The Automation Journey

Warehouse maintenance isn't what it used to be. As automation becomes more sophisticated and operational demands continue to rise, maintenance is evolving from simply fixing what's broken to a strategic driver of performance, efficiency, and long-term ROI. That's why the conversation needs to shift from maintenance being an annoying operational cost to a strategic lever for warehouse f...

The most important skills in warehouse automation might not be technical at all. Behind every successful automation project are the “invisible” skills that keep teams aligned, projects moving, and partnerships strong—from communication and trust to curiosity, adaptability, listening, and proactive problem-solving. In this episode of The Automation Journey , host Megan Lavish is joined by TGW’s Nic...

Choosing an automation partner is a long-term decision—but what happens when that partnership starts to feel more like a trap? In this episode of The Automation Journey , host Marissa Dierlam sits down with colleagues Rebecca Call and Dexter Weber to unpack the realities of vendor lock in warehouse automation. From restrictive software, hidden licensing fees, and costly upgrades to “Frankenstein”...

Peak season isn’t won in November. It’s won in the months—and everyday decisions—leading up to it. In this episode of The Automation Journey , Marissa sits down with TGW Lifetime Services leaders Mario Souza and Richard Figueroa to talk about what it really takes to prepare an automated warehouse for its most critical days of the year. Their philosophy is simple: every day is peak. Mario and Richa...

What will the warehouse of the future actually look like? More robots? AI running everything? Fully dark facilities run by humanoids? In this episode, Rebecca Call sits down with Stipe Galic to separate industry hype from practical reality. Rather than focusing on the latest buzzwords, they explore how the next generation of distribution centers will be defined by connected systems, collaborative...

Special guest Kevin Lawton, host of The New Warehouse podcast, takes a turn on the other side of the mic, sharing his his path from warehouse inventory control to one of the industry's most recognized voices. One of the biggest things he's learned on his automation journey? Successful warehouse automation projects start with great planning (making sure you're not automating before actu...

Everyone tells you relationships matter in supply chain—but how do you actually build them, and where do you even start? In this episode of The Automation Journey, host Marissa Dierlam sits down with Nathan Cheney, founder of Supply Chaney and Supply Chain Social Club, to break down what real networking looks like in this industry. Nathan shares his path from life on a Texas farm to running TI&#39...

Modern warehouses generate more data than ever—but are companies actually turning it into better decisions? In this episode, host Marissa Dierlam is joined by Rebecca Call of TGW North America and Shari Christofferson, President of Connect Inc., to explore how connected systems, software, and people transform warehouse data into actionable insights. From WMS and WES architecture to real-time visib...

In this episode, special guest Pete Bennett from Cardinal Health joins host Marissa Dierlam and Blake Neal (TGW Logistics) to discuss the supply chain pressures facing the healthcare and medical device industries and the shift coming from being reluctant adopters of warehouse automation to big investors of automation and AI. The discussion covers the reasons behind the historical risk averse stanc...

In this episode of The Automation Journey, we take a big-picture look at the maintenance and logistics services that automated warehouses need. Mike Elliott (Director of Lifetime Services North America) and Jared Call (LTS Business Development Manager) sit down with Marissa Dierlam to discuss from before go-live to twenty years on what to do and consider when it comes to keeping your site running....

In this podcast episode, Nathan Wolf and Michael Schedlbauer share their insights and expertise, based on recent research and customer conversations, into what's happening in the world of grocery logistics. Starting with the different forces that have shaped the grocery industry in the last few years, they then dive deep into the different economic, consumer behavior, and technological trends at p...

In this episode of The Automation Journey, Ryan Chesterfield (Founder and CEO of Auto-FX and Auto-FC) joins Meagan Gauthier (TGW Logistics) and host Marissa Dierlam for a conversation about what it really takes to build smarter, safer warehouse facilities. While warehouse automation is often discussed through the lens of throughput, labor efficiency, and cost reduction, worker safety is just as cr...

Warehouse automation is a significant investment that can feel risky. What if your solution doesn't meet your current needs? What if your business changes and the automation can't keep up? What if you overdesign and overpay? That's why data analysis is critical for designing the right warehouse automation solution. In this episode of the podcast, host Marissa Dierlam sits down with Dan...

