Supply Chain Now

From rising diesel prices and geopolitical instability to new defense sourcing requirements and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, procurement and supply chain leaders are navigating a business environment where the traditional playbook no longer works.

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Toyota Automated Logistics, hosts Scott Luton and Allison Giddens welcome James Meads, founder of Entrepreneurial Procurement, for a timely discussion on the forces reshaping procurement and global supply chains. The conversation explores major investments in domestic manufacturing, the growing tension between lean inventory and supply chain resilience, and the ripple effects of diesel shortages and commodity inflation.

The panel also examines new Pentagon sourcing and traceability policies, including the challenges of reducing dependence on critical materials from countries such as China and Russia. James explains why procurement teams must move beyond a process-driven, support-function mindset and begin operating more like entrepreneurial business partners. He also shares practical AI applications that can eliminate repetitive work, improve research, and help procurement professionals focus on higher-value decisions without automating broken processes or relying on poor data.

Key Takeaways:

Why companies such as GE Aerospace and General Motors are investing heavily in domestic production, supplier resilience, and access to critical components

How geopolitical instability is forcing businesses to reconsider just-in-time inventory strategies and qualify additional suppliers

Why higher diesel prices can create widespread inflation across transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and consumer goods

The opportunities and risks associated with new defense sourcing, supply chain mapping, and material traceability requirements

Why procurement leaders must advocate for investment, communicate their value, and adopt a stronger ownership mindset

Practical AI use cases that can reduce manual work in procurement, including data entry, supplier research, category strategies, RFPs, and RFQs

Why technology cannot successfully orchestrate broken processes or unreliable data

How procurement teams can choose technology based on specific business problems instead of getting distracted by product demos and industry hype

Procurement is no longer simply about controlling costs or processing transactions. It has become a critical source of resilience, innovation, risk management, and competitive advantage. Tune in to hear practical guidance on building stronger supplier strategies, selecting technology that solves real problems, and preparing your organization for a more uncertain and fast-moving global business environment.

Additional Links & Resources: 

Learn more about Toyota Automated Logistics: https://toyota-automated-logistics.com/

The latest edition of “With That Said”: https://bit.ly/WTS-2-August-2026

GM invests in U.S. onshoring: https://bit.ly/GM-Invests-In-Onshoring-2026

“Diesel Supply Crunch”: https://bit.ly/4yQTEI1

The White House issues executive order on DoD procurement: https://bit.ly/New-Executive-Order-for-DoD-CriticalMinerals

Download the Procurement Tech Map from James Meads: https://resources.entproc.com/tech-map-for-mid-market-businesses

Connect with James Meads: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-meads/

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

WEBINAR- From Volume to Resilience: How Automotive Supply Chains Are Adapting to a New Market Reality: https://bit.ly/4f6SUGA

WEBINAR- The Automotive Industry’s Next Digital Breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4vhUwT4

WEBINAR- From Disruption to Stability: Building Resilient Logistics Solutions in a Rapidly Changing Global Market: https://bit.ly/3TguZMt

WEBINAR- SAP AI Inside the Supply Chain: From Silo to Orchestration: https://bit.ly/4bvpz6K

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Allison Giddens, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-procurement-mindset-shift-modern-businesses-need-1619

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.

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The annual release of a major industry index always sparks intense debate, but the true value lies in the core strategies driving the world’s top performers.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by regular co-host Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, and special guest Laura Rainier, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, to break down the defining macro trends from the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2026.

The panel explores how leading organizations navigate global volatility by moving past tech experimentation to deliver true enterprise value. They dive into the realities of the autonomous workforce era, detailing how top-tier supply chains prioritize human-machine collaboration and systems thinking over simple digital literacy. Highlighting standout examples like Unilever’s shared forecasting and Schneider Electric’s disciplined process optimization, the discussion illustrates what it takes to build a resilient, network-centric operation. Laura Rainier also addresses critics directly, explaining why qualitative community opinion remains the ultimate "secret sauce" for capturing true excellence, while Mike Griswold wraps up by challenging leaders to leverage the supply chain as a primary engine for strategic growth. 

