This week we, together with Bristlecone’s Robert Kalbach and Guru Parvati, dive into the necessity of business networks for collaboration and transparency in complex supply chains. We discuss challenges like ESG compliance, integration of business systems, AI’s role in decision-making, and how SAP and Bristlecone partner to create connected, intelligent, and autonomous supply chain ecosystems for competitive advantage.

Gururaj Parvati leads go‑to‑market programs that connect strategy to execution across Planning, Procurement, and Execution. Over a 25‑plus‑year career spanning delivery, program management, and presales, he brings a practitioner’s lens to SAP Business Network, showing the ‘art of the possible’ with AI/ML layered on S/4HANA, IBP, Ariba, and Transportation Management.

At Bristlecone, Gururaj partners closely with SAP on story‑driven, integrated demonstrations that help customers unlock real‑time supplier and logistics collaboration, improve end‑to‑end visibility, and translate network insights into measurable outcomes. His work bridges product capabilities with customer value and GTM impact, enabling organizations to modernize operations while building resilience across their extended enterprise.

Bob has over two decades of experience in academia, industry and consulting at various organizations.  He has been a divisional risk officer in financial services and the head of operations engineering in telecom.  He has led process improvement, digital transformation, SAP and technology engagements in Industrial Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Life Sciences and Med Tech. 

As a professor of Supply Chain and Decision Science at a local NY metro university, he maintains academic ties to leading research and innovation.  Specifically, in the areas of AI / ML application and growth benefits for operations across industries.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.

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Bristlecone:

https://www.bristlecone.com

Whitepapers:

Strategic Planning for Resilient and Agile Supply Chains – Bristlecone

Revolutionizing Procurement: Lean Strategies for Sustainable Success – Bristlecone

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

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The post Episode 132: The role of the Business Network with Bristlecone first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week, we, together with SP van Houten, explore how intelligent automation and AI are reshaping supply chain planning. The episode covers overcoming traditional silos, driving real-time collaboration, integrating sustainability goals, and empowering teams with advanced tools for continuous improvement in supply chain operations.

SP van Houten leads the Product team for the SAP Integrated Business Planning application (SCM Planning), where he is responsible for shaping and delivering advanced supply chain planning and decision-making strategies, as well as product capabilities.

With over 20 years of global experience in supply chain management, strategy, and operations, he is recognized as a thought leader and innovator in next-generation planning and decision-making applications. He holds a PhD in computer simulation and mathematical modeling from Delft University of Technology and has completed executive education at world-renowned institutions, including Berkeley, Stanford, and Cranfield.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.

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Reinventing planning for a new era of supply chain:

https://www.sap.com/documents/2025/08/9094a069-1a7f-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.html

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

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The post Episode 131: Supply Chain Planning Re-imagined with SAP’s SP van Houten first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

In this episode, Richard Howells talks with SAP’s Till Dengel about the new SAP Logistics Management, a solution that digitizes small and remote operations and unifies warehouse and transport with a built-in carrier network.

They unpack the shift from pure efficiency to agility and control, the trade-offs of decentralized warehousing, and why connected systems matter. And they also explore how AI and robotics will reshape logistics, and the digital foundations needed to unlock their value.

Tune in for practical ways to meet evolving supply chain demands and build resilient operations.

Till Dengel is VP Product Marketing for Logistics, Asset and Service.

Mr. Dengel oversees global market research, thought leadership, commercial modeling, marketing, and communications for SAP’s Digital Logistics & Manufacturing solution portfolio. As an accomplished speaker in this domain, Mr. Dengel brings a comprehensive perspective on market dynamics and the latest industry trends.

Mr. Dengel has held several executive roles, including leading the global Business Unit for the Travel & Transportation Industry and serving as the Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer for SAP’s Data Intelligence business unit. Additionally, he has been a customer officer for the CIO & CPO. His SAP journey began in 2000 as a senior consultant in Supply Chain Management. Before joining SAP, Mr. Dengel worked as a team leader for DHL.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an Executive Master’s Degree in Information Management.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Forbes | Why Reimagined Logistics Is The Future Every Business Should Know – https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2025/10/08/why-reimagined-logistics-is-the-future-every-business-should-know

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

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The post Episode 130: Logistics Management in the Mid-Market with SAP’s Till Dengel first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week we, together with Kyle Winters of the World Economic Forum, explore the evolution of global supply chains through the lens of their report “From Shock to Strategy.” We cover key disruptions, regionalization’s benefits and risks, regulatory compliance, consumer expectations, climate risk mitigation, cybersecurity, and the pillars of future-ready value chains.

