Supply Chain is Boring

Everyone thinks supply chain sounds pretty boring. Can this podcast prove them wrong? Check it out on Supply Chain Now.

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

[REPLAY] Celebrating National Supply Chain Day 2026 https://t.co/w3VXKdVJ0k

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

For supply chain leaders, staying on top of weather developments is paramount. Severe storms, heat waves, floods, you name it - - they all can disrupt transportation lanes, port operations, production schedules, and energy availability with little notice. By closely monitoring weather patterns and forecasts, supply chain pros can proactively reroute shipments, adjust inventory positions, ensure workforce safety, and communicate earlier with customers and ecosystem partners. In an era of tighter margins and higher customer expectations, weather awareness isn’t just about risk mitigation - - it’s a competitive advantage that helps keep goods moving when conditions are anything but normal.

Business leaders rely on all sorts of news outlets to stay apprised of weather forecasts & developments. Recently, I’ve learned about how T-Mobile has partnered with some of the biggest national news outlets to take their field coverage to the next level. Using SuperMobile, reporters & meteorologists covering some of the most disruptive weather events out in the field will be able to take advantage of: optimized network performance, built-in security, and satellite coverage well beyond the grid.

That means the rest of us can stay better informed - - and lean on faster & more accurate weather information for optimized decision-making across supply chains everywhere.

Learn more here: https://t.co/UY1WA8VUhS

@TMobileBusiness partner

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

Retail is at a pivotal moment: returns are no longer a backroom headache. They’re a front-line retail strategy. Deborah Dull and I hosted a terrific conversation on Supply Chain Now that featured long-time leaders from the retail world that unpacked how reverse logistics is reshaping margins, merchandising, and customer loyalty.

Scot Case framed the shift in unmistakably commercial terms: “Sustainability is a nice to have, but you absolutely have to focus on the financial impacts.” For retailers navigating tighter margins, tariff pressures, and elevated e-commerce returns, reverse logistics is becoming a lever to recover value, protect profitability, and meet consumer expectations - - all at once.

Tony Sciarrotta addressed the long-standing stigma around the function: “Nobody wants to talk about returns.” Yet in today’s omnichannel environment, returns are inseparable from the customer experience. With most returned products still fully functional, retailers have an opportunity to design smarter pathways (think resale, refurbishment, recommerce, etc) that strengthen brand trust while reducing waste.

Deborah highlighted the operational reality inside retail organizations, calling reverse “the supply chain tucked in the corner.” Small teams are managing enormous complexity across stores, distribution centers, digital channels, and secondary markets. Meanwhile, younger consumers are increasingly checking resale value before buying, signaling that circularity is influencing purchase decisions at the shelf and online cart alike.

The retail takeaway: forward and reverse supply chains can no longer operate separately. By elevating returns strategy, retailers can turn a traditional cost center into a competitive differentiator, driving revenue recovery, operational efficiency, and stronger customer relationships.

Beyond this great conversation (on demand, see link below), and on a related note, I’m intrigued with the $112B++ shrinkage problem that retailers are faced with. Just like with returns management & reverse logistics in the retail industry, legacy tools won’t cut the mustard when it comes to loss prevention and protecting the bottom line.

@TMobileBusiness is doing some intriguing things to help retailers of all sizes mitigate the shrinkage risk, while optimizing their success. AI-enabled cameras, automated insights & alerts, seamless device connectivity - - all that and more.

To learn more: check out what T-Mobile for Business is doing in retail: https://t.co/2kFFTR3Lf9

#retail #supplychain T-Mobile for Business Partner

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

The Buzz for April 6th https://t.co/HJeZAyQNge

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

If you know Mike Griswold from Gartner, then you'll know a couple of things about him: ONE: he's an extremely sharp individual that can provide very astute observations & analysis on global supply chain. And TWO: Mike loves golf and basketball; in fact, on the latter, he's been coaching women's basketball for years.

