In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov speaks with Keiran Hewkin, Co-Founder and CEO of Swyft Home, about how intentional supply chain design enabled next-day sofa delivery at scale. Keiran shares his journey from heavy industry into furniture, explains why Swyft chose an inventory-led model, and breaks down the operational “ballet” behind modular design, technology-driven fulfillment, and premium customer experience. The conversation explores how constraints fuel innovation, why speed reshapes customer trust, and what resilient supply chains must prioritize to deliver consistently in the real world.

Guest Bio

Keiran Hewkin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Swyft Home, a UK-based furniture brand redefining how large items are designed, stored, and delivered. With a background in industrial operations, Kaizen, and lean manufacturing, Keiran has applied high-discipline supply chain thinking to an industry traditionally driven by long lead times and manual processes. Under his leadership, Swyft pioneered next-day sofa delivery through modular design, inventory-based fulfillment, and vertically controlled logistics.

Key Takeaways

• Inventory is the real enabler of next-day delivery at scale
• Constraints in design can unlock powerful supply chain innovation
• Modular products allow density, speed, and customer self-assembly
• Technology removes waste by minimizing human intervention
• Customer trust is built through speed, visibility, and ownership of delivery

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & guest welcome

01:00 Keiran ’s journey into operations

03:50 Entering furniture through a supply chain lens

05:00 What “software in a box” really means

06:15 Reverse-engineering next-day delivery

08:35 Inventory-led vs order-book furniture models

11:00 Premium quality without “handmade” myths

13:05 Technology as the backbone of operations

15:25 Designing a truly customer-first experience

17:40 Why Swyft opened physical retail stores

20:05 Scaling omnichannel without breaking ops

22:50 Delivery control and last-mile trade-offs

24:10 Intentional design for SME supply chains

25:55 Operational failures and recovery strategies

28:00 The one challenge a magic wand could fix

Chain Reaction is brought to you by FLOX – The marketplace for connecting businesses with logistics providers. ⁠Visit flox.is ⁠for additional content.

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Chain Reaction is brought to you by FLOX – The marketplace for connecting businesses with logistics providers. Visit flox.is for additional content.

In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov speaks with Marloes Wanrooij, a senior supply chain and cold chain operations expert whose career spans more than 16 years across container leasing, quality leadership, and temperature-controlled logistics. Marloes shares her accidental entry into logistics, how operational experience shaped her perspective on quality, and why quality functions are often misunderstood as “blockers.” She highlights how bringing quality into the conversation early—rather than after failures occur—can prevent customer complaints, protect product integrity, and eliminate waste from end-to-end operations.

The conversation explores the unique challenges of cold chain logistics, from temperature excursions and staff turnover to complacency in routine processes. Marloes explains why resilient supply chains rely on proactive risk identification, diversified suppliers, and rigorous training frameworks. She also discusses how AI can enhance root-cause analysis and quality systems, not by replacing humans but by uncovering patterns experts may overlook. Her “magic wand” wish? Better change management—because technology, products, people, and processes are constantly evolving, and only teams that embrace change can maintain high-performance, temperature-controlled operations.

GUEST BIO

TAKEAWAYS

• The divide between quality and operations often stems from involving quality too late.
• Quality is not a blocker—when engaged early, it prevents failures and customer complaints.
• People—not equipment—cause many cold chain failures due to training gaps or complacency.
• Staff turnover in third-party warehouses creates hidden vulnerabilities in process consistency.
• Robust training frameworks and refreshers reduce human error in temperature-controlled operations.
• Resilience requires proactive risk assessment, supplier diversification, and scenario planning.
• Innovation must balance engineering ambition with customer needs and cost realities.
• Effective change management is as important as product design or operational processes.
• The future of cold chain quality blends human judgment with data-driven insights.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:37 How Marloes Entered Logistics by Accident

