Let's Talk Supply Chain

• 502: Current Success vs Future Potential: Finding the AI Balance, with Shipium

  Jason Murray of Shipium talks about AI: its impacts, now and in the future; common misconceptions; investment; developing new skills; & changing your mindset.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.04] An introduction to Jason, his career, and why he founded Shipium. "Lots of companies are going through an Amazon-ification. Amazon was really good at dealing with this complex multi-source, multi-destination supply chain, and everything is evolving towards that." [07.04] Jason's take on the factors that sit behind his success, and how he got to where he is today. "Focusing on being a builder, a lifelong-learner, continuing to evolve how I thought about things… really being curious." [10.12] How AI is making an immediate impact on supply chains. "People are trying to decode multi-factored issues. A carrier, a model, a rule – all of this culminates to make a decision. We've always been good at automating that, but the ability to use new information and diagnose it has been critical." [16.35] From automation to a completely fresh approach to problem-solving and business management, where AI is going to have the biggest impact in the future. "You do have to adjust. From a leadership perspective, you need a new culture. If you keep doing  things the way you've always been doing them, eventually you're going to get outcompeted." [23.13] Why Jason believes we're still under-hyping AI, the common misunderstandings, and why AI isn't simply a productivity tool. "We're not putting enough energy into fully embracing it – people are quitting too early. There's also a problem around understanding what it can and can't do." [32.17] AI investment, and Jason's advice to leaders about finding the balance between success in the now and future potential. "You have to be thoughtful about how you approach this… and figure out what spaces it's going to work the best in." [36.13] The role of software providers, and how Shipium is helping customers on their AI journey's. "It's really our job to innovate on behalf of the customer, and push to make it as easy and seamless as possible." "You have to work with a partner that you believe will be able to adjust as these times change. That's where the human element comes back into it." [41.06] The skills that will be most important for supply chain operators of the future. [46.26] What 2026 is going to hold for the industry, and what that means for Shipium. "The innovation funnel is going through AI, and that is what 2026 is going to be defined by." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Shipium's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Shipium and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Jason on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Shipium, check out 491: 2028 – Shipium Counts Down to the AI Revolution, 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium or Unlock Retail Growth This Quarter with Multi-Carrier Tech from Shipium. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

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• 501: Uncover Hidden Inefficiencies and Opportunities, with Pallet Alliance

  Mary Casillo & Aubrey Galbraith talk about how Pallet Alliance's onsite audits uncover inefficiencies & identify opportunities for cost-saving & sustainability.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.04] An introduction to Mary and Aubrey, their backgrounds, and roles at Pallet Alliance. [07.30] An overview of Pallet Alliance – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [10.10] From cost to sustainability, the big challenges and opportunities for Pallet Alliance customers in the current landscape. "We see organizations trying to find opportunities for cost-saving… especially because of tariffs." [12.37] How pallet optimization can make an impact, in light of these challenges and opportunities. "When we're talking about optimization, we're not just talking about the pallets themselves. We're talking about taking a holistic approach to manufacturing." [17.14] Onsite audits – what they can look like for a customer, how they can be used to create cost-effective and fit-for-purpose solutions, and align pallet programs across multiple locations. "Onsite audits allow us to meet with a customer, understand their specific pain points, look at their specifications – and a lot of times we see these things don't match." [21.20] The benefits of pallet and crate customization. "Customization is very important for long-term efficiencies." "When we talk about total cost of ownership of pallets and crates, we're not just talking about the product itself. We're talking about the entire supply chain process that the pallet or crate interacts with. It's a whole universe out there!" [27.35] The ROI for pallet customization, the importance of figuring out your 'why,' and leveraging the science behind pallet redesign to develop the best solutions for cost, sustainability and efficiency. "When you hear customization, you think expensive. But it's an opportunity, it's like solving a puzzle. Making savings and redesigns… so customers aren't seeing an increase in cost or inefficiencies." "We use the wood science behind the decisions, and share the knowledge." [36.08] How smarter pallet designs can be key to a company's sustainability initiatives. "Redesign and sustainability go hand in hand." [39.16] Next steps: how you can request a free onsite audit from Pallet Alliance. [41.38] What 2026 is going to look like for Pallet Alliance.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Pallet Alliance's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Pallet Alliance and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Mary or Aubrey on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Pallet Alliance, check out 482: Transform the Way Your Business Moves, with Pallet Alliance or Mary Casillo on Solving Problems and Building Advocacy. Check out our other podcasts HERE.  

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• 500: Women in Supply Chain, Angela Woody

