Supply Chain Radio

The third-party logistics industry lives and dies by its ability to provide top-notch supply chain services to its customers. In this episode of Supply Chain Radio, Vickie Burton, head of implementation and systems, global supply chain solutions at CEVA Logistics joins Matt Gunn and Mike Riegler to discuss how her company combines supply chain expertise and revolutionary technologies to gain a competitive edge.

Cost, complexity and increasing trade tensions have businesses rethinking the breadth of their supply chains. Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin discuss a recent report detailing the move toward greater localization, and take a look at the technologies enterprises rely on to adapt to the changing boundaries of business.

One of the first topics we ever covered on Supply Chain Radio was the Internet of Things. We examined its promise and imagined what it could do for supply chains. Now, three years later, we ask the uncomfortable question, "So, where is this going?" Listen as Suhas Sreedhar and Matt Gunn discuss the state of ultra-hyped technologies like IoT and blockchain, and why moving on from them might not be such a bad thing.

As the retail industry adapts to shifting consumer habits and the increasing demands of online order fulfillment, the role of stores continues to change. In this episode, Suhas Sreedhar and Matt Gunn discuss Sam's Club's novel plan to repurpose shuttered stores as e-commerce fulfillment centers. Will the new spin on warehouse superstores work?

Legendary denim supplier Cone Mills recently ceased operations at its White Oak plant, leaving a massive hole in the American fashion industry. And as brands work through the factory's final rolls of denim, they must also look for new suppliers to fill the void. The supply chain is built on an ecosystem of brands, factories, suppliers, banks, and carriers. Each one has a bottom line. In this episode, Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin discuss what happens when a top supplier shuts its doors, and how businesses can position themselves to react to constant changes in the supply chain.

Ten years ago, the Tesla Roadster hit the streets. It didn’t just bring back electric cars from the dead, it made them sexy. Tesla helped spur a new era of the automotive industry where sensors, AI, and apps intersect with electric drivetrains to create a truly 21st century mode of transportation. But recently, Tesla’s production and quality issues have filled headlines. The disruptive automaker has struggled to meet demand for its brand new Model 3, and a Wall Street Journal article reports that Tesla has been asking its suppliers for deep discounts to help it become profitable. In this episode of Supply Chain Radio, Suhas Sreedhar and Matt Gunn discuss how mismanaged supply chains can decimate even the most innovative disruptors.

Companies face a series of difficult decisions as a trade war between the United States and China sets in. Especially those who are currently planning ahead for another busy holiday season. In this episode, Guy Courtin joins Matt Gunn to continue the conversation about the escalating trade friction between two leading economies, and examine the next steps for retailers and brands who are aligning inventory for the busy seasons ahead.

The United States and China have escalated trade tensions with a series of new tariffs aimed at key industries and products, throwing the global supply chain into a state of uncertainty. In this episode, Matt Gunn and Suhas Sreedhar explore the effects of trade wars and other disruptions on the supply chain, and discuss how businesses are positioning themselves to handle risk and change in the supply chain.

Procure-to-pay automation (P2P) saves money on operations. But automating indirect procurement (buying things like pens and paper) is very different from automating direct procurement (the fabrics, electronics, and ingredients that go into your products). In this episode, host Suhas Sreedhar talks to solution consultant Steve Ontiveros about the unique challenges of each, and why automating direct procurement has proved elusive until now.