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Our guest on this week's episode is Rebecca Brewster, President & COO, American Transportation Research Institute. The trucking industry has recently faced several rocky years, from an ongoing freight recession to the huge surge in diesel prices resulting from the war against Iran. As we close this year, we look to an expert to offer a recap and a look at the future. Brewster speaks with Senior Editor Victoria Kickham about rising costs, workforce changes, liability, legal issues, driver training and recruitment, and more that affect the trucking industry. This coming Tuesday is Election Day. These midterm elections could change the makeup of Congress and ultimately how important government projects affecting supply chains are approved and funded. Senior News Editor Ben Ames reports on some recent infrastructure projects and how funding of such projects might be affected in the future depending on the makeup of the new Congress. Corporate commitment to sustainability has reached a record high, but oversight is lagging and external disruptions are keeping companies from delivering transformational results. This is according to the 2026 State of Supply Chain Sustainability report from MIT— specifically, from the school’s Sustainable Supply Chain Lab at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (MIT CTL). Victoria Kickham shares details from this research on how the supply chain industry is addressing sustainability. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: American Transportation Research InstituteDOT awards $498 million for port improvement projects in 19 states3PLs could feel the impact of mid-term electionsMIT Report: corporate commitment to sustainability soars but roadblocks to execution remainVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Storage Solutions

Our guest on this week's episode is Vikram Sekhon, CEO and co-founder of Piston. Diesel fuel costs have nearly doubled this year, largely driven by the impacts of the war with Iran. Whenever costs get more expensive, people are tempted to lessen the pain by stealing fuel. It’s done in a number of ways, but mostly comes from fraudulent use of corporate fuel cards. Our guest runs his own fleet of trucks and also operates a fuel payment company. He discusses how widespread of a problem fuel fraud is and ways to prevent it.  Freight transportation is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gases. Fortunately, it’s really not rocket science to solve this problem; there are effective solutions to reducing emissions, like using electric vehicles or alternative fuels. However, a survey we saw this week showed that the more difficult part of the puzzle is how to use those options and still make a profit. We share details on that survey and what it means for creating greener fleets. The move to reduce emissions not only occurs on our nation’s roads, it is also found on the high seas. A new report shows that more than 500 dual-fuel containerships and vehicle carriers are operating around the world, with the total investment in dual-fuel ships both delivered and on order surpassing $200 billion. That’s according to data from the World Shipping Council, released this week; it’s from the group’s Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard. We share more statistics and what is being done with reducing the emissions of maritime fleets. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: PistonRoad freight operators try to cut emissions but customers won’t pay.Dual fuel fleet tops 500Visit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Chrissy Sailstad, CEO, Durham Exchange Club Industries. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This annual event was begun in 1945 by the U.S. Department of Labor to recognize the positive impacts that people with disabilities make in the American workforce. The theme this year is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” Senior Editor Victoria Kickham speaks with today’s guest to find out more about how workers with disabilities make a difference in our supply chains.  We learn a lot from looking at the success of others. And one of the brightest and most successful companies when it comes to managing supply chains is also America’s largest retailer - Walmart. The company has just opened its fifth “next-generation fulfillment center” - a 900,000-square-foot facility in Stockton California that it said will expand the retailer’s ability to provide faster shipping and delivery to customers across California and the West Coast. There are many factors and forces out there that are helping to reshape supply chains heading into 2027—and many of them will come from outside the industry. This is according to a 2027 Freight Market Outlook Report from freight broker and logistics service provider C.H. Robinson. The report was released this week. It examines five areas shaping supply chains in the year ahead, and points to their collective potential to increase operating costs and alter global sourcing and procurement strategies. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Durham Exchange Club IndustriesWalmart opens its 5th Next-Generation fulfillment center External forces to reshape supply chains in 2027Visit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Sasko Cuklev, head of On-Road Solutions at Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.). We know they are coming – it’s just a matter of time. We’re talking here about autonomous trucks. These driverless vehicles have already logged many thousands of miles on select highways around the country. But how soon before they come to a road near you – and what will be their impacts on the logistics industry? Senior News Editor Ben Ames asks those questions and more with today’s guest.  Logistics activity accelerated in September, driven by tight warehousing and transportation capacity and marked by high costs that continue to pressure supply chains. That’s according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, which was released this week. The LMI score for September was 70.2; that’s up 3.6 points from August and is the index’s highest level in four years. We examine the latest LMI numbers and what they mean for the logistics industry. We got another piece of bad news last week with the September job report, which revealed that the country had created far fewer jobs than expected in September, just 29,000 new jobs and an unemployment rate that rose slightly to 4.2%. Those federal numbers come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But another report this week suggested that the picture might not be quite so gloomy, at least in the manufacturing sector.  The report from ADP said that measured by new job creation, “shiftwork” manufacturing employment grew modestly, but there is more behind the numbers. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Volvo Autonomous SolutionsLogistics activity accelerated in September Manufacturers turn to overtime before job creationVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Claire Li, vice president of Credit Strategy at Moody's Ratings. Critical minerals and rare earth minerals are needed in most electronics and tech devices, yet the United States does not produce many of these components domestically. China is the leading producer and its rare earth dominance threatens U.S. supply chains. How does the U.S. assure the mineral supplies that are needed to produce consumer products and critical defense systems? Our guest explains the vulnerabilities and offers possible solutions. Cargo theft is more sophisticated, and more frequent, than ever—and as a result, business leaders are getting more and more concerned about the security of goods moving through supply chains. This is according to a recent report from technology company SmartSense by Digi. The company surveyed 150 U.S.-based loss and organized retail crime (ORC) prevention leaders. 81% of those respondents said cargo theft has become more organized in recent years, and 79% said their organization is more concerned about cargo theft today than ever before. Fires in warehouses are not common, they do happen. Not only is there loss of products housed in the warehouse, but there can also be environmental damage from a fire, again, depending on the products and equipment systems housed there. But this brings up the question of who pays for the damage? Some new laws in California seek to determine who pays, but not everyone in the industry agrees. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Moody’s RatingsReport: Cargo theft intensifiesTrade group criticizes California law regulating cold chain warehousesVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Peter Larsen is a Vice President at Amazon, where he leads Amazon Supply Chain Services. Amazon may have started in 1994 as an online book seller, but today they are arguably the most successful of all online retailers. None of this would be possible if not for the extensive distribution and transportation networks that Amazon has built. And now they are opening those capabilities to others through a new entity known as Amazon Supply Chain Services. Larsen will also be a featured keynote speaker next month at CSCMP’s EDGE conference in Nashville. He recently spoke with DC Velocity’s Susan Lacefield about this new venture for Amazon. Nearly every device we use comes with a battery of some sort that provides portability to the device. But the supply chains for batteries are quite complicated. That is why DHL, the German parcel delivery and logistics provider, announced it was expanding its global battery logistics network. DHL said that a surge in battery demand is creating new supply chains that require specialized handling, regulatory expertise, and global coordination. The national nonprofit group Wreaths Across America (WAA) kicked off the 2026 wreath season this week with a call for carriers and professional truck drivers to join their annual convoy honoring veterans nationwide this December. Carriers and drivers are asked to join the Honor Fleet, as it’s known, to haul wreaths for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day, which is being held Saturday, December 19 this year. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Amazon Supply Chain ServicesDHL ramps up battery logistics networkNonprofit seeks carriers and drivers for 2026 Wreaths Across America DayVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: ID Label