01:50 From Operations to Quality: The Overlap

03:10 Why Quality Is Misunderstood in Logistics

04:51 Customer Experience and Cold Chain Quality

06:14 Temperature Excursions and Process Failures

08:15 Packaging, Transport, and the Last-Mile Weakness

09:25 Why Quality Must Sit Inside Supply Chain

10:53 Production vs Logistics Quality Responsibilities

13:14 How Cold Chain Systems Are Set Up Globally

14:10 Top Problems: Complacency and Training Gaps

16:21 What “Resilient Supply Chains” Really Mean

18:39 Balancing Innovation with Operational Stability

19:33 Waste, Lean Thinking, and Process Bottlenecks

22:40 AI’s Role in Cold Chain Quality Systems

25:38 Using AI to Reduce Bias and Spot Hidden Trends

26:29 Balancing Cost, Quality, and Compliance

27:42 Voice of the Customer in Product Design

29:35 Magic Wand Question: Fixing Change Management

31:10 Closing Thoughts and Thanks

Chain Reaction is brought to you by FLOX – The marketplace for connecting businesses with logistics providers. ⁠⁠Visit flox.is ⁠⁠for additional content.

Need flexible partners for storage and distribution as you scale?

⁠⁠Explore the marketplace⁠⁠

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Chain Reaction is brought to you by FLOX – The marketplace for connecting businesses with logistics providers. Visit ⁠flox.is⁠ for additional content.

Rob also dives deep into diagnosing broken supply chains: where to begin, why data quality is a persistent barrier, and how upstream supplier constraints can quietly cripple downstream service performance. With practical examples from high-pressure turnaround environments, he illustrates the importance of simplicity in inventory design, rigorous data cleansing, and leadership that listens before acting. The conversation closes with a future-facing view on AI, co-intelligence in supply chain, and Rob’s “magic wand” issue: real-time product visibility—something the industry still has yet to solve.

GUEST BIO

Rob Field is a senior supply chain leader with a career dedicated to transforming underperforming operations into efficient, service-driven networks. His experience spans major UK organizations including Centrica’s British Gas Services and JLA, where he led significant restructurings in inventory strategy, warehouse operations, and service-engineer supply models. Known for simplifying complex systems and restoring operational performance, Rob specializes in demand-led inventory planning, data-driven decision making, and building high-performing supply chain teams. His work consistently improves first-time-fix outcomes, reduces backlogs, and enhances customer satisfaction in service-intensive industries.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Many supply chain careers begin accidentally—but Rob intentionally chose the field.
• Service-driven supply chains face dual demands: internal engineers and external customers.
• Early-career exposure to large-scale centralization at Centrica shaped Rob’s operational mindset.
• Data quality is often the first barrier to diagnosing real supply chain issues.
• At JLA, 17,500 SKUs were streamlined to ~8,500 while still fulfilling 98% of demand.
• Simple, clear inventory categorization can outperform complex multi-tier models.
• Cultural/behavioral problems (buying for discounts, not demand) can overload warehouses.
• Leadership begins with listening: interviewing every team member reveals hidden truths.
• AI’s future role is as co-intelligence, not total automation; human oversight remains vital.
• The biggest unresolved industry challenge: real-time visibility of every product’s location.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Chain Reaction

00:35 Rob’s Path into Supply Chain

02:22 Lessons from Early Career at Centrica

04:08 Supply to Field Engineers vs Traditional Logistics

05:01 Complexity of Multi-Stream Service Supply Chains

07:08 First-Time-Fix, Van Stock, and Systems Adoption

08:33 Data Challenges and Inventory Strategy

09:44 Tech vs People: What Really Breaks Supply Chains

10:29 SKU Reduction and Warehouse Transformation

12:19 Cutting Backlogs Through Demand-Led Inventory

13:13 How Rob Approaches Turnaround Projects

15:12 Most Common Causes of Supply Chain Problems

16:00 Upstream vs Downstream Failure Modes

18:31 Structural vs Operational Root Causes

20:18 Eliminating Bad Buying Practices

21:14 Can Tech Fix Supply Chains?

23:45 AI as Co-Intelligence in Supply Chain

24:37 Supply Chain Leadership & the CSCO Role

27:29 Why Supply Chains Need a Seat at the Table

29:25 Rob’s Magic Wand: True Product Visibility

31:00 Closing Thoughts and Thanks

LINKEDIN PROFILES

Guest - Rob Field

Host - Michael Ostroumov

If you operate in craft / batch production, logistics becomes a cashflow and service-level problem, not just transport. This episode covers how to scale without losing quality.

