Supply Chain Now

Freight costs are climbing, capacity is tightening, and demand isn’t keeping pace. What’s driving today’s transportation market?

In this episode, Scott Luton and co-host Karin Bursa welcome Jeff Pape, Senior Vice President, Head of Product & Marketing Global Transportation at U.S. Bank, and Eric Olson, Support Operations Director, Partnership and Business Development at Total Quality Logistics (TQL), for a live discussion on the Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Drawing on nearly $46 billion in freight transactions, Jeff reveals how shipper spending increased by more than 30% despite marginal shipment growth, signaling a market driven by capacity constraints rather than demand.

They also explore regional freight trends, from data center construction fueling activity in the Southeast to shifting import strategies nationwide. Eric shares his outlook on tightening truckload capacity, rising transportation rates, and a potentially sharper peak season. The panel emphasizes the importance of data-driven planning, proactive communication, and stronger shipper-carrier relationships to help supply chain leaders navigate uncertainty and prepare for continued volatility.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:17) Why freight market volatility is increasing

(01:58) Inside the Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index

(03:48) Meet the freight market experts

(07:24) Why capacity is driving the freight market

(09:15) How supply chain leaders use freight data

(11:56) Why freight spending is outpacing shipment growth

(15:25) Regional freight trends and economic drivers

(19:11) What to expect from Q4 peak season

(22:08) How data centers and tariffs impact transportation

(27:46) Freight market outlook and rising rates

(30:24) Navigating capacity constraints through stronger partnerships

(33:41) How to become a shipper of choice

(39:33) Why data and relationships drive better decisions

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Eric Olson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-olson-a9a0a1b/ 
• Learn more about Total Quality Logistics: https://www.tql.com/ 
• Connect with Jeff Pape: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-pape-105a759/ 
• Learn more about U.S. Bank: https://www.usbank.com/index.html 
• Learn more about U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://www.usbank.com/corporate-and-commercial-banking/industry-expertise/transportation/freight-payment-insights.html
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about 
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com 
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about MFG.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5r
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/sneak-preview-q3-2026-us-bank-freight-payment-index-1656

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The shipping landscape is shifting in ways that demand attention from every supply chain leader. Shrinking carrier capacity, rising surcharges, and a freight recession stretching three years have created a market where old assumptions no longer hold and rate floors are moving in ways many shippers haven't accounted for.

In this inaugural episode of The Problem Store on Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Jack Mowreader, a veteran CFO who has served in the role five times and spent six years in Amazon operations finance, LeAnne Coulter, former executive at Penske Logistics and Schneider Logistics who now leads Blue Wave Supply Chain, and Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management. They structure the conversation across four segments covering the macros, the setup, the operation, and the enablers, exploring how capacity constraints, parcel surcharge complexity, network design, relationships between shippers and carriers, and the accelerating pace of change are reshaping what shippers need to be doing right now.

Jack, LeAnne, and Nate also weigh in on where AI can genuinely improve shipping decisions, from invoice auditing and scenario simulation to compressing the time from analysis to action. They challenge shippers to walk their own processes, question legacy carrier strategies, form carrier councils, invest in the driver experience, and treat transportation strategy as supply chain strategy rather than an afterthought.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:30) Meet Jack Mowreader, LeAnne Coulter, and Nate Skiver

(05:48) The biggest problems in shipping: capacity, risk, and the pace of change

(07:39) Labor pressures, fuel costs, and what shippers can't control

(20:15) Network design and avoiding single points of failure

(27:01) Shipper of choice and building carrier relationships that last

(35:16) The operation: resourcing, process design, and trade offs

(42:33) The three legged stool: balancing cost, service, and resilience

(52:23) AI in shipping: where it helps and where human judgment stays essential

(58:34) The Billy Bob hypothetical and how to connect with the panel

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Jack Mowreader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmowreader/
• Connect with Nate Skiver: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levelplayingfield/
• Connect with LeAnne Coulter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannecoulter/
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5r
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

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/problem-store-shipping-sherpas-1655

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From the chocolate in your Halloween candy to the critical minerals powering electric vehicles, Africa plays an essential role in global supply chains. But as new technologies, infrastructure investments, and manufacturing opportunities emerge, the continent is moving beyond supplying raw materials to creating greater value and driving innovation.

