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I shudder when someone uses the term VUCA. The term antifragile racks my brain. When a speaker wafts eloquently on one of these terms that I hate, I have to manage the inner Lora. As an adult with ADHD, the inner Lora can spark. In a controlled state, my brain questions, “What the ? Why can’t we put the same energy that we put into inventing new words, tossing around acronyms, and parading on a stage to advocate for maturity models to improve supply chains?
Digital infrastructure is now integral to logistics execution. Supply chain networks depend on structured data, exchanged through APIs, middleware, and telemetry, to coordinate across facilities, regions, and partners. Three enabling capabilities stand out: artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and real-time monitoring. While each presents unique benefits, their value depends on disciplined implementation and integration into business-critical workflows.
Over the past five years, supply chains have faced unprecedented challenges. E-commerce demands, trade pressures, and increasingly complex supplier networks have necessitated executives to raise concerns about their supply chain operations. Recently, tariffs have become a focal point in major headlines, and the looming fear of a trade war persists. Supply chain planners are now frequently tasked with initiating transformations to address these various pressures.
How the Iran conflict triggered a 1,400% supply chain scenario planning surge sharkins Thu, 06/26/2025 - 12:54 When U.S. strikes hit Iranian military targets on June 22, the world held its breath, and so did the global supply chain. Oil markets surged. Airspace closed. Investment conversations paused. Behind the scenes, scenario planning models were lit up.
Robots are a cornerstone of a smart factory, automating a wide range of manufacturing tasks that are monotonous, physically straining, or even hazardous. However, real-world robotics deployments have not lived up to the revolutionary potential the industrial sector had originally envisioned. Robot implementations are typically confined to specific applications, carry high costs, and are time-consuming.
When I returned from ProMat in 2023, I wrote that based on the number of automation solutions I saw at the conference focused on this application, “loading and unloading trailers/containers is apparently a killer app for warehouse robots.” In my post, I highlighted solutions in this area by ArcBest, Pickle Robot Company, Boston Dynamics, Slip. Read more The post A Killer App for Warehouse Robots appeared first on Talking Logistics with Adrian Gonzalez.
Fragmented systems, rising cost pressures, and shifting risk profiles are making it harder than ever to manage procurement effectively. Strategies that worked just a few years ago are now too rigid, manual, or disconnected to keep up. But what does it actually take to regain control and build a procurement strategy that’s both resilient and scalable?
Fragmented systems, rising cost pressures, and shifting risk profiles are making it harder than ever to manage procurement effectively. Strategies that worked just a few years ago are now too rigid, manual, or disconnected to keep up. But what does it actually take to regain control and build a procurement strategy that’s both resilient and scalable?
In 2002, I had the opportunity to work with General Mills. I walked away thinking, “What a great company!” At that time, the sales organization used more point-of-sale data than their competitors, they had an impressive and innovative IT team, and their supply chain processes were what I considered best-in-class. Over time, as I watched, this changed.
As artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionizes business operations , one critical question remains: What is the role of human decision-making in the AI age? While AI excels at processing data, scaling operations, and identifying patterns, it lacks core human strengths like creativity , ethics , and empathy —skills essential for nuanced, strategic choices.
If you’re like many logistics executives, you’re likely very curious and interested in how AI can improve your logistics operations and deliver business value, but you’re also probably a bit skeptical or confused by all the noise and buzz in the market. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many companies are still in the “early awareness”. Read more The post What is the State of AI in Logistics?
Warehouse automation appears to be gaining traction despite prior forecasts of a dip in market growth for autonomous mobile robots. Global market researcher Interact Analysis released a report in January predicting growth in the mobile robotics market would dip by 18% over the next two years. However, advances in technology paired with significant supply chain partnerships and increasing affordability for robotics may be reasons to reevaluate.
High turnover isn't just inconvenient—it's costly. U.S. logistics businesses lose thousands in training, productivity, and morale every year, with an average quit rate exceeding 27%. Remote-Insourcing changes this reality. Remote-Insourcing seamlessly integrates dedicated, remote professionals into your team, significantly reducing turnover to under 4%.
As June comes to a close, the Northeast is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures in some areas exceeding 100 degrees. This week in supply chain and logistics news includes Blue Yonder being selected to support Border States, an electrical distribution company, with their warehouse management needs. DHL Canada Express and Unifor have reached a tentative new labor contract, signaling that the over two-week strike will soon come to an end once the deal is signed.
Why Cyber Security is Important! Supply chains are unsung heroes in most businesses. Customers rarely interact with them since supply chain processes take place in the background, away from the spotlight. However, they directly impact customer experience and business growth. Everything from procurement to last-mile delivery comes under the supply chain umbrella, and boosting efficiency here drives better business results.
Implementing new technologies is the top strategic priority among the 671 supply chain leaders interviewed by Blue Yonder for their 2025 Supply Chain Compass , and it is a goal they are highly confident in achieving, however, digging into the report reveals legacy technologies and data structures might hold them back in these ambitions. High confidence in new tech Among the supply chain leaders interviewed, 51% said that implementing new technology was a strategic priority, making it the top goa
We’ve crossed the midway point of 2025. If you had to pick a song as the soundtrack for the first half of this year, which of the following would you pick: If you have another song suggestion, please post it in the comments. Maybe it’s cheating, but my soundtrack is a melody of all those. Read more The post Top Talking Logistics Posts & Episodes – Plus Indago Highlights (Q2 2025) appeared first on Talking Logistics with Adrian Gonzalez.
