

Resilient Supply Chain
Tom Raftery
The Resilient Supply Chain Podcast is where global leaders explore how to make supply chains stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.Hosted by Tom Raftery, technology evangelist, sustainability thought-leader, and former SAP Global VP, the show features C-suite executives, founders, and innovators from some of the world’s most influential companies. Together, we examine how organisations are building supply chains that can withstand shocks, adapt to change, and compete in a decarbonising economy.New episodes drop every Monday at 7 a.m. CET, packed with real insight, not PR fluff.From resilience and risk mitigation to AI-driven visibility, circular design, and ESG transformation, the podcast unpacks the data, systems, and strategies shaping global operations.You’ll hear from the people doing the work on:business continuity and crisis responseScope 3 emissions and supply chain sustainabilitydigital twins and predictive resilienceethical sourcing and due diligence compliancenearshoring, automation, and future-ready logisticsBecause a supply chain can’t be sustainable unless it’s resilient, and it can’t be resilient unless it’s sustainable.Resilient Supply Chain+ subscribers also get access to bonus episodes, including highlight reels, extra analysis, trend briefings, and other subscriber-only insights.If you’re a supply chain executive, sustainability strategist, or technology leader, this show gives you an edge.Subscribe now and join the global conversation redefining how the world moves, makes, and measures everything.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 10, 2025 • 38min
AI and Proactive Maintenance for a Resilient Supply Chain
Send me a messageWhat if your supply chain could spot a breakdown before it happened?In this episode of The Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, I’m joined by Taylor Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at Honeywell Productivity Solutions and Services, and Elton Saunders, Senior Director of Solutions and Services at Peak Technologies. Together, we explore how AI, data, and proactive maintenance are transforming resilience, from the warehouse floor to the C-suite.You’ll hear how leading manufacturers are shifting from reactive firefighting to predictive prevention, using tools like Honeywell’s Operational Intelligence and Peak’s Mobile Insights to monitor device health in real time. We unpack the hidden risks of downtime and why something as simple as a worn-out battery can ripple across global operations.Taylor explains how design decisions, from battery-free scanners to circular repair programmes, are making equipment more sustainable and less wasteful. Elton shares how data-driven insights can extend device life, cut costs, and even pre-empt security threats before they hit production. You might be surprised to learn how AI is now being used to detect anomalies, forecast battery failure, and automate maintenance workflows, turning resilience into a competitive advantage, not just a cost line.Listen now to hear how Honeywell and Peak Technologies are redefining proactive maintenance, and why the future of resilient supply chains is predictive, not reactive.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Nov 3, 2025 • 43min
The Maths of Supply Chain Resilience: What Happens When Algorithms Drive the Last Mile
Send me a messageIn this debut episode of the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, I chat with Rich Savoie, Co-founder and CEO of Adiona, about how data-driven optimisation and electric fleets are transforming last-mile logistics. Rich’s work with giants like Coca-Cola and Australia Post proves that sustainability and resilience aren’t trade-offs, they’re multipliers.You’ll hear how Adiona’s algorithms cut drive time by nearly half, reduced trucks by 15%, and delivered major emissions savings, all without slowing operations. We dig into why the “last mile” is the shortest leg of the supply chain but the dirtiest, and how real-time data, human-centred AI, and electrification can flip that equation. You might be surprised to learn how labour costs, not fuel, dominate delivery economics, and why getting data transparency right could unlock exponential efficiency.We also touch on the future: from cargo bikes to quantum computing, and why Rich believes fleets that fail to embrace EVs now will be left idling on the kerb.🎙️ Listen now to hear how Rich Savoie and Adiona are rewriting the rules of sustainable, resilient last-mile logistics — one optimised route at a time.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Oct 27, 2025 • 48min
Small Fleets, Big Impact – Linxup’s Resilient Sustainable Revolution
Send me a messageWhat if your fleet could drive further, burn less fuel, and cut emissions, all without adding a single new vehicle?In this final episode under the Sustainable Supply Chain name (before we evolve into the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast next week), I sit down with Naeem Bari, Chief Product Officer and Co-founder of Linxup, to explore how telematics is transforming small- and medium-sized fleets into powerhouses of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.You’ll hear how Linxup’s plug-and-play system helped customers slash 373,000 hours of idling in a year, saving over 1,650 tonnes of CO₂ - and why real-time driver feedback doesn’t just reduce fuel bills, it changes behaviour. We uncover how accountability and smart coaching make roads safer, how accessible tech levels the playing field for small operators, and how AI will soon help fleets anticipate problems before they occur.This conversation is full of practical lessons on resilience, responsibility, and what happens when technology meets common sense on the road.🎙️ Listen now to hear how Linxup is redefining the future of resilient, sustainable fleet management.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Oct 20, 2025 • 35min
Inside the Future of Resilient Supply Chains: AI, Scope 3, and the Power of Supplier Data
Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I’m joined by Jamie Barsimantov, VP of Supply Chain Strategy at Sphera, to explore what it really means to build a sustainable, resilient, and data-driven supply chain in 2025.Jamie brings a fascinating perspective, from his early days as an environmental researcher to founding SupplyShift and now helping global enterprises at Sphera manage sustainability and operational risk at scale. We discuss why sustainability isn’t a finish line but a continuous journey - one where information, not intention, is the true currency.Jamie explains why chasing total transparency can backfire, how companies can avoid “death by analysis,” and why the smartest supply chain leaders are using software and AI to turn supplier data into meaningful action. We unpack the major shifts driving this new era - from EU regulations like the Deforestation Regulation and CBAM, to the rise of supplier diversification, and the growing demand for product carbon footprinting.We also talk about how political polarisation, tariff uncertainty, and global supply disruptions are reshaping corporate priorities, and why aligning sustainability with core business goals is no longer optional, it’s existential.If you’re looking to understand how to cut through the noise, engage suppliers effectively, and build a future-proof supply chain grounded in credible data and climate impact, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now and discover how to move from analysis to action, and from risk to resilience.Keywords: sustainable supply chain, Scope 3 emissions, ESG software, supplier engagement, AI in sustainability, EU deforestation regulation, supply chain transparency, product carbon footprinting, business resilience.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Oct 13, 2025 • 38min
The Quiet Warehouse Problem AI Drones Can Finally Fix
Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sit down with Jackie Wu, CEO and co-founder of Corvus Robotics, to explore how AI and autonomous drones are redefining inventory management, and what that means for the future of supply chain resilience.Most warehouses today still rely on people with barcode scanners trudging up and down aisles, a slow, error-prone, and frankly unsustainable process. Jackie’s team has built the world’s first fully autonomous drones capable of flying through massive warehouses, some the size of ten football fields, to scan inventory in hours instead of weeks.We talk about why inventory accuracy is the invisible foundation of supply chain sustainability: if you don’t know what’s where, you can’t optimise, decarbonise, or even plan effectively. Jackie explains how real-time data from drones helps companies reduce waste, prevent stock loss, and cut emissions linked to overproduction and unnecessary transport.We also dive into the importance of building resilience through visibility, the limits of traditional automation, and why AI-driven robotics are finally ready to move from lab demos to real-world industrial use. Jackie shares insights on the future of AI in the physical economy, vertical integration, and why autonomy, not just automation, is the next leap in supply chain efficiency.If you’re curious about how robotics, data, and design thinking can make operations smarter, safer, and more sustainable, you won’t want to miss this one.Listen now to learn how autonomous drones are helping warehouses take sustainability, and resilience, to new heights.#SupplyChain #Sustainability #AI #Automation #Resilience #WarehouseInnovation #InventoryManagement #CorvusRobotics #TomRaftery #SustainableSupplyChainPodcastSupport the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Oct 6, 2025 • 34min
How Boat Builders Can Cut Emissions at the Design Stage
Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sat down with Ollie Taylor, Founder & Director of Marine Futures, to talk about one of the toughest nuts to crack in sustainability, decarbonising the marine industry. Boats, big or small, don’t often top climate discussions, yet their materials, manufacturing, and fuel use carry a hefty footprint.Ollie explains how Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) can reveal the true environmental cost of marine products, from resin to recycling, and why so many “green” designs turn out to be anything but. We unpack how his platform, Marine Shift 360, is helping designers and builders make data-led choices early in the design phase, where up to 80% of a product’s total impact is decided.We also dive into the data problem: how poor visibility, outdated datasets, and supplier secrecy distort sustainability claims. Ollie argues that transparency, education, and automation are key to bringing LCA into the mainstream, making it as essential as CAD or CFD in engineering.Other highlights include the promise of circular design to stabilise volatile supply chains, the limits of regulation versus commercial pressure, and why profitability and sustainability must align for real progress.If you care about data-driven design, circularity, and cutting emissions at the source, this episode is worth your time.🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform or at sustainablesupplychainpodcast.comKeywords: marine decarbonisation, lifecycle assessment, circular design, sustainable manufacturing, Marine Shift 360, supply chain sustainability, low-carbon boats, sustainability data, LCA toolsSupport the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Sep 29, 2025 • 40min
Data, AI and Lean Principles: How to Cut Waste and Carbon in Supply Chains
Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sit down with Dag Calafell, Director of Technology Innovation at MCA Connect, to explore how data and digital tools are reshaping manufacturing and supply chains. With more than 25 years of experience in steel and automotive, Dag has seen first-hand how waste creeps into processes, and how technology can help eliminate it.We dig into why so many organisations are still running core planning on Excel, and what happens when companies move beyond disconnected systems towards true data visibility. Dag explains how AI, IoT, and smart sourcing agents can transform supplier relationships, reduce risk, and embed sustainability directly into day-to-day decision making. He shares striking examples, from a food manufacturer wasting energy on unnecessary refrigerated transport, to a materials producer that boosted forecast accuracy by 60% and cut excess inventory by nearly a third.The conversation also touches on lean principles, the power of continuous improvement, and the role of executive alignment in setting measurable goals for carbon reduction. We talk about future supply chain models too, whether lights-out factories, robotics, or distributed manufacturing networks that reduce transport emissions.For supply chain leaders, the takeaway is clear: sustainability is inseparable from efficiency. When you collect the right data, apply the right tools, and commit to improvement, you not only cut costs and boost resilience, you reduce your environmental footprint at the same time.Listen in for practical lessons and forward-looking insights that can help your organisation modernise, decarbonise, and stay competitive in an increasingly complex supply chain landscape.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Sep 22, 2025 • 50min
Ethical Swag: How Sustainable Promotional Products Are Changing Supply Chains
Send me a messageIn this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sit down with Tara Milburn, founder and CEO of Ethical Swag, a certified B Corp reshaping the promotional products industry. Too often, branded merchandise ends up as waste or is produced under questionable conditions. Tara and her team are proving there’s a better way, where every procurement choice can align with values, improve transparency, and create measurable impact.We discuss how Ethical Swag was built on the principle that business can be a force for good, even in a sector not known for sustainability. Tara explains why greenwashing remains a challenge, how third-party audits are essential for supplier verification, and why embedding sustainability across all departments, much like digital transformation, creates lasting change. She also shares practical strategies for procurement teams, such as offering “good, better, best” options that balance budgets with environmental and social impact.One of the most striking parts of our conversation was the reminder that products with your logo should reflect your brand values, because when those items end up in landfill, so does your reputation. Tara shows how companies can move beyond token gestures to meaningful storytelling, from seed paper giveaways linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to impact reporting that makes sustainability visible.If you’re a supply chain leader looking to reduce waste, build brand trust, and rethink procurement as a driver of sustainability, you’ll find this episode full of insights and inspiration.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Sep 15, 2025 • 42min
Fixing Scope 3 with AI: Supplier Engagement, Data Accuracy, and Decarbonisation Levers
Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sat down with fellow Irishman Paul Byrnes, CEO of Mavarick AI, to explore how manufacturers can use AI and data to tackle the notoriously difficult challenge of Scope 3 emissions.Paul brings a unique perspective, rooted in both deep data science and hands-on manufacturing experience, and he didn’t shy away from the hard truths: most companies still struggle with messy, unreliable data and limited supplier engagement. We unpack why primary data will soon become table stakes, why spend-based estimates can be 40% off the mark, and how engaging suppliers requires a simple but often overlooked question, what’s in it for them?We also discussed where AI genuinely moves the needle:Boosting confidence in data accuracy by identifying gaps and “contaminated” entriesProviding personalised training to help suppliers meet sustainability requestsUncovering and prioritising decarbonisation levers with clear ROIPaul shared real-world examples, from medical devices to automotive, that show how targeted projects, rather than trying to tackle all 15 Scope 3 categories at once, deliver the best results. We also touched on the environmental footprint of AI itself, energy, water, rare materials, and how responsible computing and smaller, purpose-built models can reduce the impact.For leaders wrestling with emissions strategy, Paul’s advice is simple: start by mapping your data landscape. Know where you’re rich, where you’re poor, and build from there.This is a practical, candid conversation about making sustainability and profitability work hand-in-hand, and why efficiency wins are so often sustainability wins.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.

Sep 8, 2025 • 40min
Smart Supplier Relationships: The New Engine of Sustainable Supply Chains
Send me a messageIn this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sit down with Sam Jenks, Chief Revenue Officer at Kodiak Hub, to explore why supplier relationship management (SRM) is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a mission-critical capability.Sam shares his journey in procurement technology and explains why traditional supplier management approaches, spreadsheets, siloed systems, tick-box compliance, are no longer fit for purpose in today’s volatile, uncertain, and sustainability-driven landscape. He makes a compelling case for treating supplier relationships as strategic assets, not transactions, and shows how stronger data, collaboration, and lifecycle thinking can unlock resilience, innovation, and measurable sustainability impact.We talk about how poor quality directly undermines sustainability, why procurement must think beyond ROI to the “cost of inaction,” and how AI, particularly agentic AI, will reshape the way organisations capture insights, manage risk, and reduce emissions across complex supply bases. Sam also points out that most procurement teams still only secure a fraction of the technology they need, and offers advice on building the business case for smarter SRM.If your organisation is serious about Scope 3 emissions, resilient sourcing, or extracting real value from supplier collaboration, this conversation is for you. It’s about moving past compliance checklists and building supplier partnerships that deliver long-term advantage.Tune in and discover why SRM might just be the most powerful lever in your supply chain strategy.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.