In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov sits down with Jonathan Hope, co-founder of Slow Sauce, a Scotland-based miso and soy sauce brewery built on tradition, craftsmanship, and patience. Jonathan describes his unconventional journey—from studying Chinese and business, to becoming a chef, to turning a fermentation experiment into a full-fledged brewery. He breaks down the intricate, months-long process behind miso and shoyu production, highlighting how precision, time, and hands-on work shape the final product.

The conversation expands into the tension between artisanal production and modern business realities. Jonathan shares how he balances authenticity with the need for operational efficiency, using AI for monitoring and admin tasks while protecting the human craft at the heart of the business. The two explore the philosophy of slowing down, the role of personal well-being in entrepreneurship, and the challenge of scaling a product that refuses to be rushed. It’s a story of passion, patience, and building a business that values people as much as product.

GUEST BIO

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How a background in languages and international experience unexpectedly led Jonathan into culinary arts and fermentation.
• Why becoming a chef sparked a passion that eventually turned into a business.
• The origin of Slow Sauce’s fermentation process and how traditional koji cultivation works.
• How oats and peas became the uniquely Scottish base for miso and shoyu.
• The challenges and beauty of long production cycles—from daily stirring to 12-month maturation.
• How authenticity shapes every operational decision, including avoiding stainless steel industrial tanks.
• Why some processes must remain slow, even as the business world speeds up.
• The role of AI in automating administrative burdens like temperature logs and safety checks.
• Why tech is used to enhance—not replace—the human craft of fermentation.
• The emotional toll of early-stage entrepreneurship and how Jonathan recalibrated through intentional slowing down.
• The importance of personal rituals, hobbies, and mental space in making better business decisions.
• Jonathan’s long-term vision: building a community-focused workplace powered by people, not machines.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Chain Reaction

00:34 Meeting Jonathan Hope

01:04 Jonathan’s Unusual Career Path

02:40 Becoming a Chef and Discovering Fermentation

03:52 Inspirations Behind Slow Sauce

05:45 Japanese Craft Meets Scottish Tradition

07:23 Balancing Passion and Business

08:32 How Miso and Soy Sauce Are Actually Made

12:28 Understanding Koji and Fermentation

12:56 The Role of the Casks

14:33 Why Some Sauces Take 12 Months

15:45 Product Range and Production Cycles

16:50 Managing Slow Processes in a Fast World

18:34 Where AI Fits Into a Traditional Craft

20:34 Tech as a Support, Not a Replacement

21:35 Challenges of Scaling a Slow Business

22:57 Authenticity vs. Automation

24:33 The Art of Slowing Down

25:31 Personal Routines and Avoiding Burnout

29:06 Slowing Down to Make Better Decisions

29:58 Marketing a Product That Takes Time

31:45 Building Authentic Content and Community

33:20 The Magic Wand Question

35:27 A Community-Centred Future for Slow Sauce

37:27 Closing Thoughts

Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration)Need flexible partners for storage and distribution as you scale? Explore the Marketplace#SupplyChain

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Multi-carrier is only “cheaper” when you control service, exceptions, and customer communication. This episode is about how to structure carrier strategy and governance.In this episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov sits down with Bobbie Ttooulis, Group Marketing Director at GFS, to explore how multi-carrier management is transforming modern delivery operations. Bobbie shares how her technology background unexpectedly led her into logistics, eventually shaping her eight-year journey at GFS. She breaks down how GFS helps SMEs simplify complex delivery operations through a unique combination of technology, expertise, and access to a broad multi-carrier ecosystem. Through real-world examples—from drinks brands shipping fragile goods to greeting-card businesses balancing multiple product velocities.

The conversation also dives into the human side of logistics. Bobbie highlights why delivery is no longer just a logistics problem—it’s a customer loyalty challenge. She explains how GFS blends automation with expert guidance to maintain trust, especially during volatile periods like peak season. From forecasting and contingency planning to managing high-stakes final-mile performance, Bobbie details how multi-carrier strategies reduce risk and empower businesses with choice, resilience, and customer-centric outcomes.

