Supply Chain Now

From the chocolate in your Halloween candy to the critical minerals powering electric vehicles, Africa plays an essential role in global supply chains. But as new technologies, infrastructure investments, and manufacturing opportunities emerge, the continent is moving beyond supplying raw materials to creating greater value and driving innovation.In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, Yasin Ahmed and Michael J. Olivier bring a South African perspective to some of the biggest developments shaping global supply chains. They explore why Africa matters to businesses worldwide, from fluctuating cocoa prices in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to the rise of lab-grown chocolate and its potential impact on African farmers. The conversation also examines Zipline's expanding medical drone delivery network, Morocco's growing automotive manufacturing industry, and investments in the Lobito Corridor connecting Central Africa's critical minerals to global markets. Along the way, Yasin and Michael discuss AI adoption, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building infrastructure and industries that allow African economies to capture more value from their resources and innovations.Key Takeaways:Africa's strategic importance: Discover why the continent's critical minerals, agricultural exports, growing population, and entrepreneurial talent make it increasingly important to global supply chains.Cocoa prices and supply chain challenges: Understand how production disruptions, commodity price fluctuations, and purchasing contracts influence chocolate prices, even when raw material costs decline.Innovation in healthcare logistics: Explore how Zipline's drone delivery network is expanding access to medical supplies in Côte d'Ivoire and demonstrating new approaches to last-mile delivery.Morocco's automotive manufacturing growth: Learn how proximity to Europe, infrastructure development, and nearshoring opportunities are positioning Morocco as a major automotive production hub.Critical minerals and transportation infrastructure: Examine how investments in the Lobito Corridor could improve the movement of copper and cobalt while strengthening regional trade.Building Africa's innovation ecosystem: Hear why financing, talent development, AI governance, entrepreneurship, and local value creation are essential to the continent's economic future.Africa's influence on global supply chains extends far beyond its natural resources. For supply chain leaders, manufacturers, investors, and innovators, understanding the continent's evolving role is becoming increasingly important. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping Africa's future and what they mean for global trade, resilience, and economic growth.Additional Links & Resources: Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-DevelopWith That Said: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ready-change-supply-chain-now-kwkveThe New Scarcity Economy: An African Lens on UNGA 81: https://www.undp.org/africa/blog/new-scarcity-economy-african-lens-unga-81Cocoa Crashed This Year. So Why Is Your Halloween Candy Still This Pricey? https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/26/09/61631494/cocoa-crashed-this-year-so-why-is-your-halloween-candy-still-this-priceyZipline inks Côte d’Ivoire deal to expand drone delivery: https://www.semafor.com/article/09/22/2026/zipline-inks-eight-year-cte-divoire-deal-to-expand-drone-deliveryWhy WhatsApp Is the Operating System of African Businesses: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-whatsapp-operating-system-african-businesses-khamisi-hamisi-sxsyf/Morocco’s Automotive Exports Rise 14.5% to MAD 116 Billion by August: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2026/10/340562/moroccos-automotive-exports-rise-14-5-to-mad-116-billion-by-august/Lobito corridor to double minerals cargo after $300 million draw: https://www.mining.com/web/lobito-corridor-to-double-minerals-cargo-after-300-million-drawMombasa Port Exports Hit New Monthly Record: https://kenyanwallstreet.com/mombasa-port-july-2026Aliko Dangote's refinery lifts Nigeria's petrol exports sixfold to $750 million: https://www.billionaires.africa/2026/09/25/aliko-dangotes-refinery-lifts-nigerias-petrol-exports-sixfold-to-750-million/Ethiopia Coffee Exports Hit Record US$3bn as Government Targets US$6bn by 2031: https://furtherafrica.com/2026/07/01/ethiopia-coffee-exports-hit-record-us3bn-as-government-targets-us6bn-by-2031/A hidden pipeline brings Amazon and Walmart to African shoppers: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/hidden-pipeline-brings-amazon-walmart-african-shoppers-2026-07-14/Connect with Yaseen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaseen-ahmid/Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljolivier/Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teamsUpcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5rWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3fThis episode was hosted by Yaseen Ahmid and Michael Olivier, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-africa-growing-supply-chain-influence-1654  The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is AI really saving supply chain teams time, or are we overlooking the human expertise needed to make it work? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to discuss the evolving role of AI in supply chain planning, the importance of workforce development, and how leading companies are rethinking their supply chain strategies. Mike brings his expertise in supply chain planning and Gartner research to a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges organizations face as they adopt new technologies, manage growing complexity, and prepare their teams for the future. The conversation covers why AI may not deliver the productivity gains many organizations expect, how skills gaps and change management affect technology adoption, and why human expertise remains essential to effective supply chain planning. Scott and Mike also examine General Mills' ambitious supply chain transformation, McDonald's investment in AI-powered operations, and how supply chain education must evolve to prepare the next generation of leaders. Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Halloween candy inflation and the candy supply chain(04:20) The three biggest barriers holding supply chain planners back(05:35) Why cutting entry-level roles kills your AI ROI(11:18) Why AI saves slivers of time, not redeployable chunks(13:23) Why change management is the most requested Gartner strategy session(16:00) General Mills and why supply chain should mean more than cost-cutting(19:30) Cereal proliferation as a lesson in SKU complexity and demand planning(26:07) McDonald's Archie AI and the danger of equating tech with people(33:28) What supply chain undergraduate programs must fix to stay relevant(38:04) Why the Gartner Planning Summit keeps getting bigger Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/ Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Planning Your 2027 AI Strategy: 5 Research-Backed Best Practices: https://bit.ly/4z1LM5rWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/when-yesterdays-supply-chain-playbook-stops-working-1653  The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when your supply chain is performing exactly as designed, yet your business is still losing money and frustrating customers? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton speaks with Mahesh Rajasekharan, President and CEO of Cleo, about the performance paradox behind new industry research and what it takes to orchestrate a supply chain rather than merely integrate one. Mahesh brings a PhD in industrial engineering from Texas A&M and an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where he graduated first in his class, along with prior experience as COO of SumTotal Systems, to his role leading Cleo into a high growth, AI native supply chain orchestration company serving over 5,000 customers. The conversation covers why 63% of companies say their supply chains perform as designed while 73% lose revenue, how automation increases complexity when coordination stays manual, and why the planning and execution gap persists. Mahesh and Scott also explore the shift from systems of record to systems of action, how context turns raw AI into useful decisions, and controlled delegation toward autonomous orchestration. Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(03:55) Flying taxis and what they teach about orchestration(06:10) What Cleo does beyond integration(09:20) Why human judgment stays nonnegotiable(14:58) Why visibility is passé and orchestration is the real prize(18:45) From systems of record to systems of action(21:46) How context turns raw signals into intelligence(26:58) Why the gap between planning and execution persists(33:16) Why pilot fatigue keeps AI from delivering value(38:59) From reactive firefighting to proactive problem solving Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Mahesh Rajasekharan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshrajasekharan/Learn more about Cleo: https://www.cleo.com/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1NkaWEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3fThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/performance-paradox-why-your-supply-chain-works-still-loses-money-1652  The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As supply chain disruptions continue, costs climb, and artificial intelligence reshapes the industry, procurement professionals are facing new challenges and opportunities. How can organizations move beyond traditional strategies to build stronger supplier relationships, embrace emerging technology, and prepare for the future?In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, host Scott Luton and co-host David Shillingford welcome Ben Farrell, MBE, Global CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), for a conversation about the evolving role of procurement and supply chain leadership. The discussion explores the biggest barriers to scaling AI, including poor data quality and disconnected systems, along with new research from CIPS revealing rising transportation, technology, and food costs heading into the holiday season. Ben shares why long-term supplier collaboration is essential for navigating disruptions, how procurement professionals can deliver greater strategic value, and what skills future leaders will need. The conversation also examines CIPS' plans