Supply Chain Now

The Buzz: Geopolitics, Tariffs & Food Trends Shaping the Supply Chain

On this episode of Supply Chain Now, we explore how global events are rippling through supply chains, from escalating geopolitical tensions and military strikes on Iran to continued tariff uncertainty and shifting consumer behavior. These developments are raising important questions about preparedness, resilience, and how leaders can stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment. Join hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr as they unpack the latest developments impacting global commerce. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by Altium!Recent geopolitical developments, including military strikes on Iran, are highlighting how quickly global events can impact supply chains, from inventory concerns to broader economic uncertainty. In this episode, we examine how leaders must strengthen resilience and remain proactive as geopolitical risks, tariff changes, and regulatory decisions continue to influence global trade.We also explore emerging consumer trends shaping the food industry, particularly the growing demand for healthier products and innovative flavors, and discuss how technologies like AI can help organizations make faster, smarter decisions in an increasingly complex supply chain landscape.Tune in and learn:How geopolitical tensions, including military strikes on Iran, can impact global supply chains and inventory planningWhy supply chain leaders must strengthen resilience in the face of growing geopolitical riskThe latest developments around U.S. tariffs and Supreme Court decisions affecting global tradeWhy strategic agility is essential as legal and regulatory frameworks continue to evolveHow food companies are innovating to meet demand for healthier products and unique flavorsThe significance of National Supply Chain Day and what it represents for the industryHow technologies like AI are helping organizations improve decision-making and operational efficiencyIf you’re a supply chain, logistics, procurement, or operations leader trying to make sense of today’s rapidly shifting landscape, this episode offers valuable context and actionable insights. From geopolitical disruption to evolving consumer trends, the forces shaping supply chains are growing more complex, and leaders who stay informed and adaptable will be best positioned to succeed.Tune in to better understand the signals shaping tomorrow’s supply chains.Additional Links & Resources:Today's edition of The Buzz is powered by Altium. Learn more about Altium: http://altium.com/yt/supplychainnowWith That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-1-March-2026National Supply Chain Day: https://bit.ly/NSCD-2026University of Kentucky Supply Chain Forum 2026: https://bit.ly/UK-Supply-Chain-Forum-2026Juxta Book a Demo: https://www.juxta.com/book-demoSCOTUS Tariff Ruling Favors Policy-Savvy Teams Building Regionalized Supply Chains: https://bit.ly/The-Signal-on-TariffsHow McCormick is keeping up with food giants’ race to reformulate: https://bit.ly/Food-Industry-TrendsEasyPost Guide: https://bit.ly/LLMs-in-Shipping-EPAI is gobbling up the world’s memory chips, sending smartphone prices to record highs, report says: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/27/tech/ai-memory-chips-smartphones-intl-hnkScott's Wednesday Morning Rundown: https://bit.ly/Scott-WedMornRundown-2MAR2026Automatic for the People: https://bit.ly/Automatic-For-The-PeopleSupply Chain Planning Reimagined: https://bit.ly/SC-Planning-ReimaginedConnect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barr-3883501/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Follow Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Today's edition of The Buzz is powered by Altium. Learn more about Altium: http://altium.com/yt/supplychainnowLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton Jake Barr and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-geopolitics-tariffs-food-trends-shaping-supply-chain-1554

Supply Chain Leadership in the Never Normal: Where Strategy Meets Execution

What does it take to lead supply chain in a world where disruption is constant?In this episode, host Karin Bursa welcomes a powerhouse panel of supply chain leaders for a candid conversation on supply chain leadership in the never-normal world and what it takes to connect strategy to execution. Together, Eduardo Adame of 3M, Douglas Guilherme of The Hershey Company, Cory Knox of Procter & Gamble, and Shea Nesseler of Danone share the career moments that shaped how they lead, from navigating Covid-era realities to guiding teams through high-stakes change and uncertainty.You’ll hear real-world insights on building resilient supply chains, investing in the right capabilities, preparing teams for AI-enabled planning, and leading with empathy during moments of disruption.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:27) Meet today’s panel of supply chain leaders(05:41) Career moments that shaped their leadership(14:17) AI plus people, the real advantage(22:46) The toughest challenges supply chain teams face now(24:52) Strategy starts with strong partnerships(25:26) Why external focus makes better decisions(26:29) Quality decisions beat fast decisions(28:00) Building resilience through consistency(29:18) Modernizing planning with smarter systems(30:55) Developing talent for what’s next(31:44) Advice they would give their younger selvesAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa Connect with Douglas Guilherme: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasguilherme/Learn more about The Hershey Company: https://www.thehersheycompany.com/Connect with Cory Knox: www.linkedin.com/in/cory-knox-7806986Learn more about Procter & Gamble: https://www.pg.com/Connect with Shea Nesseler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shea-nesseler/Learn more about Danone: https://www.danone.com/Connect with Eduardo Adame: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardo-adame-92192427/Learn more about 3M: https://www.3m.com/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode was hosted by Karin Bursa and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com

Analysis of the Q4 2025 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index

