The Buzz: Transformation in the Trucking Industry
On today's episode of The Buzz, we dive into the evolving landscape of the supply chain, particularly emphasizing the significance of technological innovation in trucking and the emerging role of younger generations within the industry. Welcome to The Buzz!This week, hosts Scott Luton and Richard Donaldson welcome special guest, founder of Truck N' Hustle, Rahmel Wattley, to the show. Listen in as they discuss:Port volumes and the impact of tariffsMetal supply chains, where China's control over rare earth processing poses strategic challengesThe expectations of young professionals in the trucking industry, emphasizing the importance of employee experience, flexible work environments, and mental health resourcesInsights regarding the intersection of entrepreneurship and transportation logistics, highlighting the transformative potential of reshaping traditional practicesAn innovative infrastructure project aims to streamline trade between the US and Mexico with a dedicated elevated train laneThis episode ultimately underscores the vital importance of adaptability and forward-thinking as we forge ahead in a rapidly changing economic environment. Join us as we explore these critical themes and more in detail, providing a comprehensive overview of today's supply chain challenges and opportunities.Additional Links & Resources:Rahmel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahmel-wattley-64004a171/Learn more about Truck N' Hustle: Trucknhustle.comWith That Said: https://bit.ly/3I6YtXy Protolabs: https://bit.ly/3HTKV1w Truckers see less business as Los Angeles port volumes slow: https://bit.ly/3G7lGZb Military demand strains metal supply chains: https://bit.ly/3ZLVgTw In Chaos We Create: Bridging the Critical Raw Materials Gap Through Strategic Convergence: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4983804/06E5641B392BEE394780495531F9AE91?partnerref= Trucking’s Next Generation Brings New Ideas to the Workplace: https://bit.ly/4nf79LyThe $10 Billion Proposal to Speed Up U.S.-Mexico Trade: https://bit.ly/467m2JK Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarddonaldson/ Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: <a href="https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk" rel="noopener noreferrer"...
27 Jun 48min
Inside McCormick’s Bold Supply Chain Strategy
In this inspiring and special episode from the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium in Orlando, Scott Luton of Supply Chain Now sits down with Whitney Shlesinger, Vice President of Global Planning and Logistics at McCormick & Company. From the bold flavors of Old Bay, Frank’s RedHot, and Cholula to global supply chain innovation, Whitney shares how McCormick is blending strategy, sustainability, and leadership development to stay ahead.Key takeaways include:How McCormick structures its supply chain for resilience and growthThe power of data-driven planning and scenario modelingWhy diversity and mentorship are critical to the future of supply chainHow the supply chain functions as a unifying force across the businessWhether you’re a supply chain leader or emerging professional, this episode is packed with insights on vision, structure, and building a culture of excellence. Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Whitney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-shlesinger/Learn more about McCormick: https://www.mccormickcorporation.com/Watch our other interviews from Gartner Supply Chain Symposium 2025: https://supplychainnow.com/gartner-2025 Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Subscribe to Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com/join Check out Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk WEBINAR- Transforming Operations: Flowers Foods Unveils Its Digital Supply Chain Revolution: https://bit.ly/44b8GKdWEBINAR- Tariff Watch - Unpacking the Latest Updates: https://bit.ly/3FvL2zNWEBINAR- When to Walk Away from Warehouse AI - and When to Go All In: https://bit.ly/4dFgCYqWEBINAR- Real Stories: How Digital Planning Helped Australia’s Leading Packaging Manufacturer Unlock Millions in Capex: https://bit.ly/3TsxBUFWEBINAR- Unleash Your Inner Pioneer: How to Transform How You Lead: https://bit.ly/45X3ax3WEBINAR- Still in the Dark? 4 Shipping Visibility Fails You Can’t Afford This Peak: https://bit.ly/44g0NEiWEBINAR- Strengthening Fraud Defenses Through Tracking and Digital Visibility: https://bit.ly/4eiZ6t3This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/inside-mccormicks-bold-supply-chain-strategy-1446
25 Jun 20min
Distribution Strategy & Operations Insights with The Distribution Guy®, Will Quinn
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor sit down with Will Quinn, supply chain consultant at CAMM Consulting and better known as The Distribution Guy® to unpack the evolving world of warehousing and distribution. With a rich background spanning military logistics, Coca-Cola operations, and enterprise tech systems, Will offers a grounded yet forward-looking view of how distribution excellence is built from the floor up.Together, they explore why the biggest risk in distribution is doing nothing, how to use AI to document standard operating procedures, and what the dirtiest ceiling fan in the building might say about a warehouse's performance. Will also shares why digital transformation should support—not drive—your business strategy and why automation won’t replace people, but poorly managed change might.The discussion also touches on tariff-induced uncertainty, rising labor costs, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the rising importance of nearshoring. Will and Tevon share leadership insights that emphasize culture, consistency, and communication—and leave us with a simple but powerful reminder: success starts with taking care of your people.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro (03:23) Will Quinn, The Distribution Guy® (04:39) Stories and personal backgrounds (13:33) Diving into distribution and warehousing (16:55) Tariffs and global supply chains (20:01) Operational mistakes in warehouse strategy (25:31) Cybersecurity in the supply chain (25:59) Best practices for preventing hacks (26:49) Recognizing phishing attempts (27:15) Operational resilience and cybersecurity (29:16) Assessing warehouse efficiency (30:32) Key factors in warehouse management (31:53) The importance of culture in warehousing (35:37) Risks in technology adoption (42:01) Preparing for the future of warehousing (45:02) How to connect with Will and Tevon Resources:Learn more about The Distribution Guy®: https://www.thedistributionguy.com Connect with Will: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedistributionguy Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/ Connect with Tevon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevontaylor/ Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- In Chaos We Create: Bridging the Critical Raw Materials Gap Through Strategic Convergence: https://bit.ly/459BzIQWEBINAR- Transforming Operations: Flowers...
