The Logistics of Logistics

Joe Lynch

  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough's Matt Muenster

    In "Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough's Matt Muenster", Joe Lynch and Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, discuss how data-driven transparency and strategic fuel management help shippers navigate global energy volatility and decarbonization.

    About Matt Muenster

    Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, brings extensive expertise spanning energy, freight, and sustainability across global supply chains. In his role, Matt leads a team of supply chain analysts who deliver actionable market intelligence to some of the world's largest enterprise shippers across the food, beverage, retail, and packaging industries.Known for translating complex market dynamics into practical insights, Matt serves as a trusted advisor to executive leaders navigating energy market volatility, freight cycles, and decarbonization goals. He is a sought‑after speaker at industry conferences and a frequent contributor to leading business and logistics publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Logistics Management. Matt holds a master's degree in economics from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor's degree from St. Norbert College.

    About Breakthrough

    Breakthrough, a U.S. Venture company, is a leading provider of sustainable fuel and freight solutions that reduce costs, improve network efficiency, and decarbonize transportation. Powered by more than $35 billion in annual freight spend data, advanced technology, and deep market expertise, Breakthrough delivers freight optimization and actionable strategies for the world's leading brands, helping transform transportation into a more effective and sustainable ecosystem. Breakthrough is a multi-year Top Food Chain Technology honoree from Food Shippers of America, Owens Corning Supplier of the Year, and recipient of the 2025 Top Supply Chain Projects Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics.

    Key Takeaways: Navigating Energy Markets
    • In "Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough's Matt Muenster", Joe Lynch and Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, discuss how data-driven transparency and strategic fuel management help shippers navigate global energy volatility and decarbonization.
    • Navigating "Strait Talk" Volatility: Energy volatility, driven by geopolitical macro forces and refining constraints, has replaced freight rates as the primary driver of transportation costs in 2026.
    • Precision Through Market-Based Reimbursement: Moving beyond lagging, "one-size-fits-all" indexes, Breakthrough aligns fuel reimbursements with real-time variables including time, price, taxes, and specific origin/destination pairs.
    • The Referee Effect and Strategic Fairness: By removing fuel from margin negotiations, Breakthrough acts as a neutral party, allowing shippers and carriers to build trust and focus on service and long-term partnerships.
    • Data-Driven Risk Management via the FELIX Platform: Shippers utilize FELIX (Freight, Energy, Load, Information, and eXperience)—Breakthrough's strategic transportation intelligence platform—to move from reactive cost management to proactive risk management in an AI-driven economy.
    • Sustainability as an Operational Lever: Breakthrough helps enterprise shippers integrate alternative energy adoption and route optimization into their broader risk-management strategies to hedge against diesel volatility.
    • Impact on Freight Behavior and Capacity: Energy market disruptions are directly influencing carrier equipment investments and purchasing decisions, which in turn affects linehaul rates and capacity availability through the remainder of 2026.
    Learn More About Navigating Energy Markets

    Matt Muenster | Linkedin

    Breakthrough | Linkedin

    Breakthrough

    Breakthrough - Knowledge Hub

    Breakthrough - Events

    Breakthrough - Exclusive Content

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    21 April 2026, 7:27 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports with Century's Jim McCullen

    In "OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports with Century's Jim McCullen", Joe Lynch and Jim McCullen, Chief Technology Officer at Century Supply Chain Solutions, discuss how Origin Cargo Management provides the upstream visibility and tactical control necessary to optimize global supply chains before goods ever leave the factory.

    About Jim McCullen

    Jim McCullen serves as Chief Technology Officer at Century Supply Chain Solutions, bringing over 30 years of deep expertise in logistics technology, digital transformation, and innovation. He leads global technology teams that pioneer Century's proprietary VIZIV platform, an end-to-end supply chain technology platform designed to manage every aspect of operations with precision, visibility, and scalability. By transforming complex global supply chains into efficient, data-driven ecosystems, VIZIV empowers smarter decisions, anticipates disruptions, and unlocks precision visibility and efficiency. Jim is shaping the future of logistics through decades of hands-on leadership and a visionary approach to human-AI partnership and scalable integrations. His forward-thinking strategy strengthens Century's technological leadership, propels enduring innovation, and positions the company for competitive advantage in an increasingly dynamic world.

    About Century Supply Chain Solutions

    Century Supply Chain Solutions is a tech-enabled global logistics provider with operations across more than 70 countries. Delivering end-to-end supply chain solutions across ocean, air, ground, and warehousing, Century is supported by a strong physical presence at key origin and destination markets. At the core of Century's offering is Origin Cargo Management (OCM), a comprehensive, upstream solution that manages the flow of goods from purchase order issuance through supplier coordination and origin execution. By working directly with suppliers, carriers, and partners at origin, Century ensures shipments are compliant, optimized, and ready for efficient global transport before they leave the factory. Century's proprietary platform, VIZIV® is powered by predictive AI and provides real-time visibility and optimization across supply chains. Combined with decades of expertise and boots-on-the-ground support, Century helps optimize performance, manage risk, and keep supply chains a step ahead in a dynamic global market.

