Supply Chain Now

The Buzz, powered by Toyota Automated Logistics, is back with another timely look at the news and trends shaping global supply chain. In this episode, host Scott Luton is joined by Paul J. Noble and special guest Lora Cecere, founder of Supply Chain Insights, for a wide-ranging conversation on agentic AI, supply chain fraud, manufacturing, forecasting, lead times, and why decades of technology investment still haven’t delivered better results for many organizations.

From the growing role of AI agents in commerce to the increasing sophistication of supply chain fraud, this episode tackles some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing supply chain leaders today. Scott, Paul, and Lora explore why trust and data verification will become even more critical in an agentic world, what current manufacturing data really tells us about the economy, and why organizations need to rethink long-standing approaches to forecasting and inventory management.

Lora also challenges the industry to move beyond so-called “best practices” that may actually be outdated historical practices. The conversation digs into the importance of dynamic lead-time data, predictive analytics, balanced scorecards, and cross-functional decision-making and asks a critical question: If supply chain technology has advanced so dramatically, why are so many supply chains still underperforming?

Additional Links & Resources:

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

With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-15-Aug-2026

Paul Climbing Mt. Rainier: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pauljnoble_climbing-the-vertical-equivalent-of-everest-ugcPost-7480348179654275073-cwS1/

The 2026 MHI Annual Industry Report: https://www.mhi.org/annual-industry-reports

Vitol, Cargill, Glencore cut ties with Radiant World - report: https://reut.rs/3UBBEkZ

The AI Buildout and the Economy: Publicly Available Data to Assess AI's Impact: https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/notes/feds-notes/the-ai-buildout-and-the-economy-publicly-available-data-to-assess-ais-impact-20260717.html

Manufacturing PMI® at 55.6%; July 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report: https://prn.to/4xHjigG

Syncing to Market Actuals: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/syncing-market-actuals-lora-cecere-ukgqe/

What Have We Learned Thus Far From AskLora.Ai? https://streamyard.com/watch/fxjWYRFvdfHe

Blame Follows the Messenger: https://supplychainnow.com/blame-follows-the-messenger/

AskLora: https://asklora.ai/

VDSAI: https://www.vdsai.net/

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljnoble/

Connect with Lora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loracecere/

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

WEBINAR- Operational AI in the Supply Chain: How context empowers agents and humans to operate side by side: https://bit.ly/4x7Vd2Z

WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Paul Noble, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-fixing-supply-chain-performance-ai-era-1625

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.

How will AI reshape supply chain teams, technology investments, and the future workforce?

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, for another conversation in the Supply Chain Today and Tomorrow series.

Mike shares his perspective on AI strategy, supply chain technology, inventory management, and the decisions leaders must consider as business expectations continue to change.

The conversation explores why organizations should be careful about replacing entry-level roles with AI, how supply chain teams can balance technology with human expertise, and what future leaders need to learn about data, decision-making, and operational excellence.

Listeners will learn how to think differently about AI adoption, why high-tech companies offer valuable lessons for supply chain teams, and what skills may define supply chain leadership in the years ahead. 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(08:36) Why more data does not always create better decisions

(09:48) The future of just-in-time inventory strategies

(11:31) Building alignment across business, supply chain, and AI strategy

(15:36) Supply chain technologies worth investing in

(18:31) Mike’s supply chain hot take on AI and workforce changes

(24:44) What supply chain can learn from high-tech companies

(28:10) The moments that shape supply chain transformation

(31:31) What future supply chain leaders will study in 2050

(33:34) How supply chain education programs need to evolve

 

Additional Links & Resources:

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

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

Gartner Announces 2026 Rankings of the Global Supply Chain Top 25: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-06-17-gartner-announces-2026-rankings-of-the-global-supply-chain-top-25

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 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

WEBINAR- Operational AI in the Supply Chain: How context empowers agents and humans to operate side by side: https://bit.ly/4x7Vd2Z

WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem

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/lightning-round-returns-9-key-questions-1624

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.

How is the consulting industry changing as technology, AI, and new buyer expectations reshape the market?

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Amber Salley, Founder and Managing Director of the Amber Salley Advisory Group, about the changing consulting landscape and what supply chain leaders should consider when hiring outside expertise.

With experience as a practitioner at IBM, consultant at Booz & Company and Accenture, Gartner analyst, and vendor executive, Amber shares her perspective on why traditional consulting models are under pressure, how AI is accelerating existing changes, and why specialization matters more than ever.

Listeners will learn why companies are moving toward smaller technology investments, faster results, and decision-focused advisory support. Amber also discusses how consulting firms must adapt, the future of outcomes-based pricing, and why organizations should evaluate partners based on their ability to deliver measurable value quickly.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) Meet Amber Salley

(03:14) How Amber Salley’s career shaped her consulting perspective

(08:47) Why specialized supply chain expertise matters

(16:16) What is changing in the consulting model?

(23:16) Why buyers are moving toward faster technology wins

(28:39) How consulting firms must rethink software partnerships

(33:08) Can outcomes-based pricing become the future of consulting?

(36:36) What should SMB operators ask before hiring consultants?

(43:12) Why companies should avoid layering AI onto outdated foundations

(49:53) Where to connect with Amber Salley

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Amber Salley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambersalley/

Learn more about Amber Salley Advisory Group: https://www.salleyadvisory.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 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/how-choose-right-supply-chain-consultant-1623

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 shifting commodity markets and explosive data center growth to drone delivery and AI-enabled workplaces, supply chain leaders are navigating change from every direction.