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, Yaseen Ahmid and Michael J. Olivier bring a South African perspective to some of the biggest developments shaping global supply chains. They explore why Africa matters to businesses worldwide, from fluctuating cocoa prices in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to the rise of lab-grown chocolate and its potential impact on African farmers. The conversation also examines Zipline's expanding medical drone delivery network, Morocco's growing automotive manufacturing industry, and investments in the Lobito Corridor connecting Central Africa's critical minerals to global markets. Along the way, Yaseen and Michael discuss AI adoption, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building infrastructure and industries that allow African economies to capture more value from their resources and innovations.

Key Takeaways:

• Africa's strategic importance: Discover why the continent's critical minerals, agricultural exports, growing population, and entrepreneurial talent make it increasingly important to global supply chains.
• Cocoa prices and supply chain challenges: Understand how production disruptions, commodity price fluctuations, and purchasing contracts influence chocolate prices, even when raw material costs decline.
• Innovation in healthcare logistics: Explore how Zipline's drone delivery network is expanding access to medical supplies in Côte d'Ivoire and demonstrating new approaches to last-mile delivery.
• Morocco's automotive manufacturing growth: Learn how proximity to Europe, infrastructure development, and nearshoring opportunities are positioning Morocco as a major automotive production hub.
• Critical minerals and transportation infrastructure: Examine how investments in the Lobito Corridor could improve the movement of copper and cobalt while strengthening regional trade.
• Building Africa's innovation ecosystem: Hear why financing, talent development, AI governance, entrepreneurship, and local value creation are essential to the continent's economic future.

Africa's influence on global supply chains extends far beyond its natural resources. For supply chain leaders, manufacturers, investors, and innovators, understanding the continent's evolving role is becoming increasingly important. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping Africa's future and what they mean for global trade, resilience, and economic growth.

Additional Links & Resources: 

• Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-Develop
• With That Said: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ready-change-supply-chain-now-kwkve
• The New Scarcity Economy: An African Lens on UNGA 81: https://www.undp.org/africa/blog/new-scarcity-economy-african-lens-unga-81
• Cocoa Crashed This Year. So Why Is Your Halloween Candy Still This Pricey? https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/26/09/61631494/cocoa-crashed-this-year-so-why-is-your-halloween-candy-still-this-pricey
• Zipline inks Côte d’Ivoire deal to expand drone delivery: https://www.semafor.com/article/09/22/2026/zipline-inks-eight-year-cte-divoire-deal-to-expand-drone-delivery
• Why WhatsApp Is the Operating System of African Businesses: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-whatsapp-operating-system-african-businesses-khamisi-hamisi-sxsyf/
• Morocco’s Automotive Exports Rise 14.5% to MAD 116 Billion by August: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2026/10/340562/moroccos-automotive-exports-rise-14-5-to-mad-116-billion-by-august/
• Lobito corridor to double minerals cargo after $300 million draw: https://www.mining.com/web/lobito-corridor-to-double-minerals-cargo-after-300-million-draw
• Mombasa Port Exports Hit New Monthly Record: https://kenyanwallstreet.com/mombasa-port-july-2026
• Aliko Dangote's refinery lifts Nigeria's petrol exports sixfold to $750 million: https://www.billionaires.africa/2026/09/25/aliko-dangotes-refinery-lifts-nigerias-petrol-exports-sixfold-to-750-million/
• Ethiopia Coffee Exports Hit Record US$3bn as Government Targets US$6bn by 2031: https://furtherafrica.com/2026/07/01/ethiopia-coffee-exports-hit-record-us3bn-as-government-targets-us6bn-by-2031/
• A hidden pipeline brings Amazon and Walmart to African shoppers: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/hidden-pipeline-brings-amazon-walmart-african-shoppers-2026-07-14/
• Connect with Yaseen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaseen-ahmid/
• Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljolivier/
• Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teams
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5r
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Yaseen Ahmid and Michael Olivier, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-africa-growing-supply-chain-influence-1654

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is AI really saving supply chain teams time, or are we overlooking the human expertise needed to make it work?
 

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to discuss the evolving role of AI in supply chain planning, the importance of workforce development, and how leading companies are rethinking their supply chain strategies.
 

Mike brings his expertise in supply chain planning and Gartner research to a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges organizations face as they adopt new technologies, manage growing complexity, and prepare their teams for the future.
 