    Key Takeaways: OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports
    • In "OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports with Century's Jim McCullen", Joe Lynch and Jim McCullen, Chief Technology Officer at Century Supply Chain Solutions, discuss how Origin Cargo Management provides the upstream visibility and tactical control necessary to optimize global supply chains before goods ever leave the factory.
    • OCM as the Global Orchestrator: Jim defines Origin Cargo Management as the "middleman" between thousands of global vendors and transportation providers, ensuring supply chains are optimized before goods even leave the factory.
    • Solving the "Goldilocks" Inventory Dilemma: OCM provides the precision needed to keep inventory lean—avoiding the high costs of overstocking while ensuring products are available exactly when the consumer demands them.
    • The Power of "Automation Exhaust": Using the VIZIV® platform, Century captures data from AI routing engines. This "exhaust" allows for deep scenario planning and smarter decision-making based on trusted, cleansed data.
    • Tactical Agility via "Vibe" Technology: Century's Vibe system allows importers to instantly "flip a switch" to halt or divert cargo during disruptions (like tariff changes or port fires), replacing manual chaos with automated control.
    • Direct Cost Savings & ROI: Century drives value by consolidating smaller shipments into full containers (CFS-CY) to eliminate "shipping air" and utilizes duty reduction programs to strip inland origin costs from taxable goods.
    • Giving Logistics Teams "Superpowers": By providing a single source of truth, OCM shifts logistics teams from "messy execution" and manual tracking to a proactive, consultative role backed by certified performance facts.
    • Upstream Action for Downstream Gain: The most impactful supply chain decisions happen at the origin. By managing the "black hole" of vendor bookings and factory compliance, Century ensures a smoother, more predictable journey to the final destination.
    Learn More About OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports

    Jim McCullen | Linkedin

    Century Supply Chain Solutions | Linkedin

    Century Supply Chain Solutions

    How Bissell is Transforming Global Inbound Logistics with Century | Full Interview

    Automation Exhaust: The Next Generation of Business Information

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    14 April 2026, 10:14 pm
  • 35 minutes 11 seconds
    REPOST: Smarter Landside Logistics with Brian Kobza

    In "Smarter Landside Logistics", Joe Lynch and Brian Kobza, Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics, discuss leveraging IMC's asset-based capacity, actionable visibility, and end-to-end services—all underpinned by strong relationships—is essential for achieving greater control and cargo velocity in the critical first and last mile of the supply chain.

    About Brian Kobza

    Brian Kobza is the Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics, with over 20 years of experience in the transportation and supply chain industry. His expertise covers various aspects of the sector, including positions at marine terminals, ocean carriers, ports, and landside logistics companies. In his current role, he oversees all commercial activities and new initiatives to ensure profitability and market leadership through a focus on customer experience and cargo velocity. Brian firmly believes that relationships are vital in this industry, and that enterprise growth and supply chain efficiency can be attained through fostering deeper customer relationships and partnerships. Prior to his appointment with IMC Logistics, Brian served in operational and commercial roles at Global Container Terminals, The Port of Virginia, CSX, Hyundai Merchant Marine, and Maersk. In addition to professional roles, Brian holds volunteer positions as the 2025 President for the Traffic Club of New York and as an Advisory Board Member at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Brian is a proud alumnus of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned a BS in Marine Engineering and secured his United States Coast Guard 3rd assistant engineer's license. Further enhancing his business acumen, Brian obtained an MBA in International Business from Amberton University.

    About IMC Logistics

    IMC Logistics provides smarter landside logistics, giving clients greater control through the first and last mile. Starting as a regional drayage provider with just one truck and one driver, IMC Logistics has grown across the U.S. to be a leading marine drayage operator in the U.S. IMC Logistics provides drayage, container storage, transloading, intermodal rail, chassis provisioning, project logistics, SmartStacks and destination cargo management services. IMC Logistics delivers their clients' supply chains with actionable visibility, asset-based truck capacity, industry leading sustainability, and long-established regional expertise across the nation.

    Key Takeaways: Smarter Landside Logistics
    • In "Smarter Landside Logistics", Joe Lynch and Brian Kobza, Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics, discuss how to achieve greater cargo velocity, supply chain efficiency, and market leadership by leveraging actionable visibility, asset-based capacity, and deeper customer relationships across the first and last mile.
    • Freight Market Reality: The industry is currently navigating an unprecedented 3.5-year freight recession, emphasizing the critical need for operational discipline and stable partnerships to ensure market survival and cargo velocity.
    • The IANA Imperative: The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and the IANA Expo 2025 in Long Beach are essential for the intermodal industry, serving as the primary platform for crucial collaboration, shared insights, and showcasing future-focused technology.
    • Relationships Drive Efficiency: Fostering deeper customer and partner relationships is the most vital philosophy for achieving both enterprise growth and significant supply chain efficiency across the first and last mile.
    • IMC's Asset-Based Leadership: IMC Logistics, the largest drayage provider in the USA, demonstrates that true "smarter landside logistics" means leading with asset-based truck capacity, ensuring reliable service and market stability.
    • Actionable Visibility: Modern logistics demands more than simple tracking; the key differentiator is providing actionable visibility—data that enables clients and partners to make immediate, informed decisions, thereby improving predictability.
    • Combating Industry Risks: A major focus must be placed on deploying robust strategies to combat growing threats like freight fraud, cargo theft, and cyber-security vulnerabilities to protect supply chain integrity and valuable assets.
    • Sustainability Leadership: Integrating industry-leading sustainability is a core requirement; IMC, as a market leader, is driving this by investing in EV and Hydrogen drayage vehicles at the Port of Long Beach to significantly reduce emissions.
    • Cargo Velocity Mandate: Smarter commercial strategy must be anchored in two non-negotiable goals: rapidly increasing cargo velocity and maintaining a relentless focus on the superior customer experience.
    Learn More About Smarter Landside Logistics

    Brian Kobza | Linkedin

    IMC Logistics | Linkedin

    IMC Logistics | YouTube

    IMC Logistics | Video

    IMC Logistics (@imclogistics) | Instagram photos and videos

    IMC Logistics | Facebook

    Drayage and Landside Logistics | IMC Logistics

    Cargo Security | IMC Logistics

    The Intermodal Industry's Next Chapter: A Chat with IMC's Donna Lemm

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    9 April 2026, 8:50 pm
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    REPOST: The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales with Jennie Malafarina

    In "The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales", Joe Lynch and Jennie Malafarina, the CEO of Virago Marketing, discuss how businesses can drive measurable revenue growth by understanding and leveraging the invisible customer journey.