  Angela Woody talks about her career journey; learning to let go of inherited beliefs; making IT investments; & the guiding principles that have shaped her life. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.09] Angela's coincidental career – how volunteering at an event led to an internship that led to a full-time role at Kimberly-Clark. "It was a happenstance!... Someone took a chance on me." [08.41] Angela's 13-year tenure at Kimberly-Clark: how her career progressed, what she learned, and her biggest achievements. "Working for a global manufacturing company, you just had a wealth of opportunities… There was an opportunity to work on a first-of-a-kind project… and on that project, I could be innovative, experimental – it was career-changing." [14.21] Why Angela made a move from large CPG to small healthcare business, and how she changed her assumptions around what a stable, long-term career should look like. [17.45] What Angela loves about supply chain. "Supply chain is not a flashy job! … It's dirty, and for some reason that sparked my intertest... Supply chain is the last thing that's going to touch a product before it's delivered to the customer, that's our responsibility – and I fell in love with that." [21.40] How the pandemic shone a light on the industry, and why hesitation to make capital investments in IT systems is one of the biggest challenges in supply chain right now. "2020 was a blessing in disguise for supply chain. It brought some immediate visibility into how fragile our global supply chain really is – and it finally became a topic in the boardroom." "The companies that are truly making the investment in IT, making the investment in upgrades, they're the ones that are winning." [24.40] Why change management is still such a big problem, and how businesses should be approaching it for success. "Change management takes focus, time, resources and empathy. Change management is one of the most underleveraged capabilities, and I've seen many IT transformations fail because of a lack of investment in it." [27.40] Angela's 'Bring Your Kid To Work Day' experience with her daughter, and how we engage the upcoming generations in supply chain. "I have two girls, and I want to be a role model for them. I want to show them they can do anything they set their minds to, as long as they work hard." [31.31] Angela's experience as a woman in supply chain and technology. [35.15] The guiding principles that have shaped Angela's success, in life and work. [36.08] The importance of mentorship, and how Angela supports the next generations. "When I first started, mentorship wasn't something that was available, or even discussed… So, as we've evolved, and have seen its importance, I've taken male and female mentees and worked with them to have an opportunity to talk about things – I wish I had that." [38.35] The future for Angela. "I've worked hard to be where I am, but the feeling you get when you spend time out in the community and truly give back, is very special to me." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Angela over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women in tech, check out 493: Women in Supply Chain, Natalie Walker, 470: Women in Supply Chain, Melodie Van Der Baan, or 479: Women in Supply Chain, Lina Castaneda.

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• 499: Navigating the EV Revolution, with Anaplan

  Emily Nicholls of Anaplan talks about how integrated business planning helps automotive OEMs navigate EV growth & build finance-forward future-ready businesses. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.38] An introduction to Emily, her background in physics, and how her boutique supply chain specialist consultancy was acquired by Anaplan. [05.44] An overview of Anaplan – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "We provide a cloud-based platform that helps people truly connect their plans. We operate across all the major business functions of the business, and can connect data to people, processes and plans. It's a holistic approach." [07.07] The significant transformation happening in the automotive industry, and the geopolitical factors and supply chain volatility impacting that transition. "When you're doing a massive transformation, you're usually thinking three to five years out, but trying to predict where the world will be in three to five years is nigh on impossible. It's an interesting backdrop to what should be a fairly simple transition, from a supply chain perspective." [11.41] Integrated business planning: exactly what it is, why it's no longer a 'nice to have,' and how it's giving leaders much needed visibility, as well as both horizontal and vertical connection within a business. "It's a process that tries to align a company's financial, operational and strategic objectives, which often coexist but in quite siloed environments." [15.57] Why teams are still using spreadsheets and legacy tools, and how traditional S&OP processes are falling short in today's volatile market. [19.41] How integrated business planning breaks down siloes to connect the dots and empower teams to make better decisions. "Part of the process is to eliminate siloes by making sure that every element of the business is brought in at the right time. Technology enabling that process is really where the collaboration comes in, and you can make it not just effective but enjoyable." [24.50] The power of scenario planning and AI-driven modeling, how they're helping teams to avoid analysis paralysis, and the big impact they can have for teams juggling different priorities and making trade-offs, against an ever-changing backdrop. "Issues in your source data can have real insidious effects in your supply chain, that can add up to something quite dramatic." [31.37] The problem with cost-cutting, and how integrated business planning can elevate a company's financial health to North Star status and ensure that all decisions are tied back to that, from cost cutting to investments for the future. "Cost-cutting feels like an easy option, but it doesn't make you more resilient. It's very reactive – it's a scattergun approach to fixing a problem." [35.19] How integrated business planning can help businesses achieve competitive advantage. "If you have a strong cost-management strategy – not a cost-cutting objective – you can build resilience and identify opportunities and investments." [37.14] A case study exploring how Anaplan helped a large global automotive OEM manage tariffs by modelling scenarios, allowing them to make agile decisions and pivot quickly to minimize impact and maximise opportunity. [40.26] How listeners can work with the Anaplan.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Anaplan's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Anaplan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Emily on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.  

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• 498: Tariffs, Turbines, and an Information Super Highway: Behind the Scenes at the Port of Long Beach

  Noel Hacegaba of the Port of Long Beach talks about tariffs, sustainability, infrastructure investments & the creation of a Supply Chain Information Highway.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.02] An introduction to Noel, and his role at the Port. "Our tagline is 'the port of choice.' And one of the reasons we are the port of choice is because we have a team that's committed to excellence." [03.19] An introduction to the Port and what sets it apart, from sustainability to customer service. [04.51] The Port's record-breaking year – why they achieved the busiest year in their 114 year history and what made 2024 different. "What's even more remarkable about our record year is not the number of containers we processed, but the fact that we did so without any congestion, backlogs or delays... Last year set a new standard." [06.33] The Port's perspective on tariffs and why, despite the challenges, the Port is still thriving. "There's a lot of uncertainty, and that's what slows investments… In spite of that uncertainty, 2025 is on track to be another record year for the Port of Long Beach… But all these record volumes are not translating across the supply chain." [09.22] What the remainder of 2025 will bring for the Port. [10.16] From upgrading infrastructure to capacity expansion, the strategic projects and big investments being made by the Port as they look to enable growth over the next 10 years. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." [13.24] The Port's Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project, its purpose, and why it matters, not just for the region but for the nation's transportation system. [15.43] The Port's Supply Chain Information Highway, and the impact it will have for the industry. "We're trying to leverage the power of data sharing… The Supply Chain Information Highway was designed to bring value to the industry by maximizing visibility, velocity, and value. And, by pairing technology with collaboration, we're unleashing the power of data sharing." [18.30] The importance of sustainability and the Port's commitment to green initiatives, including a new wind turbine project. [22.14] Noel's prediction for the industry in 2026.

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