Guest Bio Bobbie Ttooulis

Key Takeaways

• Multi-carrier management reduces operational risk and expands delivery options.
• GFS provides both technology and expert guidance to help businesses scale.
• Expertise remains irreplaceable; technology is an enabler, not a substitute.
• Customer loyalty hinges on delivery reliability and transparency.
• A “failed delivery” is often a communication failure, not a missed ETA.
• Multi-carrier setups prevent over-reliance on a single provider.
• Peak season success depends on forecasting, planning, and early capacity booking.
• Viral demand spikes require agile infrastructure and expert intervention.
• Combining technology with human support preserves trust in high-stakes moments.
• Logistics must evolve from operational thinking to true customer-centricity.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and introduction

00:30 Bobbie’s path from tech to logistics

01:50 What GFS does and its market position

03:00 Technology’s role in multi-carrier delivery

04:30 How GFS consults SMEs on fragile and premium products

06:00 Solving operational challenges with multi-carrier design

08:20 Multi-velocity products and the need for varied carrier strategies

09:45 Why single-carrier setups create risk

11:00 Buying power, cost efficiency, and service diversity

12:40 Who GFS is best suited for

13:40 Balancing technology, expertise, and the role of AI

16:40 The need for human touch in customer-facing logistics

18:30 Delivery as a customer loyalty challenge

20:40 Visibility, communication, and customer expectations

22:20 Peak planning and capacity management

25:00 Forecasting volatility and viral spikes

28:10 The importance of contingency planning

29:30 GFS capabilities within a broader logistics ecosystem

33:00 Bobbie’s “magic wand” wish for the industry

34:40 Closing thoughts and thanks

Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration)If multi-carrier complexity is slowing you down, start with visibility and control

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In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael sits down with Leanne Parkin , Operations Director at Ramsden International, for a deep dive into the world of global export logistics. From accidental beginnings in criminology to leading complex warehousing, compliance, and logistics functions, Leanne Parkin recounts her progression into a role that now oversees one of the most intricate export operations in the UK. She breaks down what it really means to manage over 26,000 SKUs, dozens of suppliers, and regulatory hurdles spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, all while keeping a relentless focus on customers and people management.

Leanne also reveals how Brexit reshaped their business overnight, the sleepless nights caused by containers stuck at borders, and why technology, from export systems to AI-driven tracking, is becoming the backbone of modern logistics. She highlights the cultural nuance of exporting British products, the rising expectations of global consumers, and the human side of supply chain relationships. It’s a candid, insightful conversation that exposes the complexity, resilience, and constant adaptation required to run a world-class export operation.

Guest Bio Leanne Parkin

Key Takeaways

• Ramsden International exports over 26,000 SKUs across numerous global markets, each with unique compliance demands.
• Customer service experience gives Leanne’s team a distinct operational edge, linking logistics decisions to customer impact.
• The business exports into 100+ regulatory environments, with food-specific compliance creating constant complexity.
• Container delays at borders remain one of the most stressful and operationally disruptive challenges.
• Creating a European entity helped the company consolidate paperwork and avoid repeated border checks.
• Technology, including export systems, tracking platforms, and AI-based ETA predictions, is becoming indispensable.
• Some regions still rely heavily on physical documents and stamps, especially in the Middle East.
• Global demand for British food is driven by strong standards, cultural resonance, and expat communities.
• Gender balance in logistics leadership is improving, though cultural dynamics and old norms persist.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Chain Reaction

00:24 Leanne’s unexpected path into logistics

02:30 Starting in customer service, not operations

04:10 What Ramsden International actually does

05:20 Managing 26,000 SKUs worldwide

06:40 What keeps Leanne awake at night

08:15 Where containers typically get stuck

10:20 The shock of Brexit and surviving the aftermath

12:40 Setting up a European entity to simplify trade

15:00 Technology and the future of export operations

17:10 AI, tracking systems, and operational efficiency

19:15 Paperwork realities in the Middle East

20:00 Serving customers big and small

22:40 Women in logistics and changing industry dynamics

26:30 How communication and platforms need to evolve

29:10 Global appetite for British food

31:30 Translating and relabelling for export markets

32:45 The magic-wand question: Fixing Brexit

34:20 Closing thoughts and thanks

Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration)