    About Jennie Malafarina

    Jennie Malafarina is the CEO of Virago Marketing, a Cleveland-based agency helping transportation and logistics companies turn marketing into a revenue-driving engine. Since taking the lead at Virago in 2020, she has elevated the agency's impact—guiding strategies that deliver measurable results aligned with client growth goals. With over a decade of experience in freight tech and B2B marketing, Jennie has held leadership roles at Trimble Transportation, Banyan Technology, and Transportation Insight, and has taught marketing at The University of Akron. She also co-founded FR8MVMT, a platform for innovation in trucking, and hosts the FR8 Marketing Gurus podcast. Jennie is known for aligning marketing with business strategy to drive scalable growth through demand generation, content, and sales enablement. She holds a master's degree in communication from Cleveland State University.

    About Virago Marketing

    Virago Marketing is a full-funnel marketing agency specializing in the transportation and logistics industry. We help companies align sales and marketing to drive measurable revenue growth—whether through strategic campaigns, content that converts, or complete marketing department support. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with modern marketing execution to deliver demand generation, brand awareness, and pipeline acceleration. From startups to enterprise providers, our clients rely on us to cut through the noise, clarify their message, and connect with the right audience at the right time. With flexible engagement models—from project-based work to full fractional CMO support—Virago is the partner logistics companies trust to turn marketing into a growth engine.

    Key Takeaways: The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales
    • In "The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales", Joe Lynch and Jennie Malafarina, the CEO of Virago Marketing, discuss how businesses can drive measurable revenue growth by understanding and leveraging the invisible customer journey.
    • The "Dark Funnel" is a Reality, Not a Myth: The episode will explain what the dark funnel is—the invisible customer journey that happens before a lead officially enters the sales process. Listeners will learn how potential buyers are influenced by content, social media, and word-of-mouth without ever directly interacting with a company, and why it's crucial to understand this hidden process.
    • Aligning Marketing with Business Strategy is Non-Negotiable: Jennie Malafarina, with her extensive experience at Virago Marketing, emphasizes that marketing isn't just about generating leads. It's a revenue-driving engine that must be directly tied to a company's overarching business and growth goals, turning it into a strategic partner rather than a cost center.
    • Content is the Currency of the Dark Funnel: The podcast will highlight how high-quality, valuable content—from blog posts and whitepapers to podcasts and social media discussions—serves as the primary way to influence buyers in the dark funnel. Jennie will share insights on creating content that answers customer questions and builds trust long before they are ready to buy.
    • Sales and Marketing Alignment is Key to Unlocking Hidden Sales: A central theme will be the necessity of a seamless partnership between sales and marketing teams. The episode will cover how Virago Marketing helps companies create a unified strategy where marketing generates qualified conversations and sales is equipped with the right tools and information to close deals, ensuring no opportunities from the dark funnel are lost.
    • Industry Expertise is a Competitive Advantage: Drawing on her background in transportation and logistics, Jennie will explain why deep industry knowledge is essential for effective marketing. Virago Marketing's success lies in its ability to speak the language of its clients and their customers, allowing them to create messaging that truly resonates and cuts through the noise.
    • Demand Generation > Lead Generation: The episode will likely differentiate between old-school lead generation and modern demand generation. Jennie will discuss how focusing on building market-wide awareness and interest (demand generation) is a more sustainable and effective long-term strategy for filling the sales pipeline, especially when considering the dark funnel.
    • Measuring the Unmeasurable: Tracking Dark Funnel Impact: The podcast will provide practical advice on how to measure the impact of marketing efforts that don't result in immediate, trackable leads. Listeners will learn about alternative metrics and signals that indicate success in the dark funnel, such as brand mentions, website traffic trends, and engagement with un-gated content, proving the ROI of these "unseen" activities.
    Learn More About The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales

    Jennie Malafarina | Linkedin

    Virago Marketing

    Virago Marketing | Linkedin

    FR8MVMT | Linkedin

    FR8MVMT

    FR8 Marketing Gurus Podcast

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    7 April 2026, 9:59 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Is Your Freight Secure: The 3 Key Vulnerabilities in Freight Operations with Michael Hane

    In "Is Your Freight Secure: The 3 Key Vulnerabilities in Freight Operations", Joe Lynch and Mike Hane, Director of Product Marketing for Transportation Management at Descartes Systems Group, discuss how to protect global supply chains from fragmented technology, carrier identity theft, and increasingly sophisticated cargo fraud.

