Cybersecurity is no longer a side issue for supply chains.

As global logistics becomes more connected and digitally dependent, protecting data and operations from cyber threats has become mission critical.

In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Caleb Mattingly, CEO of Secure Cloud Innovations, to unpack the evolving risks facing logistics networks. From compliance pressures to insider threats and even the vulnerabilities hidden in everyday devices, Caleb shares what leaders need to know to keep their supply chains resilient in an era of constant digital risk.

In this episode:

• Why logistics is becoming a prime target for cyber attacks
• The role of compliance frameworks and insurance in building resilience
• How companies can protect data while expanding automation and connectivity

The bottleneck isn’t the problem. The problem is building a system where that bottleneck shouldn’t exist in the first place.
In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Brent Hagan, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob, to unpack how teams can reach Amazon-level speed without locking themselves into Amazon-level infrastructure. They break down why “postage is a pass through” is a costly myth, how zone-based pricing changes the game for direct mail, and why shrinking a partner network can actually raise quality at scale.

In this episode:

• The shift from optimizing tasks to designing for outcomes
• How to deliver faster by routing with software instead of adding fixed assets
• What zone-based pricing and the postage myth mean for budgets and ROI

The warehouse labor gap isn’t going away.

Turnover is high, workers are hard to find, and the demand for faster fulfillment keeps climbing. Robotics and AI aren’t just about efficiency anymore—they’re reshaping how companies keep people safe, engaged, and focused on the work that matters.

In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Dr. Jan Zizka, CEO of Brightpick, to explore how automation is transforming the warehouse floor. From reducing injury risk to opening up new career paths in robotics, Jan shares how technology is helping facilities build resilience in the face of ongoing labor shortages.

In this episode:

• Why warehouses face growing labor shortages and turnover challenges
• How Brightpick’s automation makes work safer and more sustainable
• The new roles emerging as humans and robots collaborate inside facilities

Your tech is not the problem. The quiet misalignment between execs, IT, and the warehouse is what sinks ERP, MES, and AI projects.

Ellen Wood sits down with Chris Carter, a four-time best-selling author and one of America’s top 10 industry influencers, to unpack how small communication misses become million-dollar delays. They share real stories from SAP and WMS programs where leaders pushed ahead without alignment, plus the fixes that keep strategy and shop-floor reality connected.

In this episode:

• The misalignment patterns that break ERP and MES rollouts, including siloed goals, shadow changes, and skipped data prerequisites for SAP upgrades
• A simple communication and governance playbook that aligns the C-suite, IT, and warehouse voices, plus why you should never outsource testing to your implementer
• A real ECC readiness check that halted a doomed migration and what that story teaches about decision rights, meeting rhythms, and field-first feedback

In today’s fractured trade environment, agility can’t come at the cost of reliability. When tariffs shift overnight, supplier networks change fast. Procurement leaders need more than spreadsheets and site visits to keep up. Building trust at scale is no longer just a compliance challenge—it is a growth strategy.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Sid Malladi, CEO and Founder of Nuvo, about how supply chain teams are using digital identity, data-rich profiles, and verified risk signals to build trust with new suppliers faster, without sacrificing rigor. Sid explains how platforms like Nuvo are collapsing weeks of vetting into minutes, giving teams a competitive edge when speed, clarity, and credibility are essential.

In this episode:

• How procurement pros are using digital trust to unlock new markets
• Why traditional supplier onboarding is slowing down global sourcing
• What a “trust profile” means and how it travels across borders
• How real-time risk data turns volatility into strategic advantage

Workplace injuries cost U.S. companies over $160 billion a year - and much of that risk hides in plain sight. Traditional safety programs rely on after-the-fact reporting and limited oversight, leaving logistics teams reactive rather than proactive.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Jack Braniff of Voxel AI about how logistics and warehouse operators are using computer vision and existing security camera infrastructure to spot risks in real time. Jack shares how Voxel's platform helps teams flag unsafe behavior, coach smarter, and redesign processes to prevent injuries before they happen—all without invading worker privacy.