23 Jun 48min
The Buzz: Cyber Risks in the Transportation Sector
On today's episode of The Buzz, we dive into the critical topics impacting global supply chain. Welcome to The Buzz!This week, hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson welcome special guest Kim Winter, Founder and Global Managing Director of Logistics Executive Group, to the show. Listen in as they discuss:The transportation sector's increasing cyber risksThe evolving role of AI and how it can enhance supply chain operationsKey takeaways from major industry events, including Messe Muenchen Transport Logistic and Logisym SingaporeThe importance of digital transformation, automation, and flexibility in talent acquisitionGeopolitical impacts on supply chains, particularly in the Middle EastJoin us and for insights and new strategies to navigate the complexities of modern supply chains.Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Kim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimblewinter/Lean more about Logistics Executive Group: www.logisticsexecutivegroup.comWith That Said: https://bit.ly/43LvcdDU.S. Bank 2025 Q1 Freight Payment Index: bit.ly/scn-us-bankTransport sector facing rising cyber risks amid AI boom: https://securitybrief.com.au/story/transport-sector-faces-rising-cyber-risks-amid-ai-boomUnlocking the potential of AI in transportation and logistics back office operations: https://www.thescxchange.com/finance-strategy/plan/unlocking-the-potential-of-ai-in-transportation-and-logistics-back-office-operationsLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- In Chaos We Create: Bridging the Critical Raw Materials Gap Through Strategic Convergence: https://bit.ly/459BzIQWEBINAR- Transforming Operations: Flowers Foods Unveils Its Digital Supply Chain Revolution: https://bit.ly/44b8GKdWEBINAR- Tariff Watch - Unpacking the Latest Updates: https://bit.ly/3FvL2zNWEBINAR- When to Walk Away from Warehouse AI - and When to Go All In: https://bit.ly/4dFgCYqWEBINAR- Unleash Your Inner Pioneer: How to Transform How You Lead: https://bit.ly/45X3ax3WEBINAR- Still in the Dark? 4 Shipping Visibility Fails You
20 Jun 49min
From Inbox to Action: How Supply Chains Are Automating the Mess Away
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson sit down with Antonio Bustamante, CEO of bem, to explore how automation is reshaping the supply chain landscape in 2025. Together, they unpack the hidden costs of manual workflows, the pitfalls of outdated systems, and the massive opportunity in eliminating data friction.Antonio shares how bem helps teams move away from time-consuming email and PDF-based processes toward self-healing, AI-powered systems that learn from every operator input. He discusses why the freight world is especially burdened by unstructured data, and how automation can free up teams to focus on serving customers, not fixing typos.The conversation also covers the limitations of RPA and email triage, the challenge of achieving interoperability across legacy systems, and why meeting operators where they are (even if that means faxes and handwritten notes) is key to meaningful digital transformation. Plus, Antonio offers a peek at bem’s upcoming Command Center, a tool that gives ops teams the power to correct, route, and improve workflows without relying on engineering.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(03:49) The importance of automation in supply chain(06:57) Challenges of manual data entry(13:47) Unstructured data in supply chain(21:06) The role of communication in logistics(22:34) Understanding multimodal communication(23:45) Challenges with RPA and email triage(24:44) Embracing real-world data(27:09) The role of handwritten notes(27:49) BIM's impact on manual processing(30:39) Introducing the command center(40:08) Composable infrastructureAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about bem: https://blog.bem.ai/ Connect with Antonio Bustamante: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abmirayo/ Loop automates data transformation at scale for new clients with bem: https://www.bem.ai/customer-stories/loop-automates-data-transformation-at-scale-for-new-clients-with-bemThe Supply Chain Back Office Is Broken: https://lp.supplychainnow.com/bemFor more content with bem and Supply Chain Now, check out the bem Campaign Landing Page: https://supplychainnow.com/bem Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- In Chaos We Create: Bridging the Critical Raw Materials Gap Through Strategic Convergence: https://bit.ly/459BzIQWEBINAR- Transforming Operations: Flowers Foods Unveils Its Digital Supply Chain Revolution: <a href="https://bit.ly/44b8GKd" rel="noopener noreferrer"...
