Smart Supply Chain

AI is reshaping how organizations plan, predict, and make decisions. At the same time supply chain leaders face growing pressure to identify and prioritize contingency plans for a growing number of disruption scenarios in an increasingly uncertain and risky world. These decisions are made by people. In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, hosts Shireen and Sarah Garrison sits down with Northeastern...

ALOM Chief Operating Officer Brandon Marugg discusses how Silicon Valley's culture of innovation has shaped ALOM's evolution from a startup founded in 1997 into a global technology-driven supply chain service provider. Drawing on his 25 years of experience with ALOM, Brandon recounts stories of supporting fast-growing technology innovators, developing early customer-facing supply chain technology,...

In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director of the Manufacturing Institute, unpacks a looming crisis: a widening skills gap accelerated by AI. As new technologies reshape operations on the shop floor, the challenge is not talent, it’s equipping today’s workforce with the right skills. Carolyn shares how AI is changing job requirements, what it means for man...

In this final episode of the Smart Supply Chain podcast onboarding series, the Garrison Sisters sit down with ALOM CEO Hannah Kain to explore why she believes onboarding is the defining stage of any 3PL partnership. Hannah shares why flawless launches require going far beyond the basics—digging into stakeholder needs across operations, finance, data integration, sustainability, reporting, and end-...

In part 2 of the 3 part Smart Supply Chain Podcast Onboarding series, ALOM experts unpack top considerations and warning signs to look for during a 3PL onboarding and new program launch. In this episode, your hosts, The Garrison Sisters talk to five ALOM experts representing Operations, Technology, Quality, Logistics, and Client Services to learn what topline advice and best practices they offer t...

ALOM experts unpack top considerations and warning signs to look for during a 3PL onboarding and new program launch. You’ll hear from ALOM Chief Commercial Officer Fiona Lowbridge, Chief Operating Officer Brandon Marugg, and Business Manager Taylor Brown as they discuss the importance of a collaborative, transparent onboarding process that helps reduce risk, accelerate go-live, and build long-term...

Logistics analyst Cathy Roberson shares her latest thinking and analysis on how shifting trade policies, tariffs, industry consolidation, and last-mile innovation are reshaping global supply chains. Mid-episode, learn how ALOM is helping its customers mitigate tariff uncertainty and cost, and build resilience in a fast-changing logistics environment. As the industry stands at a crossroads, this co...

International supply chain executive recruiter and bestselling author of Source to Sold, Radu Palamariu, joins The Garrison Sisters to discuss what it takes to shape strong supply chain leadership. From essential leadership traits to career-advancing strategies, Radu shares insights to help supply chain professionals at all levels navigate challenges and excel in a rapidly evolving industry.

The Garrison Sisters talk to Peter Bolstorff, author of "Supply Chain Excellence: A Handbook for Dramatic Improvement on Using the SCOR Model" on best methods to transform supply chain performance by leveraging trustworthy AI and research-driven insights to build resilient, efficient, and future-ready supply chains that drive sustainable business success. Features special segment with ALOM CEO Han...

Ben Hazen, PhD revisits the global trade predictions he and ALOM CEO Hannah Kain made in their 2019 white paper titled, "Roadmap for Sourcing Across Borders in Uncertain Times". The Garrison Sisters ask Ben to assess how these forecasts played out and then explore escalating risks impacting current global trade including cyber-warfare and geopolitical conflict. The discussion then turns to strateg...

Smart Supply Chain podcast host Shireen Garrison moderates a dynamic discussion with ALOM CEO Hannah Kain and Mr. Supply Chain himself, Daniel Stanton, on the best resources and strategies to prepare today’s workforce to solve tomorrow’s supply chain challenges. Hannah and Daniel explore key skills gaps, effective learning resources, and the evolving landscape of supply chain education, compliance...

In this Smart Supply Chain podcast episode, fire safety expert Todd LaBerge shares detailed data on the fire risks of lithium-ion batteries and what questions to ask your 3PL to ensure inventory is protected. Find out what industry leading safety Li-ion fire safety measures ALOM is implementing in our new Sacramento, CA facility to protect customers and ensure workplace safety.

