Supply Chain - Unfiltered

Louisiana’s Port System Shows What Resilience Looks Like

A single river corridor in Louisiana helps move a staggering share of America’s exports, and when it hiccups, the ripple hits farmers, factories, retailers, and consumers. We sit down with Harrison Crabtree, Executive Director of the World Trade Center New Orleans, to unpack what keeps the South Louisiana port system resilient when trade rules shift and nature refuses to cooperate. We get specific about the forces pressing on port operations and supply chain planning: tariffs and trade barriers, the push toward onshoring and nearshoring, and why “know your supply chain” really means knowing where suppliers are located and what alternate lanes you can activate. Harrison explains how Louisiana’s export-heavy profile and diversified trade lanes can soften geopolitical shocks, then connects the dots to GDP impact and the surge of industrial investment that relies on reliable maritime logistics. Then we move from headlines to hard constraints. Hurricane preparedness and rapid reopening plans are table stakes on the Gulf Coast, but low Mississippi River levels and saltwater intrusion can be just as disruptive, affecting navigation, creating shoaling and unpredictable currents, and even threatening drinking water. We also dig into cybersecurity and cargo theft, why digitization increases the attack surface, and how resilience depends on both prevention and fast recovery. Finally, we tackle the workforce challenge, the role of AI and automation, and policy ideas like the TWICE Act. Subscribe for more real-world supply chain conversations and share this with a colleague who touches logistics or trade.

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Closing the Procurement and Production Gap

The next supply chain disruption will not wait for your dashboard to refresh, and it definitely will not wait for a two-year implementation plan. We sit down with Antonio Gonzalez, CEO and co-founder of Vallor, to talk about a problem procurement teams feel every day but rarely name out loud: the answers to “what are our options?” are often already negotiated into our contracts, yet the data is not visible when it matters most. We unpack why vendor management modernization keeps stalling even though everyone agrees it is needed. Antonio shares his controversial take on how SaaS tools pushed teams to reshape their work around software, not the other way around, and why adoption quietly slides back to email, Word, and Excel. From his frontline experience at Anheuser-Busch and strategic sourcing at Microsoft during the peak COVID-era chaos, he explains how high-quality data enables real procurement strategy and upstream supply chain resilience. Then we get practical on AI-powered contract management and contract lifecycle management that actually gets used. Antonio breaks down how AI agents can review supplier terms, extract metadata, rate risk, generate negotiation reports, and deliver results right where teams live in Teams and inboxes. We also dig into real outcomes like major reductions in contract review cycle time and a rapid response playbook during a food safety outbreak by instantly finding impacted suppliers and the right clauses. If you want to move from contract to cargo with more speed, less guesswork, and better risk mitigation, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a procurement leader, and leave a review with the biggest contract visibility gap you want to solve.

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How To Build A High-Trust Procurement Data Organization

Your procurement team can’t automate what it can’t trust. When supplier names duplicate, dashboards sit unopened, and every “simple” request turns into an Excel fire drill, AI doesn’t fix the problem, it exposes it. We sit down with Laura Beth ("LB") Hirt-Sharpe, Data Offerings Leader for IBM Procurement and an IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award recipient, to get specific about what a strong procurement data organization looks like in the real world. We dig into why many teams hit the end of their “AI runway” after a few proofs of concept, how the rapidly changing procurement technology landscape can scatter priorities, and why rebuilding focus is now part of the job for modern procurement leaders. Along the way, we talk about the trust gap created when data access is controlled by a few gatekeepers, and how to map your data flow so requests stop bouncing around the org. We also get into the surprising upside of data analytics maturity: keeping great people. When teams have democratized spend analytics, usable supplier master data, and faster self-service reporting, they make better sourcing decisions and they stay. LB shares practical ways to gauge progress, including the CEO data test and the idea that timeliness is a measure of trust. If you’re looking for a grounded approach to procurement data governance, data cleansing, and AI in procurement that actually sticks, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more, share this with a teammate who lives in spreadsheets, and leave a review with the one data problem you want fixed first.