    About Michael Hane

    Mike Hane is the Director of Product Marketing for Transportation Management at Descartes Systems Group. With more than 30 years of experience in transportation, logistics technology, and supply chain consulting, Mike helps organizations understand emerging freight trends and apply technology to build more resilient and efficient transportation operations. Prior to joining Descartes, Mike held leadership roles at DAT, Optilogic, CHAINalytics, and CAPS Logistics, where he focused on transportation strategy, network optimization, and freight market intelligence. At Descartes, he works closely with shippers, brokers, and logistics service providers to translate industry challenges into practical technology solutions across transportation management, real-time visibility, carrier connectivity, and logistics security. Mike frequently shares insights on transportation technology trends, digital transformation in freight, and the evolving role of logistics networks in global supply chains.

    About Descartes Systems Group

    Descartes powers more responsive, efficient, secure and sustainable international and domestic supply chains by uniting logistics-intensive businesses on its Global Logistics Network (GLN). Shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers connect and collaborate on the GLN leveraging technology, data and AI to manage last mile deliveries, domestic and international shipments, transportation rating and payment, global trade research, customs compliance and a variety of regulatory processes.

    Key Takeaways: Is Your Freight Secure: The 3 Key Vulnerabilities in Freight Operations
    • In "Is Your Freight Secure: The 3 Key Vulnerabilities in Freight Operations", Joe Lynch and Mike Hane, Director of Product Marketing for Transportation Management at Descartes Systems Group, discuss how to protect global supply chains from fragmented technology, carrier identity theft, and increasingly sophisticated cargo fraud.
    • The 3 Key Vulnerabilities discussed are listed below:
      • Vulnerability 1 – Outdated, Clunky Freight Tech Stack. The modern logistics tech stack is a prime target for sophisticated bad actors who are now using AI to scale their attacks. This vulnerability focuses on the integrity of the TMS suite and broader tech stack, requiring companies to have the scale and advanced defenses necessary to stay ahead of automated threats.
      • Vulnerability 2 – Carrier Identity Theft & Freight Hijacking. Freight fraud—including double brokering and fraudulent load pickups—is a direct result of failing to verify identity at the point of transaction. This vulnerability highlights the operational risk of giving freight to an unverified actor, proving that basic vetting is no longer enough to prevent cargo loss.
      • Vulnerability 3 – Data Exposure & Unsecured Partner Connectivity. Modern freight operations are at risk due to the fragmentation of data and automation. This vulnerability focuses on the danger of shipment data and AI tools operating outside of a trusted environment. When partners connect to technology platforms without rigorous security, the entire network becomes a target for leaks and external manipulation.
    • Modernizing the Tech Stack: Fragmented or legacy systems create security gaps. Freight operations must move toward integrated, secure platforms rather than a patchwork of disconnected software to ensure data integrity and vendor stability.
    • The "Verify Then Trust" Model: To combat identity theft and "chameleon carriers," logistics providers should use automated vetting to verify not just the carrier's authority, but also the specific driver and equipment via VIN and geolocation.
    • Neutralizing Sophisticated Fraud: Cargo theft has evolved into organized corporate scams involving double brokering and fake insurance. Real-time monitoring for suspicious tracking pings or IP addresses is now essential to identify bad actors before a load is picked up.
    • Strengthening Operational Hygiene: Security relies on strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This includes "zeroing out" inactive carriers every few months to force re-vetting and immediately revoking system access for former employees.
    • Strategic AI Integration: AI should be used to automate high-volume manual tasks—like chasing tracking updates or proof of delivery—within a secure logistics environment to prevent sensitive financial data from being exposed to unvetted models.
    • Global Multimodal Connectivity: Leveraging a Global Logistics Network (GLN) allows shippers and brokers to collaborate across air, ocean, and truck modes while maintaining high standards for customs and regulatory compliance.
    • Visibility as a Risk Deterrent: Real-time visibility is a critical security layer. Monitoring for location spoofing or unauthorized stops allows for immediate intervention if a shipment is being diverted to a fraudulent location.
    Learn More About Is Your Freight Secure: The 3 Key Vulnerabilities in Freight Operations

    Mike Hane | Linkedin

    Descartes Systems Group | Linkedin

    Descartes Systems Group

    Your OpsForce AI Team: Meet the Future of Intelligent Visibility

    Transportation Management Form

    Vesta Freight Strengthens Customer Service and Freight Security with Descartes 3G TMS™, Descartes MacroPoint™, and Descartes MyCarrierPortal™

    Scaling Logistics Innovation at Descartes Systems Group with Dan Cicerchi

    Unpacking Cargo Theft: Trends and Solutions with Danielle Spinelli

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    25 March 2026, 8:43 pm
  • 43 minutes 39 seconds
    UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape with Bloomberg's Devin Leonard

    In "UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape with Bloomberg's Devin Leonard", Joe Lynch and Devin Leonard, Senior Writer on the global business team at Bloomberg News, discuss how the logistics giant is navigating shifting markets, intense competition, and rising labor costs.

    About Devin Leonard

    Devin Leonard is a senior writer on the global business team at Bloomberg News. His work appears regularly in Bloomberg Businessweek where he has written periodically about the logistics industry. His 2011 cover story, "The End of Mail," about the existential crisis at the U.S. Postal Service was a finalist for the Gerald Loeb award for explanatory writing, In May 2016, Grove Press published Leonard's book, Neither Snow Nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service, which the New York Times called "sweeping and entertaining.

    About Bloomberg News

    Bloomberg News is a global news agency and a primary division of Bloomberg L.P., a privately held financial, software, data, and media company. Founded in 1990 by Michael Bloomberg and Matthew Winkler, the news service was originally created to provide real-time financial news to subscribers of the Bloomberg Terminal (the Bloomberg Professional® service). Today, it is one of the largest news organizations in the world, producing over 5,000 stories daily.

