Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Claire Li, vice president of Credit Strategy at Moody's Ratings. Critical minerals and rare earth minerals are needed in most electronics and tech devices, yet the United States does not produce many of these components domestically. China is the leading producer and its rare earth dominance threatens U.S. supply chains. How does the U.S. assure the mineral supplies that are needed to produce consumer products and critical defense systems? Our guest explains the vulnerabilities and offers possible solutions.

Cargo theft is more sophisticated, and more frequent, than ever—and as a result, business leaders are getting more and more concerned about the security of goods moving through supply chains. This is according to a recent report from technology company SmartSense by Digi. The company surveyed 150 U.S.-based loss and organized retail crime (ORC) prevention leaders. 81% of those respondents said cargo theft has become more organized in recent years, and 79% said their organization is more concerned about cargo theft today than ever before.

Fires in warehouses are not common, they do happen. Not only is there loss of products housed in the warehouse, but there can also be environmental damage from a fire, again, depending on the products and equipment systems housed there. But this brings up the question of who pays for the damage? Some new laws in California seek to determine who pays, but not everyone in the industry agrees.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Moody’s Ratings
• Report: Cargo theft intensifies
• Trade group criticizes California law regulating cold chain warehouses
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Peter Larsen is a Vice President at Amazon, where he leads Amazon Supply Chain Services. Amazon may have started in 1994 as an online book seller, but today they are arguably the most successful of all online retailers. None of this would be possible if not for the extensive distribution and transportation networks that Amazon has built. And now they are opening those capabilities to others through a new entity known as Amazon Supply Chain Services. Larsen will also be a featured keynote speaker next month at CSCMP’s EDGE conference in Nashville. He recently spoke with DC Velocity’s Susan Lacefield about this new venture for Amazon.

Nearly every device we use comes with a battery of some sort that provides portability to the device. But the supply chains for batteries are quite complicated. That is why DHL, the German parcel delivery and logistics provider, announced it was expanding its global battery logistics network. DHL said that a surge in battery demand is creating new supply chains that require specialized handling, regulatory expertise, and global coordination.

The national nonprofit group Wreaths Across America (WAA) kicked off the 2026 wreath season this week with a call for carriers and professional truck drivers to join their annual convoy honoring veterans nationwide this December. Carriers and drivers are asked to join the Honor Fleet, as it’s known, to haul wreaths for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day, which is being held Saturday, December 19 this year.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Amazon Supply Chain Services
• DHL ramps up battery logistics network
• Nonprofit seeks carriers and drivers for 2026 Wreaths Across America Day
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Tommy Slaymaker, Director of Fleet Services at The Pete Store (one of the largest Peterbilt dealer groups in North America). Diesel fuel is the driving force behind our supply chains, powering everything from railroad locomotives to long-haul trucks. Prices have now risen to historic highs, due to the shortages brought on by the war with Iran. What impacts are these high prices having on supply chains and trucking in particular? Senior News Editor Ben Ames finds out as he speaks with today’s guest. 

Every business is grappling with artificial intelligence, how to use it and where can it improve business processes. Warehouses are no exceptions in this AI struggle. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham came across some new research that reveals new trends on how AI can potentially transform warehouse operations.

The goal of all packaging used for parcel deliveries is to protect the products the packages contain while they make their ways to their final destinations. It is never an easy balance to get just enough strength without wasting too much material. But this week Ben Ames wrote about a new type of paper-based packaging that is making headlines in the packaging world - and it comes from the research and development labs of Amazon.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Pete Store
• Warehouse digitalization hits inflection point
• Amazon says switch from plastic to paper makes e-commerce more sustainable
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Roberto Canevari, executive vice president, chief value chain officer at international beauty suppler Estée Lauder. Managing an international supply chain is not an easy job in this age of global disruptions. Our guest today does it every day in leading a global supply chain team of more than 10,000 people at Estee Lauder. That includes 44 factories worldwide and numerous distribution and transportation points. Canevari will be a featured keynote speaker next month at CSCMP’s EDGE conference in Nashville. He recently spoke with DC Velocity’s Diane Rand about how he manages this beautiful supply chain. 