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3PL’s Gray Area, From Planning to Implementation

The supply chain doesn’t break in the obvious places, it breaks in the gray areas: the assumptions inside contracts, the handoffs between shipper and 3PL, and the gaps between a plan and the real world. We sit down with Sandy Hodes, Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement and Corporate Development Officer at Ryder System, to unpack how third-party logistics providers navigate supply chain volatility while still delivering service, controlling cost, and protecting relationships. We get specific about supply chain regionalization in North America, why nearshoring and onshoring decisions are inherently multi-year, and how tariff uncertainty can pause even well-funded moves. Sandy also shares why Ryder shifted away from a global 3PL model years ago and leaned into a “port-to-door” approach built around regional customer needs, stronger synergies, and clearer execution. If you manage procurement, logistics sourcing, or supply chain strategy, you’ll hear practical guidance on what should be black-and-white in an agreement versus what needs to stay flexible for change. From there, we dive into modern contract work and operations: AI for first-pass contract review, pulling KPIs and obligations from messy contract databases, and the real risks of AI hallucinations without human oversight. We also explore warehouse automation and robotics, including goods-to-person systems and ASRS, with a clear message that automation only works when ROI, volume, and standardization support it. Finally, we talk electric trucks and EV fleet adoption, why charging infrastructure and range still block scale, and what 2035 could look like with more automation, shifting labor markets, and bigger demands for strategic supplier relationships. If this sparked ideas for your next logistics RFP, contract renewal, or automation roadmap, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more supply chain leaders can find the show.

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Sustainable Procurement Under Pressure

Sustainability can feel like a moving target when elections, tariff headlines, and shifting regulations keep rewriting the rules. We sit down with Kris Spriano, former Vice President of Programs and Development at the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) and current Product Materials Manager at Arista Networks, to get honest about what’s really happening inside procurement teams and why many companies are getting quieter about sustainable sourcing even while the work continues behind the scenes. We dig into how trade and economic volatility affects supplier availability, and why “just move sourcing” is rarely a clean fix in a complex global supply chain. Kris breaks down what smart regionalization looks like, how lean thinking and network design can lower greenhouse gas emissions, and why a tariff-driven shuffle can actually make climate impact worse if you ignore the fundamentals. From electric fleets and the emerging push to electrify heavy equipment in construction (a major emissions driver) to the overlooked climate footprint of food supply chains, we talk through where sustainable procurement can create real, measurable change. We also get practical about what leadership looks like, including how governments embed sustainability into RFPs and specifications, plus the three reasons that keep sustainable purchasing alive: customer and stakeholder demands, brand reputation risk, and operational cost savings. Finally, we look ahead at AI procurement tools and how they can speed up RFP work and sustainability requirements, as long as teams validate what the tech produces. If this helps you rethink your procurement strategy, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more supply chain leaders can find the show.

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How to Be the Change Agent Who Redefines Resiliency

Change is easy to describe and brutally hard to deliver, especially in supply chain and procurement where every shift touches customers, suppliers, systems, and frontline teams. We sit down with Manish Kapoor, founder and CEO of Growth Catalyst Group, to get honest about what separates a thought leader from a true change agent and why execution is the part that tests your leadership the most. We dig into the mechanics of change management that actually work: defining a clear North Star, making the benefits real for the people doing the work, building a roadmap that anticipates friction, and celebrating small wins so momentum does not die halfway through. We also talk about risk management in supply chain transformation, including how to weigh risk versus value, when to pause, and why pilots are often the safest way to prove your assumptions before scaling across sites. Manish shares stories from building an early centralized command and control model for last mile operations, along with a hard-earned lesson from a Lean Six Sigma rollout that failed because the change was pushed instead of owned. From there, we zoom out to the current reality facing e-commerce teams dealing with tariffs and uncertainty, including a practical operational framework focused on labor, logistics, locations, and inventory. We close with personal resilience tools for those moments when you are doing “all the right things” but still feel overwhelmed. Subscribe for more candid supply chain leadership conversations, share this with a colleague who is leading change, and leave a review with the one idea you are going to try next.

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Why The Need for Speed Dictates Decision-Making

Stability is the word we all want to hear in supply chain, but Lucas Cunha thinks we should stop waiting for it. The pace of AI, the churn in global trade, and the squeeze of nonstop deadlines are pushing logistics, procurement, and operations teams into a new reality where adaptability is the real baseline for survival. We dig into what that means on the ground when you are trying to keep materials moving, keep suppliers aligned, and keep leadership confident that risk is actually under control. Lucas shares how Otrafy approaches supplier management and regulatory compliance with AI workflows that can pull data out of messy documents and compare it against complex requirements across jurisdictions. We talk real examples like pesticide thresholds that vary country by country, plus the rising pressure around claims such as organic, pesticide-free, and PFAS-free. Then we layer in the things that are making planning harder right now: shifting tariffs, ingredient swaps like food coloring replacements, and the operational “sanity” it takes to keep running while rules and costs change under your feet. We also zoom in on FSMA 204 and the 2026 traceability deadline, including the expectation to trace critical tracking events fast, potentially in under 24 hours. From there, the conversation turns toward the bigger disruption ahead: AI-driven decision-making, the possibility of machine-to-machine procurement, and the risks of chasing speed without guardrails. If you care about AI in supply chain, food traceability, regulatory compliance, and practical ways to stay competitive, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a teammate, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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How Procurement Teams Turn Data Into Value

Data is quietly becoming the most negotiable asset in business and the easiest one to misuse. We sit down with Charlotte de Brabandt, Ph.D., an expert in procurement, digital transformation, and AI-driven sustainability, to make sense of what it means to treat data like an economic engine rather than a pile of reports. We walk through Charlotte’s AI data economy model and the four forces it balances: 4G generative AI, 4E ethical AI, 4M monetization, and 4C democratization. From there, we get concrete about data monetization in two practical lanes. Direct monetization is selling or licensing data (often anonymized). Indirect monetization is using data to improve performance: tighter internal processes, smarter sourcing decisions, better customer experiences, and new products that are built on real behavior signals. AI is the accelerant and the risk. We dig into how AI raises data value through automation, predictive insights, and personalization, while also creating new problems like bias and unclear accountability. We also cover trends procurement and supply chain teams should watch right now, including data mesh and decentralization, AI-powered decision making, and sustainability in AI. Finally, we take on data privacy and consumer trust, the influence of GDPR and CCPA, and why transparency with vendors and stakeholders is becoming the new normal. If you want a clearer, more realistic playbook for competing in an AI-driven data economy, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review.

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Data Management Is a Dirty Job But Everyone Has to Do It

76% of leaders say data-driven decision making is the goal, but most people still don’t trust the data they’re looking at. That contradiction is not just frustrating, it’s expensive. We talk with Susan Walsh, founder of The Classification Guru, about what actually breaks procurement data and supplier master data over time, and why “just add AI” won’t fix a messy foundation. We get practical about data quality in supply chain management: why cleaning and standardizing data gets treated like a side task, how the long tail of spend hides the biggest problems, and why tariffs and supply chain relocation make accurate, up-to-date data even more urgent for scenario modeling, forecasting, and real-time visibility. Susan also shares how to think about buying technology the smart way: start with your end goal, avoid paying for add-ons you don’t need, and choose tools that fit your specific use case instead of copying competitors. Then we dig into AI, gen AI, and agentic AI. Since every model learns from training data, bad inputs can create confident-looking misinformation and spread it across your systems. We also cover data governance basics that matter globally, like consistent units of measure, date formats, naming standards, and the people-side change management that keeps data clean after the project ends. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with someone wrestling with spend analytics or master data management, and leave a review so more supply chain teams can find it.