If you need dependable partners across legs and lanes, explore vetted providers here 

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In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov sits down with Natalia Gandara Vilas, Head of Supply Chain Europe at HCT Group, one of the world’s leading cosmetic and packaging manufacturers. Natalia shares her remarkable journey across fashion, food, and beauty industries, explaining how agility and innovation now define the modern supply chain.

From established giants like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder to emerging TikTok-powered brands, Natalia reveals the operational contrasts shaping today’s beauty market. She discusses forecasting challenges, the importance of European manufacturing, and how AI-driven logistics are reshaping responsiveness. The conversation uncovers how social media has upended demand patterns — and why speed, data clarity, and collaboration are the future of supply chain success.

Guest Bio

Natalia Gandara Vilas is the Head of Supply Chain Europe at HCT Group, a global leader in cosmetic manufacturing and packaging. With a background spanning fashion, food, and beauty sectors, Natalia brings over two decades of experience driving operational excellence and innovation across complex global supply networks. Her expertise lies in managing rapid-growth indie beauty brands and building agile, technology-enabled supply chains that respond to real-time demand.

Key Takeaways

• Supply chain careers can evolve across multiple industries — from fashion to cosmetics.
• Indie beauty brands, often born on TikTok, are driving growth and redefining agility.
• Forecasting is nearly impossible in viral-driven markets; flexibility is key.
• Big brands prioritize price and process, while startups prioritize speed.
• Storing components instead of finished goods reduces risk and waste.
• Localizing production in Europe helps brands scale faster and more sustainably.
• AI is improving logistics efficiency — but it can also overwhelm teams if unmanaged.
• Smaller brands often lack data infrastructure, making tech integration challenging.
• Sustainability efforts must account for logistics choices like air freight.
• Global regulation, especially in the EU, is shaping future supply chain transparency.
• Collaboration between competitors is emerging as a new resilience strategy.
• The future belongs to supply chains that are connected, collaborative, and tech-driven.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Introduction

01:00 Natalia’s Career Journey Through Logistics

03:50 Inside HCT: Serving Global and Indie Beauty Brands

06:30 The TikTok Effect: Speed vs. Predictability

09:10 Strategies to Manage Uncertain Demand

10:30 The Challenge of Real-Time Demand and Viral Sales

13:20 Building Partnerships Across the Supply Chain

15:00 Manufacturing, Warehousing & Distribution Capabilities

17:00 AI in Logistics: Opportunities and Pressures

20:30 The Human Factor in Automated Supply Chains

23:00 Sustainability vs. Speed: The Air Freight Dilemma

26:00 Economic Uncertainty and Order Fragmentation

29:00 Why Size No Longer Equals Security in Business

31:10 Natalia’s Wish: A More Collaborative Supply Chain Future

33:20 Closing Thoughts

Beauty supply chains are demand-shock machines: promotions, virality, and SKU complexity. This episode covers how teams build responsiveness without chaos.

FLOX angle: Benchmark where your operation is strong vs exposed: https://www.flox.is/resources/logistics-ops-maturity-assessment/

Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration): https://www.flox.is/

#SupplyChain

#Logistics

#SupplyChainManagement

#LogisticsOperations

#SupplyChainStrategy

#LogisticsTechnology

#SupplyChainVisibility

#LogisticsMarketplace

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#FLOX

In this episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov sits down with Johannes Kloess, Head of Operations at Thortful, the UK-based online greeting cards and gifts marketplace. With a background in microbiology and vaccine research, Johannes brings a scientist’s mindset to the complex world of seasonal logistics, where Valentine's and Mother’s Day can transform daily operations overnight.

Johannes shares how Thortful balances the precision of automation with the agility of human adaptability. From forecasting demand spikes to managing fulfilment partners and scaling for intense seasonal peaks, he unpacks the science behind operational excellence. The conversation explores forecasting accuracy, sustainable scaling, and the surprising parallels between laboratory discipline and supply chain resilience.