 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:44) Gartner's 2026 Top 25 preview

(02:23) Meet Gartner analyst Laura Rainier

(04:46) Laura's future supply chain research

(07:28) Three supply chain macro trends

(11:26) Network-centric strategies and orchestration

(15:46) Top 25 companies leading change

(21:41) Fix processes before deploying AI

(24:30) What defines a Supply Chain Master

(26:49) Why leaders invest in people

(27:34) How Supply Chain Masters stay ahead

(29:07) New and returning Top 25 companies

(31:09) How companies earn their return

(34:03) Why Schneider Electric ranks first

(40:34) Walmart's rise and retail momentum

(42:41) Why community opinion matters

(47:38) 2027 ESG methodology changes

(48:25) Gartner events and upcoming summits

 

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/

Connect with Laura Rainier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-rainier-9087857/

Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/

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/

WEBINAR- From Volume to Resilience: How Automotive Supply Chains Are Adapting to a New Market Reality: https://bit.ly/4f6SUGA

WEBINAR- The Automotive Industry’s Next Digital Breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4vhUwT4

WEBINAR- From Disruption to Stability: Building Resilient Logistics Solutions in a Rapidly Changing Global Market: https://bit.ly/3TguZMt

WEBINAR- SAP AI Inside the Supply Chain: From Silo to Orchestration: https://bit.ly/4bvpz6K

 

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/macro-trends-micro-moves-inside-gartner-supply-chain-top-25-1618

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.

Most supply chain discussions get bogged down in hype and theoretical buzzwords. In this episode, they get stripped back to reality.

In this debut episode of The Collective on Supply Chain Now, a powerhouse panel of battle-proven commerce veterans comes together to dive deep into the forces currently reshaping the global trade landscape. The panel features Kim Reuter (Chief Advisor and Leader at CSG Consulting), Derreck Travers, Jack Mowreader (Founder & Principal at Ascendant Business Solutions), and Kerry Gibson-Morris (VP of Global Sourcing & Product Development at BDA, LLC). 

Drawing on their extensive experience building foundational programs at Amazon and scaling operations across air cargo, trucking, luxury retail, and finance, the team breaks down the critical shifts in modern supply chain management and where the industry is heading next.

Kerry kicks off the conversation with a frank look at AI in smart sourcing, warning against the trap of treating technology as a total labor replacement rather than a strategic amplifier. She emphasizes the critical need for "checking the checker," maintaining strict data hygiene, and exercising executive oversight to avoid costly operational mistakes. Jack pivots the focus to the financial volatility of modern trade, breaking down how rapid tariff changes, shifting de minimis policies, and shorter planning cycles are forcing companies to abandon hyper-lean "just-in-time" models in favor of strategic safety stock and bonded warehousing. Finally, Derreck unpacks the massive wave of industry consolidation, highlighting CMA CGM's acquisition of FedEx's supply chain unit, and analyzes why M&A deals often fail to deliver customer value, drive up costs, and open doors for nimble market disruptors.

If you're looking for an unvarnished, real-world breakdown of where supply chain, leadership, and modern trade are actually heading, this conversation earns its time.

 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:44) Introducing The Collective

(05:15) AI and smart sourcing

(11:22) Checking the checker: Data integrity & oversight

(14:39) The financial risks of AI

(17:08) Tech hype vs. system architecture

(21:06) Tariff volatility and financial risks

(27:36) Domino effects in alternative sourcing markets

(28:47) Re-evaluating just-in-time inventory

(32:46) Foreign trade zones and bonded warehousing

(34:16) Carrier consolidation (CMA CGM & FedEx)

(38:19) What industry consolidation means for e-commerce

(49:53) Looking ahead: agentic commerce

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Kim Reuter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-reuter-csg/

Learn more about CSG Consulting: https://www.clarityscalegrowth.com/

Connect with Derreck Travers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrecktravers/

Connect with Jack Mowreader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmowreader/

Learn more about Ascendant Business Solutions:

Connect with Kerry Gibson-Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-gibson-morris-179453/

Learn more about BDA, LLC: https://www.bdainc.com

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/

WEBINAR- From Volume to Resilience: How Automotive Supply Chains Are Adapting to a New Market Reality: https://bit.ly/4f6SUGA

WEBINAR- The Automotive Industry’s Next Digital Breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4vhUwT4

WEBINAR- From Disruption to Stability: Building Resilient Logistics Solutions in a Rapidly Changing Global Market: https://bit.ly/3TguZMt

This episode was hosted by Kim Reuter and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/introducing-collective-1617

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.

Global supply chains are facing no shortage of complexity from shifting tariffs and changing consumer behavior to rapid advances in artificial intelligence. But having more technology and data does not automatically create a more resilient operation. What matters is how leaders interpret that information and turn it into action.

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Zebra Technologies, host Scott Luton is joined by guest co-host David Shillingford and Shannon Vaillancourt, founder and president of RateLinx. Together, they explore the latest developments affecting global trade, grocery spending, freight operations, supply chain resilience, and AI adoption. The conversation examines why resilience is ultimately a leadership challenge, how poor data can undermine even the most advanced technology, and where human judgment remains essential as organizations automate more decisions.

