Speaking of Supply Chain

Traditional demand planning tools were built for a slower world. In today’s high-velocity CPG environment, waiting days or weeks for retail data means missed sales, rising stockouts, and overstuffed inventory. But what if brands could detect market shifts in real time and respond before the next order even hits? This week, host Ellen Wood sits down with Joel Beal, CEO and Co-founder of Alloy.ai ,...

As AI adoption accelerates across the supply chain, many manufacturers are realizing that success requires more than just technology. Scaling AI is not only about building better models: it also depends on strong data infrastructure, effective training programs, and capturing institutional knowledge before it walks out the door. This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Bryan DeBois , Director of Ind...

Supply chains weren’t built for the complexity of today’s world. Outdated infrastructure, siloed thinking, and an obsession with cost-efficiency have left operations vulnerable to constant disruption. The real issue isn’t speed or scale—it’s strategic misalignment. This week, host Ellen Wood sits down with Dr. Ayman Omar , Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at the Kogod School of Bu...

With economic turbulence, rising tariffs, and global supply chain disruptions reshaping industries, agility is no longer optional: it's the ultimate competitive advantage. Startups are finding new ways to adapt faster, operate leaner, and outmaneuver even the biggest players. This week, host Ellen Wood is joined by Adam Callinan , serial entrepreneur and CEO of Pentane , to dive into how smaller c...

As global freight capacity tightens and disruption becomes the new norm, small and midsize freight forwarders are under more pressure than ever to compete with logistics giants. But what if smarter, AI-driven platforms could help level the playing field, unlocking efficiency, speed, and scale without ballooning operational costs? This week, host Ellen Wood is joined by Chris Condo n, CEO and Found...

As warehouse operations grow more complex, organizations face increasing pressure to maintain process transparency, document systems effectively, and adapt to changing business needs. In this special episode recorded live at LogiMAT 2025,  guest host Christina Schühle (Head of Logistics Management Systems at Miebach) is joined by Philipp Wüst (Head Process Data Analyst) and Ben Pamperrien (SAP Sol...

Supply chain and logistics have long been male-dominated industries—but that’s changing, as more women are stepping into leadership roles, driving innovation, and shaping the future of global operations. What challenges have these women faced along the way? And what still needs to change to create a truly inclusive industry? This week, in celebration of International Women’s Day, host Ellen Wood s...

With the warehouse and distribution landscape rapidly evolving, operations face significant challenges such as labor shortages and rising operational costs. Could your business be operating more efficiently? Discover how AI can help streamline operations, reduce expenses, and improve workforce utilization. This week, host Ellen Wood is joined by Lee Rector , founder of LaborAI , to discuss the pre...

This week, host Ellen Wood shares what’s ahead for “Speaking of Supply Chain” in 2025. From tackling urgent industry challenges to exploring cutting-edge solutions, this year promises critical insights for supply chain professionals worldwide. Want to be part of the conversation? We invite you to help shape upcoming episodes by submitting topic suggestions or sharing your expertise for a chance to...

With over 80% of comprehension being visual, effective 3D design tools are essential for helping all manner of stakeholders identify risks early and create systems that prioritize people. This week, host Ellen Wood is joined by Rich Trahey , VP Global Sales & Marketing at Configura , and Claire Konz , Supply Chain Consultant at Miebach Consulting Group , to explore how Configura Extension Tech...

Digital transformation in logistics is more than a tech upgrade—it’s a complete operational revolution.  In today’s episode, we sit down with Michael Augustin and Andrea Ricciarelli from Westernacher , a global leader in SAP consulting, to explore how digitalization is reshaping the logistics landscape. Together, we dive into the critical role of change management, organizational readiness, and co...

Today, we’re tackling the triple threat of digital transformation, workforce upheavals, and sustainability in the ever-evolving world of supply chain management. Joining host Ellen Wood are two powerhouse experts: Ron Crabtree , CEO of MetaOps Inc., and Mike Brown , Director for the Miebach Consulting Group. In this episode, Mike and Ron explore why employees sometimes dig in their heels when chan...