GUEST BIO

Johannes Kloess is the Head of Operations at Thortful, the UK’s leading online marketplace for greeting cards and gifts. Trained as a microbiologist with a background in virology and vaccine research, Johannes transitioned into operations leadership, bringing data-driven thinking and experimentation to the logistics and fulfilment space. Today, he oversees Thortful’s operational performance, supply partnerships, and strategic planning across high-demand retail peaks such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Thortful operates as a marketplace with 4,000–5,000 creators and up to 70,000 live cards.
• Peak seasons (Valentine’s, Mother’s, Father’s Day) drive up to 15× demand spikes.
• 100% of cards are printed on demand — no stock held.
• Gifts now make up over 10% of revenue, growing faster than any other segment.
• Forecasting and pre-packing are critical to manage manual fulfilment efficiently.
• Automation handles card-only orders, while hybrid processes support gift bundles.
• Data from 10 years of operations drives continuous process optimization.
• Strong partnerships with print and fulfilment specialists ensure scalable resilience.
• Sustainability and collaboration across the supply chain are key future priorities.
• International sales remain niche but highlight the appeal of uniquely British humour.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction

01:00 Johannes’s Journey from Science to Operations

04:00 The Thortful Business Model Explained

05:30 Managing Seasonal Peaks: Valentine’s & Mother’s Day

08:30 How On-Demand Printing Works

10:30 Forecasting Demand & Capacity Planning

12:20 When Automation Fails: Building Resilience

15:00 Integrating Gifts: Manual Complexity & Optimization

18:20 Data-Driven Process Improvement

20:30 Balancing Automation & Human Workflows

23:20 Scaling Through Partnerships

27:00 Co-Location and Operational Efficiency

29:00 International Orders & British Humour

32:30 Collaboration & Sustainability in Supply Chains

34:50 Closing Thoughts

Peak season performance is a system design problem: forecasting, capacity buffers, cut-offs, and exception handling. This episode focuses on how to engineer resilience.

FLOX angle: If you’re patching together spreadsheets and emails, start with end-to-end visibility: https://www.flox.is/services/buyers/e2e-visibility/ 

Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration): https://www.flox.is/

#SupplyChain

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#SupplyChainStrategy

#LogisticsTechnology

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#FLOX

In this episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov sits down with Max Adorian, Head of Operations at Living Things Soda, one of the UK’s fastest-growing functional beverage startups. Max shares his unconventional journey from e-commerce entrepreneur to operations leader, revealing how curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving led him into the dynamic world of supply chains.

The conversation explores the balancing act between finance and operations, the role of forecast accuracy in a scaling FMCG business, and how technology and AI are reshaping decision-making. From literal factory fires to navigating stockouts, Max offers an inside look at the realities of growth, agility, and the “yes-if” mindset that keeps Living Things moving forward.

Guest Bio

Max Adorian is Head of Operations at Living Things Soda, a fast-growing prebiotic beverage brand transforming how consumers think about gut health. With a background spanning e-commerce, technology, and startups, Max brings a broad operational perspective to FMCG, blending hands-on problem-solving with strategic financial acumen. He has been instrumental in scaling Living Things across 14 countries, leading the operational transformation that took the company from its first 9,000 cans to national listings in Tesco, Waitrose, and Ocado.

Key Takeaways

• Operations often finds you — not the other way around.
• Scaling startups require constant re-evaluation of forecasts.
• The tension between finance and operations is natural but productive.
• Visibility and shared data are the foundation for cross-team alignment.
• Forecasting is part science, part art, part luck.
• Cashflow management must balance stock availability and liquidity.
• Communication is key: “Yes, if…” enables flexibility over flat refusals.
• Agility in supply chains relies on trusted, flexible suppliers.
• Technology enhances operations but can’t yet replace human nuance.
• AI adoption will define future-ready operations teams.
• Continuous learning and adaptability are essential in fast-growth FMCG.
• The ultimate dream: perfect forecasting.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and guest introduction