In this episode of "Smart Supply Chain," ALOM CEO Hannah Kain identifies industry trends she’s watching closely as we head into 2024. Relying on decades of experience, she delves into how volatile geopolitics, technological advancements, and sustainability initiatives are reshaping today’s supply chains. Tune in to hear one of the industry’s most respected and visionary experts as she shares her 2...

In the latest episode of Smart Supply Chain, ALOM Director of Logistics Brandon Hulse challenges the common misperception that logistics is merely about delivering finished goods to the customer and explores the all-encompassing role of logistics in every part of the supply chain. This informative episode highlights the consequences of undervaluing logistics and champions the need for strong logis...

In this can’t-miss episode of Smart Supply Chain, we welcome back a audience favorite, ALOM CEO Hannah Kain, and introduce a fresh voice to the podcast, Kaveh Moraghebi, Senior Director of Quality and Sustainability at ALOM. Together, they discuss one of the industry’s most debated topics – the true cost of quality in the supply chain. These supply chain savants delve into the impact on quality on...

In this age of booming ecommerce and heightened customer expectations, returns management is increasingly complex. This episode of Smart Supply Chain, featuring ALOM Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy Lisa Dolan, unpacks how reverse logistics significantly influences customer satisfaction and brand reputation, along with highlighting innovative strategies and solutions to navigate the ever-ev...

Inflation, increasing interest rates, a shaky economy, softening consumer demand, geopolitical unrest, war ... the list of factors creating uncertainty in the global supply chain continues to grow, putting even more pressure on supply chain professionals. In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, ALOM CFO Jack Sexton discusses the price of supply chain uncertainty and offers tips on how to manage the...

With the buzz around ChatGPT continuing to increase, Smart Supply Chain connected with one of our listeners' favorite experts, ALOM COO/CTO Brandon Marugg, and asked him to share his thoughts about this powerful AI and the future of chatbots. In this can't miss episode, Brandon not only explains ChatGPT, but also digs into how it will change supply chains and the benefits and risks related to usin...

Speed into this latest episode of Smart Supply Chain featuring ALOM's Lisa Dolan, vice president of supply chain strategy, and Shawn Bush, supply base manager. These two supply chain experts trade insights and opinions on nearsourcing and why it's a critical strategy in today's environment. This exciting episode races into the history of nearsourcing and why it's coming back with a roar. So strap...

Every company, regardless of size or industry, is becoming a tech company, according to ALOM's new Chief Operating Officer Brandon Marugg. In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, he explains what it means to be a tech-focused COO and how that mindset impacts the management of supply chains today and tomorrow. From culture and software integration to "I Love Lucy" and Jenga, this episode is not only...

The launch of a new supply chain program is undoubtedly exciting, but it can also be stressful. All too often, the planning and contracting process is rocky, and onboarding doesn't meet expectations. In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, Shireen Garrison and Steve Brown, leaders on ALOM's Strategic Account Management team, detail methods to overcome challenges related to new program launches and...

ALOM Director of Operations Steven Pierce lets us pick his brain about various picking strategies and the most popular picking methods. Full of fun, fascinating dialogue and real-world examples about all things picking-related, this episode of Smart Supply Chain provides a fresh perspective on one of the most important supply chain management basics.

Within organizations today, supply chain is moving into the spotlight. C-suite execs and boards are realizing supply chain drives their businesses. This realization has changed the way they think about the math of supply chain. In this episode of Smart Supply Chain, ALOM VP of Global Accounts Dana Hicks digs into supply chain’s evolution from a simple cost center into a a critical function that in...

After several decades of offshoring manufacturing and supplier networks to Asia, many corporations are now embracing nearshoring. In this episode, Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute, and Hannah Kain, president & CEO of ALOM, partner up to deliver a though-provoking discussion that digs into what's motivating corporations to shift their strategy and how that shift will i...

ALOM leaders Hannah Kain, Lisa Dolan, and Eunice Lobo each bring a different perspective to the supply chain industry in this engaging episode of Smart Supply Chain. These brilliant supply chain experts, who've been named as 2022 Pros to Know by Supply & Demand Chain Executive, provide a comprehensive industry outlook and share insightful predictions for the coming years.