Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Dr. Stefan Heck, CEO and Founder of Nauto. We have turned the calendar to April and many of our listeners may not be aware that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. From phones to radios to navigation systems, there are many things that can distract drivers as they move down our nation’s roadways. Even professional drivers can be distracted, putting themselves, their loads, and of course other drivers at risk. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham discusses with our guest how extensive the problem of distracted driving is and what can be done to assure greater safety on our roads.Among the impacts of the war against Iran is the rising cost of oil, with a good bit of the oil the world relies upon stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. That has created uncertainty to energy markets and higher prices per barrel. And in turn, that leads to rising prices at the pump for both gasoline and diesel for drivers on American roads. Senior News Editor Ben Ames takes a look at the impacts of higher diesel prices on America’s trucking fleets.Rising e-grocery sales and growing investment in domestic food production are fueling demand for cold-storage warehouse space nationwide, and companies are responding in a variety of ways—from building state-of-the-art automated facilities to adding technology that can make existing refrigerated and frozen space easier to manage. Victoria Kickham looked into this trend for a story in our April issue and found a couple of examples that illustrate how quickly—and technologically—the cold storage landscape is changing.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:NautoIran war diesel price surge forces change in U.S. freight marketsCold storage goes high techVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by: WernerOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Ian Massey, Head of Corporate Intelligence, EMEA at S-RM, advises firms on geopolitical risk and resilience. He discusses how the war with Iran is disrupting shipping, air cargo, and energy flows. He outlines scenario planning for escalation versus de-escalation. The conversation also covers why distributors are moving away from port-proximate warehouses and the slow, cautious roll-out of AI in pharmaceutical supply chains.

Mark Becker, founder and CEO of G10 Fulfillment, a hazmat and lithium-ion battery fulfillment specialist. He talks about safe shipping, storage, packaging, labeling, and training for lithium-ion batteries. Discussion also covers rising AI anxiety among workers and the massive logistics needed to hyperscale data centers.

Our guest on this week's episode is Mike Van Bree, director of product safety and engineering at Louisville Ladder Inc. and current president of the American Ladder Institute (ALI). This is Friday the 13th, and you have probably heard that old adage not to walk under ladders. That warning is probably not so much because it might bring you bad luck, but because it is an unsafe thing to do. And that brings us to our guest today: March is National Ladder Safety Month in the United States – a reminder to follow proper safety procedures while working at heights in warehouse and distribution centers, among other places.  Mike Van Bree brings some safe practices when working with ladders to our discussion.This week we saw the launch of a new plan by businesses in Europe to cooperate on joining together to set standards and practices for cybersecurity, specifically for software used in industrial automation and manufacturing. Ben Ames tells you what their plans are to defend themselves against cyber criminals.Global demand for sensors in logistics is set to double between 2024 and 2033, according to recent industry reports. Victoria Kickham shares about a feature she wrote for DC Velocity’s March issue that examines how sensor technology is helping companies improve the efficiency, accuracy, and security of their supply chains. Specifically, she looked into an inventory project by Walmart and a recent market expansion by a transportation industry security startup that shows just how powerful sensors are in logistics.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. The latest series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:American Ladder InstituteNational Ladder Safety Month websiteLadder Safety Training resourcesEuropean groups form cybersecurity initiative for industrial automationSensing your way to a smoother supply chainVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by: Storage SolutionsOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Jackson Wood, director of industry strategy in global trade intelligence at Descartes, explains how Middle East conflict reshapes oil routes, ocean shipping and global trade flows. He discusses which modes and businesses face acute disruption. The conversation also covers the persistent lack of agility in many warehouses and early signs that trucking may be heading toward a recovery.

Per Hong, senior partner and global lead of Kearney Foresight, unpacks shifting tariff strategies, geopolitical risks including U.S.-Iran tensions, and practical supply-chain resilience moves. Short segments explore a “pandemic echo” reshaping parcel fleets and Gartner’s findings on how agentic AI may cut entry-level hiring and force role redesigns.

Fab Brasca, senior VP of market strategy at Kinaxis, is a supply-chain tech leader exploring AI’s role in logistics. He discusses who is accelerating AI adoption and why Europe and Asia lead. The conversation covers practical adoption steps, the nation’s worst freight bottleneck in Chicago, and a looming quantum-era cybersecurity threat.

Our guest on this week's episode is Lisa DeNight, managing director and head of North American Industrial Research for Newmark. Before a company can manufacture and distribute a product, they need the proper building designed to house their operations. That is where the industrial real estate market comes in. Like the home real estate market there are ebbs and flows depending on the economy and other factors. But there are signs for hope in the industrial real estate market in 2026, as our guest shares the latest industry trends and research.This week The National Association of Manufacturers shared new research that shows that the lack of spending on our nation’s infrastructure is affecting manufacturing across the country. NAM says that highway congestion and delays in freight carrying finished goods are having big impacts on our economy and that there is a need to invest further in our crumbling infrastructure. They suggest where to focus attention this year.Research released this week tracks a turning point in supply chain strategy as organizations start to prioritize speed of execution as their main source of competitive advantage these days. That’s according to research from supply chain software provider Infios. The company surveyed 100 U.S.-based supply chain leaders and found that nearly 80% said fast, dynamic execution—rather than planning or visibility alone—is their best competitive weapon in today’s volatile marketplace.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:NewmarkNAM asks Congress for greater infrastructure spending Supply chain trade groups cheer congressional progress on infrastructure billReport: Speed and connection create supply chain advantageVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by: WernerOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Jake Heldenberg, Director of Sales Engineering at Vanderlande, brings expertise in warehouse automation and scalable solutions. He discusses flexibility in automation, advanced robots and lights-out warehouses. The conversation also covers using stores for fast fulfillment and the rise of gamification to engage and retain warehouse staff.

Suketu Gandhi, partner and global chair in Kearney’s Strategic Operations practice, shares takeaways from Davos and his work on supply chain strategy and AI-driven operations. He discusses practical Davos themes like manufacturing location, operational sovereignty, and scaling AI. Conversation also covers AI applications that reduce missed LTL pickups and major trucking trends such as freight uncertainty and rising industry fraud.