The conversation covers why AI may not deliver the productivity gains many organizations expect, how skills gaps and change management affect technology adoption, and why human expertise remains essential to effective supply chain planning. Scott and Mike also examine General Mills' ambitious supply chain transformation, McDonald's investment in AI-powered operations, and how supply chain education must evolve to prepare the next generation of leaders.
 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:13) Halloween candy inflation and the candy supply chain

(04:20) The three biggest barriers holding supply chain planners back

(05:35) Why cutting entry-level roles kills your AI ROI

(11:18) Why AI saves slivers of time, not redeployable chunks

(13:23) Why change management is the most requested Gartner strategy session

(16:00) General Mills and why supply chain should mean more than cost-cutting

(19:30) Cereal proliferation as a lesson in SKU complexity and demand planning

(26:07) McDonald's Archie AI and the danger of equating tech with people

(33:28) What supply chain undergraduate programs must fix to stay relevant

(38:04) Why the Gartner Planning Summit keeps getting bigger

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/ 
• Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en 
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about 
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com 
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5r
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

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/when-yesterdays-supply-chain-playbook-stops-working-1653
 

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when your supply chain is performing exactly as designed, yet your business is still losing money and frustrating customers?
 

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Mahesh Rajasekharan, President and CEO of Cleo, about the performance paradox behind new industry research and what it takes to orchestrate a supply chain rather than merely integrate one.
 

Mahesh brings a PhD in industrial engineering from Texas A&M and an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where he graduated first in his class, along with prior experience as COO of SumTotal Systems, to his role leading Cleo into a high growth, AI native supply chain orchestration company serving over 5,000 customers.
 

The conversation covers why 63% of companies say their supply chains perform as designed while 73% lose revenue, how automation increases complexity when coordination stays manual, and why the planning and execution gap persists. Mahesh and Scott also explore the shift from systems of record to systems of action, how context turns raw AI into useful decisions, and controlled delegation toward autonomous orchestration.
 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(03:55) Flying taxis and what they teach about orchestration

(06:10) What Cleo does beyond integration

(09:20) Why human judgment stays nonnegotiable

(14:58) Why visibility is passé and orchestration is the real prize

(18:45) From systems of record to systems of action

(21:46) How context turns raw signals into intelligence

(26:58) Why the gap between planning and execution persists

(33:16) Why pilot fatigue keeps AI from delivering value

(38:59) From reactive firefighting to proactive problem solving

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Mahesh Rajasekharan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshrajasekharan/
• Learn more about Cleo: https://www.cleo.com/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about 
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com 
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

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/performance-paradox-why-your-supply-chain-works-still-loses-money-1652

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As supply chain disruptions continue, costs climb, and artificial intelligence reshapes the industry, procurement professionals are facing new challenges and opportunities. How can organizations move beyond traditional strategies to build stronger supplier relationships, embrace emerging technology, and prepare for the future?

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, host Scott Luton and co-host David Shillingford welcome Ben Farrell, MBE, Global CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), for a conversation about the evolving role of procurement and supply chain leadership. The discussion explores the biggest barriers to scaling AI, including poor data quality and disconnected systems, along with new research from CIPS revealing rising transportation, technology, and food costs heading into the holiday season. Ben shares why long-term supplier collaboration is essential for navigating disruptions, how procurement professionals can deliver greater strategic value, and what skills future leaders will need. The conversation also examines CIPS' plans to modernize professional development, the growing importance of trust and ethical leadership, and why procurement deserves a stronger voice in business decision-making.

Key Takeaways:

• Rethinking supply chain priorities: Discover why recovering quickly from disruptions, making fewer decisions, and designing for change may be more valuable than predicting every challenge or pursuing complete automation.
• Overcoming AI adoption barriers: Explore how poor data quality, disconnected systems, governance challenges, and unclear ROI continue to prevent organizations from realizing AI's full potential.
• Preparing for rising supply chain costs: Learn what CIPS' Q3 2026 Global Pulse Survey reveals about anticipated price increases in transportation, technology, and food, and how businesses can prepare.
• Building stronger supplier relationships: Understand why long-term collaboration, trust, and flexible supplier networks are becoming essential for managing disruptions and controlling costs.
• Developing the next generation of procurement leaders: Explore how AI, ethical decision-making, communication, and problem-solving are reshaping the skills procurement professionals need.
• Elevating procurement's strategic influence: Discover why procurement must move beyond traditional purchasing functions to become a stronger driver of business outcomes, resilience, and organizational success.

