Smart Supply Chain Podcast

Global trade is being reshaped by tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, changing sourcing strategies, technology innovation, and growing sustainability expectations. Few organizations have a better vantage point on these forces than the ports connecting global producers with U.S. markets.

Smart Supply Chain Podcast hosts Shireen and Sarah Garrison welcome Ron Brown, Maritime Marketing and Commodities Representative at the Port of Oakland, for an inside look at the forces changing global trade and supply chain operations. Located just 30 miles from ALOM headquarters, the Port is an important international gateway for materials moving through our customers' global supply chains. Drawing on more than two decades at the port, Brown discusses changing cargo flows and sourcing decisions, lessons exposed by COVID-era disruption, and the growing importance of flexibility and visibility.

The conversation also explores automation, AI, information sharing, and the Port's efforts to advance zero-emission technologies and more sustainable freight movement. For supply chain and logistics leaders, the episode offers a timely perspective on navigating an increasingly complex global trade environment.

Healthcare organizations are under constant pressure to accelerate innovation while ensuring every product meets the highest standards for quality, compliance, and patient well-being. Success depends on operational excellence supported by experienced people, technology innovation, and trusted supply chain partners. Hosts Shireen and Sarah Garrison welcome Fabio Paniza, Director of Operations at Johnson & Johnson, for a discussion relevant to medical and other highly regulated healthcare industries on the operational priorities driving current and future supply chain performance within one of the world's leading life sciences companies.

AI is reshaping how organizations plan, predict, and make decisions. At the same time supply chain leaders face growing pressure to identify and prioritize contingency plans for a growing number of disruption scenarios in an increasingly uncertain and risky world. These decisions are made by people. In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, hosts Shireen and Sarah Garrison sits down with Northeastern University professor and award-winning author of The Humachine, Dr. Nada Sanders to explore why clean data, supply chain agility, and human-AI collaboration have emerged as the key to manage risk and create more agile supply chains.

ALOM Chief Operating Officer Brandon Marugg discusses how Silicon Valley's culture of innovation has shaped ALOM's evolution from a startup founded in 1997 into a global technology-driven supply chain service provider. Drawing on his 25 years of experience with ALOM, Brandon recounts stories of supporting fast-growing technology innovators, developing early customer-facing supply chain technology, rapidly scaling operations and applying data, automation, and serialization to solve complex supply chain challenges. The conversation also explores how ALOM's Silicon Valley roots continue to influence its approach to regulated industry compliance, scalability and resilience, and why organizations that embrace technology-driven innovation will be best positioned for the future.

In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director of the Manufacturing Institute, unpacks a looming crisis: a widening skills gap accelerated by AI. As new technologies reshape operations on the shop floor, the challenge is not talent, it’s equipping today’s workforce with the right skills. Carolyn shares how AI is changing job requirements, what it means for manufacturing and supply chain performance, and how leaders can rethink hiring, training, and development, while tapping into proven programs and resources to build a future-ready workforce.

In this final episode of the Smart Supply Chain podcast onboarding series, the Garrison Sisters sit down with ALOM CEO Hannah Kain to explore why she believes onboarding is the defining stage of any 3PL partnership. Hannah shares why flawless launches require going far beyond the basics—digging into stakeholder needs across operations, finance, data integration, sustainability, reporting, and end-user expectations. Her insights reveal how disciplined planning, collaboration, and true listening build trust from day one and set every supply chain program up for long-term success.

In part 2 of the 3 part Smart Supply Chain Podcast Onboarding series, ALOM experts unpack top considerations and warning signs to look for during a 3PL onboarding and new program launch. In this episode, your hosts, The Garrison Sisters talk to five ALOM experts representing Operations, Technology, Quality, Logistics, and Client Services to learn what topline advice and best practices they offer to reduce risk, accelerate go-live, and build long-term trust when onboarding a new program. One additional episode in this series will follow soon, featuring candid insights from ALOM CEO, Hannah Kain.

ALOM experts unpack top considerations and warning signs to look for during a 3PL onboarding and new program launch. You’ll hear from ALOM Chief Commercial Officer Fiona Lowbridge, Chief Operating Officer Brandon Marugg, and Business Manager Taylor Brown as they discuss the importance of a collaborative, transparent onboarding process that helps reduce risk, accelerate go-live, and build long-term trust. Two additional episodes focused on onboarding will follow soon, featuring further insight from ALOM operations, client services, quality, technology, and executive team leaders.

Logistics analyst Cathy Roberson shares her latest thinking and analysis on how shifting trade policies, tariffs, industry consolidation, and last-mile innovation are reshaping global supply chains. Mid-episode, learn how ALOM is helping its customers mitigate tariff uncertainty and cost, and build resilience in a fast-changing logistics environment. As the industry stands at a crossroads, this conversation offers sharp insight for supply chain leaders to explore strategies on how to stay ahead.

International supply chain executive recruiter and bestselling author of Source to Sold, Radu Palamariu, joins The Garrison Sisters to discuss what it takes to shape strong supply chain leadership. From essential leadership traits to career-advancing strategies, Radu shares insights to help supply chain professionals at all levels navigate challenges and excel in a rapidly evolving industry.