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Toyota Automated Logistics, Scott Luton and Dr. Rod Thomas are joined by Hans Kremer, partner and co-founder of Inchange, to unpack the latest supply chain headlines and explore what professionals and organizations need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment.

The discussion shifts to professional development, where Hans shares why companies need to stop training in silos and create more cross-functional learning experiences. The group also explores lifelong learning, the value of hands-on operational experience, and why AI should be viewed as a capability multiplier, not simply a tool for cutting costs or increasing efficiency. They close with powerful insights on leadership, trust, empathy, and creating environments where people can succeed.

Key Takeaways:

Successful change starts with the people doing the work. Find true advocates early, listen carefully to resistance, communicate the “why” repeatedly, and give teams the time and resources needed to implement change.

Supply chain has become a strategic differentiator. Competition increasingly happens between entire supply chain ecosystems, not simply individual companies.

Tomorrow’s supply chain professionals need more than technical expertise. Strategic inquiry, discernment, judgment, adaptability, communication, and influence will become increasingly important as AI expands access to technical capabilities.

Copper and other critical resources could become major constraints on AI and electrification growth. Data centers, infrastructure investment, geopolitics, tariffs, and limited natural resources are creating complex global supply challenges.

Professional development needs to become cross-functional. Giving employees opportunities to experience sales, operations, supply chain, finance, and other perspectives can help break down silos and improve organizational performance.

AI should make people more capable, not simply more efficient. Organizations that use AI only to automate existing tasks may miss its greater potential to enable employees to solve problems and perform work they could not previously do.

Leadership is about enabling the success of others. Strong leaders remove obstacles, protect their teams, model the right behaviors, build mutual trust, and create an environment people want to follow.

This episode brings together timely supply chain news with practical lessons on leadership, learning, technology, and organizational performance. Whether you’re preparing your workforce for AI, navigating major market shifts, developing the next generation of supply chain talent, or simply trying to become a stronger leader, Hans, Rod, and Scott offer actionable perspectives you can put to work right away.

 

Additional Links and Resources:

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

With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-8-August-2026

Leading Beyond The Next Disruption: https://bit.ly/Mourad-Tamoud-SE

Rod's LinkedIn Post: https://bit.ly/The-Perfect-SC-Manager

Han's LinkedIn Post: https://bit.ly/Hans-Music-Stories

Copper jumps to its highest level ever. What the metal is telling us: https://cnb.cx/4cvTGv8

Congo Issues Immediate Copper and Cobalt Ban as Smelters Pay Miners for Feedstock: https://bit.ly/DRC-Bans-Some-Exports

Caterpillar sales surpass $20B as data center generators take off: https://bit.ly/CAT-has-big-2Q2026

DoorDash Takes to the Sky With Its Own Drones: https://on.wsj.com/4ccxIx7

Inchainge: https://inchainge.com/  

The Readiness Rules: https://now.supplychainnow.com/the-readiness-rules

Connect with Hans on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanskremer/

Connect with Rod on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-thomas-a409a41/

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 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 Rod Thomas, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-copper-drone-delivery-future-supply-chain-leadership-1622 

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.

A missed delivery in a public health supply chain is never just a logistics problem. It can mean a child misses a vaccine, a patient goes without treatment, or an entire community loses trust in its healthcare system.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton welcomes Don Hicks, CEO of Optilogic, and Taylor Wilkerson, Executive Director of Design for Life, for a powerful conversation about using supply chain design to help more people access essential medicines. Don and Taylor explain why many public health supply chains face the same complexity as the world’s largest commercial networks, but must operate with far fewer resources, limited infrastructure, and consequences measured in human lives rather than profit. Taylor shares how outdated systems, manual processes, and limited visibility can prevent medicine from reaching the communities that need it most, while Don explains why managing the existing network is not enough. Meaningful progress requires redesigning the system itself.

The conversation explores why resilient supply chains must be built before a crisis hits. Taylor explains how better data, flexible networks, and stronger design can help healthcare systems respond to outbreaks and demand surges. He also shows how a single stockout can lead to missed care, greater health risks, and lost trust. The medicine may cost pennies. The real challenge is getting it to the right people at the right time.

Don and Taylor also talk about how AI can make advanced supply chain tools more accessible. Local health leaders could ask questions in plain language, test scenarios, and make faster decisions without relying on outside consultants. By putting planning and optimization tools in the hands of the people closest to the problem, Design for Life aims to improve healthcare access and save lives.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:31) Meet Don Hicks and Taylor Wilkerson

(07:25) Taylor’s path into public health supply chains

(09:27) Don’s experience with global healthcare delivery

(13:06) The mission behind Design for Life

(17:57) Why resilient supply chains must come before crisis

(20:04) How public healthcare networks really operate

(22:02) Why managing the current system is not enough

(24:23) Turning supply chain studies into action

(27:48) Two forces reshaping global health supply chains

(30:17) How AI can democratize supply chain design

(33:15) The human cost of medicine stockouts

(37:46) Making advanced planning tools easier to use

(40:38) Why the best user interface may be none

(44:40) Empowering local experts to make decisions

(48:42) How to support Design for Life

(51:13) Finding purpose through supply chain work

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Taylor Wilkerson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-wilkerson-21477a/

Learn more about Design for Life: https://designforlife.org/

Connect with Don Hicks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-hicks-35575b/

Learn more about Optilogic: https://optilogic.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- 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/public-health-supply-chain-redesign-bigger-band-aids-will-not-work-1621

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.