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Supply Chain Now

Supply Chain Now

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Discover why Supply Chain Now is the #1 Voice of Supply Chain. Our hosts comprised of seasoned industry-leaders, practitioners, and solution providers address the industry’s challenges, trends, and innovations for our global audience. With engaging, informative, and on-trend content, our podcasts, livestreams, and webinars bridge expertise and entertainment, empowering supply chain professionals to elevate their businesses. Listen, watch, and subscribe to the #1 Supply Chain Podcast on Apple Podcasts, ranked in the Top 1% of all Global Podcasts!All rights reserved Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Buzz: AI Innovations, Hurricane Disruptions, and Building Resilient Supply Chains

    The Buzz: AI Innovations, Hurricane Disruptions, and Building Resilient Supply Chains
    Oct 16 2026
    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-DevelopWith That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-11-Oct-2026The Readiness Rules: https://now.supplychainnow.com/the-readiness-rulesConnect with Rod on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-thomas-a409a41/Manifest Vegas 2027! Register now & save $900: https://manifestvegas.partners/partners/SupplyChainNowUSMCA status as of October 2026: https://bit.ly/USMCA-Status-12-Oct-2026Connect 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/teamsConnect with Joanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-pachnik-6329b55a/Learn more about blueclip: blueclip.aiUpcoming 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/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch 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/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn 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/4AJzReAWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1NkaWEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3fThis 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, ...
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    53 mins
  • Apex's Jorge Bayona on Building a Supply Chain Strategy for Latin America

    Apex's Jorge Bayona on Building a Supply Chain Strategy for Latin America
    Oct 14 2026
    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/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch 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/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn 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/3TpCX6uWEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReAWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1NkaWEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- 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 production@supplychainnow.com© 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.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Got Chips? Managing Your Electronic Component Supply Chain Risk in the Face of Global Instability

    Got Chips? Managing Your Electronic Component Supply Chain Risk in the Face of Global Instability
    Oct 12 2026
    A single overlooked component can stop an entire product from shipping. Justin Sears explains why supply chain risk now has to shape design decisions from day one, not after engineering hands the design off to procurement.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Jake Barr speak with Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium, about rising component risk, hidden supplier dependencies, and why engineering and procurement teams need better visibility into supply conditions earlier in the product development process. They also explore how AI can help teams surface risks, strengthen requirements, and evaluate alternatives while human judgment remains essential. The conversation highlights how better data, earlier collaboration, and stronger lifecycle thinking can help manufacturers build more resilient products.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(02:24) Meet Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium(04:18) Justin's lifelong running passion and how it clears his head(05:35) Justin's background and the Altium family of supply chain solutions(10:23) Three structural risks: tariffs, global conflict, and AI data center demand(14:59) The Digi case study: why manual sourcing doesn't work anymore"(17:43) "Shift left": making supply chain a design input, not an afterthought(22:52) The postage stamp problem: when a cheap part stops a $30K GPU shipment(27:30) Two tiers down: hidden supply chain failures you can't see(29:52) AI and human judgment in hardware design: who asks the questions?(42:31) Counterfeit parts: why fraudsters chase volume, not scarcity(53:57) Three takeaways: what hardware teams should start doing today Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Justin Sears: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinsears/ Connect with Jake Barr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barr-3883501/ Learn more about Altium: https://www.altium.com/ Learn more about BlueWorld Supply Chain Consulting: https://www.blueworldscc.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/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch 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/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveWEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6uWEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReAWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1NkaWEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/got-chips-managing-electronic-component-supply-chain-risk-face-global-instability-1646 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 production@supplychainnow.com© 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.
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    1 hr
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