In this episode:

• How Voxel AI turns video into real-time risk alerts
• Why ergonomic risk is often an invisible threat
• The safety ROI of smarter, faster interventions
• How data-led coaching improves operations and morale

Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) have long been treated as an afterthought in supply chain strategy—fragmented, underfunded, and largely invisible to executive planning. But ignoring MRO means leaving millions on the table and risking critical breakdowns across procurement, inventory, and execution.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Paul Noble, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder of Verusen, about how smarter MRO data and AI-led insights are helping leading companies modernize this overlooked domain. Paul explains how Verusen’s purpose-built platform helps teams trust dirty data, align siloed departments, and transform reactive MRO practices into a strategic advantage. He also shares what it takes to implement change across legacy systems—and why the key to better supply chains might be hiding in your storeroom.

In this episode:
- Why disconnected MRO systems cost more than you think
- How AI can drive immediate value—even with messy data
- What strategic sourcing looks like when signals are trusted
- The organizational shift required to align maintenance, procurement, and supply chain execution

Disruption is now a constant in freight and logistics. From shifting trade policies to strained infrastructure and rising security threats, supply chains face pressure on all sides. The companies that stay ahead are the ones using real-time data to stay flexible, responsive, and resilient.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Maneet Singh, Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Odyssey Logistics, about how a strong data foundation is transforming the way freight moves. Maneet breaks down Odyssey’s approach to predictive analytics, AI-powered planning, and integrated platforms that drive speed, sustainability, and better decision-making across the board.

In this episode:

• How real-time visibility creates true freight agility
• The role of structured data in AI success
• Why integration is the key to operational speed
• How Odyssey uses data to cut emissions and boost resilience

Labor shortages, high turnover, and outdated training methods are holding back warehouse and distribution center performance across the supply chain. As logistics operations grow more complex, many teams still rely on static SOPs and outdated LMS systems, leaving managers unequipped to coach and retain their teams effectively.

This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Tim Regnier, CEO and Founder of Smart Access, about a smarter approach to frontline coaching. Tim shares how real-time feedback, behavior-based insights, and modern coaching tools are helping logistics teams close skill gaps, improve safety, and build stronger, more resilient operations.

In this episode:

• Why training alone won’t fix execution gaps
• How Smart Access cut ramp time by 64%
• What real frontline visibility looks like
• The key to keeping warehouse teams engaged

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, to explore how real-time retail feedback is changing the game for supply chain and logistics teams. Joel shares how Alloy’s platform helps CPG brands integrate messy retailer data, spot early demand spikes, and generate prescriptive recommendations that drive both revenue and resilience. He also unpacks the critical role of clean data, agile infrastructure, and change-ready culture in unlocking next-level forecasting and replenishment.In this episode:

• What’s broken in traditional forecasting and inventory planning
• Why retail feedback is the most valuable signal CPGs aren’t using
• How real-time visibility helps avoid lost sales and stockouts
• The mindset shift required to move from static plans to responsive supply chains

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 Industrial AI at RoviSys, about the deeper challenges of implementing AI in industrial operations. Bryan shares insights from more than two decades in the field, offering a practical look at what it takes to move from isolated pilots to scalable, long-term solutions. He also explores how autonomous AI is beginning to reshape the future of manufacturing and why the human element still matters most.

In this episode

• Why industrial supply chains struggle to scale AI successfully
• The role of data maturity, training, and expert knowledge transfer
• How AI can drive both operational excellence and sustainability
• Why autonomous AI is the next leap for manufacturing leaders

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 Business at American University. Together, they dig into the mindset shift needed to build resilient supply chains, the overlooked risks hiding in legacy systems, and why logistics leaders must rethink everything from talent to technology.