It is the goal of every supply chain business to grow larger, otherwise they fall behind their competitors But what are the factors that actually help businesses to grow and expand their capacity? Senior News Editor Ben Ames shares two different stories this week about business growth.

The United States recorded the hottest summer ever – at least since records have been kept. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham shares how companies can help workers deal with all of that heat on facility floors.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Estée Lauder
• Pitney Bowes expands as two rival firms shut down
• Vecna Robotics raises $31 million as demand soars for U.S.-built robots
• Study: targeted airflow offsets heat strain on factory floors
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Mark Burstein, senior vice president of Americas at Inspectorio. Canada and the United States are battling again over tariffs following the announcement that the U.S. would be placing tariffs of as much as 50% on certain Canadian goods. Canada, of course, countered by applying tariffs of its own on American goods. So, what all does this tariff squabble mean for trade and supply chains? Our guest shares his insights with Senior Editor Ben Ames.

Economic growth in logistics slowed for a second straight month in August, marked by cooling inventory levels and rising cost pressures. This is according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, which was released this week. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham breaks down the report and what it means for supply chains. She also shares new FarEye research on last-mile delivery trends.

Manufacturing is getting a boost, as several significant investments are increasing U.S. manufacturing capacity. Ben Ames reports on a couple of billion-dollar-plus projects, including a plant for GE Appliances in Kentucky and a facility in Pennsylvania that Chobani hopes to convert to manufacture new dairy products beyond its core yogurt categories.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Inspectorio
• Logistics growth slowed in August
• Report: Rising costs plague the last mile
• Chobani to adapt PA factory to dairy food production in $1.2-billion plan
• GE Appliances to expand Kentucky washer and dryer factory in $1-billion plan
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Tucker Perkins, President and CEO of the Propane Education & Reseach Council (PERC). Propane has been used for decades as a consistent source of powering industrial trucks, such as the forklifts and other equipment used in distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, ports, transportation yards, and other places in the logistics world. DC Velocity Group Editorial Director David Maloney talks with our guest about the many uses for propane for powering equipment. They also discuss how propane's dominance as a power source is being challenged by new battery technologies.

The consumer economy has been pretty resilient in the face of all the economic ups and downs of the past few years, but a new report shows that consumers are likely to bear the brunt of the supply chain disruptions. This report from London-based researcher BSI surveyed supply chain risk management professionals and found that more than a third of businesses are planning to increase prices to offset costs in the next six months. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham shares the details of the research. 

We’ve talked a lot in recent months about how ocean freight is being impacted by geopolitical forces and regional violence, that have forced changes in how containers move around the globe. But now we’re seeing disruption from a completely different source, which is the extreme weather. Heat waves in Europe have caused the Rhine and Danube rivers to shallow up, meaning less cargo can be transported on the rivers. A drought in Panama has also lowered the depth of the canal. That means that cargo ships moving through the canal have to carry less so that they do not bottom out. 

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
• Supply chain shocks to hit consumers
• Extreme weather cramps logistics flows in Europe and China
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Marc Held, CEO of Hoptek. While it appears that the freight recession that the industry has endured the past couple of years might be ending, yet other challenges remain in a very competitive market with still lots of uncertainty. How do shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers meet today’s biggest freight challenges? Senior Editor Victoria Kickham finds out with today’s guest. 

If you’ve ever received a home delivery package of an e-commerce order and pulled out a tiny little object from a large pile of styrofoam packing peanuts, then some new rules coming online in different regions may be able to help reduce that waste. This week, new regulation in the European Union came online, called PPWR, for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Senior News Editor Ben Ames reports on these new regulations and another initiative in California designed to reduce excess materials used in packaging.