In our latest monthly podcast recording (which BTW: I discovered that these date back to December 2019 - - sheesh!), Mike put me on to the wonderful Coach Kara Lawson, who has just about done it all in the game of basketball, as both a player and coach. But in particular, as we were discussing CSCO priorities, as well as what boardrooms STILL get wrong about supply chain management: one of the things that Mike shared was "you gotta go find the 3 minute clip of Coach Lawson talking about how to 'handle hard better'".

So I did. And I was richly rewarded with common sense, practical & inspirational perspective that applies to basketball & just about anything else in this journey, including supply chain. As you see here, Coach Lawson essentially encourages her players not just to "get through" tough times - - but to get better THROUGH tough times, so that they can not just handle the even TOUGHER times coming up next - - but continue to thrive and aim for what's next.

Hmmm. Supply chain folks can feel that in their bones! 2025 gave organizations plenty of ways to find that next gear, as they grinded through all sorts of challenges.

And then 2026 hit, with some even tougher challenges - - just like Coach Lawson says it happens in life.

Folks, give this wonderful coaching moment - - "coach 'em up" moment - - a view. I hope you have a Coach Lawson in your corner; we all do! But this clip is some of the best Good News I've seen this week. With lots of universal truths, on time and in full.

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

Wednesday morning rundown...let's dive in:

I was in my local Kroger last night (for the 7th time this week already). And I noticed that they had shut down 1 of the 2 self-check out areas...and customers were lining up at 830pm ET to check out. No bueno.

So I called in to the store on my way home, to inquire. I must say: I didn't expect to have a positive, consequential conversation. But Colette answered the phone, as the supervisor on duty. And she patiently (and thoroughly) walked me through a wide range of factors, including how the nice flash of early spring weather here in Kroger happens to change consumer shopping behaviors, shifting some of the volume - - and they are still attempting to staff appropriately. That was just one of 12 factors she shared with me. And a disappointing one: customers are yelling at Colette and her staff regularly, as they attempt to shift with the patterns while balancing other constraints.

I hung up impressed AND with a newfound commitment to PTK every day (patience, tolerance, kindness). Maybe you will too?

On to other things:

- - Seen in the WSJ Logistics Report this morning: "Diesel prices for U.S. truckers rose by a record 25% this past week, an ominous sign for retailers and manufacturers juggling tariffs and bracing for higher shipping costs as the Iran war continues." Also, no bueno.

- - Speaking of tariffs, this potential refund matter is such a mess. Oh my, all the litigation will be a hourly fee/retainer bonanza! As you may know, one of my favs is Costco, who has found themselves front and center in the tariff fiasco. Reported by Supply Chain Dive,  Costco CEO Ron Vachris said last week: "As we’ve done in the past, when legal challenges have recovered charges ... our commitment will be to find the best way to return this value to our members through lower prices and better values. We’ll be transparent in how we plan to do this, if and when we receive any refunds.” I'd like my refund in hot dogs & pizza (no, no, my diet won't allow it).

- - Yesterday, I spent time with a brilliant duo: Akhilesh Agarwal & William McNeill with apexanalytix (@apexanalytix) . They have recently released a terrific whitepaper entitled: "The Quantum Paradox: Separating Hype From Reality for Supply Chain Leaders". Amongst many other things, learned a new acronym (that you should too): HNDL aka "harvest now, decrypt later". Folks, we are approaching a radical new era with quantum computing. Steps must be taken NOW. See the link here (and podcast drops soon on Supply Chain Now): https://t.co/BNlSKmHg99

- - Mark your calendars, National Supply Chain Day® is April 29th. And our SCN team is excited to include new awards this year, recognizing some of the most incredible leaders in global industry. One of my favs is the "Do Good, Give Forward, Be the Change" Award for those leaders out there going the 2nd (and 3rd mile) to serve others in a meaningful fashion. Come join us folks. Link: https://t.co/iWo1Ck2M7m

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

This is one of my favorite times of the year: early spring in Georgia. Other than the pollen, it is just absolutely beautiful. PLUS: we're getting close to two wonderful seasons: baseball AND farmers market.