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Hyper Agility

Disruption isn’t a phase you “get through” anymore. It’s the environment, and it’s forcing supply chains and organizations to evolve beyond classic agility into something bigger: hyper agility. We sit down with Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt to unpack what hyper agility really means and why she sees it as a true superpower for teams that need to sense change early, respond fast, and still stay grounded in purpose. We get specific about what makes hyper-agile organizations work: flexible structures that reconfigure around skills, communication that stays transparent across time zones, inclusive decision-making loops that move quickly without turning into bureaucracy, and rapid learning that favors short bursts of upskilling over slow programs. The thread running through it all is people. Charlotte explains why diversity isn’t optional in volatile conditions and how psychological safety turns diverse perspectives into better outcomes instead of silent disagreement. We also explore how hyper agility reshapes talent management and workforce planning, from static roles to dynamic capability maps and from “perfect resumes” to learning agility, curiosity, and resilience. Then we connect hyper agility to innovation, technology, and measurement: empowering frontline microinnovation, using cloud tools, AI, and automation to enable collaboration, and updating KPIs to track outcomes like learning velocity, adaptability, inclusion metrics, and innovation flow. If you’re leading procurement, operations, or a cross-functional supply chain team, this conversation offers a practical way to move faster without creating chaos. Subscribe for more, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review if the ideas help you rethink how your team can bend without breaking.

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Keys to Quickturn Hiring Amid Global Supply Chain Chaos

Scaling globally is exhilarating right up until the “how fast can we hire” question meets reality. A new client award or a winning bid can force a rapid ramp in a country where you have no entity, no local payroll, and no clear view of employment law. That’s when opportunity turns into internal panic, and the clock starts ticking on delivery dates, revenue, and credibility. We sit down with Rebecca Croucher, Chief Growth Officer at Atlas, to map the real path from plan to headcount. We talk through what it takes to open a new country the traditional way, including legal entity setup timelines that can stretch from weeks to 12 to 18 months, plus the added layers of local contracts, statutory benefits, insurance requirements, pensions, and employer liability. Then we contrast that with the employer of record model and why companies use EOR services to hire quickly and stay compliant while they validate a market. We also dig into the details that most global expansion plans miss: visa delays that can stall a build by six to nine months, cultural expectations that shape retention and day to day work, and the hard truth that there’s no single compliance tool that replaces local expertise. We close with practical planning guidance for near term market expansion, including role type, industry regulations, and how data protection typically works when teams operate inside your infrastructure. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with a teammate planning global hiring, and leave us a review.

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Future of Work and the Auspice of Emerging Markets

Trillions in new factories are coming, supply chains are shifting closer to home, and yet the biggest constraint is not equipment or real estate, it’s people. We sit down with Isaac Hagan, Senior VP of Emerging Verticals at ManpowerGroup, to unpack what “emerging talent markets” really mean right now and why they often look like familiar industries under extreme transformation: manufacturing, semiconductors, energy, automotive, and materials. We dig into industrial sovereignty, reshoring, and the new demand for predictability across both physical supply chains and talent supply chains. Isaac shares why the talent gap is becoming the defining risk for growth, what it means when millions of manufacturing roles could go unfilled, and why workforce planning has to start far earlier than most teams expect. We also talk about what actually scales: apprenticeships, skills-based hiring, reskilling in new geographies, and stronger partnerships between industry and government to build the volume of capability these investments require. Then we zoom in on AI and the future of work. Data analytics and AI fluency are rising fast, but the most in-demand skill remains collaboration and other human strengths like EQ and empathy. We also address the strain showing up in longer workdays and stressed middle managers, and why culture and development become the “trust currency” that helps organizations survive rapid change. If you work in supply chain management, procurement, manufacturing, or operations, this conversation is a practical map of where jobs are going, which skills travel, and how to stay relevant as the pace of change accelerates. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review with the skill you think will matter most over the next five years.

