Sixty years of change in material handling has revealed one hard truth. Most companies repeat the same mistakes, just with better technology.

In this episode of Handled It, we unpack what actually drives long term success and what quietly holds leaders back. If you want practical insights on leadership, growth, automation, and operational strategy that actually work, this conversation delivers real world experience, not theory. Joe Perkins, COO, Brent Hillabrand, President and CEO, and Lauren Murphy, VP of HR, reflect on decades of evolution at Carolina Handling, from forklifts to robotics and unpack what has changed, what has not, and where companies still get it wrong.

You will learn:

• Why garbage in, garbage out still applies in modern automation

• How growth exposes operational and leadership gaps

• When speed helps and when it hurts your business

• Why experience and gut instinct still matter in a data driven world

• How culture, trust, and workforce shifts are reshaping material handling

Whether you lead operations, manage supply chain strategy, or are navigating automation and workforce challenges, these lessons will help you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter decisions.

Do not risk repeating the same leadership errors many companies have made over the last 60 years. Learn how to build systems, teams, and strategies that last.

Article mentioned in the episode: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/walmart-close-sams-club-fulfillment-center-texas-affecting-hundreds-employees-2025-06-26/

The supply chain is more connected, automated, and data-driven than ever, but most leaders still feel like they’re managing chaos instead of progress. 

Handled It: The Supply Chain Podcast confronts that complexity head-on.

Hosted by Joe Perkins and Brent Hillabrand from Carolina Handling, each episode explores how the best operations leaders build resilient systems that can weather labor shortages, rising costs, and constant change. This show uncovers what separates reactive options from resilient ones: better processes, an engaged workforce and a future built with intention.  

If you lead operations, distribution, or warehouse teams, this show gives you the conversations, frameworks, and field-tested lessons you need.