    Key Takeaways: UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape
    • In "UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape with Bloomberg's Devin Leonard", Joe Lynch and Devin Leonard, Senior Writer on the global business team at Bloomberg News, discuss how the logistics giant is navigating shifting markets, intense competition, and rising labor costs.
    • Historic Leadership Shift: Carol Tomé is the first woman and first outsider to lead UPS in its 118-year history, breaking a century-long tradition of promoting exclusively from within the "brown" culture.
    • "Better, Not Bigger": UPS has pivoted from chasing high volume to prioritizing high-yield profitability. This means intentionally reducing reliance on low-margin ecommerce (like Amazon) to focus on more lucrative accounts.
    • The Amazon Evolution: Amazon has transformed from UPS's biggest customer into its most formidable competitor, now delivering nearly as many packages as the USPS and utilizing its own massive logistics network.
    • Teamsters Contract Impact: The 2023 negotiations led by Sean O'Brien resulted in a historic contract with top driver compensation reaching $170,000 (wages + benefits), significantly increasing UPS's fixed costs in a cooling market.
    • Market Fragmentation: The industry is no longer a duopoly. UPS now competes against regional carriers using advanced tech to "stitch together" national services, as well as gig-economy players like DoorDash.
    • Strategic Repositioning: To differentiate, UPS is doubling down on specialized sectors like Healthcare (cold-chain) and international logistics—complex services that simple gig-drivers or regional startups cannot easily replicate.
    • "Shrink to Grow" Strategy: To maintain margins, UPS is closing distribution centers, automating facilities, and offering buyouts to senior staff. The challenge remains: can they grow the stock price while shrinking the physical footprint?
    Learn More About UPS at the Crossroads: Finding Profit in a Disrupted Landscape

    Devin Leonard | Linkedin

    Devin Leonard Website

    Bloomberg News | Linkedin

    Bloomberg News

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    19 March 2026, 10:07 pm
  • 52 minutes 25 seconds
    REPOST: Real-World Supply Chain AI Applications with Gather AI's Sankalp Arora
    In "Real-World Supply Chain AI Applications with Gather AI's Sankalp Arora", Joe Lynch and Sankalp Arora, CEO and Co-founder at Gather AI, discuss how Gather AI's combination of drone-collected visual data, AI analysis, and WMS integration is revolutionizing warehouse inventory management. About Sankalp Arora

    Sankalp Arora is the CEO & Co-Founder of Gather AI. With 14 years of experience, Sankalp developed safety and sensor planning for the world's first safe autonomous helicopter, funded by DARPA, a project that won the Howard Hughes award, AUVSI Xcellence award and was nominated for the Collier Trophy. He is a recipient of the Qualcomm Innovation fellowship and Swartz Innovation fellowship and has a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. Gather AI and Sankalp have received several awards, including CB Insights' AI 100, SupplyChainBrain's Great Supply Chain Partner Awards, Peerless Media's NextGen Supply Chain Awards, Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive Top Tech Startup Awards, and the Pittsburgh Inno Fire Awards.

    About Gather AI

    Gather AI is an intralogistics AI company which collects visual data from drones, forklifts, and connected machines, integrates it with warehouse management systems (WMS) and cloud platforms, and uses AI to identify issues and suggest next steps.

    Key Takeaways: Real-World Supply Chain AI Applications
    • In "Real-World Supply Chain AI Applications with Gather AI's Sankalp Arora", Joe Lynch and Sankalp Arora, CEO and Co-founder at Gather AI, discuss how Gather AI's combination of drone-collected visual data, AI analysis, and WMS integration is revolutionizing warehouse inventory management.
    • Bridging Robotics Expertise to Logistics: Sankalp Arora's foundational work in safety and sensor planning for autonomous helicopters (a DARPA-funded project) highlights how sophisticated robotics and computer vision expertise is now being directly applied to create reliable, "real-world" AI solutions for the supply chain.
    • Visual Data is the New Inventory Input: Gather AI utilizes hardware like drones, forklifts, and connected machines to collect vast amounts of visual data within a warehouse, moving beyond manual counts and traditional scanning methods to capture inventory status comprehensively and automatically.
    • Intralogistics Focus: The primary application of this AI is in intralogistics (operations inside the warehouse), specifically tackling challenges like inventory inaccuracy, cycle counting, and labor efficiency—common pain points for WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) users.
    • From Data to Actionable Insights: The platform doesn't just collect data; its core value is using AI to identify specific issues (e.g., misplaced items, damaged inventory, out-of-stock locations) and then suggesting next steps, making the data immediately actionable for warehouse staff.
    • Critical System Integration: For successful real-world adoption, the AI platform must integrate seamlessly with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and cloud platforms, ensuring the visual intelligence updates the enterprise system of record effectively.
    • AI for Operational Efficiency: By automating data collection and analysis, the technology shifts labor away from tedious inventory tasks, allowing personnel to focus on high-value activities, leading to significant gains in operational efficiency and inventory accuracy.
    • Industry Validation of Innovation: Recognition through awards like CB Insights' AI 100 and various Supply Chain Partner awards validates that Gather AI's approach is recognized as a leading, commercially viable, and impactful NextGen Supply Chain technology.
    Learn More About Real-World Supply Chain AI Applications

    Sankalp Arora

    Gather AI

    Gather AI | Linkedin

    Gather AI | YouTube

    Case Studies

    Gather AI Capabilities 2025

    AI Literacy in Logistics with Gather AI's Andrew Hoffman

    Gathering Inventory Data with Sankalp Arora

    Autonomous Data: Gather AI's Warehouse Vision

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    17 March 2026, 7:23 pm
  • 55 minutes 9 seconds
    Freight Tech Strategy: Avoiding the Implementation Trap with JBF's Brad Forester

    In "Freight Tech Strategy: Avoiding the Implementation Trap with JBF's Brad Forester", Joe Lynch and Brad Forester, Founder and Managing Partner of JBF Consulting, discuss the critical need for a strategic roadmap to ensure logistics technology delivers real ROI rather than becoming a costly mistake.

