Supply Chain Now

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.

Enterprise technology has long promised to unlock operational potential, but the trade-offs between monolithic ERP systems and fragmented best-of-breed stacks continue to slow organizations down in ways most leaders don't fully account for.

In this episode of Enterprise Unleashed on Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Wiley Jones (Co-founder at DOSS) are joined by Jindra Zitek (Partner and Head of Scale at Stripes), a former McKinsey consultant and C-level operator whose career spans Chobani, HelloFresh, and a range of board and advisory roles across industry. Together, they unpack what it actually takes to build operations that are truly AI-ready, and why the answer starts with people long before it reaches technology.

Jindra draws on firsthand experience leading through hypergrowth and crisis to make the case that both ERP consolidation and best-of-breed ecosystems carry a hidden coordination tax, one that only gets more expensive the longer organizations avoid naming it. He challenges leaders to stop framing AI as a job automation tool and start treating it as a lever for dignity and purpose, giving people the ability to focus on the work that actually requires human judgment.

The conversation lands on what separates organizations that experiment successfully from those stuck in pilot purgatory: shared business objectives, cross-functional coalitions, and guardrails that free people to move fast without losing control. Wiley grounds the discussion in what Doss is seeing in practice, where the complexity of edge cases is finally collapsing, and where the real work of comprehension still cannot be skipped.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro 

(02:29) Jindra Zitek’s background across McKinsey, Chobani, and HelloFresh

(04:16) Lessons from family, farming, and leadership

(06:09) Why people should come before systems

(10:28) The trade-off between ERP and best-of-breed tools

(15:24) The hidden cost of technology choices

(17:09) How company DNA shapes technology strategy

(20:57) Eliminating the human tax of broken systems

(21:49) Automation should enable people, not replace them

(25:57) The rise of agentic operations

(28:57) Building trust and control with AI systems

(31:34) Measuring real ROI from AI investments

(35:17) Building cross-functional teams for AI success

(37:30) Creating guardrails for enterprise AI adoption

(40:40) The first workflow to transform with AI

(42:10) Finding business problems AI can solve

(47:56) How AI changes workflow design and implementation

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Jindra Zitek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jindrazitek/

Connect with Wiley Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wileycwjones/

Learn more about DOSS: https://www.doss.com/

Learn more about Stripes: https://www.stripes.co/

Learn more about Supply Chain Insights: http://www.supplychaininsights.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 Wiley Jones, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/beyond-erp-tradeoff-building-ai-ready-operations-1614

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.

From rising diesel prices and China's evolving economy to Boeing's continued turnaround and the growing role of AI in logistics, this week's episode of The Buzz, powered by Zebra Technologies, covers the biggest stories shaping global supply chains. Scott Luton is joined by special co-host Blythe Milligan (Everything is Logistics) and featured guest Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics, for a timely conversation on freight markets, infrastructure, innovation, and what leaders should be paying attention to now.

The discussion begins with the latest freight and economic headlines, including diesel price volatility, shifting global trade patterns, China's export performance, and what these trends mean for supply chain professionals. Scott and Blythe also explore Boeing's ongoing recovery and why trust remains one of the industry's most valuable currencies.

Later, Matt Yearling joins the show to discuss an often-overlooked area of supply chain operations: the yard. He shares why yard management has become a strategic differentiator, how AI is driving measurable operational improvements, and why successful digital transformation requires more than simply adding new technology. Throughout the conversation, the panel emphasizes practical innovation, operational excellence, and the importance of people in every supply chain.

Key Takeaways

Diesel prices, freight rates, and geopolitical uncertainty continue to pressure transportation costs.

China's manufacturing and export trends are reshaping global trade and nearshoring strategies.

Boeing's recovery demonstrates that rebuilding trust takes years—but is essential for long-term success.

AI delivers the greatest value through practical, incremental improvements rather than flashy automation.

Yard operations remain one of supply chain's biggest untapped opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Technology succeeds when paired with operational expertise, strong processes, and empowered people.

Whether you're navigating freight volatility, evaluating AI investments, or looking for new ways to improve operational performance, this episode delivers practical insights from experienced supply chain leaders. Tune in for thoughtful analysis of today's biggest headlines and actionable ideas you can apply across your own organization.

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Matthew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewyearling/

Learn more about YMX Logistics: https://ymxlogistics.com

Learn more about Zebra: zebra.com/warehouse-vision

WTS: https://bit.ly/WTS-19-JULY-2026

U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https:bit.ly/scn-us-bank

Everything is Logistics: https://everythingislogistics.com

Diesel Fuel Prices:  https://on.wsj.com/4wgKItI

Chinese Economy:  https://cnn.it/4fkw5hD

Boeing Turnaround:  https://cnb.cx/4fkxVix

Zebra Technologies:  zebra.com/warehouse-vision

The Blockbuster vs. Netflix Era of Yard Logistics: https://ymxlogistics.com/blog/the-blockbuster-vs-netflix-era-of-yard-logistics

Latest blog post:  https://bit.ly/Losing-Sales-Due-to-Inventory

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- 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 Blythe Milligan. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episodes page at: https://supplychainnow.com/thebuzz-ai-freight-volatility-hidden-power-yard-operations-1613

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 AI hype cycle is over. The scaling race has begun.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton welcomes special guest co-host Marina Mayer, Content Director of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Co-Founder of the Women in Supply Chain Forum, for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is actually reshaping global supply chains, manufacturing, and the workforce behind them. Marina unpacks data showing the AI in logistics and supply chain market is set to grow from just over $20 billion to nearly $196 billion by 2034, and explains why the real driver isn't AI adoption itself but companies learning to target it to the specific parts of the business where it belongs. From there, the two dig into a 2026 AI Skills Enterprise Benchmark from Workera, revealing that manufacturers committed to structured upskilling are hitting 79% workforce readiness scores, and why employee confidence, not just capability, is the missing piece in so many transformation efforts.

The conversation builds into how KPMG research shows 73% of businesses are now planning a comprehensive overhaul of their supply chain operating model within the next three years, up from just 11% a year prior, and what that means for hiring, training, and the next generation of talent entering the industry. Marina and Scott also explore how mid-sized businesses are using AI to manage expenses and detect fraud, and revisit a conversation on putting frontline AI directly into the hands of workers on the floor to speed up onboarding and decision-making. Along the way, Marina previews the 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum in Charleston, including its new mentorship program and self-advocacy theme. If you want a grounded, data-backed read on where AI in supply chain is headed next, this conversation delivers.

 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(00:25) Meet Marina Mayer

(02:00) Balancing work and sports mom logistics

(05:28) The 196 billion AI supply chain boom

(06:05) Why AI adoption needs a targeted approach

(10:36) The 2026 AI Skills Enterprise Benchmark

(13:02) Building employee confidence with AI

(16:18) Lessons from MODEX and workforce transformation

(19:38) Why 73 percent are overhauling operating models

(25:47) Mid market businesses tackle AI and expenses

(28:35) Putting frontline AI in workers hands

(35:27) Women in Supply Chain Forum 2026 preview

 

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Marina Mayer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamayer/

Learn more about Supply & Demand Chain Executive: https://www.sdcexec.com/

Learn more about Food Logistics: https://www.foodlogistics.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/3XH6OVkps://bit.ly/4aTlsRv

WEBINAR- The Future of Supply Chains: Where Talent Meets Technology: https://bit.ly/4uUuxkc

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 produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/ai-transforming-supply-chain-jobs-skills-future-workforce-1612

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.