Kyle Winters is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, where he drives global discussions and insights on macro supply chain resilience and industrial policy. He guides in shaping the agenda of the Global Future Council on Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, analyzing the long-term impacts of emerging trends, disruptions, and policy shifts on the manufacturing and logistics landscape. Prior to joining the Forum, Kyle held roles across public and international sectors, including consulting in Washington, D.C., supporting global development initiatives with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and serving in the Obama White House. Outside of the office, Kyle is an avid skier and surfer.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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White Paper ‘‘From Shock to Strategy: Building Value Chains for the Next 30 Years’’: https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-shock-to-strategy-building-value-chains-for-the-next-30-years/

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

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The post Episode 129: Discussing the WEF’s ‘‘From Shock to Strategy’’ paper with Kyle Winters first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week we, together with RTS’s Doug Holtke, explore how manufacturers can achieve operational excellence by leveraging manufacturing execution systems (MES), real-time visibility, and AI. Doug shares insights on improving quality, efficiency, and decision making on the shop floor, common challenges, and how RTS supports companies with holistic operational strategies.

Douglas Holtke has B.S. in Materials Engineering from Purdue University and over 30 years of manufacturing experience in engineering, operations, and solution consulting.  He is an expert in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) an automation integration.  He has delivered dozens of solutions in diverse industries including aerospace, automotive, food & beverage, consumer products, oil and gas, chemical, and life sciences.  He specializes in bridging the gap between technology and business needs, enabling smarter production workflows and continuous improvement with a proven track record of helping organizations streamline operations and drive efficiency.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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RTS: https://rtsperfectplant.com

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

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The post Episode 128: Enabling an Operational Excellence Strategy with RTS’s Doug Holtke first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week we, together with Manish Kapoor, explore the rapid evolution of supply chains from supportive roles to strategic business drivers. We discuss how tariffs, shifting consumer behavior, and technology like AI and automation demand adaptable and data-driven supply chains, especially for managing last mile delivery and holiday season surges.

Manish Kapoor is the Founder and CEO of Growth Catalyst Group (GCG), the parent company powering some of the fastest-growing brands in logistics, marketing and the supply chain, including Advatix, Archway, and XPDEL. With more than 25 years of experience at Amazon, FedEx, and GCG, Manish has built a career on redefining how goods move, and how businesses scale. At Amazon, he was the first hire for Amazon Logistics (AMZL) and instrumental in launching Amazon Fresh and Sunday Delivery. At FedEx, he pioneered the first U.S.-based command and control center for last-mile delivery, setting the standard for route optimization and automation. Manish holds advanced degrees from MIT, Babson College, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Today, he leads GCG’s mission to deliver next-gen logistics solutions powered by technology, data and deep operational expertise.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Growth Catalyst Group: LinkedIn

Articles:

Amazon’s First Logistics Hire Explains Why Speed Decides Retail’s Winners

How Walmart, Amazon, and other retail giants are using AI to reinvent the supply chain—from warehouse to checkout

Driving Disruption: Manish Kapoor Of Growth Catalyst Group On The Innovative Approaches They Are Taking To Disrupt Their Industry

Supply Chain Management: 

SAP Supply Chain Management 

SAP Insights: Supply Chain  

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The post Episode 127: What we can learn from the Back-to-school Supply Chain? first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week we, together with Michael Augustine from Westernacher, explore the critical role of yard management in connecting warehousing and transportation. Michael shares benefits of digitization, challenges faced without proper yard systems, AI use cases, and future trends.

Michael has a deep expertise in supply chain execution, site logistics, and port operations. Throughout his career, he has combined process analysis, strategic advisory, and solution design to deliver measurable impact for clients worldwide.

At Westernacher, Michael leads global strategy, business development, and go-to-market activities for SAP Yard Logistics, playing a pivotal role in shaping and expanding this market with particular success in the U.S. and Canada. His leadership spans from solution architecture and project management to strategic advisory, ensuring seamless delivery of complex supply chain initiatives across industries.