Folks that know me know that I love a good farmers market. Not only for the quality of foods, the fellowship and all - but the opportunity to support small businesses. Even better yet, we have live music at our regular farmers market near where we live.

As Briscoe Darling on The Andy Griffith Show once shared: "If you have time to breath, you have time for music."

The band pictured here shows up several times every season. And as best I can tell: some of them have been playing together for a long time. And every once in a while, they bring in a newcomer. You've got guitars, fiddles, harmonica, banjo, mandolin...and even a "saw player". (I don't know what you call that).

But no matter who's in or who's out on any given Saturday: it seems to always all come together to produce a memorable morning. And I don't ruin those mornings for folks by trying to sing!

You know where I'm going: there's such a perfect supply chain analogy here. There are so many talented folks from all walks of life and expertise, that come together to make things happen. Every day. For all of us consumers out there. Our supply chain professionals are often overlooked and underappreciated, but that doesn't stop them from showing up and delivering.

It is largely due to this massive army of talented, global professionals that gave Mary Kate Love the idea to create National Supply Chain Day® a few years back. And we've been investing in this day, on April 29th, for years. We invite you to join us at 12 noon ET on 4/29, to celebrate this beautiful global industry, especially the people that make it all happen.

Learn more: https://t.co/JezThNxtiU

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

I get a ton of inbound pitches. I bet many of you do too. Folks trying to make it happen. Hey, most of what happens in global business all starts with a closed sale & I respect the hustle. I must say, I get a chuckle out of my inbox every once in a while: from the person that wants to move my non-existent containers to new automation for my non-existent factory floor. Even had someone offer to help me make podcasts. Okay, I'll never be able to dunk a basketball or run a 7 minute mile in this journey of mine, but I THINK I've got the podcast thing down. 😀

But it's the little things in life. And Emily here sent me the first poem I've ever gotten in an inbound note. It was a unique "pattern interrupt" & I replied back, admiring her iambic pentameter & wit, while politely sharing that we weren't a good prospect for her.

And it reminded me for the 1 millionth time, that a "no" is almost as good as a "yes". No one wants to waste time...and clarity is a blessing. I'd rather Emily spend her valuable time on someone that is likely to say YES! It may sound counterintuitive, but getting a big fat NO can be some of the best Good News you'll get all week.

A few other items to share:

👉 Loved reconnecting with @jennyfroome & friends this week, as we shared all about the wonderful Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards (@_ASCEA). Entries close 4/26 - see link below in comments.

👉 Interviewed quite a duo in Dr. Raymon Krishnan & Brett Marshall, who are doing big things with the LogiSYM organization. Love how they empower professional development & networking, while fostering action-oriented leadership for moving global supply chain forward.

👉 My oldest daughter got her first real pay check this week - - she was a big disappointed: "Why do I have to pay all these taxes?!?"

👉 I'll be with the project44 team & friends at their Decision44 event in April in Chicago, a premier global event where technology, data, and execution come together to redefine what’s possible for your business. See link below. I enjoyed interviewing Jett McCandless at Gartner last year - - and look forward to reconnecting soon.

👉 On "The Buzz" on Monday, I'm joined by the brilliant Karen Betancourt, as we talk about a wide variety of news and developments. Plus, we'll be joined by Tracey Hyatt Bosman, CEcD, CRE®, CSSC for an informative manufacturing industry update. Link below.

👉 MODEX will be here soon, hosted by @poweredbymhi. I look forward to interviewing lots of movers & shakers on Podcast Row, near our neighbors Kevin Lawton, CLTD and Ralph Henderson. They are expecting close to 40,000 attendees this year. Link below (free to attend!)

👉 Big news: the one & only Billy Ray Taylor is keynoting our annual National Supply Chain Day® event on 4/29. Come join us - link below.

👉 Special "With That Said" coming up this weekend, as Mary Kate Love, Katherine Hintz, MBA and Amanda Luton all share intriguing perspective on Women's History Month (and more). Link below.