to modernize professional development, the growing importance of trust and ethical leadership, and why procurement deserves a stronger voice in business decision-making.Key Takeaways:Rethinking supply chain priorities: Discover why recovering quickly from disruptions, making fewer decisions, and designing for change may be more valuable than predicting every challenge or pursuing complete automation.Overcoming AI adoption barriers: Explore how poor data quality, disconnected systems, governance challenges, and unclear ROI continue to prevent organizations from realizing AI's full potential.Preparing for rising supply chain costs: Learn what CIPS' Q3 2026 Global Pulse Survey reveals about anticipated price increases in transportation, technology, and food, and how businesses can prepare.Building stronger supplier relationships: Understand why long-term collaboration, trust, and flexible supplier networks are becoming essential for managing disruptions and controlling costs.Developing the next generation of procurement leaders: Explore how AI, ethical decision-making, communication, and problem-solving are reshaping the skills procurement professionals need.Elevating procurement's strategic influence: Discover why procurement must move beyond traditional purchasing functions to become a stronger driver of business outcomes, resilience, and organizational success.From navigating rising costs and global disruptions to embracing AI and developing future-ready talent, procurement has never played a more important role in business success. Tune in for insights from Ben Farrell and David Shillingford on strengthening supplier relationships, overcoming technology challenges, and positioning procurement professionals as strategic leaders in an increasingly complex global economy.Additional Links & Resources:Altium Develop: https://bit.ly/Try-Altium-DevelopWith That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-18-Oct-2026David's Post: https://bit.ly/Keynes-On-AISneak Preview: Q3 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://supplychainnow.com/us-bank/Download your free copy of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/Freight-Payment-IndexInside the Future of Intelligent Warehousing with EPG: https://bit.ly/Scott-and-Jett-MODEX20262026’s most overrated and underrated supply chain priorities: https://bit.ly/Overrated-And-Underrated-SCM-PrioritiesThe CIPS Global Pulse Survey for Q3 2026: https://bit.ly/Survey-Says-Q32026Altium Agile Teams: https://www.altium.com/agile/teamsConnect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-farrell-mbe/Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shillingford/Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1NkaWEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3fThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and David Shillingford, and produced by Triha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-why-procurement-more-important-than-ever-1651 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI is changing supply chain planning, but automation is only part of the story. The next big shift? Turning planners into orchestrators. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Razat Gaurav, CEO of Kinaxis, to explore how supply chains have evolved, why faster decision-making matters, and how AI is driving the shift from traditional planning to orchestration. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software and supply chain technology, Razat examines the growing role of AI agents and the transition of supply chain planners into orchestrators. He also highlights why human judgment, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration remain essential as organizations adopt new technologies. The conversation offers a broader perspective on how supply chain leaders can move beyond automation to achieve meaningful business outcomes. Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro (06:31) How supply chains have evolved over 25 years (13:08) Supply chain's shift from operations to strategy (17:43) Managing trade-offs through scenario planning (23:48) Why supply chains can't return to normal (28:39) Supply chain: Sensing, planning, and execution (35:12) The hidden costs of supply chain latency (40:19) Why decision-making speed matters (42:13) Rethinking supply chain workflows with AI (52:02) The shift from planners to orchestrators (55:47) What will define successful supply chain leaders? Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Razat Gaurav: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razatgaurav/ Learn more about Kinaxis: https://www.kinaxis.com/ Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonlutonUpcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join  Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveLearn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReAWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1NkaWEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiIWEBINAR- Merck Animal Health's Journey to Rewiring Planning for Reliability, Agility and Trust: https://bit.ly/4B6Iq3f This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-planning-to-orchestration-future-supply-chain-kinaxis-ceo-razat-gaurav-1650  The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.