Demand for robotics continues to rise, and that demand is broadening to reach a wider range of industries. This is according to information from the Association for Advancing Automation, or A3, which released second-quarter data on robot orders earlier this month. Victoria Kickham presents some highlights from the report.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Hoptek
• European Union activates sustainable packaging rules
• Second quarter robot orders grew as automation demand broadens
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Abdil Tunca, a Senior Principal Analyst in the Logistics and Customer Fulfillment team in Gartner's Supply Chain practice. The U.S. government through the FCC recently issued new restrictions on robots imported from other countries. This includes the kinds of robots widely used in warehouses and distribution centers. But what are the intentions behind these new restrictions? To find out, Senior News Editor Ben Ames welcomes this week’s guest to discuss why it was done and the impacts of this decision on supply chains and future robotic deployments. 

Most of our nation’s truck drivers take great pride in their work – and sometimes they are even recognized for their driving skills. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports on an annual competition that determines the best of the best when it comes to operating our nation’s trucks.

the uncertainty our supply chains have experienced this year is now being reflected in other ways of the business world as many companies have been buying insurance for supply chain impacts. That's according to GlobalData, a London-based research firm. They found that supply chain insurance will see twice the increased demand of insurance for other disruption categories such as cyber, business interruption, marine, and political risk.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gartner’s Supply Chain Practice
• Elite truck drivers compete for top honors in Pittsburgh
• Global instability drives demand for supply chain insurance
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Jo Marini, CEO of Mothership Materials. Many companies have struggled with how to produce products that are well-made and also friendly to our environment. That is where a company like Mothership Materials comes in. This company takes agricultural waste and turns it into fibers and materials for manufacturing new products. Susan Lacefield of Supply Chain Xchange and DC Velocity talks to Jo Marini, the founder and CEO of Mothership Materials, about her transformative company. Here is their conversation.

Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports that business activity in logistics slowed in July, driven by a variety of factors, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index report. The index fell to 68.9; that’s down from June’s reading of 71.1, which was the LMI’s fastest rate of expansion in about four years. The cooling we saw in July reflects an inventory pullback among retailers who had stocked up in May and June due to tariff uncertainty and the impending expiration of temporary tariffs at the end of the month. Essentially, companies built up inventory earlier in the cycle to prepare for the coming holiday peak season.

Senior News Editor Ben Ames was on the road this week for the grand opening of Toyota Material Handling North America’s new forklift manufacturing facility. This new factory is in Columbus, Indiana and is almost 300,000 square feet in size. Following a ramp up through September, the new factory will produce 24 lift trucks per day. It will manufacture only electric powered forklifts, specifically a standup counterbalanced forklift. 

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Mothership Materials
• LMI Report: The logistics industry growth slowed in July
• Toyota opens new forklift plant in Indiana
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Our guest on this week's episode is Maxime Darmet, senior economist at Allianz Trade. One week ago here in the U.S., we saw former trade tariffs expiring and a host of new tariffs being slapped on most of our trading partners. These new tariffs are attempting to tie these countries to not doing enough to prevent forced labor in the production of their products, though those allegations are extremely hard to prove. Our guest shares about these new tariffs, their impacts to our supply chains, and he compares them to previous tariffs. We also look at how business margins have been affected by the various tariffs of the past year and a half.

We cover a lot of cool technology for logistics and one of the most space-age is the idea of delivering parcels with flying autonomous drones. This week, we saw two new advances in drone delivery. One for small items and one for large items.

More warehouses are implementing automated packaging solutions these days—and as they do, they are demanding a higher level of collaboration with equipment vendors. The trend reflects a growing demand for automated packaging systems that easily integrate with existing warehouse automation systems—and that signals a shift in the way many vendors are approaching the market.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Allianz Trade
• Army drone delivers cargo in autonomous demo
• Federal regulators approve DoorDash plan for drone delivery
• Finding the right fit
• Visit DC Velocity
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]