Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Marc Schaffer, principal economist at Breakthrough Fuel. Sometime in the new year we will likely find out whether the huge mega-merger between two historic railroads will go through. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern aim to join forces to create a true transcontinental railroad. But it’s not without controversy. What will the effects be on our nation’s supply chains? This week's guest offers some insights. 

Warehouses are getting smarter every day. A study released just after Thanksgiving shows that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are no longer just experimental tools but are becoming core drivers of productivity, accuracy, and workforce evolution in the warehouse. This is according to a study from Mecalux and the MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab at MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics. 

This week we reported on a story about the people behind AI and other leading edge technologies. It wasn’t about the software coders who write the instructions for AI and large language models and other platforms. But rather it was about the electricians and manufacturing experts who keep all this stuff running. The reports came from Siemens USA, the American arm of the German industrial technology provider, and they announced a plan to train 200,000 electricians and manufacturing experts by 2030. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Breakthrough Fuel
• Study: AI now imbedded in 60% of warehouses
• Siemens USA plans to hire 200,000 electricians and manufacturing experts by 2030
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

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Our guest on this week's episode is Kraig Foreman, president of eCommerce at DHL Supply Chain. While stores are already showing the Christmas spirit with all of their beautiful decorations and being crammed with lots of inventory – peak season has not officially kicked off yet. But it will next week with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. After a tumultuous year for supply chains – are retailers prepared to handle the most wonderful time of the year? Our guest today joins Victoria Kickham with some insights.  

While many industries are struggling to realize value from AI, transportation appears to be ahead of the curve, according to Breakthrough, which is a Wisconsin-based provider of transportation and supply chain solutions for shippers. That result came from the company’s “Peak Shipping Season Pulse,” a survey of 300 industry decision-makers. The report found that 49% of U.S. transportation leaders say artificial intelligence reshaped how they managed this year’s Q4 peak season rush.

According to a survey of more than 400 U.S. warehouse associates, most view robotics and automation as a benefit to their careers and livelihoods. The survey was conducted by global warehouse robotics provider Exotec and is detailed in the company’s recent “Warehouse Workers Sentiment Report: Understanding the Impact of Automation on Retention and Satisfaction.” Company leaders said the survey reveals a “surprisingly strong embrace of robotics” on the warehouse floor, with a majority of respondents saying they are interested in working with robots. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• DHL Supply Chain
• Half of U.S. transportation firms used artificial intelligence to manage Q4 peak
• Report: Warehouse automation pays off
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
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Our guest on this week's episode is Alex Saric, CMO at Ivalua. We have definitely seen a lot of uncertainty this year due to changing economic policies and the supply chain shifts that have resulted. It has placed a lot of companies on the sidelines trying to figure out what to do next with their technology investments. How do they get from just being in survival mode to thriving? Our guest today joins Ben Ames with some insights.  

Working with small businesses can help strengthen supply chains and boost local economies; that’s according to a report from supplier intelligence platform Supplier.io, released earlier this week. The company analyzed data from more than 500 large enterprises for its 2025 Small Business Impact Report—to learn more about those companies’ small sourcing initiatives. We share some highlights from that report.

A report from the supply chain software company Kinaxis reveals that there is a gap between AI ambition and AI implementation. The report found that at many organizations, business leaders tend to underestimate the new risks and complexities that AI may introduce. But on the other hand, their staffers are very well aware of those complexities, because they’re focused on the practical realities, such as the effort, change management, and technical challenges. The executives want a fast ROI from AI, but staffers see the hurdles.

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ivalua
• Small business spending fortifies supply chains
• AI reality cap - C-Suite executives expect quick ROI but staff see hurdles
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by:  Storage Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Noel Thomas, founder and CEO of Dark Watch. Without even knowing it, many companies with extended supply chains may participating in human trafficking and forced labor. It exists around the world and even here in the United States where people are manipulated into modern forms of slavery. What can we do to protect our supply chains and company reputations, while more importantly helping these most vulnerable people? 

Transportation and logistics provider Ryder System, Inc. is doing its part to address the issue of human trafficking in the supply chain. Ryder is hosting a mobile exhibit on the issue at its Fort Worth, Texas, Transportation Management Center today. The event is for Ryder employees, local law enforcement, and public officials and it features the Freedom Drivers Project (FDP); this is a national mobile exhibit developed by the nonprofit group Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), which is an alliance of trucking industry companies, law enforcement, and government agencies.

We’ve heard a lot about cargo theft lately, and that’s not surprising, given that there is so much freight moving around the country on any given day. The latest report we saw from the theft prevention firm CargoNet shows that many thieves are focusing their efforts on only the highest value cargo shipments. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dark Watch
• Ryder hosts event to raise awareness of human trafficking
• Report: Cargo thieves are targeting high-value goods
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by:  Storage Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Brodie Sutherland, CEO of Patriot Critical Minerals Corp. Just yesterday a major issue on the agenda for the meeting between President Trump and China’s President Xi’s was access to critical minerals, including rare earth minerals. It looks like the Chinese ban on exporting these crucial minerals will now be lifted, but that ban reminds us of how vulnerable our supply chains are to assuring that critical minerals are available for production of semiconductors, military equipment, and the electronics that run our everyday lives. Sutherland leads a company that is looking to begin mining of America’s largest deposit of tungsten, located in Nevada. He shares about the importance of assuring a domestic supply of critical minerals. 

As technologies advance, companies are finding even greater need for digitalization of their supply chains. Nearly 40% of companies surveyed recently say they will allocate more than a quarter of their 2026 budgets to technology investments, according to information from logistics technology platform and solutions provider Ontegos Cloud.