    About Brad Forester

    Brad Forester is the Founder and Managing Partner of JBF Consulting, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in transportation strategy, logistics technology, and supply chain transformation. A recognized industry expert, Brad has advised Fortune 500 companies and high-growth brands on complex global transportation initiatives, from network design and technology selection to implementation and value realization. His background spans senior roles in consulting, software, and shipper operations, giving him a uniquely balanced perspective on strategy and execution. Brad is a frequent industry speaker and thought leader on TMS, visibility, and logistics innovation.

    About JBF Consulting

    JBF Consulting is a leading logistics strategy advisory and technology integration firm that partners with shippers to transform their logistics and supply chain execution operations. We empower clients to achieve operational efficiency and scalable, sustainable value through strategy development, roadmap orchestration, unbiased technology selection, expert implementation, data-driven insights, and ongoing managed services. For over two decades, our client-centric approach and alliances with best-of-breed solution providers have ensured that every strategy and solution we deliver drives measurable impact, long-term success, and customer satisfaction.

    Key Takeaways: Freight Tech Strategy: Avoiding the Implementation Trap
    • In "Freight Tech Strategy: Avoiding the Implementation Trap with JBF's Brad Forester", Joe Lynch and Brad Forester, Founder and Managing Partner of JBF Consulting, discuss the critical need for a strategic roadmap to ensure logistics technology delivers real ROI rather than becoming a costly mistake.
    • The Trap is Set Early: Implementation failures (going over budget or missing ROI) are usually symptoms of a missing strategy months prior, rather than errors made during the setup itself.
    • Strategy as Insurance: Investing just 1% to 2% of your budget in a strategic assessment acts as an insurance policy, potentially mitigating up to 80% of common implementation risks.
    • "Slow is Steady, Steady is Fast": Rushing to execute without "future-casting" (planning for growth or acquisitions 5–10 years out) leads to the "$10 million mistake"—having to rip out and replace a system that no longer fits.
    • Create a Shipper Profile: Use a "matchmaking" approach to tech. A tool that works for a retail giant might fail for a bulk chemical shipper; you must find the specific vendor that matches your unique mode mix.
    • The Hybrid Tech Trend: Large shippers are increasingly owning the software and data while outsourcing physical operations, allowing them to switch 3PLs without losing their historical data or visibility.
    • Beware of Shiny Objects: Avoid "AI for AI's sake." Don't buy a hammer and then go looking for a nail; ensure any new tech solves a defined problem statement rather than just chasing industry hype.
    • Phase Two is a Myth: Brad warns that "Phase Two never comes." If you don't build the necessary capabilities into the initial launch, the project often stalls at 75% completion, and the promised ROI is never realized.
    Learn More About Freight Tech Strategy: Avoiding the Implementation Trap

    Brad Forester | LinkedIn

    JBF Consulting | LinkedIn

    JBF Consulting

    Freight Tech Trends with Mike Mulqueen

    FreightTech for Fortune 500 Shippers with Brad Forester and Mike Mulqueen

    FreightTech Reality Check with Brad Forester

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    13 March 2026, 8:10 pm
  • 54 minutes 19 seconds
    Execution, Visibility, and Financial Control: How Infios Solves Global Supply Chain Challenges with Alan Rowlett

    In "Execution, Visibility, and Financial Control: How Infios Solves Global Supply Chain Challenges", Joe Lynch and Alan Rowlett, Corporate Vice President of Infios, discuss how unifying supply chain execution and financial data builds resilience.

    About Alan Rowlett

    Alan D. Rowlett, Jr., PhD, is a transformational global operations and supply chain executive focused on turning complexity into competitive advantage. With more than 25 years of experience spanning global enterprise, service, and logistics environments, he is known as a structured disruptor who challenges conventional thinking while strengthening resilience, modernizing operating models, and leveraging technology to elevate financial performance. Alan brings a disciplined, forward-looking perspective to today's supply chain challenges and is a frequent voice in industry and academic forums focused on innovation, leadership, and the future of global commerce.

    About Infios

    Infios is a global leader in intelligent supply chain execution, relentlessly making supply chains better - every single day. With a portfolio of adaptable solutions, we empower businesses of all sizes to simplify operations, optimize efficiency and drive measurable impact. Infios serves more than 5,000 customers across 70 countries, delivering adaptable and innovative technologies that evolve with changing business needs. Our deep expertise and commitment to purposeful innovation help businesses turn supply chains into a competitive advantage, building resilience and shaping a more sustainable future. Infios is a joint venture of international technology provider Körber and global investment firm KKR. Learn more at www.infios.com.

