In this first episode of 2025 here at Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton sits down with Alan Amling, Distinguished Fellow at The University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute, and Don Maier, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for an insightful conversation on navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in the evolving supply chain landscape.

Alan and Don share insights on the competitive dynamics between industry giants like FedEx and UPS, the growing influence of retail logisticians, and the critical role of automation and technology in addressing workforce and operational hurdles. The discussion also explores the geopolitical factors reshaping global supply chains and how businesses can build resilience through strategic planning and innovation.

Tune in for practical takeaways, including how organizations can adapt to shifting customer expectations, leverage collaborative planning, and maintain agility in the face of ongoing disruption.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(08:12) Reflecting on personal highlights from 2024

(14:07) Exploring career journeys: From UPS to academia

(18:53) Insights on UPS and FedEx competition dynamics

(25:42) The role of drivers in building strong supply chains

(28:33) Discussing cultural shifts and the challenges of trust-building

(32:48) Maritime logistics trends: Sustainability and automation

(38:17) Challenges with automation in U.S. ports

(42:11) Addressing geopolitical risks and supply chain resilience

(47:30) The rise of retail logisticians and their impact

(51:23) Lessons from Netflix on organizational agility and courage

(57:08) Key takeaways from 2024

(01:02:33) Bold predictions for 2025

(01:09:21) Anticipating the impact of automation and tariffs

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Alan Amling: http://linkedin.com/in/alanamling
• Connect with Don Maier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-maier-2795431/
• Learn more about Haslam College of Business, UTK: https://haslam.utk.edu/supply-chain-management/
• Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/
• 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
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This episodes was hosted by Scott W. Luton and produced by Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/maritime-logistics-organizations-nimbleness-predictions-2025-1374