01:00 How Max fell into operations

03:20 Living Things Soda: the growth story

04:50 The prebiotic soda category

06:30 Finance vs Operations: balancing tension

09:10 Aligning teams through trust and visibility

12:40 The “Yes, If” rule for operational decision-making

16:40 Forecasting challenges in fast-growth FMCG

19:30 Agility, suppliers, and stockouts

20:30 Technology, data, and the Google Sheets dilemma

22:50 AI in operations: hype vs. reality

25:40 Building operational capability and talent

28:00 AI, expertise, and the future workforce

30:10 If you had a magic wand: perfect forecasting

31:15 Closing thoughts and farewell

Scaling operations is about protecting cashflow while raising service levels. This episode covers how operators prioritise, sequence, and avoid premature complexity.

FLOX angle: Find the fastest operational wins with the 3-minute maturity assessment: https://www.flox.is/resources/logistics-ops-maturity-assessment/ Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration): https://www.flox.is/

#SupplyChain

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#SupplyChainStrategy

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#LogisticsMarketplace

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#FLOX

In this episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov welcomes Alberto Borge Corral, General Manager of Tast Cuina Catalana, a Catalonian restaurant in Manchester, for an eye-opening conversation on how global supply chain disruptions have reshaped the hospitality industry. From Brexit’s trade barriers to COVID’s operational lockdowns, Alberto shares first-hand stories of navigating chaos in sourcing, staffing, and maintaining the authenticity of Catalan cuisine far from home.

Alberto reflects on the hidden logistics challenges behind every restaurant meal, from transporting Spanish wines and fresh produce to adapting menus amid shifting import rules and inflation. The discussion reveals how data-driven inventory systems, supplier collaboration, and creativity in menu design are now essential tools for survival. This is a candid look into how one restaurant turned disruption into innovation in a world of unstable supply chains.

Guest Bio

Takeaways

• Brexit and COVID created dual disruptions that deeply affected the hospitality sector’s supply and staffing.
• Brexit introduced higher costs, new regulations, and barriers to importing specialty goods such as Catalan wines.
• COVID’s lockdowns imposed parallel restrictions on movement and trade, compounding industry challenges.
• Skilled EU workers in hospitality became harder to source, affecting quality and operational stability.
• The cost of importing goods rose significantly while consumer spending declined due to inflation.
• Changing customer behavior: guests now seek value and lighter, healthier dining options.
• Sourcing challenges have pushed restaurants to adapt menus to available ingredients.
• Food supply chains were more affected than beverages, especially for fresh produce from Southern Europe.
• Data-driven inventory systems have become vital to managing waste and improving efficiency.
• Restaurants must balance minimal stock levels with freshness and customer expectations.
• Customers are increasingly aware of sourcing transparency and sustainability.
• Stability and clarity in trade rules are crucial, uncertainty remains the industry’s biggest challenge.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Chain Reaction

01:00 Alberto’s background in hospitality and move to the UK

03:00 The dual impact of Brexit and COVID on hospitality

06:00 Importing Catalan wines: a costly and complex lesson

10:00 Regulatory confusion and rising alcohol taxes

13:00 Economic pressures and changing customer behavior

16:00 Evolving tastes: lighter wines and healthier menus

20:00 Sourcing challenges and adapting Catalan recipes

23:00 Menu planning driven by supply availability

24:00 Using data and tech to manage inventory and reduce waste

28:00 The importance of visibility and smart supply management

30:00 Alberto’s “magic wand” solution for global trade unity

34:00 Final reflections and thanks

Emerging brands win when logistics is a growth enabler, not a constraint. This episode looks at the choices that protect customer experience while scaling.

FLOX angle: If you need flexible warehousing and transport partners without long procurement cycles: https://www.flox.is/services/marketplace/

Explore FLOX (Supply Chain & Logistics Orchestration): https://www.flox.is/

#SupplyChain

#Logistics

#SupplyChainManagement

#LogisticsOperations

#SupplyChainStrategy

#LogisticsTechnology

#SupplyChainVisibility

#LogisticsMarketplace

#SupplyChainLeadership

#FLOX