Supply Chain Now

AI, robotics, and automation are advancing quickly, but successful transformation takes more than adopting the latest technology. It requires the right strategy, the right people, and a clear understanding of the business outcomes you're trying to achieve.
In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton is joined by guest co-host Dr. Muddassir Ahmed and Christine Bush, Director of the Robotic and Motion Center of Excellence at Schneider Electric, to explore how AI and robotics are changing manufacturing and the workforce. They discuss the growing debate around AI safety and speed, why companies should focus on augmenting people rather than simply replacing them, and how manufacturers are using robotics to address skilled labor shortages and create more flexible operations. Christine also shares insights into IT/OT convergence, open software-defined automation, and what separates organizations that successfully scale automation from those that remain stuck in pilot mode.
Key Takeaways
Why organizations need a clear AI strategy that balances speed, safety, and business outcomes
How AI can augment engineers, operators, and maintenance teams rather than simply replace them
Why labor shortages are accelerating investments in robotics and advanced automation
How manufacturers can build greater flexibility into production by making robotics part of the process from the start
The role of IT/OT convergence, IoT, and open software-defined architectures in the future of manufacturing
Why successful automation projects require the right mix of people, perspectives, and technology to move beyond pilot mode
AI and robotics offer enormous potential, but technology alone won't transform manufacturing. Tune in to hear practical perspectives on how manufacturers can combine human expertise with smarter automation, build more adaptable operations, and turn promising technology investments into real business value.
Additional Resources & Links:
MFG.inc: https://mfg.inc/
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-19SEP2026
The Buzz APAC Edition: https://bit.ly/The-Buzz-APAC-Edition-Sept2026
SCM Sensei AI: https://www.scmsensei.ai/
U.S. Bank Strategic Alliance Leader page: www.supplychainnow.com/us-bank
U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: freight.usbank.com
AI rivals found rare agreement on safety. Putting it into practice is harder: https://bit.ly/AI-Slowdown-Discussion
One-third of AI-replaced workers will be rehired by 2029: Gartner: https://bit.ly/AI-And-The-Workforce
Toyota estimates factory automation could cost $6.4 billion per year from 2028: https://reut.rs/4hpMtPc
MFG.inc Leadership Training: https://reut.rs/4hpMtPc
Celonis Ebook: https://bit.ly/Physical-AI-Explained-in-7-Robots
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Schneider Electric: https://www.se.com/us/en/
Christine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-bush-22568818/
Dr. Muddassir Ahmed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muddassirism/
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
WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Four Eras of Freight Audit: How we got here, and why the Control Era (finally) changes everything: https://bit.ly/4yVXPBx
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
WEBINAR- How to Stop Losing Margin After a Package Ships: https://bit.ly/4An41Ux
WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2
This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Dr. Muddassir Ahmed, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-smarter-automation-reshaping-manufacturing-1639

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.

The yard may be one of the most overlooked areas of the supply chain, but its impact extends across transportation, warehousing, customer service, safety, and the bottom line.
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton sits down with Adam Newsome, CEO of Lazer Logistics, to explore how greater visibility, intelligence, and action can transform yard operations into a strategic advantage.
Adam shares how Lazer Logistics combines connected technology, operational data, AI, and decades of institutional knowledge to improve decision-making across hundreds of locations. He explains why visibility alone is not enough, how AI can help teams identify the “next right thing” to do, and why technology must solve real operational problems.
The conversation also introduces “Uncle Phil,” Lazer’s AI coaching tool designed to capture the experience of longtime operations leaders and make that knowledge available to managers at scale.
Key Takeaways:
The yard connects the supply chain. Inefficiencies between transportation and warehousing can affect the entire operation.
Visibility must lead to action. Data creates value when it improves safety, productivity, service, and financial performance.
AI needs operational context. Combining technology with institutional knowledge produces more practical guidance.
People remain essential. Culture, communication, and hands-on experience are critical to operational excellence.
Tune in to learn how Lazer Logistics is moving beyond visibility, scaling decades of expertise with AI, and creating a more connected, efficient, and human-centered approach to yard management.
Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Adam: linkedin.com/in/adam-newsome-90a50a34
Learn more about Lazer Logistics: https://www.lazerlogistics.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
WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-overlooked-optimized-rethinking-yard-management-1638

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.