From navigating rising costs and global disruptions to embracing AI and developing future-ready talent, procurement has never played a more important role in business success. Tune in for insights from Ben Farrell and David Shillingford on strengthening supplier relationships, overcoming technology challenges, and positioning procurement professionals as strategic leaders in an increasingly complex global economy.

Additional Links & Resources:

• Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-Develop
• With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-18-Oct-2026
• David's Post: https://bit.ly/Keynes-On-AI
• Sneak Preview: Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://supplychainnow.com/us-bank/
• Download your free copy of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/Freight-Payment-Index
• Inside the Future of Intelligent Warehousing with EPG: https://bit.ly/Scott-and-Jett-MODEX2026
• 2026’s most overrated and underrated supply chain priorities: https://bit.ly/Overrated-And-Underrated-SCM-Priorities
• The CIPS Global Pulse Survey for Q3 2026: https://bit.ly/Survey-Says-Q32026
• Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teams
• Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-farrell-mbe/
• Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shillingford/
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and David Shillingford, and produced by Triha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-why-procurement-more-important-than-ever-1651

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI is changing supply chain planning, but automation is only part of the story. The next big shift? Turning planners into orchestrators.
 

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Razat Gaurav, CEO of Kinaxis, to explore how supply chains have evolved, why faster decision-making matters, and how AI is driving the shift from traditional planning to orchestration.
 

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software and supply chain technology, Razat examines the growing role of AI agents and the transition of supply chain planners into orchestrators. He also highlights why human judgment, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration remain essential as organizations adopt new technologies. The conversation offers a broader perspective on how supply chain leaders can move beyond automation to achieve meaningful business outcomes.
 

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro 
(06:31) How supply chains have evolved over 25 years 
(13:08) Supply chain's shift from operations to strategy 
(17:43) Managing trade-offs through scenario planning 
(23:48) Why supply chains can't return to normal 
(28:39) Supply chain: Sensing, planning, and execution 
(35:12) The hidden costs of supply chain latency 
(40:19) Why decision-making speed matters 
(42:13) Rethinking supply chain workflows with AI 
(52:02) The shift from planners to orchestrators 
(55:47) What will define successful supply chain leaders?

 

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Razat Gaurav: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razatgaurav/ 
• Learn more about Kinaxis: https://www.kinaxis.com/ 
• Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa 
• Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-planning-to-orchestration-future-supply-chain-kinaxis-ceo-razat-gaurav-1650

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why has three decades of supply chain visibility investment failed to produce meaningful results for the industry?
 

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Dr. Glenn Richey, Harbert Eminent Scholar at Auburn University, and Matt Brolsma of SPS Commerce, about why visibility tools keep falling short and what actually moves the needle.
 

Glenn brings ten years of supply chain experience across procurement, manufacturing, and logistics at Scott Paper Company and S.P. Richards, paired with his research at Auburn's Center for Supply Chain Innovation, while Matt works directly with enterprise retailers and distributors at SPS Commerce to translate supplier collaboration challenges into actionable strategy.
 

The conversation covers why AI can amplify the consequences of bad data, how one retailer recovered $38 million through stronger supplier compliance, and what questions leaders should ask before investing in another visibility platform. Glenn and Matt also explore the link between trusted relationships and trusted data, and why vendor guides deserve more attention.
 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(06:44) Distinguishing visibility, transparency, and traceability

(12:30) Why 30 years of visibility tools fell short

(18:22) What happens when teams lose trust in the system?

(22:57) Does AI solve or magnify the visibility problem?

(25:40) When AI recommendations go wrong at the port

(30:30) Why visibility tools still leave planners chasing answers

(35:45) Building stronger trading partner relationships

(37:49) Why structured compliance programs outperform

(42:41) How one retailer recovered $38 million

(47:20) What should leaders ask before buying more tech?

Additional Links & Resources:

• SPS Commerce's Supply Chain Visibility Readiness Assessment: https://bit.ly/4scDxSb
• Connect with Matt Brolsma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbrolsma/
• Learn more about SPS Commerce: https://www.spscommerce.com/
• Connect with Robert Glenn Richey, Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennrichey/
• Learn more about Auburn University: https://www.auburn.edu/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about 
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com 
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

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/visibility-illusion-why-seeing-problem-never-same-solving-1649

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From AI investments that fail to deliver results to shifting trade policies and growing supply chain disruptions, today's leaders face mounting pressure to adapt. But what does it really take to turn challenges into opportunities?