Our guest on this week's episode is Tommy Slaymaker, Director of Fleet Services at The Pete Store (one of the largest Peterbilt dealer groups in North America). Diesel fuel is the driving force behind our supply chains, powering everything from railroad locomotives to long-haul trucks. Prices have now risen to historic highs, due to the shortages brought on by the war with Iran. What impacts are these high prices having on supply chains and trucking in particular? Senior News Editor Ben Ames finds out as he speaks with today’s guest.  Every business is grappling with artificial intelligence, how to use it and where can it improve business processes. Warehouses are no exceptions in this AI struggle. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham came across some new research that reveals new trends on how AI can potentially transform warehouse operations. The goal of all packaging used for parcel deliveries is to protect the products the packages contain while they make their ways to their final destinations. It is never an easy balance to get just enough strength without wasting too much material. But this week Ben Ames wrote about a new type of paper-based packaging that is making headlines in the packaging world - and it comes from the research and development labs of Amazon.   Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: The Pete StoreWarehouse digitalization hits inflection pointAmazon says switch from plastic to paper makes e-commerce more sustainableVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Our guest on this week's episode is Roberto Canevari, executive vice president, chief value chain officer at international beauty suppler Estée Lauder. Managing an international supply chain is not an easy job in this age of global disruptions. Our guest today does it every day in leading a global supply chain team of more than 10,000 people at Estee Lauder. That includes 44 factories worldwide and numerous distribution and transportation points. Canevari will be a featured keynote speaker next month at CSCMP’s EDGE conference in Nashville. He recently spoke with DC Velocity’s Diane Rand about how he manages this beautiful supply chain.  It is the goal of every supply chain business to grow larger, otherwise they fall behind their competitors But what are the factors that actually help businesses to grow and expand their capacity? Senior News Editor Ben Ames shares two different stories this week about business growth. The United States recorded the hottest summer ever – at least since records have been kept. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham shares how companies can help workers deal with all of that heat on facility floors. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode: Estée LauderPitney Bowes expands as two rival firms shut downVecna Robotics raises $31 million as demand soars for U.S.-built robotsStudy: targeted airflow offsets heat strain on factory floorsVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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: InspectorioLogistics growth slowed in AugustReport: Rising costs plague the last mileChobani to adapt PA factory to dairy food production in $1.2-billion planGE Appliances to expand Kentucky washer and dryer factory in $1-billion planVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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 consumersExtreme weather cramps logistics flows in Europe and ChinaVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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: HoptekEuropean Union activates sustainable packaging rulesSecond quarter robot orders grew as automation demand broadensVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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 PracticeElite truck drivers compete for top honors in PittsburghGlobal instability drives demand for supply chain insuranceVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected] This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

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 MaterialsLMI Report: The logistics industry growth slowed in JulyToyota opens new forklift plant in IndianaVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

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 TradeArmy drone delivers cargo in autonomous demoFederal regulators approve DoorDash plan for drone deliveryFinding the right fitVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

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 BotsU.S. grocery sales slow down as stretched consumers buy lessHigh grocery prices trigger changes in food shoppingSupply chain resilience remains a critical pain point, UK report showsVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to [email protected]