Distributing Wisdom

On this episode of Distributing Wisdom, we host a critical discussion focused on the major issues facing logistics leaders who are Still dealing with the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll discuss the strategies leaders are deploying across the supply chain continuum. From the conception of a business continuity plan, to the logistics involved with last-mile distribution, we provide insight into the emerging issues supply chain leaders should be considering for the near and long-term future.     Guests: Kaven Koh, Vice President of Logistics Operations Avnet, APAC Elliot Rabinovich, AVNET Professor of Supply Chain Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University

One of the ways that companies have started to combat the unpredictable quality of our current supply chain and contest the volatile nature of component availability today, is to reconsider an essential aspect of production - redesign. In the past, considerations around design and redesign of products were thought of as separate from a company’s overall supply chain strategy, often occurring outside of conversations around addressing component shortages and geopolitical turmoil. In this episode, we host a discussion around how that dynamic has shifted and why companies should start to think about redesign proactively.   Guests: James Ray, General Manager of Avnet Design Services Michael Lucia, Global Director of Supply Chain Solutions for Benchmark’s Aerospace and Industrial Sectors Peter Levinsteyn, Senior Manager of Design Engineering within Benchmark’s North American Engineering Services.

To quote our second guest on this episode of Distributing Wisdom – “Data is the new oil.” With many companies starting to re-evaluate the way that they approach supply chain strategies following the turmoil and disruptions experienced over the last 3-5 years, one of the key aspects of this re-evaluation will be how they collect, organize, and take advantage of data and predictive analytics. In this episode, we discuss the various approaches to harnessing and leveraging data, what supply chain leaders should consider when it come to applying that data moving forward, and how future supply chain leaders are tackling this issue.   Guests: Paul Deuchar, Director of Avnet Supply Chain Solutions Brett Duarte, Clinical Associate Professor at the W. P. Carey School for Supply Chain Management at Arizona State University

When it comes to designing and engineering products, the decision to make or buy certain components of that product can have a drastic effect on the lifecycle, cost, and performance of said product. In this episode, we discuss the important dynamics around what should considered when deciding between making a product in-house or outsourcing that production and the various strategies companies should deploy when engaging in those conversations.     Guests: Anatoli Lukkarinen, Manager and Technology Advisor for Avnet’s Embedded Computing Division Brian Higgins, Partner and Principal Advisor at KPMG

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, talk of supply chain agility and visibility has become a focal point for many organizations attempting to mitigate the risks involved with continued disruption. In this episode, we discuss how these continued disruptions within the broader supply chain have caused companies to rethink the way they structure supply chain visibility within their own organizations.   Guests: JoMarie Skurtovich, Global Vice President of Program Management and Operations for Avnet United & Velocity Brian Whitlock, Senior Director and Analyst at Gartner