In this episode:

• What’s really driving repeated breakdowns in global supply chains
• The case for total landed risk over total landed cost
• How cross-functional strategy builds adaptability
• The talent gap no one’s talking about but everyone’s feeling

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 companies are reengineering supply chains for speed, resilience, and profitability. Adam shares lessons learned from scaling Bottlekeeper to millions in sales with no employees and explores why solving operational challenges with automation—not headcount—is key to thriving in today’s volatile landscape.

In this episode:

• Why startups are winning the speed race in supply chain and logistics
• The hidden risks of solving supply chain problems by adding headcount
• How better financial visibility transforms supply chain decision-making

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 Condon, CEO and Founder of Aircon, to explore the growing power of cargo pooling and digital platforms in transforming airfreight operations. Chris shares how Aircon’s platform leverages AI to optimize quoting, booking, and routing—helping logistics teams move faster, adapt in real time, and win bigger in a high-stakes freight market. With real-world success stories and a glimpse into where the industry is headed, this episode reveals how the right tech can turn freight into a strategic edge.

Join us as we discuss:

• How AI-enabled cargo pooling drives down costs and boosts speed
• The platform tools helping small forwarders compete at enterprise scale
• Why shared gateways are becoming a freight game-changer
• How Aircon helps teams stay agile and operational during major disruptions

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 Solution Architect) from Westernacher Consulting to explore how SAP Signavio is being used to support end-to-end warehouse optimization.

They walk through the full lifecycle of an EWM implementation—from early project phases to post-go-live assessments—highlighting how process mining, modeling, and insights from Signavio can support better decision-making. The conversation also covers real-world challenges around data quality, system complexity, and cross-team collaboration.

Discussed in this episode:

• The difference between Signavio’s Process Insights and Process Intelligence modules
• Applying process mining during key project phases like Discover, Prepare, and Explore
• What a “Warehouse Health Check” involves—and when it’s worth doing
• Technical hurdles tied to legacy systems and slow data extraction

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 sits down with leaders, consultants, and changemakers from Miebach to discuss their journeys as women in supply chain. From overcoming bias to advocating for workplace equity, they share firsthand experiences, pivotal career moments, and the progress they’ve witnessed. We also explore how mentorship, company policies, and male allyship can help create lasting change.

Discussed in this episode:

• Breaking stereotypes and navigating gender bias in logistics
• How companies can foster inclusivity and support women in leadership
• Advice for the next generation of women in supply chain

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 pressing challenges facing warehouses and distribution operations, and how these challenges extend beyond the industry. Lee explains how AI can optimize labor efficiency with real-time operational planning and gamification, offering practical solutions that reduce costs, enhance accuracy, and boost employee engagement. The conversation also highlights successful AI implementations that not only improved operations but also contributed to sustainability goals.

In this Episode:

• How Labor AI’s gamification features can optimize workforce efficiency
• Moving beyond the average aiming metrics set by traditional WMS systems to improve overall operations
• Leveraging AI for sustainability efforts, including opportunities for ESG grants
• Learn how to connect with LaborAI and Miebach at ProMat

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 become a featured guest. This is your opportunity for professional exposure to thousands of supply chain leaders and decision-makers.

Get involved by contacting Ellen at podcast@miebach.com!

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 Technology (CET) is revolutionizing system design. By streamlining the process and making it accessible to all team members, CET enables engineers, operators, and other stakeholders to collaborate effortlessly from concept to completion.

Join us as we discuss:

• Centering people in the visual design process from start to finish
• Reducing risks and technical errors through real-time visual engineering
• Supporting sustainable decision-making with smarter, greener solutions

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 continuous improvement in unlocking real ROI.

From boosting supply chain visibility to navigating disruptions and meeting the ever-growing demand for fast, reliable, and sustainable deliveries, this episode highlights the challenges and opportunities driving the future of logistics.

We also discuss:

• Why true transformation means redesigning operations with AI, not just upgrading systems.
• How to unlock ROI with readiness, leadership, and continuous improvement.
• Using data visibility and platforms to meet regulatory and consumer demands.