As the freight market tightens and costs rise, supply chain leaders must plan ahead, strengthen carrier ties, and stay agile.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and special guest host Karin Bursa sit down with Bobby Holland of U.S. Bank and Nick Palmucci of Ferguson Enterprises to discuss the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index for Q4 2025. They unpack what “freight market tightening” looks like in practice, with capacity shrinking, shipper spend climbing, and regional performance moving in different directions, from strength in the Northeast to weakness in the Southwest.They also get into what’s driving demand shifts and cost pressure, including changes in consumer behavior, softer manufacturing signals, and uncertainty that keeps teams on their toes. Along the way, they share practical moves leaders can make right now, such as building a three-year roadmap, reducing spreadsheet dependency, locking in bids earlier, and operating like a shipper of choice when capacity gets tight. The result is a grounded look at what the data shows, what shippers are experiencing, and how to turn both into better decisions.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(03:38) Warm-up questions for the panel(06:54) Tightening capacity and rising costs(11:46) Q4 national view: lower capacity, higher costs(15:23) West: softer volumes, higher spend(19:25) Southwest: brief rebound, costs climb(21:56) Midwest: modest gains, mixed demand(24:51) Northeast: strongest growth, higher rates(28:13) Southeast: volumes down, muted spend(30:32) Consumer confidence and freight demand(31:46) Leading through uncertainty: roadmap and tech(40:36) What’s ahead: capacity and shipper-of-choice strategyAdditional Links & Resources:Download the latest edition of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://www.usbank.com/corporate-and-commercial-banking/industry-expertise/transportation/freight-payment-insights.html?ecid=OTHE_80042Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa Connect with Bobby Holland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-holland-4a9355/Learn more about U.S. Bank: https://www.usbank.com/index.htmlConnect with Nick Palmucci: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-palmucci/Learn more about Ferguson: https://www.ferguson.comLearn more about Ferguson Home: https://www.fergusonhome.comLearn more about Ferguson Corporate: https://corporate.ferguson.comLearn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com

The Buzz: Decision Velocity, ISO 25500 & the AI-Driven Supply Chain Reset

On this episode of The Buzz, we tackle a word that might define 2026 for supply chain leaders: velocity. Not just speed for speed’s sake, but smarter, faster, more confident decision-making in a world shaped by tariff volatility, regulatory shifts, and rapidly advancing AI. With insights from industry veterans Paul Noble and Nick Dippolito, we unpack what it really takes to lead through uncertainty. Grab your coffee and settle in - welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost!As trade policies continue to shift, including recent tariff developments and Supreme Court rulings impacting international commerce, supply chain leaders are facing mounting pressure to respond quickly without sacrificing accuracy. This episode explores the rising importance of “decision velocity” and why organizations must modernize their data, governance, and verification processes to compete effectively.A major focal point of the conversation is ISO 25500 and its role in strengthening data verification and reliability across supply chain networks. We also explore the double-edged sword of artificial intelligence: while AI unlocks powerful operational efficiencies, it also introduces new risks, including impersonation fraud and malicious activity. The takeaway? Standards, smarter systems, and stronger supplier verification are no longer optional, they’re foundational.Tune in and learn:Why decision velocity is becoming a defining competitive advantage in modern supply chainsHow evolving tariff regulations and trade rulings are reshaping global operationsWhat ISO 25500 means for data verification, trust, and interoperabilityThe role AI plays in improving efficiency — and how it can also introduce fraud risksWhy supplier verification systems are critical to preventing impersonation and bad actorsHow to build proactive risk management strategies that maintain agility amid volatilityWhat forward-thinking leaders are doing now to future-proof compliance and operationsIf you're leading operations, procurement, logistics, compliance, or enterprise technology strategy, this episode offers timely insights you can put into action immediately. In a climate where uncertainty is constant and reaction time matters more than ever, strengthening your standards, accelerating your decision-making, and investing in smarter verification systems may be the difference between disruption and resilience.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com

Returns at a Crossroads: The State of Reverse Logistics & Circularity

Returns are no longer just a headache, they’re a strategic opportunity. As the circular economy gains momentum, reverse logistics is quickly becoming one of the most important levers in modern supply chains.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Deborah Dull are joined by Scot Case, Vice President of Sustainability at the National Retail Federation (NRF), and Tony Sciarrotta, Senior Director of Reverse Logistics and Circularity at NRF, to share key insights from the NRF Rev event and discuss why reverse logistics deserves a seat at the strategy table.The conversation explores how resale, repair, and recycling are moving into the mainstream, and why returns should no longer be treated as a cost center. From the surge in e-commerce returns to increasing legislative pressure through extended producer responsibility, the group breaks down how these forces are changing retail and supply chain operations.Deborah adds perspective on how technology improves visibility and accountability across the returns process. Together, the guests outline practical ways companies can turn reverse logistics into a competitive advantage while improving customer experience and advancing sustainability goals.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:31) Meet the guests: Scot Case and Tony Sciarrotta(06:31) NRF’s sustainability mission: Business value meets reverse logistics(10:46) RLA + NRF: Bringing returns out of the “dark side”(15:22) Macro trends shaping reverse logistics: Reuse, resale, repair & more(20:40) Tariffs, EPR laws & the circular economy’s next push(24:52) Inside NRF Rev: The reverse logistics & revenue “revolution” event(26:05) NRF Rev: Bringing reverse logistics into the spotlight(27:32) Why retailers are the center of the returns universe(28:18) Refurbished products mindset shift: The ‘restaurant fork’ story(29:24) Deborah’s practitioner lens: Why this conference matters(31:00) Key takeaways: Collaboration, EPR, and no single silver bullet(34:04) Urban mining & the resale economy (and why brands must engage)(36:32) What’s next: NRF working groups, global scale, and policy influence(40:16) Remade in America: A story-driven podcast on ‘where returns go’Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Scot Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotcase/Connect with Tony Sciarrotta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sciarrotta-235570/Connect with Deborah Dull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahdull/Learn more about the National Retail Federation (NRF): https://nrf.comLearn more about NRF Rev: https://nrfrev.com/Learn more about Trillium Digital Services: https://trillium.digital/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: https://bit.ly/4pOGgyoWEBINAR- ChatGPT Is Just the Beginning for Shipping: https://bit.ly/3YLFGq7This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Deborah Dull and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/returns-crossroads-state-reverse-logistics-circularity-1550