A cyberattack occurred against Estes Forwarding Worldwide (EFW) on May 28, the company told FreightWaves on Wednesday. Richmond, Virginia-based EFW is a subsidiary of Estes Express Lines, one of the largest less-than-truckload carriers and the largest private carrier in North America. EFW specializes in a full suite of logistics and freight forwarding services.
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The Supply Chain Renaissance Has Begun! As a former COO, overseeing Kaizen events, value-stream mapping analysis , upgrading ERP systems, and implementing customer success programs, I recall how easy it was for functional leaders to get bogged down in their own imperatives and lose sight of the big picture. Individual silo objectives can inadvertently be at cross purposes with others – most commonly between sales and operations.
Strengthen your operations with the Supply Chain Resilience Checklist. This practical, easy-to-use tool helps your organization prepare for disruptions and ensure long-term continuity in an unpredictable world. Why Download: Identify and assess critical supply chain risks Ask the right questions to evaluate vendor preparedness Implement effective strategies to reduce vulnerabilities Improve communication, transparency, and coordination across your network What You’ll Learn: How to evaluate and m
2025 has been a roller coaster ride for supply chain and global trade executives. It’s not just that new tariffs have been implemented on U.S. imports from virtually every country in the world, it’s that these tariffs keep changing, sometimes within just a few days. All of this back-and-forth change is adding risk and complexity. Read more The post [Video] Five Practical & Effective Ways To Mitigate Tariff Impacts appeared first on Talking Logistics with Adrian Gonzalez. 2025 has been a roll
The Freight Fraud Crisis The trucking industry is grappling with a surge in freight fraud, leaving carriers, brokers, and shippers vulnerable to sophisticated scams like identity theft and unauthorized double brokering. These schemes disrupt supply chains, undermine trust, and cause significant financial and logistical challenges. The root cause is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) inadequate management of carrier identities, which allows criminals to exploit outdated sys
Explore how operationalizing scenario planning plays out across key dimensions of your supply chain, and the potential impacts on your overall strategy.
Disaster Strikes!!! Is Your Supply Chain Ready To Recover? In the multifaceted world of supply chain management, there are numerous variables that can cause unexpected disruptions. From natural disasters and IT issues to fluctuations in global politics, these challenges require strategic planning. We’ve laid out six common causes of such Supply Chain disruptions along with potential solutions for each one, giving you the means to put your own contingencies in place. 1.
The race to dominate AI is no longer about who has the smartest algorithms — it's about who can build and scale faster. Behind every AI breakthrough lies a battle for resources: data centers, compute hardware, power, and telecom infrastructure. And right now, even tech giants are hitting a wall. Our latest white paper reveals the six critical supply chain elements that are increasingly separating AI leaders from the rest.
How can companies prepare their supply chain networks against a wave of uncertainty and disruption? Ray DeMelfi, senior vice president of strategic services with Hy-Tek Intralogistics, offers some advice.
According to a global survey of over 5,000 international firms , companies are reeling from rising costs generated from tariffs to open 2025, with the overwhelming majority expecting upward pricing pressure to increase, leading to a reconsideration of supply chain strategy. The HSBC 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey from May found that two-thirds of businesses had already experienced cost increases due to ‘tariffs and trade uncertainty’, 72% expect further increases in the short term and 73% in the
The trucking industry’s “driver shortage” debate has persisted for decades. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) claims a chronic shortage since 1987, citing nine studies. Yet, researchers and industry experts argue the labor market functions well when freight demand is strong. A December 2024 study by Professors Jonathan Phares, Jason Miller, and Stephen Burks, published by the Association for Supply Chain Management, shows carriers hire drivers when freight demand rises and reduce staff wh
Although we’re years removed from the COVID-19 pandemic, sourcing electronic components remains a struggle. Shortages, long lead times, and volatile pricing haven’t gone away. And with new tariffs in the mix, product teams have even more to juggle—making it harder to deliver high-quality products on schedule. We recently sat down with Arena Product Manager Nathan Ng and Senior Director, Head of GTM for Supply Chain, Guy Eron, to learn how the new supply chain intelligence (SCI) capabilities in A
The $53 trillion manufacturing economy in the US is undergoing a major automation paradigm shift due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Thanks to new practical frameworks, automation projects that were once impossible or inefficient to implement are now being fast-tracked, and robotics automation is becoming increasingly relevant to a growing number of users and scenarios.
Subscribe An Essential Guide to Using Wood Pallets for Business Operations! Choosing a wooden crate supplier involves more than just comparing prices. If you need reliable protection for your goods during transport, the type of crate and the capabilities of the supplier matter. Mistakes in selection can lead to product damage, shipping delays, or compliance issues.
Kasparov’s law indicates that a collaborative process between humans and machines leads to superior results. Supply Chain professor Nada Sanders therefore advocates in her book Humachine , an AI-collaborative culture. At a personal level, I’ve highlighted that this requires an AI-mindset, where we see an agent as a co-worker we collaboratively approach with a growth-mindset and smart trust.
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