[Jo Peterson @cleartechtoday]

📌 Security is not failing because teams don’t care. It’s failing because we keep solving new problems with the same reflex: buy another tool, absorb another alert stream, and call it progress.

In this episode of ClearTech Loop, I sat down with Jen Waltz to talk about how generative AI can break that pattern—by shifting security from tool management to strategic outcomes.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://t.co/V4Wv3uL749

📬 Stay in the Loop. Subscribe for new episodes: https://t.co/pQP1sp2Kux

#AISecurity| #AIOps| #AIArchitecture

[Supply Chain Now @_supplychainnow]

Why do AI projects fail on the factory floor?

🎧 @ScottwLuton & guest host Wiley Jones of @Doss_hq sit down with Garuth Acharya of 8090 Industries to talk clean data, operating discipline, & building AI that actually delivers value.

▶️ Catch the replay: https://t.co/yfAAwLuu2S

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

200+ mph cars. Millisecond decisions. Zero room for dropped connections.

Love the story (and business lesson) here.

Perhaps the only thing moving faster than current business velocity is McLaren Racing. Meanwhile, I still drive just 55.

T-Mobile for Business Partner

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

Congrats to all of my friends & network colleagues that are Indiana Hoosiers alums and fans, especially good ol' Jeff Smith.

NO ONE saw this 16-0 championship season coming from Indiana, except maybe Coach Curt Cignetti and a handful of his team members. I think I read that they are the first, "first time" national championship winner in almost 30 years. And I think their dominant year is a perfect illustration of how the landscape in college football has completely changed...in fact, many of us are waiting for it to actually settle!

Nevertheless, after the natty-clinching win against a terrific Miami Hurricanes team, I appreciated Coach Cignetti's perspective - - especially this quote here:

"People can cling to an old way of thinking, categorizing teams as this or that or conferences as this or that, or they can adjust to the new world, the shift in the power dynamic in college football today."

While I think it's very true with respect to football, of course I see a terrific supply chain leadership lesson there. Because global supply chain's landscape has changed just a wee bit in recent years, huh?

For supply chain leaders, clinging to old ways of doing things can be quite the liability. Many playbooks that once optimized cost, efficiency, and predictability were built for a world that moved slower, shared fewer data signals, and faced far less systemic risk.

Today’s environment demands leaders who can unlearn as fast as they learn, who question long-held assumptions about sourcing, inventory, technology & workforces, and who are willing to redesign processes before disruption forces their hand. The leaders who thrive are those who treat change not as a temporary phase, but as a permanent operating condition: continually experimenting, listening to new signals, and helping to transform their organizations to develop a real superpower: the ability to turn volatility into a competitive advantage rather than a recurring shock.

Looking for actionable insights & perspective from industry leaders that are doing just that? Tune into our discussions at Supply Chain Now - - check out a few upcoming events in the comments below.

And big congrats to Coach Cignetti & Indiana Hoosiers nation. What a story!

#supplychain #leadership

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

We regularly share our scheduled live programming on Supply Chain Now here: https://t.co/2d8u2spFro

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

Building AI-Ready Operations in Advanced Manufacturing https://t.co/QKzIcuR9ZB

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

The Buzz for January 19th https://t.co/62bjvAugGP

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

Big news this morning, as Artemis II has begun its slow trek out from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The entire Artemis campaign, powered by the extraordinary Space Launch System, presents an exciting new chapter in the New Space Race. For perspective, I think it's interesting to see how the SLS sizes up next to the legendary Saturn V - - and Starship too.

As @ImpulsoSpace reports:

"The SLS is a Space Shuttle-derived launch vehicle — meaning it has been built with already developed components of the Space Shuttle program — and it is designed with the collaboration of a lot of companies:

- - Boeing designed the Core stage with its 64.4 meters height.

- - The four core engines are contracted by Aerojet Rocketdyne: the fuel and oxidizer for these are LH2 and LOX, respectively.

- - Northrop Grumman built the two solid boosters, with five propellant segments of Polybutadiene acrylonitrile (PBAN).