Struggling to compete with retail giants? Today, we’re discussing the challenges independent retailers face and innovative solutions that can help them thrive in a crowded market.  Join host Ellen Wood as she speaks with Melodie van der Baan , co-founder and CEO of Max Retail, about innovative strategies that empower smaller businesses to enhance sales and improve turnover. Join us as we discuss:...

Logistics professionals asking “Will AI take my job?” can rest easy, as the human touch remains an invaluable part of the supply chain—and will for some time. But what we do know is that AI *will* change your job, and the sooner logistics professionals can begin developing the hard and soft skills necessary to thrive in the AI-assisted workplace, the more successful they’ll be. This week, host Ell...

Improving the flow and organization of data within a company’s systems doesn’t just make your employees’ and customers’ lives easier—it can also make their (and everyone else’s) lives safer and healthier by contributing to the fight for a more sustainable planet. On this week’s episode, Ellen Wood speaks with Product Marketing and Solutions Manager Pratiksha Agarwal about Enterprise Resource Plann...

Ever wonder how technology can transform your yard operations from chaos into a seamless flow? In this episode, Ellen sits down with  Michael Agustin and Matthias Platzer from Westernacher Consulting to discuss the future of Yard Management Systems (YMS) and their pivotal role in strengthening supply chains. From navigating global disruptions like the pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage to implem...

This week, Ellen Wood speaks with Marcus Hoed , Co-Founder at DutchX , about the challenges and innovations shaping sustainable last-mile delivery. Marcus takes us behind the scenes of the transition to zero-emission solutions in dense urban areas like New York City—and how AI and multi-modal transportation are driving efficiency and sustainability. Join us as we discuss: How to address misconcept...

No matter the size of your logistics team or operation, your employees’ time, attention, and energy are among your most precious resources. So it’s essential that your people can keep their focus on the tasks that only people can do well—or at all. This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with  Michael Greenberg , CEO and Founder of 3rd Brain Digital Operations & Automation , about AI’s role in lesse...

On this week’s episode, host Ellen Wood presents part two of her conversation with Jonathan Egan , CEO at FabCast Solutions . Jonathan shares his professional journey from Ireland to Shanghai to the Americas and what he learned by establishing a US company that imports products from Chinese factories—and he delves into the cultural differences that influence manufacturing practices in China and Me...

Conventional wisdom often requires reassessment, especially regarding the location of major manufacturing and supply chain activities. While partnering with large economies like China once made sense, the evolving global landscape is prompting more U.S. companies to explore closer alternatives like Mexico, bringing nearshoring to the forefront of the supply chain discussion. This week, host Ellen...

On today’s episode, Ellen Wood speaks with Eran Mizrahi , CEO of Ingredient Brothers , about addressing all manner of challenges in the food and beverage industry. From adapting to changing consumer tastes, managing inventory, and sourcing specialized and niche ingredients, Eran provides a wealth of hard-earned insights that players throughout the F&B industry will find enriching. Join us as w...

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Luká Yancopoulos , CEO of Grapevine Technologies about the challenges facing the healthcare supply chain—especially the risks of relying on single suppliers. Luka shares strategies for optimizing supply chain management, including consolidating orders, introducing new suppliers, and using real-time data to reduce costs and backorders—and provides examples of...

In this week’s very special episode, host Ellen Wood speaks with two young supply chain professionals: Sam Nunez , Initiatives Operations Leader for Bounty at Procter & Gamble , and Claire Konz , Supply Chain Consultant at Miebach Consulting . Sam and Claire discuss how they arrived in the logistics industry and what aspects of the world of supply chain appealed to them as they were considerin...

In today’s episode, Ellen speaks with Jakob Stary , Supply Chain Analyst at Miebach , about sustainability initiatives in the world of supply chain. Jakob brings a strong conviction (and plenty of proof) that sustainability and efficiency in logistics don’t have to be mutually exclusive—and that it’s possible to strike a balance between innovation, success, and ethical stewardship of our planet. J...

AI this, AI that. There’s truly no escaping the latest technological craze, as just about every industry is grappling with how to implement Artificial Intelligence in the most effective (and ethical) ways possible. Today, host Ellen Wood is joined by Pete Grett , Founder & CEO of The Blackrock Group to talk about generative AI (also known as GenAI), its uses and limitations, and its specific u...