Key Takeaways

Why increased tariffs create additional complexity and uncertainty for global trade and supply chain teams

How consumer spending pressures, food waste, inflation, and changing purchasing habits may be influencing grocery sales

Why supply chain resilience requires action, not simply visibility, risk documentation, or additional technology

How experienced leaders use patterns, information, and anticipation to make stronger decisions

Why AI often exposes existing data-quality problems rather than creating new ones

Which routine supply chain tasks are best suited for AI and where human oversight remains critical

How technology can eliminate repetitive work and help teams focus on higher-value decisions

Why conversations, collaboration, and real-world experience remain powerful sources of supply chain insight

Supply chain leaders do not need more information for information’s sake—they need the ability to recognize patterns, evaluate risks, and act with confidence. Tune in to hear practical perspectives on using AI responsibly, strengthening operational resilience, improving decision-making, and preparing your organization for the next disruption.

Additional Links & Resources:

Zebra: https://www.zebra.com/machinevision

With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-19-JULY-2026

Easypost Playbook: https://bit.ly/3PL-Carrier-Playbook

US imposes tariffs over forced labor before global duty ends: https://bit.ly/New-Tariffs-July2026

The Slave-Free Alliance: https://www.slavefreealliance.org/

Grocery unit sales sink for five straight months: https://bit.ly/US-Grocery-Shopping-Data

David's Post: https://bit.ly/David-Shillingford-SC-Resilience

Supply chain resilience isn’t a data problem; it’s a judgment problem: https://www.scmr.com/article/supply-chain-resilience-isnt-a-data-problem-its-a-judgment-problem

Zebra: zebra.com/warehouse-vision

Insight 26: https://www.ratelinx.com/ratelinx-insight-conference/

RateLinx: https://www.ratelinx.com/

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shillingford/

Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-vaillancourt/

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

WEBINAR- From Volume to Resilience: How Automotive Supply Chains Are Adapting to a New Market Reality: https://bit.ly/4f6SUGA

WEBINAR- The Automotive Industry’s Next Digital Breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4vhUwT4

WEBINAR- From Disruption to Stability: Building Resilient Logistics Solutions in a Rapidly Changing Global Market: https://bit.ly/3TguZMt

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and David Shillingford, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Fort additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-why-supply-chain-resilience-depends-on-judgment-data-and-action

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.

Freight rates have entered a new phase, and the signals pointing to it have been hiding in plain sight for anyone willing to look past the headlines and into the data.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by Jake Barr, Chris Caplice, Chief Scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics, and Bobby Holland, Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, to dig into the newly launched U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Rates Edition, a joint report combining U.S. Bank's $46 billion in annual freight payment processing with DAT's database of more than a trillion in freight market transactions.

Chris breaks down why this tightening cycle isn't the surprise so many transportation executives believe it to be, explaining how capacity, not demand, is the real driver this time around, fueled by driver shortages, tighter regulations, and unprecedented data center build-out. Bobby brings the numbers to life, showing how spot rate movement has historically preceded shifts in contract rates and why shippers should treat that signal as an early warning system rather than an afterthought.

The conversation lands on what shippers can actually do about it: stress-testing budgets, segmenting freight into dedicated, contract, and dynamic buckets, and using data to answer the question every CFO eventually asks, is it me, or is it the market? Jake closes with a blunt prediction for the shipper side and a challenge to turn the last few years of smooth sailing into real, productive reinvestment. \

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:54) What is the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Rates Edition

(05:18) What DAT Freight Analytics does

(06:28) The U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index explained

(08:47) Is the truckload market really turning

(11:24) Why this cycle is capacity-driven, not demand-driven

(17:57) Carriers gain pricing power in a tightening market

(20:53) What's changed in the market since January

(23:16) Why spot rates lead contract rate shifts

(28:01) Elephants vs goldfish: how shippers and carriers remember the market

(37:52) Prescribed actions: segmenting your freight network

(55:23) Final predictions and one key takeaway for shippers

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Chris Caplice: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/

Connect with Bobby Holland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-holland-4a9355/

Connect with Jake Barr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barr-3883501/

Learn more about DAT Freight & Analytics: https://www.dat.com/

Learn more about U.S. Bank: https://www.usbank.com/index.html

Learn more about BlueWorld Supply Chain Consulting: https://www.blueworldscc.com/

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/

WEBINAR- Peak Reality Check: What Shippers, Analysts, and AI Models Are Predicting for 2026: https://bit.ly/4aTlsRv

WEBINAR- From Volume to Resilience: How Automotive Supply Chains Are Adapting to a New Market Reality: https://bit.ly/4f6SUGA

WEBINAR- The Automotive Industry’s Next Digital Breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4vhUwT4

WEBINAR- From Disruption to Stability: Building Resilient Logistics Solutions in a Rapidly Changing Global Market: https://bit.ly/3TguZMt

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/review-july-2026-us-bank-freight-payment-index-rates-edition-1615

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.