Beyond his SAP focus, Michael served on the Executive Board of Westernacher’s Consulting Division in 2021–2022, strengthening his perspective on organizational leadership and consulting excellence.

Recognized for his forward-thinking approach, Michael brings not only extensive experience but also the ability to anticipate market shifts and translate them into actionable strategies. He is a trusted partner for organizations seeking to innovate, optimize, and future-proof their supply chain operations.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Westernacher: https://westernacher.com

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The post Episode 126: Yard Management as a Key to End-to-End Logistics Success with Westernacher’s Michael Augustine first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week we, together with CSCMP’s CEO Mark Baxa, explore critical supply chain challenges, the transformative impact of AI, strategies for resilience and sustainability, and the importance of education and talent development for the future workforce.

Mark’s experience in Supply Chain leadership spans 44 years. As CSCMPs President & CEO, he brings broad and deep leadership experience to lead the world’s premier supply chain education association. Creating meaningful people leadership and development opportunities for the world’s supply chain professionals is job #1 with Mark. The supply Chain is the backbone of progress. Society counts on he supply chain to “deliver the goods while doing the right things right.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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CSCMP:

www.cscmp.org

https://www.cscmpedge.org/website/81276/home

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The post Episode 125: Business trends, challenges, and opportunities with CSCMP’s CEO Mark Baxa first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

Tune into this episode of ‘The Future of Supply Chain,’ where Richard and Sin chat with World Economic Forum’s fellow Benedikt Gieger. They’ll unpack the hottest trends driving the evolution of supply chains, inspired by groundbreaking insights from two key WEF white papers. Imagine a future where supply chains are smart, sustainable, and globally synced. Get ready to explore the roles of AI, quantum computing, real-time data, and more in reshaping industries.
Don’t miss out on this deep dive into the cutting-edge future of supply chains!

Benedikt Gieger is an early talent expert in the area of AI and sustainability with a focus on manufacturing, youth advocate and has a background in Business Information Systems.

In his professional life, Benedikt works at SAP and is a Fellow at the World Economic Forum for AI and Manufacturing. In this dual role he works closely with Executives from world leading companies, academia and politics on strategies, frameworks, tools, new business models and best practices to help companies, especially manufacturers, to adopt new technologies and transform their business to an AI-driven and sustainable one. 

In accordance with the quote of Mahatma Gandhi “the future depends on what you do today”, Benedikt’s personal goal is to have an active role in making the world a better place, creating impact, and fighting global challenges by uniting people using modern technology. But nevertheless, these goals can only be achieved together including all stakeholders. Therefore, and because Benedikt is deeply connected with his home region, he founded together with two other motivated talents the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Hub Heidelberg in January 2023. Because of his work, Benedikt was nominated for the Axel Springer Future Pioneers Award 2023.

To enable a knowledge transfer and support young, motivated talents, he gives lectures in the area of new technologies and sustainability and is one of the youngest Academic Supervisors and Lecturers at DHBW in Karlsruhe. 

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard’s LinkedIn & Twitter

Sin To brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP’s supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm

World Economic Forum Reports: 

·  The one about Triple Transformation 

·  The one about communication as transformation infrastructure 

·  The one about a new finance approach

· Harnessing AI technology to build autonomous supply chains

Harvard Business Review: 

Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence

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The post Episode 124: The Rise of AI Agents: Transforming Supply Chains for Sustainability and Efficiency first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week we, together with Andres Mendoza Pena from Kearney, explore findings from the annual State of Logistics Report. We discuss the ongoing challenges in the motor carrier sector, growth in e-commerce and last-mile delivery, the increasing importance of sustainability, and how emerging technologies including AI are shaping the future of supply chains amid growing uncertainty.

Andres is a Senior Partner at Kearney, a global management consulting firm, where he leads the Americas Transportation & Travel practice. He advises leading corporations and financial sponsors on mergers and acquisitions, organic growth strategies, and performance transformations.

Andres brings a unique perspective by combining boardroom-level strategic expertise with hands-on experience from working with digital startups and incubators. His approach bridges logistics and emerging technology, helping clients navigate complex challenges at the intersection of innovation and operations.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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State of Logistics landing page: State of Logistics 2025: Navigating through the fog | Kearney 

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The post Episode 123:The State of Logistics Report with Kearney’s Andres Mendoza Pena first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.