    Key Takeaways: Execution, Visibility, and Financial Control: How Infios Solves Global Supply Chain Challenges
    • In "Execution, Visibility, and Financial Control: How Infios Solves Global Supply Chain Challenges", Joe Lynch and Alan Rowlett, Corporate Vice President of Infios, discuss how unifying supply chain execution and financial data builds resilience. Visibility drives value.
    • The "End-to-End" Rebrand: Infios represents a strategic unification of industry-leading tools (like MercuryGate TMS and Körber WMS) under one flag. The goal is to move beyond "handshake" visibility to true "order-to-cash" control, spanning the entirety of a product's global journey rather than just the final few days of transport.
    • The Three Pillars of Supply Chain: Alan defines the core of any successful supply chain through three consistent threads that have remained unchanged since the 1980s: Execution (doing the work), Visibility (status and positioning), and Financials (the ultimate measure of winning or losing).
    • Financial Control as the Ultimate Truth: A supply chain's success is ultimately validated by the CFO. Infios focuses on eliminating data inconsistencies between operations and finance, ensuring that freight spend, accruals, and internal ledgers align perfectly to prevent the "discrediting" of logistics data.
    • The "Silent" ROI of Freight Audit: Freight Audit and Payment (FAP) isn't just about catching errors; it's about contract adherence. Infios helps shippers recover significant costs from "freight paid but not used" (like discarded parcel labels) and service failures (like shipments missing a guaranteed 8:00 AM window).
    • Combating Sophisticated Freight Fraud: With the rise of AI-generated fake documentation and "check-interception" by organized cartels, Infios uses its integrated system to flag discrepancies—such as a carrier being tendered as "Company X" but submitting paperwork as "Company Y"—before the invoice is paid.
    • Legacy Systems vs. Cloud Agility: Many global enterprises are "institutionalized" with on-premise mainframes. Alan argues that the transition to the cloud is no longer just about cost-cutting; it's about adaptability. Cloud-based architecture allows for "plug-and-play" integration of AI and data aggregators that on-premise systems simply can't support.
    • Intelligent Connectivity as a Competitive Edge: The future belongs to organizations that unify physical movement with financial flow. By automating "low-value" manual audit drudgery, companies can elevate their staff from processing transactions to analyzing high-level freight spend trends and driving strategic value.
    Learn More About Execution, Visibility, and Financial Control: How Infios Solves Global Supply Chain Challenges

    Alan Rowlett | Linkedin

    Infios | Linkedin

    Infios

    White Paper: Beyond the Invoice: Unlocking strategic value of Freight Audit and Payment programs.

    eBook: The Connected Execution Playbook

    White Paper: Integrating FAP and TMS: The hidden engine behind smarter transportation spend

    Webinar: Driving Cost Savings with FAP

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    10 March 2026, 8:37 pm
  • 56 minutes 42 seconds
    Is Your ERP a Data Graveyard: How to Unlock Millions with Nauta's Valentina Jordan

    In "Is Your ERP a Data Graveyard: How to Unlock Millions with Nauta's Valentina Jordan", Joe Lynch and Valentina Jordan, Co-Founder and CEO of Nauta, discuss how structuring fragmented data turns supply chain silos into actionable revenue.

    About Valentina Jordan

    Valentina Jordan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nauta, where she is re-engineering supply chains through clean AI data infrastructure. Previously, Valentina led product for Rappi's largest business segment, helping build and scale the core product stack behind Latin America's largest delivery platform, before bringing that same operational rigor to leadership roles at Amazon. At Nauta, Valentina brings a product-first, systems-level perspective to rethinking how supply chains operate, tackling the industry's most foundational challenge: building clean, structured data infrastructure that enables smarter decision-making.

    About Nauta

    Nauta is the AI-native operating system that connects your inventory, logistics, and procurement data into one intelligent layer. By acting as an intelligent membrane over existing ERP, TMS, and WMS systems, Nauta eliminates "data graveyards" by unifying fragmented data from emails, documents, and spreadsheets into a single source of truth. The platform moves beyond simple visibility, providing SKU-level insights and automated workflows that allow shippers to proactively manage exception handling and cash flow. Trusted by multinational leaders in the food, beverage, and retail sectors including distributors for brands like New Balance, Modelo, and L'Oreal, Nauta manages data for enterprises representing over $15B in annual sales. SOC 2 Type II certified, the platform empowers manufacturers and retailers to reduce container lifecycle times, prevent stockouts, and eliminate costly penalties like detention fees. Nauta's mission is to provide the standardized "rails of data infrastructure" necessary for truly autonomous and resilient global supply chains.

    Key Takeaways: Is Your ERP a Data Graveyard: How to Unlock Millions
    • In "Is Your ERP a Data Graveyard: How to Unlock Millions with Nauta's Valentina Jordan", Joe Lynch and Valentina Jordan, Co-Founder and CEO of Nauta, discuss how structuring fragmented data turns supply chain silos into actionable revenue.
    • The "Data Fragmentation" Mess: Global shippers are stuck with data trapped in emails, PDFs, and clunky legacy systems. This chaos forces teams to waste 75% of their day babysitting spreadsheets instead of making moves that actually scale the business.
    • One Single Source of Truth: Nauta fixes this as an AI-native engine that pulls those messy data streams into one place. From finance to procurement, everyone works off the same live data—killing "tribal knowledge" for good.
    • The Real Cost of Stockouts: For brands like Modelo or L'Oreal, a stockout isn't just a missed sale; it's a hit to your reputation and a massive financial penalty. Nauta shifts you from reactive "firefighting" to proactive prevention.
    • Saving Millions in Revenue: Using predictive analytics, Nauta's inventory engine flags risks weeks in advance. One customer even saved $1.2M in a single quarter by dodging retail penalties and lost sales.
    • Killing "Dry Runs" and Fees: Shippers pay for empty trucks because they can't see what's happening at the port. Nauta's predictive tech and automated communication can slash detention costs by up to 80%.
    • SKU-Level Control: Most platforms track the box; Nauta tracks the product. We map data down to the individual item, so you know exactly which vessel is carrying your high-priority promotional stock.
    • Smarter Procurement: With SKU-level insights, your team can make surgical decisions—like rerouting high-demand items before they even dock—ensuring the right product hits the right shelf every time.
    Learn More About Is Your ERP a Data Graveyard: How to Unlock Millions