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Thriving at the Intersection of AI, Ethics, and Profit

Your supply chain decisions can feel like you’re parked in the middle of a busy intersection with traffic coming from every direction: operational pressure, ethical expectations, AI disruption, and the constant demand for profitability. We sit down with Burkhard Schemmel, senior sales leader at Maersk and founder of the Research Institute of Alterocentric Business Ethics, to make that chaos workable and to turn “ethics” into something you can actually use. We talk about what business ethics really means beyond ESG and compliance, including why his team built a practical framework with 120 criteria that can be applied across industries and geographies. You’ll hear why ethics has global common ground but also local nuance, especially in sales behavior, negotiations, and pricing. Burkhard shares how different operating models, from large standardized enterprises to long-horizon family-owned businesses, can change the way ethical decisions show up in the real world. Then we get specific about the messiest moments: tariffs, capacity shortages, and unpredictable trade conditions. Burkhard makes the case for transparency and open-book pricing as a trust builder with customers and third-party partners, and we explore how de-risking strategies like local sourcing and multi-sourcing are reshaping supply chain resilience. Finally, we look at AI agents and what they could automate in procurement and logistics, plus what stays human when software starts making recommendations at scale. If you want a clearer way to prioritize ethics, resilience, AI, and profit without treating them as enemies, this conversation will help. Subscribe, share the show with a supply chain leader you respect, and leave a review so more people can find Supply Chain - Unfiltered.

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Why Patience and Feedback Fast-Track LLM Success

A 20-year veteran retires, and suddenly the “way we do it” disappears with them. That is the reality across manufacturing, maintenance, and field service right now, and it shows up everywhere: longer onboarding, inconsistent work, safety gaps, and teams stuck relearning the same fixes under pressure. We talk with Siva Kumar Lakshmanan (Siva), CEO of DeepHow, about a practical way to capture tribal knowledge before it walks out the door. We dig into how generative AI and large language models can transform real shop floor work, including video of experienced technicians, into training that new hires can actually use. Along the way, we get specific about adoption, because the hardest part is rarely the software. It is change management, trust, and proving value in a way that makes sense to skilled workers who would rather be on their feet than at a desk. You will also hear a clear framework for when to move fast on AI and when to wait, how to run pilots that give the technology a fair shot, and how to use KPI scorecards to make fact-based decisions without burning out the team. We close with a candid conversation about job-loss fear, why business-case transparency matters, and how to position AI as a tool for safety, standardization, and faster time-to-competency in supply chain operations. Subscribe for more Supply Chain - Unfiltered, share this with a colleague in manufacturing or procurement, and leave a review if the conversation helps you rethink training and technology adoption. What is the one process in your operation you would capture first?

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The True Trajectory of Automation, Robots, & Where Humans Fit In

This episode explores how robotics, AI, and automation are reshaping manufacturing, supply chains, and the future of work. In this episode of Supply Chain Unfiltered, host Melanie Stern sits down with Myron Moser, alliant Strategic Advisory Board Member and Chairman Emeritus at Hartfiel Automation. A 35-year veteran in industrial automation and robotics, Myron unpacks what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s coming next. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience across industries—from medical devices and advanced manufacturing to distribution center automation—Myron explains why today’s automation wave is fundamentally different. The conversation covers emerging technologies like AI-powered vision systems, autonomous vehicles, collaborative robots, and humanoid robotics, and why these innovations are accelerating adoption across manufacturing and logistics. Crucially, this episode tackles the human side of automation: where people fit as robots become more capable, how smart companies address workforce fear, and why automation should be used to augment—not replace—human talent. Myron shares practical insights on employee communication, reskilling, safety, quality, and throughput, along with guidance on navigating funding incentives, R&D tax credits, and regulatory considerations. Whether you’re a manufacturing leader, supply chain professional, operations executive, or student preparing for the future of supply management, this episode delivers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on how humans and machines can work together to build stronger, more competitive organizations. Key topics include: The future of automation and robotics in manufacturing AI, vision systems, and humanoid robots Workforce strategy, reskilling, and change management Safety, quality, and productivity in automated environments Preparing for the future of supply chain and operations careers Listen now to gain expert insight into the real trajectory of automation—and where humans will continue to matter most.

Consumer Packaged Goods, Bulk Products, and What to Expect from a 3PL

How should consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and bulk product manufacturers adapt when tariffs shift, retailers pivot, and consumer demand becomes unpredictable? In this episode of Supply Chain - Unfiltered, presented by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), host Melanie Stern sits down with Jesse Jones, Vice President of Operations at WSI, a national third‑party logistics (3PL) provider operating across 30 facilities in 10 U.S. states. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience—including leadership roles at Kimberly‑Clark and extensive work across CPG logistics, bulk materials, paper, chemicals, and industrial supply chains—Jesse offers a candid look at what’s really happening inside today’s logistics networks. This conversation goes beyond theory to explore real‑world supply chain challenges facing small‑to‑mid‑sized businesses, including: How CPG companies are responding to tariffs, inventory volatility, and retailer demands Why demand forecasting and inventory visibility remain difficult—especially for growing brands The role of data warehouses, WMS platforms, and analytics in modern 3PL operations Where AI fits today in logistics—and why people still matter most How to build flexibility into 3PL contracts as volume, channels, and product mixes change What to ask during a 3PL RFP process, beyond price and capacity Why leadership, standard work, and continuous improvement drive warehouse performance Jesse also breaks down what “continuous improvement” actually means inside a 3PL, moving past buzzwords like Lean and Six Sigma to practical execution on the warehouse floor. Whether you manage consumer packaged goods distribution, evaluate third‑party logistics providers, or navigate U.S. supply chain disruptions, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. Supply Chain - Unfiltered brings you real stories from global business leaders—unfiltered conversations about logistics, procurement, and operations.

Tariffs’ Backlash on Semiconductor Supply Chains

Discover which companies thrive, and which struggle, when tariffs and trade barriers shift. In this “Supply Chain – Unfiltered” episode, Chandler Willison of M Science explains why supply chain flexibility is key to resilience, and how smaller firms with rigid operations are most vulnerable to policy changes. Gain practical insights into the strategic moves that help organizations adapt, optimize, and succeed in a rapidly changing global market. Tune in for expert perspectives on navigating uncertainty and positioning your business for long-term growth.

Can Electronics Retrofit the Future and Abate Challenges

In this episode of “Supply Chain – Unfiltered,” host Melanie Stern welcomes Dr. John Mitchell, President & CEO of the Global Electronics Association, to discuss why electronics – like energy – touch every sector and every life. Mitchell shares new trade flows analysis showing that electronics now represent one in every five dollars of global merchandise trade, and explains how this trend is accelerating, especially in automotive and manufacturing. He also highlights the Association’s commitment to workforce development, offering industry-recognized credentials and training for over 150,000 professionals annually worldwide, and the first federally recognized electronics apprenticeship program, which helps companies and learners access government support for training.

Electrification and the Impact to Utility Supply Chains

In this episode of “Supply Chain – Unfiltered,” featuring Conrad Snover, CEO at ProcurAbility, dives into the impact of electrification on grid infrastructure and supply chains. Success in today’s environment hinges on building collaborative, long-term partnerships among utilities, suppliers, and contractors. Conrad discusses that integrated supply chain models, strategic contracting, and shared forecasting are now essential for strengthening resilience and fostering innovation. By working together and leveraging new technologies, industry leaders can better anticipate disruptions, manage risks, and deliver sustainable solutions for the future of utility supply chains.

How International Supply Chains Navigate Regulations, Risks and Internal Volatility

Audrey Clavedon, Head of ESG Leadership and Consultancy at Sedex, joins “Supply Chain – Unfiltered” to discuss opportunities for transforming ESG compliance and the outlook for 2026. Rather than getting bogged down by reporting requirements, businesses can refocus their efforts on making a tangible impact on sustainability and building resilient supply chains. This year has brought heightened attention to ESG compliance, and sustainability overall that are highlighting the need for practical solutions and forward-thinking strategies.