In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes back Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to explore what sets the supply chain Masters apart from the rest. With companies like Amazon, Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever topping the list, Mike unpacks the leadership behaviors, strategic investments, and operational models that have helped them sustain excellence year over year.

From Amazon’s $4 billion bet on rural delivery infrastructure to Apple’s global shift in manufacturing strategy, the discussion reveals how today’s top performers stay adaptive and resilient in the face of change. Mike also spotlights how inclusive design and sustainable packaging are redefining product development at P&G, and how Unilever is leaning into startup partnerships to accelerate innovation at scale.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:16) Kicking off with a fun fact

(03:23) VHS memories and video rentals

(07:25) Gartner supply chain top 25 overview

(11:04) Amazon's major investment in dural Delivery

(17:18) Apple's production shift to india and vietnam

(22:34) P&G's innovations and the power of packaging

(28:56) Unilever's 100+ accelerator program

(34:49) Upcoming Gartner planning summits

(35:22) Why attend the planning summits

(38:12) Connecting with Mike Griswold

Additional Links & Resources

• Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/ 
• Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/
• 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 episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/masterful-supply-chain-leadership-apple-amazon-unilever-1442