- - The Upper Stage, called ICPS, Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, was designed by United Launch Alliance (ULA)."

Artemis II is set to launch as early as February, and it's successful mission will mark the first time humans have traveled to and orbited the Moon since the Apollo era ended in 1972. The current plans have Artemis III returning humans to the lunar surface; followed by Artemis IV, where we'll establish a lunar base.

On that exciting note: space supply chain management is poised for dramatic growth and transformation as humanity pushes beyond Earth toward sustained lunar and, eventually, Martian presence. I'm an optimist! Although, the latter probably won't happen in my lifetime...but who knows, with the ever-increasing velocity of innovation.

With the potential establishment of a lunar base, traditional terrestrial logistics paradigms will be reimagined to support ultra-long-distance transport and delivery across vast spatial gaps. Emerging technologies (autonomous spacecraft, orbital refueling depots, reusable landers, and AI-driven orchestration platforms, etc) will be critical in minimizing risk, cost, and lead time, while leveraging lunar resources to produce fuel, water, and construction materials. Talk about inventory strategy challenges (and last mile 😀 )

It will be interesting to see where the convergence of commercial innovation, government investment, and global partnerships take us all...and how it will accelerate a new frontier of supply chain management; at least in this part of the Milky Way.

@_supplychainnow @Kevin_Jackson

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

Today marks an exciting milestone and an extraordinary new chapter for Supply Chain Now. I’m very proud to share that Mary Kate Love has been promoted to President of our organization, effective January 1, 2026.

Mary Kate has been a driving force behind our growth & success: helping expand our audience to more than 1 million supply chain professionals, strengthening our partnerships, developing new products, and sharpening our focus on delivering real value for both practitioners and brands. Mary Kate's leadership, along with our team's brilliant contributions, helped create our most successful year yet in 2025 at Supply Chain Now.

Equally as important, we’re entering 2026 supported by an exceptional advisory bench - - leaders that have moved mountains and driven innovation in supply chain & digital media. Visionary business leaders that have truly helped shape the industry: Enrique Alvarez, Jake Barr, Karin Bursa and Jason Hoch.

Combined with Amanda Luton & Katherine Hintz, MBA (production and sales leaders at SCN, respectively), this extraordinary team positions Supply Chain Now for more meaningful, purpose-driven growth in 2026, scaling what works while staying true to our mission: amplifying real supply chain voices through authentic, practitioner-led conversations.

And doing a lot more good; being a lot more change; and giving a lot more forward. Stay tuned, because we've got a few more things up our sleeve.

Excited for what’s ahead. 🚀

Follow us at @_supplychainnow .

More details:
https://t.co/6eLyu6F6cX

[Scott W. Luton @ScottWLuton]

The future of energy is changing fast — and @SchneiderElec is leading the way.

I just returned from Innovation Summit North America 2025, hosted in Las Vegas, where 2,500+ leaders gathered to tackle skyrocketing energy demand, AI-driven power consumption, and the urgent need to modernize our grid.

In this new video, Ishare my top takeaways — the why, the what, and the so what — including:

- - How AI is driving massive new energy need

- - Schneider Electric’s breakthroughs in electrification, automation & digital intelligence

- - Why energy efficiency is quickly becoming much more than a competitive advantage

Watch the recap to see why Schneider Electric is the trusted energy technology partner shaping the future. See link in comments below.

[Rob Tiffany @RobTiffany]

Episode Special Edition: “IoT Stars North America 2025”
#IoT Coffee Talk🎙️SE #TechNews about #Digital #CyberSecurity #DigitalTwins #Edge #Cloud #5G #AI #Data #Telecom #IT #Mobile & #Sustainability

Grab a cup and settle-in with some of the https://t.co/nltEhQmqZD

[Evan Kirstel #B2B #TechFluencer @EvanKirstel]

Artificial intelligence research has a slop problem, academics say: ‘It’s a mess’ - The Guardian https://t.co/m19JDDRylP