In this episode of the podcast, special guest Kambi Laleye (Rosefellow) joins from Montreal, Canada to discuss warehouse sustainability topics with Dexter Weber (TGW Logistics) and host Marissa Dierlam. Together, they cover the sustainability of greenfields vs. brownfields, how to achieve energy-efficient daily operations, and more. In the supply chain world, sustainability is quickly becoming les...

For goods-to-person automation systems, there are a number of buzzwords that get used over and over: flexible, scalable, modular, plug-and-play, future-proof, smart, innovative, energy-efficient, high-performance, etc. And so often these words get misused or are intentionally vague—leaving people lost in jargon and wondering how to benchmark warehouse automation solutions. In this honest conversat...

Warehouse automation is never as easy as push-play-and-go. In this episode, Marissa Dierlam sits down with Mario Sousa (Head of On-Site Services) and Darwin Vazquez (Site Engineering Manager) to dive into how to maintain 98%+ system availability and generate the most value out of your automation systems. Hear what it takes to build up a strong on-site maintenance team and the critical role these p...

In this episode we welcome our friend Jennifer Saunier from Green Mountain. Together, we tackle the topic of parcel shipping from two different directions: parcel spend management and warehouse automation. Complications and costs continue to rise for parcel shipping, so if you're up against it, make sure to stay tuned for recommendations from both Jennifer and Dexter Weber. Discover how to win...

Automation can be powerful, but it’s not magic. In this episode of The Automation Journey, host Marissa Dierlam is joined by Blake Neal and Dexter Weber to unpack the real relationship between warehouse automation and distribution network design. Learn how each can impact the other, how to pair the right automation with your distribution network, the role of digital tools and software, and what SL...

Warehouse automation isn’t just about conveyors, shuttles, and robots! It’s also about the software behind the scenes that makes everything work together. Rebecca Call joins host Marissa Dierlam to break down the complex world of warehouse software in a way that makes sense. Together, they discuss the different layers of software that have an impact on warehouse operations, how each speaks to each...

Mobile robotics is one of the fastest growing areas in warehouse automation, but when do they actually make sense? Host Marissa Dierlam (Head of Marketing, TGW North America) sits down with Philipp Moser (Head of Sales Engineering Mobile Robotics) and Dexter Weber (Business Development Manager, TGW North America) to talk through the different types, best use cases, and common misconceptions for bo...

In this episode, Rebecca Call, Alessandra Caminati, and Meagan Gauthier return to continue their conversation about their experiences as women in supply chain and how to overcome workplace challenges. In this episode, they turn their attention towards how both men and women can support other women, how to build self-confidence in the next generation, and the best advice and mentors they've had...

In this episode, host Rebecca Call (Head of Process Software Consulting & Systems Integration) sits down with Alessandra Caminati (Head of Solutions Design) and Meagan Gauthier (Business Development Manager) for a candid conversation about being women in supply chain—earning respect, challenging stereotypes, finding allies, and building the confidence to self-advocate. From early career storie...

Peak season is the championship game of supply chains. Months of preparation leading up to a few critical weeks that can make or break a year. In this episode, Jeff Rhodes and Dex Weber share their perspectives on how retailers, grocers, and consumer goods companies can better prepare for seasonal surges without overbuilding for short-term spikes. From labor challenges and training costs to balanc...

Marissa Dierlam (Head of Marketing, North America) sits down with Patricio Miranda Febres (CSO, North America) and Stipe Galic (VP of Business Development, North America) to cut through the hype in supply chain and warehouse automation. From European vs. U.S. adoption drivers and true flexibility (not just mobility) to practical AI use cases, nearshoring/tariffs, and the Hot or Not lightning round...

Results matter. Leadership isn’t just about vision—it’s about creating environments where people thrive, adapting to change, and delivering measurable outcomes. In this episode, Marissa Dierlam (Head of Marketing, TGW North America) sits down with Christian Lahnsteiner (CEO, TGW North America) to discuss leadership, company culture, and what it takes to drive performance in today’s warehouse autom...