Transportation may be essential to global supply chains, but that doesn’t mean more movement, more technology, or more complexity automatically creates better results. Sometimes the smartest transportation strategy starts by asking a much simpler question: What is the customer actually trying to accomplish?
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor welcome David Ivan, President and CEO of BNSF Logistics, for a conversation that challenges conventional thinking around transportation, customer experience, lean principles, technology, and the role of rail in today’s supply chain.
With more than 25 years of experience on the manufacturing and customer side of logistics, David Ivan brings a unique perspective to leading a logistics organization. He shares why transportation providers need to move beyond selling modes and capabilities and instead focus on solving the customer’s underlying business problem.
The conversation explores the trade-offs between simplicity, certainty, and cost, why predictability can be more valuable than shippers realize, and how lean thinking can help organizations identify and eliminate unnecessary transportation waste. David, Scott, and Tevon also discuss the growing complexity of logistics, opportunities for rail, the right role for AI and automation, and why technology should support, not replace, human judgment when exceptions arise.
Key Takeaways
Start with the customer’s desired outcome, not the transportation mode. The best solution may look very different once the underlying business problem is understood.
Transportation should be viewed through a lean lens. Every unnecessary mile, touch, delay, or handoff can introduce cost and waste into the supply chain.
Simplicity, certainty, and cost require trade-offs. Shippers cannot always maximize all three, and priorities may shift depending on market conditions and business needs.
Certainty has real financial value. Predictable transportation can reduce safety stock, labor inefficiencies, expedited freight, downtime, and operational disruption.
Technology should simplify good processes—not automate bad ones. AI can improve data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision support, but automation alone cannot fix a broken process.
Human judgment still matters. Technology is powerful for routine work and identifying risk, but people remain essential for exception management, customer relationships, and complex decisions.
The people closest to the work often understand the problems best. Respect for people remains a foundational lean principle and an important leadership discipline.
If your transportation strategy still begins with rates, modes, or available capacity, this conversation offers a different way to think. David Ivan brings the perspective of both a longtime transportation buyer and logistics provider to show why successful logistics starts with understanding the business problem, reducing friction, and creating outcomes customers can actually rely on.
Tune in to learn how lean thinking, smarter use of technology, greater certainty, and customer-focused transportation strategies can help organizations reduce waste while turning logistics into a competitive advantage.
Additional Resources & Links:
Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ivan-80a920a/
Learn more about BNSF Logistics: https://www.bnsflogistics.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
WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tevon Taylor, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/less-waste-better-outcomes-rethinking-transportation-1637

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.

Supply chains are facing pressure from every direction, from inflation and shifting consumer behavior to climate-driven disruption and rapidly evolving AI capabilities. For leaders, the challenge isn’t simply keeping up. It’s figuring out where to focus, how to make faster and better decisions, and how to turn emerging technology into measurable business value.
In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton and special guest co-host Tanzil Uddin with Manifest are joined by Dheera Anand, Partner at Bain & Company, to unpack some of the biggest forces shaping supply chain today. They explore the latest challenges at the Panama Canal, changing consumer behavior, and lessons in regional resilience from APAC before diving deep into AI and supply chain transformation.
Dheera shares practical examples of how organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and “pilot fatigue” to create real operational value. The conversation also explores high-frequency decision-making, the importance of choosing the right AI applications, and how AI could reshape integrated business planning through faster scenario planning, continuous monitoring, and an “always-on” approach to IBP.

Key Takeaways
Predictability and visibility are critical to resilience. Disruptions such as those affecting the Panama Canal demonstrate why companies need to understand their exposure throughout the supply network, not just at tier one.
Consumers are still spending, but they’re becoming more value-conscious. Retailers need greater precision around inventory, working capital, automation, and productivity as economic pressures continue.
AI’s greatest value may be in high-frequency decisions. Thousands of small operational decisions can create significant value leakage when humans simply don’t have the capacity to address them all in real time.
Moving beyond AI pilot fatigue requires better use-case selection. Leaders should consider data availability, decision frequency, variability, and the consequences of error when determining where AI can deliver scalable value.
World-class IBP is a decision process—not a reporting process. Effective IBP should drive decisions, trade-offs, scenario planning, and preparation for what happens when the plan changes.
AI could make IBP increasingly “always on.” Faster scenario modeling, automated assumption monitoring, and early-warning signals could move organizations beyond the traditional monthly planning cadence.
Not all complexity creates value. Organizations need greater visibility and governance to distinguish complexity that customers value from complexity that adds cost without meaningful return.