    Valentina Jordan | Linkedin

    Nauta | Linkedin

    Nauta

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
    5 March 2026, 9:59 pm
  • 49 minutes 13 seconds
    The Logistics of Growth: Scaling Freight Tech Companies with Will Urban

    In "The Logistics of Growth: Scaling Freight Tech Companies", Joe Lynch and Will Urban, Founder and Principal of Will Urban Consulting, discuss the strategic intersection of traditional logistics discipline and high-velocity tech innovation to drive multi-billion dollar scale.

    About Will Urban

    Will Urban is the Founder and Principal of Will Urban Consulting, a premier advisory firm specializing in scaling global logistics and freight tech organizations. With over 30 years of executive leadership experience, Will has navigated the evolution of the industry at the highest levels, holding pivotal roles at both the traditional logistics powerhouse Expeditors and the digital disruptor Flexport. During his tenure as Chief Revenue Officer at Flexport, he was instrumental in driving the company's organic revenue growth from $600 million to over $5 billion. Today, Will leverages his extensive background as a full partner at R7 and a venture partner at firms like Companyon and Nine Realms. He is a deeply connected figure in the supply chain ecosystem, serving as an investor, advisor, and board member for numerous startups and venture capital firms, where he bridges the gap between complex logistics operations and institutional investment.

    About Will Urban Consulting (WUC)

    Will Urban Consulting (WUC) is an elite consultancy dedicated to helping supply chain and freight tech companies master the "Logistics of Growth." Founded by Will Urban following his successful tenure at Flexport, the firm occupies a unique niche by providing executive-level expertise that blends traditional logistics excellence with modern digital scale. WUC is comprised of a global team of specialists—many of whom are veterans of Expeditors and Flexport—who focus on refining go-to-market strategies, accelerating revenue growth, and building sustainable sales organizations. Beyond operational consulting, WUC acts as a strategic bridge to the capital markets, helping startups navigate the complexities of fundraising by leveraging a deep network of venture capital and private equity investors. Operating on a flexible, month-to-month model, WUC provides clients with immediate ROI and unparalleled access to a global network of shippers, carriers, and industry leaders.

    Key Takeaways: The Logistics of Growth: Scaling Freight Tech Companies
    • In "The Logistics of Growth: Scaling Freight Tech Companies", Joe Lynch and Will Urban, Founder and Principal of Will Urban Consulting, discuss the strategic intersection of traditional logistics discipline and high-velocity tech innovation to drive multi-billion dollar scale.
    • The Power of Hybrid Expertise: Will Urban offers a unique "ground-up" perspective by bridging the gap between traditional logistics giants (Expeditors) and modern digital disruptors (Flexport). This dual experience allows him to help companies balance the disciplined, P&L-focused rigor of established firms with the "move fast" agility of tech unicorns.
    • The "Inside Man" for Fundraising: For startups, navigating the VC world is often a translation problem. Will acts as a strategic bridge, helping founders articulate the value of supply chain nuances to generalist investors and ensuring they pitch to the right firms whose investment appetite matches their specific business model.
    • A "Disciplined Grind" for Scaling: There is no "silver bullet" for massive growth. Drawing from his experience leading Flexport from $600 million to over $5 billion in organic revenue, Will emphasizes that scaling requires a disciplined, high-execution grind and a focus on building sustainable, global go-to-market programs.
    • Democratizing Technology (The Convoy/DAT Model): A significant trend in freight tech is the transition from standalone products to integrated ecosystems. The acquisition of Convoy's platform by DAT illustrates how best-in-class technology can be used to drastically reduce the "cost to cover" a load, democratizing high-end tools for smaller trucking operations.
    • Economics Matter (P&L Discipline): Despite the high-growth expectations of venture capital, Will maintains that the P&L always matters. He advises tech companies to align their pricing with the transactional nature of the logistics industry, as many clients prefer transactional costs over fixed, bottom-line software fees.
    • Leveraging Relational Capital: In an increasingly digital industry, deep human networks remain a primary driver of success. Will's 30-year network of shippers, carriers, and executives provides "warm" entry points that are often more valuable than any piece of software for securing market share.
    • Identifying and Investing in "Grit": Beyond just technical viability, Will looks for "gumption" and persistence in founders. His investment philosophy—often through his family office or as a venture partner—prioritizes individuals who demonstrate the hustle and resilience required to survive the volatile cycles of the global supply chain.
    Learn More About The Logistics of Growth: Scaling Freight Tech Companies

    Will Urban | Linkedin

    Will Urban Consulting (WUC) | Linkedin

    Will Urban Consulting (WUC)

    Inside the DAT – Convoy Platform Deal: What This Acquisiton Means for the Freight with Bill Driegert

    The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

    3 March 2026, 10:48 pm
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