner that provides scalable managed transportation offerings, to break supply chain norms, disrupt the status quo, reimagine the supply chain – and ultimately create a blueprint for repeatable financial success.Matthew Zimmer is the President of Zengistics and Clint Graflund is the VP of Operations for Stone Distributing. In this livestream-based episode, they joined Scott Luton and Greg White to talk about how this 4PL-Shipper duo broke down industry challenges to pioneer a superior supply chain with Turvo at the heart of it all.Listen in to learn how they partnered to build:- Best-in-class supply chains that serve as industry blueprints for inno

The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!This week’s edition of The Buzz featured Robert Yturri, Chief Product Officer at FORLOH, along with hosts Scott Luton and Greg White. FORLOH makes high-end American-made outdoor gear, so they know a thing or two about sourcing and manufacturing in the U.S., and, working to ensure quality, and going for the overall win.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Scott and Greg discussed:• How Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien turned up the heat on UPS leadership to keep labor contract negotiations moving forward in their favor• Tight sugar supplies that are raising costs and putting the squeeze on U.S. candy manufacturers• And then Robert joined the team onscreen to talk about three things that supp

In this special episode of Supply Chain Now, we continue coverage from the annual SAPICS 2023 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, as host Scott Luton interviews the best and brightest supply chain changemakers that are literally building bridges and making a difference across the continent of Africa.Listen and learn more about:The need for increased utilization of the rail network for a more sustainable futureThe importance of a circular supply chain and the integration and adaptation of sustainable processes throughout the supply chainHow evolution is essential within a business and good communication is keyFeatured Guests:MJ Schoemaker- ProscE2E Pty Ltd - Pro Supply ChainAlastair Taylor- NetstockDeborah Dull- Genpact | Circular Supply Chain NetworkAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comCheck out our new Supply Chain Now Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3emdLcKSubscribe to Supply Chain Now and all other Supply Chain Now programs: https://supplychainnow.com/s

Supply chain management is a crucial aspect of saving lives, as it ensures the efficient flow of essential goods and services. Nowhere is this more evident and more evolving than on the continent of Africa. In this first episode of a three-part series, Scott Luton is reporting from the annual SAPICS Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, learning from the supply chain professionals in attendance and their inspiring supply chain missions. The discussions range from the importance of dialogue in problem-solving, people understanding their purpose, and strengthening the supply chain workforce in specific African countries to AI and its effect on the supply chain, improvements for data visibility, and integrating various supply chain strategies at different levels. Listen in to the transformative supply chain projects and the strategic partnerships taking place all over the continent.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comCheck out our new Supply Chain Now M

 The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!This week’s edition of The Buzz featured two audience favorites as guests: Constantine Limberakis and Mike Griswold. With many school districts starting to ramp up for students to return, and retailers stocking the shelves in anticipation, the team kicked off the stream by reminiscing about their best Back-to-School memories.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Mike, Constantine, and Scott discussed:• The significant increase in K-12 back-to-school spending forecasted by the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights and Analytics• A recent State Department announcement that they will partner Costa Rica as an additional location for semiconductor manufacturing• Additional insights from th

What would it look like to come to this country with one suitcase in hand to achieve the American dream? It might include the opportunity to serve as a corporate leader at Dell, to be sworn in at the White House to serve on the United States Investment Advisory Council, and to receive numerous accolades, including “Twenty-Five Influential Women in Business” by MEA Magazine; “America’s Top Diversity Advocate” by DiversityBusiness.com; and “Best of the Decade” by Minority Business USA.What if you realized your American dream and then realized millions of others had not? Would you be satisfied or get back to work?In this crossover episode of Logistics with Purpose, Enrique Alvarez and Maureen Woolshlager are joined by Ying McGuire, CEO & President of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), to talk about how her achievement of the American dream is now driving her to help systematically excluded communities of color do the same.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain

What's going on with the UPS and Teamsters negotiations? And in global trade markets? In today's business buzz episode, host Scott Luton shares a variety of business observations and interesting news stories that are at top of mind for supply chain and business professionals. Also, listen for surprise appearances from two return guests for a few new podcast recommendations for your listening pleasure!Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comCheck out our new Supply Chain Now Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3emdLcKSubscribe to Supply Chain Now and all other Supply Chain Now programs: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribeJoin the NOW Community: http://bit.ly/41kpUSO2023 Q1 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/3VuwnIkWEBINAR- “Decoding Digital Transformation” – Charting a path forward: https://bit.ly/3VvVc6VWEBINAR- 5 Ways the Right TMS & ERP Integrations Streamline & Simplify Shipping: https://bit.ly/3CjWWYaWEBINAR- Unbreakable: Unlocking Resilie

The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!This week’s edition of The Buzz was a Digital Transformers edition, and it featured hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson. They opened the conversation – and kicked off the second half of 2023 – by talking about the most recent edition of ‘With That Said,’ the Supply Chain Now LinkedIn newsletter, 22,000 subscribers strong.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Scott and Kevin discussed:• The latest developments in the ongoing contract negotiation between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters• China’s recent decision to restrict exports of gallium and germanium, minerals that are used in products like semiconductors, solar panels, and missile systems• The current state of digital supply

Companies working to achieve net zero carbon emissions across the entire value chain must take urgent and decisive action. Any product innovation has to take into consideration the environmental impact over the lifespan of that item.Julie Ryan is the Senior Manager of NA Returns and Remarketing at HP, where she has been innovating for more than 36 years. Anyone who purchases a product from HP directly has return privileges. Julie’s organization authorizes those returns and manages the physical operations associated with receiving them, issuing credits, refurbishing and/or remanufacturing the product, putting it in a warehouse, and selling it as a recertified/refurbished product.In this episode, Julie joins host Scott Luton and Tony Sciarrotta, Executive Director of the Reverse Logistics Association, to talk about:• The public commitments HP has made about sustainability that serve as the heart of their reverse logistics strategy• Why supply chain organizations need to include a broad range of skills and backg

Although procurement is a critical function for all companies, few are investing in their talent and technology. With continued supply chain disruptions and pressure from inflation, procurement teams are trying to figure out what their next normal is going to look like.John Lander joined OMNIA Partners following a 20-year career at Office Depot. His experience includes building a world-class sales culture, sales deployment optimization, sales productivity improvement, merger and acquisition execution and integration, P&L development/ management, and growing new product lines with existing customers.=In this livestream-based episode, John speaks with co-hosts Scott Luton and Greg White about:- The top priorities of the executive level representatives of members and suppliers he speaks with- The top three pain points that procurement professionals face in today’s current market- How access to a diverse portfolio of world-class products and services can help companies meet their unique supply chain needsAddi

Supply chains have faced several challenges over the last few years, and there is no end in sight. They have overcome the danger of food shortages and PPE scarcity and are now bracing for the impact of driverless vehicles and omnipresent AI. There is never a dull moment when you work in supply chain.Dr. Yossi Sheffi is the Director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, the Elisha Gray II Professor of Engineering Systems, Professor of MIT Civil and Environmental, and an Engineering Professor at the MIT Institute of Data Science and Society. He is also the author of The Magic Conveyor Belt: Supply Chains, A.I., and the Future of Work, published in March of 2023.In this episode, Dr. Sheffi speaks with co-hosts Scott Luton and Greg White about:- Why now is the most exciting time to work in supply chain - despite the challenges- How the politicization of everything makes it harder than ever to run companies and manage supply chains- The key takeaways that he hopes readers will find in his book: The M

Louisiana currently ranks 49 out of the 50 states when it comes to health outcomes. Despite that disturbing fact, there are amazing healthcare teams and organizations working tirelessly to elevate the health of the communities they serve, one patient at a time.Régine Villain is the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Ochsner Health System, a Louisiana-based organization that was recently recognized with a fifth-place ranking in the Gartner Healthcare supply chain Top 25. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit health system comprised of 47 hospitals and 370 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Gulf South. Their more than 37,000 employees worked together to serve over 1.4 million patients in 2022 alone.In this episode, Régine speaks with host Scott Luton about:- How working in a New York City hospital on September 11, 2001 affected her perspective on and response to later crises- Working to ensure security of operating room supplies in the months leading up to the COVID outbreak

Gartner’s Top 25 Supply Chain ranking was started 19 years ago to celebrate the best supply chains in the world and to raise awareness about the impact a well-run supply chain can have on the overall health and competitiveness of a business.Mike Griswold is the Vice President of Research at Gartner, specializing in retail with a particular focus on forecasting and replenishment. He is responsible for Gartner’s annual Top 25 Supply Chain ranking and joins Supply Chain Now on a monthly basis to discuss the latest in retail supply chains from an analyst’s perspective.In this episode, Mike talks about his 3 key takeaways (plus 2 more) from this year’s top 25 supply chains with co-hosts Scott Luton and Greg White:• The maturity and sophistication required to build and operate a world class supply chain through third party relationships• The power of understanding that a ranking like the top 25 is not a goal in and of itself, but rather an outcome• 2 Notable macro trends: identifying and seizing new opportunities a

The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!In this week’s edition of The Buzz, regular co-host Greg White was back after a few weeks away, ready to dig into the trends, the issues, and the opportunities of the moment… everything cool that's happening in supply chain.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Scott and Greg discussed:• How drought conditions across the U.S. and smaller cattle herds may push up the price of your burgers this summer• The good news and bad news about inflation, with rates generally falling, but a few key items staying high: food, housing, and transportation services• Whether a new leader might be emerging in the long-running competition between Amazon and WalmartAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Suppl

Demand for sustainable, connected, and autonomous products is growing exponentially, forcing sourcing and procurement departments to keep up with new innovations while balancing costs. But there is a better way.New digital technology can help procurement teams in engineering-centric industries like automotive and industrial manufacturing to streamline their sourcing and contracting processes and better control material costs during new product launches and ongoing parts procurement for mass production.Joel Solomon is the Senior Director of Strategic Customers at SAP and Carsten Wutzler is the Director of Enterprise Performance at Deloitte Consulting. They recently joined co-hosts Scott Luton and Allison Giddens for a Supply Chain Now livestream to discuss best practices from leading automakers and industrial manufacturers.Watch or listen to this episode to learn how leading automakers and industrial manufacturers are:- Supporting and scaling on-time product launches and ongoing procurement of highly engineere

Working through challenging situations teaches teams a lot of lessons. The pandemic taught supply chain teams about the value of options, the importance of getting to market quickly, and the dangers of having an overly complex, elongated supply chain. At the same time, it demonstrated the difference that can be made by having strong relationships and actionable transparency.Frank Dreischarf is the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions and LTL Operations at R2 Logistics. He has over 20 years of experience in supply chain distribution and has managed more than $200 Million in transportation spend. Frank has always believed in the power and importance of relationships, from his first post-college role to today.In this episode, Frank joins host Scott Luton to speak about several topics which he has a lot of professional passion:• How he and his team apply their expertise and high service levels to help small to medium-sized companies optimize their LTL spend• The current status of global supply chain op

The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!This week’s edition of The Buzz was a Digital Transformers edition, and it featured hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson. They opened the conversation by marking Juneteenth, a Federal holiday recognizing the day that word reached Galveston, Texas that the last slaves were freed, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Scott and Kevin discussed:• The two major challenges that usually arise in the process of digital transformation: harnessing and leveraging data and building agility into your organization and technology strategy• Leveraging cybersecurity as a service to supplement in house efforts against the con