Supply chain leaders don’t need more technology experiments; they need practical ways to turn technology, data, and planning into better decisions. Tune in to hear Scott, Tanzil, and Dheera explore how leaders can move beyond AI pilots, strengthen resilience, rethink IBP, and build supply chains that are better equipped to compete in an increasingly complex environment.

Additional Links & Resources:
MFG.inc: https://mfg.inc/
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-12-Sep-2026
Manifest 2027: https://manifestvegas.partners/partners/SupplyChainNow
Supply Chain & Logistics Summit: https://bit.ly/SupplyChainAndLogisticsSummit-2026
The Panama Canal’s New Boss Inherits a Drought and a Bidding War for Transit Slots: https://on.wsj.com/4xW4xYb
Inflation persisted in August, potentially locking in a Fed interest rate hike: https://bit.ly/4gSLJD8
3 lessons from Asia-Pacific on regional cooperation in a fragmented world: https://bit.ly/Learning-from-APAC
The Buzz APAC Edition for September 9th: https://bit.ly/The-Buzz-APAC-Edition
MFG.inc Leadership Training: https://mfg.inc/training
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Bain: https://www.bain.com/
Dheera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheeraanand/
Tanzil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanziluddin/
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
WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u
This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tanzil Uddin, 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-scale-panama-canal-risk-future-IBP-1636

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.

Supply chain performance is still being measured by outdated assumptions. Lora Cecere argues that optimizing individual functions for lower cost does not necessarily improve the business. In fact, it can throw the entire supply chain out of balance. Better performance starts with understanding what is actually feasible within an industry, focusing on the metrics that drive value, and recognizing that supply chains are complex systems that cannot be improved one function at a time.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton speaks with Lora Cecere, founder of Supply Chain Insights, and Wael Abdelmalek, CEO at Uthereal, about the research behind Supply Chains to Admire and how that work is being brought into Ask Lora, an AI-enabled benchmarking and advisory platform. They explore why traditional supply chain rankings and generic AI tools can reinforce conventional thinking, how verified research and industry-specific data can create better benchmarks, and why leaders need a more balanced view of growth, operating margin, inventory turns, and return on capital employed when evaluating performance.

Lora and Wael also explain how Ask Lora combines 10 years of research and benchmarking data with a private large language model designed specifically for supply chain decision-making. Rather than serving only as a Q&A tool, users are applying it as a trusted peer to benchmark performance, review strategy documents, pressure-test presentations, compare organizational and technology maturity, and challenge assumptions before taking ideas to leadership.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:14) Meet Lora Cecere, founder of Supply Chain Insights, and Wael Abdelmalek, CEO at Uthereal
(04:36) Fearless Friday: career leaps and personal risk-taking stories
(08:04) The origin of Supply Chains to Admire and why "best practices" is a myth
(14:44) What supply chain leaders still get wrong about cost and performance
(19:22) What is Ask Lora? Inside the private LLM built on 10 years of research
(21:30) Private LLMs vs. generic AI: accuracy, guardrails, and the Ethereal partnership
(28:57) How organizations are using Ask Lora: benchmarking, strategy review, and reports
(43:57) Pricing tiers, governance, and integration for Ask Lora
(50:33) Vision for Ask Lora's future and how to connect with Lora and Wael
Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Lora Cecere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loracecere/
Connect with Wael Abdelmalek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wwael/
Learn more about Supply Chain Insights: https://supplychaininsights.com/
Learn more about Uthereal: https://uthereal.ai/
Check out AskLora for yourself: https://asklora.ai/
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://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/
Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive
WEBINAR- Operational AI in the Supply Chain: How context empowers agents and humans to operate side by side: https://bit.ly/4x7Vd2Z
WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6
WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem
WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u

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/what-have-we-learned-thus-far-asklaura-ai-1635

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.