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, hosts Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot welcome Dr. Rod Thomas, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas, and Joanna Pachnik, Founder and CEO of BlueClip, for a discussion on the issues shaping global supply chains. From attracting and developing the next generation of supply chain talent to navigating Hurricane-related energy disruptions and USMCA trade uncertainty, the conversation explores how organizations can build greater resilience. The panel also examines the growing role of AI in transportation, procurement, and reverse logistics, why promising technology initiatives often fail to scale, and how leaders can move beyond AI hype to deliver measurable business results.

Key Takeaways:

• Developing supply chain talent: Discover three practical strategies for attracting, hiring, and preparing the next generation of supply chain professionals through meaningful internships, university partnerships, and effective onboarding.
• Navigating global disruptions: Explore how hurricane-related energy disruptions, rising transportation costs, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding USMCA negotiations are influencing supply chain strategies.
• Rethinking supply chain optimization: Learn why companies must move beyond periodic network optimization and continuously evaluate cost, flexibility, and operational resilience.
• Preparing for the future of reverse logistics: Examine how growing retail returns, expanding secondary markets, and AI-powered solutions are changing the way businesses manage returns.
• Turning AI investments into measurable results: Understand why choosing the wrong use cases and lacking leadership support can derail technology initiatives, and how starting small can accelerate ROI.
• Empowering people through technology: Discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and enable employees to focus on higher-value work.

Whether you're navigating global trade uncertainty, building a stronger supply chain workforce, or looking for practical ways to make AI deliver real business value, this episode offers actionable insights for today's supply chain leaders. Tune in to learn how forward-thinking organizations are turning disruption into opportunity, strengthening their operations, and preparing their people and technology for what's next.

Additional Links & Resources:

• Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-Develop
• With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-11-Oct-2026
• The Readiness Rules: https://now.supplychainnow.com/the-readiness-rules
• Connect with Rod on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-thomas-a409a41/
• Manifest Vegas 2027! Register now & save $900: https://manifestvegas.partners/partners/SupplyChainNow
• USMCA status as of October 2026: https://bit.ly/USMCA-Status-12-Oct-2026
• Connect with Tony Sciarrota: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sciarrotta-235570/
• Connect with Scot Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotcase/
• Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teams
• Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-pachnik-6329b55a/
• Learn more about blueclip: blueclip.ai
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI
• WEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-innovations-hurricane-disruptions-building-resilient-supply-chains-1648

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anyone can buy a plane. What sets a logistics company apart in Latin America is whether the people on the ground trust it with their cargo. Earning that trust takes time, local knowledge, and a commitment to understanding what makes each market different.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot speak with Jorge Bayona, Vice President for Latin America at Apex Logistics International, about how companies can incorporate the region into their supply chain strategies to improve agility, diversify risk, and unlock growth.

Jorge shares his journey from ADM to Deutsche Post and DHL, through leading the expansion of FEMSA Group’s logistics division, Solistica, to building Apex’s Latin American footprint across 18 countries in about two and a half years. Drawing on that experience, he explains why the region can’t be measured by a single average, why the right to play and the right to win are two different things, and why each market rewards a different approach.

The conversation explores nearshoring opportunities, emerging trade corridors, regional challenges, and the roles of Miami, Panama, and Mexico as key logistics gateways. Jorge also shares what businesses should look for in a logistics partner, why complementarity matters more than size, and how strong local relationships help companies navigate the region with confidence and build more resilient supply chains.
 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction
(03:39) Jorge Bayona on growing up on the island of San Andres, Colombia
(04:44) The grandmother who ran a gas station and the grandfather who was a general
(07:59) From ADM to DHL to Solistica: Jorge's career path
(13:34) What Apex Logistics International does and how it grew in Latin America
(22:47) The opportunities and weaknesses shaping supply chains in the region
(28:55) The most common mistake: the right to play vs. the right to win
(34:03) Four landscapes to evaluate before entering a market
(39:43) Why patience and talent matter when entering a new region
(45:15) Country by country: gateways and key markets across Latin America
(53:17) What to look for in a logistics and supply chain partner

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Jorge Bayona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-bayona-iregui/ 
• Learn more about Apex Logistics International: http://www.apexglobe.com 
• Connect with Scott DeGroot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-degroot-4600368/ 
• Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
• Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• 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  
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
• Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training 
• WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
• WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA
• WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka
• WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
• WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/apex-building-supply-chain-strategy-latin-america-1647
 

The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.