18 Jun 46min
MASTERful Supply Chain Leadership: Apple, P&G, Amazon & Unilever
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes back Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to explore what sets the supply chain Masters apart from the rest. With companies like Amazon, Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever topping the list, Mike unpacks the leadership behaviors, strategic investments, and operational models that have helped them sustain excellence year over year.From Amazon’s $4 billion bet on rural delivery infrastructure to Apple’s global shift in manufacturing strategy, the discussion reveals how today’s top performers stay adaptive and resilient in the face of change. Mike also spotlights how inclusive design and sustainable packaging are redefining product development at P&G, and how Unilever is leaning into startup partnerships to accelerate innovation at scale.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:16) Kicking off with a fun fact(03:23) VHS memories and video rentals(07:25) Gartner supply chain top 25 overview(11:04) Amazon's major investment in dural Delivery(17:18) Apple's production shift to india and vietnam(22:34) P&G's innovations and the power of packaging(28:56) Unilever's 100+ accelerator program(34:49) Upcoming Gartner planning summits(35:22) Why attend the planning summits(38:12) Connecting with Mike GriswoldAdditional Links & ResourcesConnect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/ Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Supply Chain Orchestration with SAP: https://bit.ly/4jFJn9qWEBINAR- In Chaos We Create: Bridging the Critical Raw Materials Gap Through Strategic Convergence: https://bit.ly/459BzIQWEBINAR- Tariff Watch - Unpacking the Latest Updates: https://bit.ly/3FvL2zNWEBINAR- When to Walk Away from Warehouse AI - and When to Go All In: https://bit.ly/4dFgCYqThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/masterful-supply-chain-leadership-apple-amazon-unilever-1442
16 Jun 39min
The Buzz: The Importance of Generative AI in Today's Business
On today's episode of The Buzz, we discuss the pressing need for supply chain professionals to embrace generative AI technologies without delay. As we traverse the complexities of the global freight market, we underscore the imperative of adopting innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience Welcome to The Buzz!This week, hosts Scott Luton and Enrique Alvarez welcome special guests Brain Greene and Laura Beyer from Realized Solutions, Inc. Listen in as they tackle:The significance of leveraging technology to not only streamline processes but also to fortify data integrity within organizationsThe common barriers to AI adoption, emphasizing that organizations must prioritize data quality and the cultivation of strategic partnerships to navigate the digital transformation effectivelyCritical observations on the burgeoning freight market, emphasizing the impact of tariff fluctuations on shipping volumes and port congestionJoin us as we aim to equip our audience with actionable insights and a renewed perspective on the future of supply chain management, advocating for a proactive approach in the face of evolving challenges.Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Brian: www.linkedin.com/in/brian-greene-285657160Connect with Laura: www.linkedin.com/in/laura-beyer-ba61656Learn more about Realized Solutions: https://www.myrsi.comSupply Chain Leaders Embrace AI but Struggle to Bridge Technology Implementation Gap: https://bit.ly/43X92DVLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Enrique Alvarez, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-importance-generative-ai-today-business-1441
13 Jun 54min
The Transformative Power of AI: 3PL Operating Systems
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter welcome Lindsey Billing and Paul Boothe for a conversation on how AI is transforming the future of supply chain—from warehouse automation to intelligent forecasting and data-driven decision-making. Together, they explore real-world innovations already in play and what it takes to turn buzzwords like “AI” and “automation” into actual value.Lindsey shares how NLS is piloting robotics and autonomous systems to reduce costs and increase speed, while Kim breaks down why clean, connected data is foundational for any successful AI strategy. Paul brings perspective on where companies should focus their AI investments to unlock faster wins without losing the human touch. They discuss consumer unpredictability, data readiness, customer experience, and how today’s tech is shaping tomorrow’s fulfillment.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(04:05) Meet the guests: Lindsey Billing and Paul Boothe(08:42) What innovation looks like in today’s supply chain(13:15) Robotics, automation, and AI use cases(17:58) Why clean data matters more than cool tools(22:21) Forecasting with AI: Demand, labor, and inventory(27:09) Balancing automation with human touch in customer service(32:33) Consumer unpredictability and data-driven decision-making(36:47) AI hype vs. AI practicality(41:10) Where to start with AI adoption in supply chain(46:00) Final thoughts: what’s next in supply chain techAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Lindsey Billing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseybilling/Connect with Paul Boothe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-boothe-0885aaa/Learn more about Osa Commerce: https://www.osacommerce.com/Learn more about NLS: https://nls.ca/Check out the Osa Commerce Supply Chain Trends Report: https://osacommerce.com/download-2025-supply-chain-trendsConnect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Connect with Kimberly Reuter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-reuter-csg/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Supply Chain Orchestration with SAP: https://bit.ly/4jFJn9qWEBINAR- In Chaos We Create: Bridging the Critical Raw Materials Gap Through Strategic Convergence: <a href="https://bit.ly/459BzIQ" rel="noopener noreferrer"...
11 Jun 49min