This week we’ve seen continued momentum in companies expanding their networks of self driving cars and trucks. Most of what we’re seeing falls into the category of carriers dipping their toe in the water, and trying out pilot projects or proof of concept trials. But the technology does seem to be getting more reliable and these week we see two more examples. We discuss what is being done and how human drivers are reacting to the potential of being replaced. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Patriot Critical Minerals Corporation
• Logistics companies will prioritize digitalization in the year ahead
• Self-driving freight tech vendor Aurora expands trucking service in Texas
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by:  Storage Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Abdil Tunca, senior principal analyst at Gartner's Supply Chain Practice. While we aren’t quite yet to the era of the Jetsons, we have seen some remarkable advancements in robotics over the past few years. In fact, many future supply chain managers may be managing more robots than human workers. What will that be like? Our guest has some insights.

The trucking industry, and especially the truckload sector, has been in a market slump that has lasted a few years now. Recently there have been some new rules out of Washington that may offer some relief. How is the industry reacting to them?

Demand for industrial real estate—which includes warehousing and logistics space—surged in the third quarter, according to a report from real estate firm Colliers. The company’s Q3 U.S. Industrial Market Statistics report forecasts a stabilizing industrial landscape that is poised for growth, marked by stronger demand and slowing development. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gartner
• Analysts: Federal efforts to shrink excess trucking capacity could take time
• Industrial real estate demand surges in Q3
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by:  Storage Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Frank Kenney, director of industry strategy at Cleo. The Federal government shutdown is in its third week now with no end in sight. Beyond the politics of each party blaming the other for failing to fund the government, there are real repercussions that affect many aspects of American life – including our supply chains. Our guests shares how this latest disruption is adding even more uncertainty and how our supply chains should respond. 

Price and trust top shoppers’ wish lists this holiday season, as U.S. consumers say accurate delivery promises are just as important as good deals this year, ramping up the pressure on retailers to meet shipping expectations.

The trucking industry has been in a freight recession for more than three years now, which generally means there are too many trucks for not enough freight, so the rates that drivers can charge are super low. But there’s more to the picture than that, and this week we saw a report that shed some light on it. It reveals that business conditions are very different depending if you’re in the truckload sector, less than truckload, or parcel. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Cleo
• Trust tops shoppers wish lists this holiday season
• Truckload carriers continue battling excess capacity and depressed rates
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Duravant Integrated Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Amanda Hedberg, vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Aspire, a Chicago non-profit organization that works to place people with disabilities into the labor market. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This yearly event began in 1945 and is now commemorating 80 years of acknowledging the good work that people with mental and physical disabilities bring to their jobs, including work within our supply chains. Hedberg shares how t Aspire trains people with disabilities find meaningful work, including employment in warehouses. 

Our DC Velocity editorial staff spent the week at CSCMP EDGE conference in National Harbor, Maryland, near the nation’s capital. On today's podcast we will talk about what we learned there:

Ben shares about a session on the market for industrial real estate, which includes warehouses and fulfillment centers. According to the speakers, the U.S. right now has more unused logistics space available for rent in the industrial real estate market than at any time in U.S. history. We explained how the market got to that point and what is being done to better utilize the abundant space.

Ben also shares about another session on the rise of the “synthetic workforce,” which is a term for increasing applications in artificial intelligence, and specifically agentic AI. Speakers stressed that the Synthetic Workforce is not just on the horizon but is already here. 

Victoria shares about a session presented by Per Kristian Hong, a global lead at management consulting firm Kearney. His talk was titled “Harnessing Uncertainty: Global Supply Chains in an Era of Geopolitical Disruption.” His central message was that these turbulent times we’re experiencing are the norm and that supply chain leaders need to recalibrate and move from forecasting to foresight.

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN)
• Report: Tariffs reshape sourcing
• Gen-Z consumers drive change in e-commerce patterns
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Duravant Integrated Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Sean Daley, director of sustainability consulting at Sphera. Among the many changes happening in Washington is a reprioritizing of environmental issues. The Environmental Protection Agency is among many of the government agencies that has undergone dramatic policy changes. Our guest discusses those changes and how to prepare for shifting EPA regulations.  

The world has been experiencing America’s new trade policies and the rollout of tariffs for nearly seven months now and we are starting to see their effect on imports, including some creative ways that some companies are adapting, including the use of "B2B2C" shipments.

Accelerated growth in China’s mobile robotics market over the past 10 years is giving way to globalization strategies as Chinese companies face growing economic pressures at home. Many of these Chinese mobile robotics companies are trying to expand their reach to customers in Europe and North America, in particular. 

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sphera
• U.S. recession not imminent but, economic momentum is clearly slowing
• Report: China's mobile robotics vendors go global
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Duravant Integrated Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). Twenty years ago last month, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, leaving in its wake an estimated $125 billion dollars of damage and countless lives changed. It was during this catastrophe that a group logisticians had an idea - and ALAN, the American Logistics Aid Network, was born. Our guest shares the work of ALAN and reflects on the organization’s past 20 years of service to the world during times of crisis.

The changing trade landscape that supply chains have experienced this year are continuing to impact where around the world products are manufactured and then sourced into the United States. And now it seems that small businesses are playing a larger role when it comes to sourcing, as companies continue to deal with the ups and downs of tariffs. This is according to a report from sourcing solutions provider Supplier.io, released this week. 

New research shows that e-commerce is swiftly becoming more complex than just the classic image of using your laptop to order from a website and have a product shipped to your home. Geopost, a large French last-mile and parcel delivery firm,  surveyed customers across 22 European countries for an annual study on e-commerce trends. They found that sector is changing fast, in large part because of the influence of Gen Z consumers. We tell you what differences this generation is making on online shopping.

Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN)
• Report: Tariffs reshape sourcing
• Gen-Z consumers drive change in e-commerce patterns
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

This podcast episode is sponsored by: Duravant Integrated Solutions

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY