Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Guest: Mark Burstein of Inspectorio on fallout from new Canadian tariffs; Taking the temperature of the logistics industry; New investments boost manufacturing

Our guest on this week's episode is Mark Burstein, senior vice president of Americas at Inspectorio. Canada and the United States are battling again over tariffs following the announcement that the U.S. would be placing tariffs of as much as 50% on certain Canadian goods. Canada, of course, countered by applying tariffs of its own on American goods. So, what all does this tariff squabble mean for trade and supply chains? Our guest shares his insights with Senior Editor Ben Ames. Economic growth in logistics slowed for a second straight month in August, marked by cooling inventory levels and rising cost pressures. This is according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, which was released this week. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham breaks down the report and what it means for supply chains. She also shares new FarEye research on last-mile delivery trends. Manufacturing is getting a boost, as several significant investments are increasing U.S. manufacturing capacity. Ben Ames reports on a couple of billion-dollar-plus projects, including a plant for GE Appliances in Kentucky and a facility in Pennsylvania that Chobani hopes to convert to manufacture new dairy products beyond its core yogurt categories. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Inspectorio Logistics growth slowed in August Report: Rising costs plague the last mile Chobani to adapt PA factory to dairy food production in $1.2-billion plan GE Appliances to expand Kentucky washer and dryer factory in $1-billion plan Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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Guest: Tucker Perkins of the Propane Education & Research Council on powering forklifts; Who pays the price for supply chain shocks?; Changing ocean freight patterns

Our guest on this week's episode is Tucker Perkins, President and CEO of the Propane Education & Reseach Council (PERC). Propane has been used for decades as a consistent source of powering industrial trucks, such as the forklifts and other equipment used in distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, ports, transportation yards, and other places in the logistics world. DC Velocity Group Editorial Director David Maloney talks with our guest about the many uses for propane for powering equipment. They also discuss how propane's dominance as a power source is being challenged by new battery technologies. The consumer economy has been pretty resilient in the face of all the economic ups and downs of the past few years, but a new report shows that consumers are likely to bear the brunt of the supply chain disruptions. This report from London-based researcher BSI surveyed supply chain risk management professionals and found that more than a third of businesses are planning to increase prices to offset costs in the next six months. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham shares the details of the research. We’ve talked a lot in recent months about how ocean freight is being impacted by geopolitical forces and regional violence, that have forced changes in how containers move around the globe. But now we’re seeing disruption from a completely different source, which is the extreme weather. Heat waves in Europe have caused the Rhine and Danube rivers to shallow up, meaning less cargo can be transported on the rivers. A drought in Panama has also lowered the depth of the canal. That means that cargo ships moving through the canal have to carry less so that they do not bottom out. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) Supply chain shocks to hit consumers Extreme weather cramps logistics flows in Europe and China Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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Guest: Marc Held, CEO of Hoptek, on today’s biggest freight challenges, Eliminating excess packaging; Rising robotic use

Our guest on this week's episode is Marc Held, CEO of Hoptek. While it appears that the freight recession that the industry has endured the past couple of years might be ending, yet other challenges remain in a very competitive market with still lots of uncertainty. How do shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers meet today’s biggest freight challenges? Senior Editor Victoria Kickham finds out with today’s guest. If you’ve ever received a home delivery package of an e-commerce order and pulled out a tiny little object from a large pile of styrofoam packing peanuts, then some new rules coming online in different regions may be able to help reduce that waste. This week, new regulation in the European Union came online, called PPWR, for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Senior News Editor Ben Ames reports on these new regulations and another initiative in California designed to reduce excess materials used in packaging. Demand for robotics continues to rise, and that demand is broadening to reach a wider range of industries. This is according to information from the Association for Advancing Automation, or A3, which released second-quarter data on robot orders earlier this month. Victoria Kickham presents some highlights from the report. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Hoptek European Union activates sustainable packaging rules Second quarter robot orders grew as automation demand broadens Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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Guest: Abdil Tunca of Gartner on new restrictions for importing robots; Recognizing elite truck drivers; Hedging supply chain uncertainty

Our guest on this week's episode is Abdil Tunca, a Senior Principal Analyst in the Logistics and Customer Fulfillment team in Gartner's Supply Chain practice. The U.S. government through the FCC recently issued new restrictions on robots imported from other countries. This includes the kinds of robots widely used in warehouses and distribution centers. But what are the intentions behind these new restrictions? To find out, Senior News Editor Ben Ames welcomes this week’s guest to discuss why it was done and the impacts of this decision on supply chains and future robotic deployments. Most of our nation’s truck drivers take great pride in their work – and sometimes they are even recognized for their driving skills. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports on an annual competition that determines the best of the best when it comes to operating our nation’s trucks. the uncertainty our supply chains have experienced this year is now being reflected in other ways of the business world as many companies have been buying insurance for supply chain impacts. That's according to GlobalData, a London-based research firm. They found that supply chain insurance will see twice the increased demand of insurance for other disruption categories such as cyber, business interruption, marine, and political risk. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Gartner’s Supply Chain Practice Elite truck drivers compete for top honors in Pittsburgh Global instability drives demand for supply chain insurance Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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Guest: Jo Marini of Mothership Materials on using agricultural waste for new products; The latest health of the logistics industry; Expanding manufacturing capacity of forklifts

Our guest on this week's episode is Jo Marini, CEO of Mothership Materials. Many companies have struggled with how to produce products that are well-made and also friendly to our environment. That is where a company like Mothership Materials comes in. This company takes agricultural waste and turns it into fibers and materials for manufacturing new products. Susan Lacefield of Supply Chain Xchange and DC Velocity talks to Jo Marini, the founder and CEO of Mothership Materials, about her transformative company. Here is their conversation. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports that business activity in logistics slowed in July, driven by a variety of factors, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index report. The index fell to 68.9; that’s down from June’s reading of 71.1, which was the LMI’s fastest rate of expansion in about four years. The cooling we saw in July reflects an inventory pullback among retailers who had stocked up in May and June due to tariff uncertainty and the impending expiration of temporary tariffs at the end of the month. Essentially, companies built up inventory earlier in the cycle to prepare for the coming holiday peak season. Senior News Editor Ben Ames was on the road this week for the grand opening of Toyota Material Handling North America’s new forklift manufacturing facility. This new factory is in Columbus, Indiana and is almost 300,000 square feet in size. Following a ramp up through September, the new factory will produce 24 lift trucks per day. It will manufacture only electric powered forklifts, specifically a standup counterbalanced forklift. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Mothership Materials LMI Report: The logistics industry growth slowed in July Toyota opens new forklift plant in Indiana Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Guest: Maxime Darmet of Allianz Trade on new tariffs; Taking to the skies; Finding the right fit

Our guest on this week's episode is Maxime Darmet, senior economist at Allianz Trade. One week ago here in the U.S., we saw former trade tariffs expiring and a host of new tariffs being slapped on most of our trading partners. These new tariffs are attempting to tie these countries to not doing enough to prevent forced labor in the production of their products, though those allegations are extremely hard to prove. Our guest shares about these new tariffs, their impacts to our supply chains, and he compares them to previous tariffs. We also look at how business margins have been affected by the various tariffs of the past year and a half. We cover a lot of cool technology for logistics and one of the most space-age is the idea of delivering parcels with flying autonomous drones. This week, we saw two new advances in drone delivery. One for small items and one for large items. More warehouses are implementing automated packaging solutions these days—and as they do, they are demanding a higher level of collaboration with equipment vendors. The trend reflects a growing demand for automated packaging systems that easily integrate with existing warehouse automation systems—and that signals a shift in the way many vendors are approaching the market. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Allianz Trade Army drone delivers cargo in autonomous demo Federal regulators approve DoorDash plan for drone delivery Finding the right fit Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

A national robotics strategy; Rising grocery prices; A data health check

Our guest on this week's episode is Zach Tomkinson, chief commercial officer at Standard Bots. The U.S. government has been wrestling with a developing a national strategy for artificial intelligence – but another area that could use a similar strategy is in the area of robotics. Could such a strategy promote domestic robot manufacturing and help the U.S. win the automation race? To find out, Senior Editor Victoria Kickham welcomes today’s guest. The U.S. war with Iran has now been running since February, which is nearly five months. And from a global supply chain point of view, one of the most durable impacts of the violence has been the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic, mostly affecting oil tankers. Of course, oil is crucial for logistics, whatever part of the world you live in. And we’re now beginning to see the impact of that change on Americans’ pocketbooks at home, specifically in the grocery aisle. Senior News Editor Ben Ames reports on the impacts that geopolitical tensions are having on what Americans place in their shopping carts. New research shows that 25% of businesses have suffered a cyber incident that originated in their supply chain over the past year. This is despite those organizations being highly aware of the risk facing them: nearly half (48%) said they have continued working with suppliers despite known resilience or security concerns. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham share these results that were compiled in a report out of the United Kingdom called Data Health Check 2026. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Standard Bots U.S. grocery sales slow down as stretched consumers buy less High grocery prices trigger changes in food shopping Supply chain resilience remains a critical pain point, UK report shows Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Curtis Spencer of Bloodhound Tracking Device on the rise of cargo thefts; The impacts high fuel prices have on trucking; Effective supply chain planning

Our guest on this week's episode is Curtis Spencer, CEO of Bloodhound Tracking Device and also CEO of ISM Worldwide. We have been reporting for a couple of years now about the ongoing problem of cargo theft in our supply chains. But now we find that criminals are using artificial intelligence to make their fraudulent schemes even more believable than ever. Our guest talks with Group Editorial Director David Maloney about the problems of cargo theft and what shippers and carriers can do to secure their loads. The big story for supply chains this week continues to be the ongoing disruptions caused by the war with Iran and the closure once again of the Strait of Hormuz. It seems that after nearly five months of back-and-forth airstrikes, things are not getting any better, with fuel prices on the rise once more. Those higher costs makes it more expensive for shippers to buy truckload, less-than-truckload, and parcel freight services. Senior News Editor Ben Ames has the breakdown of how higher prices are impacting costs for shippers using each of those modes. This week new research from advisory firm Gartner points to the growing demand for flexible supply chain network planning. The company found that 72% of the 151 supply chain leaders they surveyed have had to revisit final approvals for network investment decisions at least once—a process that contributes to delays and can drive up costs and decrease service levels in their supply chain operations. More than half also said they revisited those decisions three or more times, leading to lower satisfaction in the final outcome. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham share how the report breaks down the differences between two types of operational challenges: turbulence and disruption. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Bloodhound Tracking Device Oil price shocks ripple through trucking shipping markets Research highlights the need for flexible supply chain network planning Ocean freight early peak season pushes container rates higher Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Guest: Victor Thomas of Odyssey Logistics on coming Scope 3 requirements; The trucking industry grapples with artificial intelligence; Peak season comes early in 2026

Our guest on this week's episode is Victor Thomas, VP of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment at Odyssey Logistics. For some time now, companies have measured the environmental impacts of their operations. Soon, new requirements will kick in that will also require them to report not only on their own environmental impacts but also those of their supply chain partners. Senior News Editor Ben Ames has more as he talks with this week’s guest. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham was on the road last week at the SMC3 Connections trucking event where she lead a couple of sessions and heard a lot about the hot tech that everyone is trying to figure out - artificial intelligence. She reports on how the industry is grappling with this new technology. We all know that Christmas and the winter holiday season come in late December for consumers. But if you’re a retailer getting ready for the rush, you need to have your shelves stocked long before that, and that means that the logistics peak season actually comes between August and October. But, that’s in normal times - 2026 is different. We’re seeing signs that we’ve already begun an early peak season for container imports. Ben Ames reports. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Odyssey Logistics Artificial intelligence takes center stage at trucking industry conference Peak season arrives early in 2026, challenging global shippers Ocean freight early peak season pushes container rates higher Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Guest: Kathy Fulton of ALAN on disaster response; The market heats up for humanoid robots; Containers lost at sea

Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director at the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). It is officially the beginning of hurricane season – a period where these storms, as well as tornados and other natural disasters, such as this week’s earthquakes in Venezuela, leave behind considerable damage to towns in their wakes. It is during these times that the logistics industry snaps into action to help those in affected areas, as today’s guest discusses with our DC Velocity senior editor, Victoria Kickham. Those of us who grew up in the Jetsons and Star Wars eras have been imagining for a long time the advantages that humanoid robots could bring to everyday tasks. Senior News Editor Ben Ames has been tracking just how rapidly humanoid robotic technologies are now advancing. Hundreds of millions of containers ship worldwide every year and almost all of them make it safely to their destinations. However, there are some containers that do not - as Victoria Kickham reported this week. The number of shipping containers lost at sea more than doubled in 2025, driven by some major maritime accidents as well as severe weather. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: American Logistics Aid Newwork (ALAN) Humanoid robots could drive hot demand for co-bot arms Agility Robotics will go public to boost rollout of humanoid robots Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Guest: Eric Fullerton of project44 on plastic shortages due to oil restrictions; The logistics behind the World Cup; Getting the most from robots and their humans

Our guest on this week's episode is Eric Fullerton, Vice President of Data Insights and Product Marketing at project44. There is now an agreement in place to end the fighting between the United States and Iran – and we hope it will be a lasting peace. But it will be a while before the world gets back to normal and we can recover from the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. And that includes not just the flow of oil, but also products made from petroleum, such as plastics. We may find some products delayed or scarce due to waiting on plastic parts. Our guest joins DC Velocity’s Senior News Editor Ben Ames to explain the situation and to predict how long it will be before these supply chains normalize. For the next month or so the entire world is focusing on North America and the biggest sporting event on the globe – soccer’s World Cup. Putting on such a huge event takes a lot of planning – and lots and lots of logistics support. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports on the people who do the logistics work to make sure that the World Cup comes off without a hitch. We’ve seen a huge explosion of new robotics tools in our supply chain facilities, whether we’re talking about handheld and wearable computers or material handling automation or mobile robots. This week Ben Ames shares a report he saw on how workers can get the most out of those new tools. This was a study from researchers at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. And they found that the best way to combine humans and robots for ideal results in warehouse work is for employees to circulate between working with various co-bot partners, not with a single dedicated robot. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: project44 Logistics workers score big in World Cup prep Research shows that warehouse workers do best when they switch between co-bots Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Guest: Andrei Quinn-Barabanov of Moody’s on inflation risks; Growth drives new demands for cobots; A shift in robotic final mile delivery

Our guest on this week's episode is Andrei Quinn-Barabanov, supply chain practice lead at Moody’s. New inflation reports came out this week showing that last month we reached the highest inflation rates of the past three years. Inflation is even higher when it comes to transportation cost increases. To help us understand how such inflation affects our supply chains, our guest joins DC Velocity’s Senior News Editor Ben Ames. The market outlook for collaborative robots remains strong as the equipment advances to accommodate heavier duty use around the world. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports that new research from Interact Analysis that shipments of these cobots designed to work with and alongside humans are predicted to grow at an average annual rate of more than 17% between 2025 to 2030. Ben Ames reports that this week that a change is coming to robotic last mile fulfillment. Starship Technologies is an Estonian tech startup that makes autonomous, self-driving bots. If you’ve been on any large university campuses in the last few years, you’ve probably seen them driving along pathways and college quads, delivering small items like e-commerce orders for snacks and burritos. But now Starship says they plan to wind down their operations on U.S. university campuses and shift their focus to retail grocery chains and hot food delivery in cities across Europe and the U.S. Ben shares why the company has shifted their strategy. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Moody's Cobot shipments to rise more than 17% by 2030. China maintains market dominance. Starship steers delivery robots off college campuses and toward grocery sector Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Guest: Jim Mozer of Crown and ITA on forklift safety; Venture capital invests in warehouses; Strengthening global disaster response

Our guest on this week's episode is Jim Mozer, Senior Vice President at Crown Equipment Corporation. He is representing the Industrial Truck Association, the industry association for the lift truck industry. This coming Tuesday, the supply chain industry hosts National Forklift Safety Day. Now in its 13th year, this day is set aside annually to remind us of the importance of safe practices when working on and around forklifts. National Forklift Safety Day is sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association. Our guest and DC Velocity Group Editorial Director David Maloney discuss what will take place at Tuesday’s National Forklift Safety Day event in Washington, D.C. The logistics sector has seen a tremendous impact in recent years from venture capital and other investment firms, through mergers and acquisitions, taking private companies public on the stock market, and other strategies. This week Senior News Editor Ben Ames wrote a story about more big money making changes in the industry, but it wasn’t in a sexy area like robotics or drones, it was in good old fashioned warehouses. Earlier this week, German logistics giant DHL Group announced the launch of its DHL Academy of Humanitarian Logistics (DAHL). Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports on this global training initiative designed to give humanitarian organizations and local responders practical logistics knowledge and skills—ultimately allowing them to better prepare for and respond to crises. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Industrial Truck Association (ITA) BKM and Kayne Anderson acquire $1.81 billion of industrial real estate DHL Group launches DHL Academy of Humanitarian Logistics Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Guest: Matt Lekstutis of Efficio on China and world trade; The upbeat forklift market; Automation comes to the high seas

Our guest on this week's episode is Matt Lekstutis, director at Efficio, a supply chain and consulting firm. Two weeks ago, President Trump had an historic meeting with China’s President Xi. It was a highly anticipated gathering, as there was a lot to talk about, including the war against Iran and the ongoing oil constraints. Our guest this week talks with DC Velocity Group Editorial Director David Maloney to unwrap what took place and to discuss international trade and world-wide threats to our supply chains. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports that buyers of forklifts and pallet-handling equipment are upbeat in 2026, with many expecting to increase capital expenditures on those items this year as compared to last year. This information is based on a recent Voice of Market report from London-based research firm Interact Analysis. The researchers surveyed decision-makers involved in the use, selection, and purchase of automation technologies for their facilities globally. We’ve been writing for years about autonomous vehicles, first with AGVs and AMRs in warehouses, there are self-driving forklifts, outdoor delivery robots on sidewalks, increasingly self-driving cars, a small but growing number of self-driving trucks, and some flying drones both indoors and out. But a story that caught the eye of Senior News Editor Ben Ames this week was about autonomous commercial ships. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Officio Report: Market sentiment for forklift and pallet handling tech improves IMO launches safety code to regulate autonomous ships Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Guest Hannah Hurckes of Boss Lady Logistics on fallout from the Supreme Court’s broker decision; Gaining “Momentum” with Agentic AI; A robotics acquisition

Our guest on this week's episode is Hannah Hurckes, Founder and CEO, Boss Lady Logistics. Last week the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on a case that could end up changing the freight industry as we know it, especially the brokerage part of freight movement. Hurckes shares the details and the impacts of this landmark ruling with DC Velocity Senior Editor Victoria Kickham. The buzzword of the season in supply chain software right now is agentic AI. But that technology, and artificial intelligence overall really, is still so new that there are probably more questions than answers about how it will affect each user’s own business processes. This week Senior News Editor Ben Ames traveled to Las Vegas to attend the Manhattan Associates Momentum conference, where much of the discussion focused on some new tools to help users implement agentic AI into their workflows and deal with the “blackbox” problem. Warehouse robotics and automation company Locus Robotics said this week it has acquired Nexera Robotics. Nexera is a Vancouver-based developer of advanced robotic grasping technology. This is a big deal because it will help advance Locus’ newest offering—its Locus Array system--which it released at the MODEX show in April. Victoria Kickham reports. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Boss Lady Logistics Manhattan Associates launches marketplace of AI Agents Manhattan tool explains the why behind agentic AI decisions Blue Yonder launches AI agent testing system Locus Robotics acquires Nexera Robotics Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Guest: Patrick Van den Bossche of Kearney on the 2026 Reshoring Index; Will AI take away jobs? Safety in trucking fleets

Our guest on this week's episode is Patrick Van den Bossche, partner at Kearney, a global management consulting firm. There has been a huge effort in recent years to return manufacturing to the United States, as much of this production has been outsourced to overseas factories for decades. But have these attempts been successful? Van den Bossche is the lead author of new research called the 2026 Reshoring Index Report and offers his insights and findings from the report on whether the current state of reshoring initiatives.. Artificial intelligence has so many up sides that investors are betting big right now on the benefits of the technologies – you can just look at the stock market for evidence of that. But we do hear of the downside of the many jobs AI may eliminate. Ben Ames reports on new research that shows which types of jobs are most vulnerable and the areas of the world that might be most affected (Hint: the U.S. is high on the vulnerablity list). There is a wealth of data in trucking today, much of it derived from the telematics and other advanced technology tools that connect what’s happening in the truck to a company’s broader IT system. Companies can use this vast array of data to improve safety and enhance operations. But while most small and mid-sized fleets claim to be “data rich,” they say they are starved for ways to best use the information they get from all of those tech tools. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Kearney Allianz report: Unemployment rates could be shaken by immigration, Iran War, and AI Fleets struggle to turn safety data into action Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Guest: Omar Qari of Logicbroker on how retailers and brands respond to shifting geopolitical uncertainty; Carton diversity drives sortation designs; China doubles down on robotics

Our guest on this week's episode is Omar Qari, CEO of Logicbroker. Every industry has had to adjust to the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty – the Iran war, high fuel prices, volatile tariff policy – the list goes on. So, how are retailers and brands making the needed adjustments to deal with these shifting trade conditions and uncertain supply availability? Our guest offers his insights with Senior News Editor Ben Ames. Most warehouses have packages of some kind that they need to sort - either inbound cases that have to go to storage or processing areas or goods in outbound packages that have to be sorted to dock doors. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham wrote for this month’s DC Velocity about how the wide diversity of these cartons is driving changes in automated sortation system design. Ben Ames reports that it’s no surprise that robotics technology is taking on a larger role in how supply chains operate. We’ve also seen for some years now that many of the Asia-Pacific nations are leaders in that category, both in building robots and in using them for applications like manufacturing. But we saw a report this week about exactly how China sees that sector developing in coming years. This comes from China’s latest Five-Year Plan, which is China's blueprint for operating its economy. And sure enough, the country said it will continue to place robotics at the heart of its industrial system, along with artificial intelligence. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Logicbroker Sortation Report: Pushing the limits China places AI-powered robots at the center of its five-year plan Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Guest: Lisa Dyer of the GPS Innovation Alliance on vulnerabilities of GPS systems; Growing technology gaps; The clever ways thieves steal cargo

Our guest on this week's episode is Lisa Dyer, Executive Director of the GPS Innovation Alliance. Many of us rely on GPS satellite technology every day. But what we may not realize is that these important systems are vulnerable to criminals, hackers, and a range of other bad actors. Between jamming GPS signals and mimicking real signals, the potential for harm is real—unless we do something about it. Lisa Dyer of the GPS Innovation Alliance shares about these potential threats to our GPS systems and what can be done to secure them. Just about every company on the globe is trying to figure out what to do about artificial intelligence and other digitalization efforts, especially where they can be deployed in their operations and whether it is worth the huge investments. Yet, Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports on some new research that shows there is a considerable gap between these digital ambitions and actual execution. Cargo theft is a topic that we’ve been covering more and more in recent months. Every now and then, a high profile example makes the news, like those thieves that recently stole an entire truckload of lobsters or the ones who stole a truck of Kit-Kat bars. But on a day to day basis, it happens far more often, and one reason is that the thieves are constantly becoming better at being criminals. Senior News Editor Ben Ames reported that during the first quarter of 2026, thieves in the U.S. and Canada committed fewer heists but they targeted more valuable goods. He shares what types of goods are stolen the most and the clever ways thieves are pulling off these capers. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: GPS Innovation Alliance Report: Tech challenges persist across operations and supply chains Cargo thieves narrow their focus on high-value targets Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Guest: Helaine Rich of ePost Global on rising fuel costs; Truck stops work to accommodate women drivers; Changing shopping patterns

Our guest on this week's episode is Helaine Rich, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Administration at ePost Global. As the war against Iran is in its seventh week, fuel prices continue to rise. And it is getting to the point where carriers can no longer just simply absorb those costs. So, how have those unexpected costs affected supply chain companies? Senior News Editor Ben Ames discusses with our guest how companies are coping and trying to adjust to these latest uncertainties. Each year, the number of women taking the wheel is rising. Right now, women make up about 9 1/2 percent of truck drivers, according to the Women in Trucking organization. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports that as women continue to impact the industry, truck stops are looking to make life on the road better for these women drivers. She shares the top three truck stops nationwide that are tops for best accommodating women truckers. Shoppers can sometimes be fickle. Just a few years ago, most retailers were losing traction with in-store shopping, forcing malls nationwide to close. Now we see a new trend where younger shoppers are returning to store shopping. Ben Ames reposts on a consumer survey he saw this week that found that only 12% of Gen Z and 9% of Millennials this summer plan to shop entirely online this summer, while the rest of shoppers are omnichannel, meaning that 69% of Americans are planning to shop both in-store and online. What does this mean for how companies manage their inventories? Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: ePost Global Industry identifies the top three women-friendly truck stops Younger consumers stay omnichannel, shun fully digital shopping Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Guest: Disney Petit on a better way for customer returns; Managing a variety of robots successfully; Autonomous fulfillment advances

Our guest on this week's episode is Disney Petit – founder and CEO of LiquiDonate, a company that provides software for companies to donate unwanted returned items. As any retailer can tell you, returns can be the most difficult part of their work. Each return has to be evaluated to decide what to do with it. But what if there is a better idea for handling returns? With Earth Day approaching, we present a great way to find homes for returned items that cannot be resold. Rather than disposing of these items in landfills, LiquiDonate connects retailers and others who process returns with schools and non-profits that can use the items. Our team just returned from the MODEX conference this week in Atlanta where we saw all sorts of material handling systems and automation that will probably be coming to a warehouse nearby soon. Ben Ames reports on getting lots of these systems from a variety of vendors to work together: Walk into any distribution center and you’ll see products from several different vendors running at the same time on the warehouse floor, not to mention all the different brands of software controlling them that you can't even see. So how do you make them all behave well together and work toward a single goal? Many things also caught the eye of Victoria Kickham at MODEX 2026 this week. She chose a couple of things to highlight. The first was the launch of an autonomous warehouse fulfillment system from Locus Robotics. The company debuted its Locus Array system, which is an autonomous, in-aisle picking solution that combines mobile robotics, an integrated robotic picking arm, and AI-powered perception to complete picking and fulfilment tasks without manual intervention. She also talked with robotics company Boston Dynamics about the long-term potential of humanoid robots in the warehouse. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: LiquiDonate Locus Robotics launches fully autonomous fulfillment system Roboteon tool simulates impact of robotics automation on specific DCS Fanuc robot arms combine AI and computer vision to adopt flexible workflows Visit DC Velocity Visit Supply Chain Xchange Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner