Logistics professionals asking “Will AI take my job?” can rest easy, as the human touch remains an invaluable part of the supply chain—and will for some time. But what we do know is that AI *will* change your job, and the sooner logistics professionals can begin developing the hard and soft skills necessary to thrive in the AI-assisted workplace, the more successful they’ll be.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Michael Walker, Chief Marketing Officer at SmythOS about overcoming issues like AI anxiety and skill gaps in order to better meet the current inflection point. Drawing parallels to historical shifts like the move from town criers to newspapers, Michael reassures us that AI is not to be feared but embraced and highlights the exciting new job and career opportunities it brings.

Join us as we discuss:

• The current state and collective understanding of AI
• The role of human oversight in AI-generated content
• AI orchestration for enhanced data security and compliance.
• Whether AI will deprive future workers of valuable learning experiences

Improving the flow and organization of data within a company’s systems doesn’t just make your employees’ and customers’ lives easier—it can also make their (and everyone else’s) lives safer and healthier by contributing to the fight for a more sustainable planet.

On this week’s episode, Ellen Wood speaks with Product Marketing and Solutions Manager Pratiksha Agarwal about Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and its applications in the world of supply chain management. Pratiksha delves into how ERP systems not only centralize data flow within an organization but also support sustainability by improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.

Join us as we discuss:

• Primary challenges organizations face in collecting and managing data within an ERP system
• Which types of companies stand to benefit the most from an ERP system
• The importance of clean data for business sustainability
• How visibility into the extended supply chain and compliance with regulations impact the functionality of an ERP system

Ever wonder how technology can transform your yard operations from chaos into a seamless flow?

In this episode, Ellen sits down with Michael Agustin and Matthias Platzer from Westernacher Consulting to discuss the future of Yard Management Systems (YMS) and their pivotal role in strengthening supply chains. From navigating global disruptions like the pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage to implementing cutting-edge technologies like AI and Autonomous Guided Vehicles, learn how businesses can enhance efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness.

Join us as we discuss:

• The role of YMS in linking transportation, warehousing, and production, and how smooth yard operations lead to efficient supply chains.
• How modern technology and AI enhance YMS with real-time updates and optimized scheduling.
• The future of yard logistics with Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and electrification, reducing emissions and boosting efficiency for cleaner operations.

This week, Ellen Wood speaks with Marcus Hoed, Co-Founder at DutchX, about the challenges and innovations shaping sustainable last-mile delivery. Marcus takes us behind the scenes of the transition to zero-emission solutions in dense urban areas like New York City—and how AI and multi-modal transportation are driving efficiency and sustainability.

Join us as we discuss:

• How to address misconceptions within larger retail companies on the costs and challenges of innovative logistics solutions
• DutchX’s Blue Highway initiative that uses barges and eBikes for urban parcel delivery
• The strategic considerations when expanding sustainable last-mile delivery operations to other large cities
• Collaborating with local governments and logistics providers to innovate urban delivery methods

No matter the size of your logistics team or operation, your employees’ time, attention, and energy are among your most precious resources. So it’s essential that your people can keep their focus on the tasks that only people can do well—or at all.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Michael Greenberg, CEO and Founder of 3rd Brain Digital Operations & Automation, about AI’s role in lessening (and potentially eliminating) the daily tasks and rote work that bog down key players across the supply chain industry. Whether it’s automating certain tasks or facilitating data analysis and decision-making, AI has so much to offer logistics professionals at every level while empowering them to let their true talents shine. 

Join us as we discuss:

• AI’s revolving role in inventory management, such as material tracking and fraud detection
• Why human decision-making remains crucial in AI-assisted processes
• How to address concerns about AI-generated information
• Solutions for navigating issues surrounding integrating AI into a company’s digital infrastructure

On this week’s episode, host Ellen Wood presents part two of her conversation with Jonathan Egan, CEO at FabCast Solutions. Jonathan shares his professional journey from Ireland to Shanghai to the Americas and what he learned by establishing a US company that imports products from Chinese factories—and he delves into the cultural differences that influence manufacturing practices in China and Mexico. Ellen and Jonathan also uncover some of the challenges of navigating local regulations, power grid concerns, and the impact of communication styles on business decisions.

Join us as we discuss:

• How the number of vertically integrated plants in Mexico (versus countries like China) affects the country’s manufacturing processes
• Criteria for deciding between in-house manufacturing and utilizing a third-party manufacturer
• Supply chain resilience in the face of geopolitical risks, labor issues, and climate change
• How U.S. companies can address its manufacturing workforce gap

Notes:

• “Five Key Challenges Facing U.S. Manufacturing” (Article)

Conventional wisdom often requires reassessment, especially regarding the location of major manufacturing and supply chain activities. While partnering with large economies like China once made sense, the evolving global landscape is prompting more U.S. companies to explore closer alternatives like Mexico, bringing nearshoring to the forefront of the supply chain discussion.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Jonathan Egan, CEO at FabCast Solutions, to discuss nearshoring from China to Mexico and its strategic advantages. Jonathan delves into nearshoring’s impact on key industries like automotive, aerospace, and high-tech—as well as the promising potential of certain emerging regions for industrial investment.  

Join us as we discuss:

• The factors influencing companies to shift their operations from China to Mexico and the role of customer demand in these decisions
• Comparing the cost of operations between China and Mexico in areas like freight, tariffs, and financing
• The skills and technological challenges faced in reshoring manufacturing to the Americas
• The "China Plus One" strategy

On today’s episode, Ellen Wood speaks with Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Ingredient Brothers, about addressing all manner of challenges in the food and beverage industry. From adapting to changing consumer tastes, managing inventory, and sourcing specialized and niche ingredients, Eran provides a wealth of hard-earned insights that players throughout the F&B industry will find enriching.

Join us as we discuss:

• The unique processes involved with sourcing tropical ingredients like coconut milk and macadamia nuts
• How suppliers are being pressured to change due to stricter consumer regulations in Europe and North America
• The importance of clarity and standardization in supply chain processes
• Working with suppliers to improve social and environmental standards

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This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Luká Yancopoulos, CEO of Grapevine Technologies about the challenges facing the healthcare supply chain—especially the risks of relying on single suppliers. Luka shares strategies for optimizing supply chain management, including consolidating orders, introducing new suppliers, and using real-time data to reduce costs and backorders—and provides examples of clients who have seen tangible benefits from such practices.

Join us as we discuss:

• The risks of reliance on single suppliers, and how the Covid-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated them
• How backorders in the healthcare supply chain impact patient care and operational efficiency
• The role of technology-driven solutions in enhancing decision-making and reliability by identifying untrustworthy suppliers
• Why it’s important to optimize purchasing decisions based on availability, cost, and speed of service in healthcare

In this week’s very special episode, host Ellen Wood speaks with two young supply chain professionals: Sam Nunez, Initiatives Operations Leader for Bounty at Procter & Gamble, and Claire Konz, Supply Chain Consultant at Miebach Consulting. Sam and Claire discuss how they arrived in the logistics industry and what aspects of the world of supply chain appealed to them as they were considering their post-grad paths—as opposed to industries that might be more “top of mind” for today’s young professionals.

Join us as we discuss:

• How the trend of changing jobs or positions every few years has impacted the supply chain industry
• The growing importance of continuous education and skill expansion
• The role of informal training and real-life experiences vs. classroom learning in preparation or work in the supply chain industry
• AI and automation’s impact on supply chain management roles