The Chain Podcast

The Truth About Driver Shortages: Pay, Transparency and the Workforce Reality with The National Transportation Institute

In this episode of The Chain, we’re joined by Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI) and one of the most trusted voices in trucking workforce and compensation data.
 
Leah breaks down what supply chain leaders often misunderstand about the so‑called driver shortage — and why the real challenge is more complex than headcount alone. Drawing on decades of data and experience, she explains how outdated pay models, misaligned job promises, generational gaps, and lack of compensation transparency continue to drive churn across the industry.
 
You'll learn:
What competitive driver pay actually looks like today
Why turnover remains high even at top‑paying fleets
How private fleets differ from for‑hire carriers in both structure and outcomes
Where automation and AI can truly help — or hurt — the driver experience
What leaders must unlearn to build a resilient, future‑ready driver pipeline.
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Advance your logistics career with an APICS CLTD -- the certification that can help you learn and earn more.
Explore driverwages.com for more information about NTI
 

SCOR® as a Framework for Trade Resilience with Hamilton Beach Brands

In this episode of The Chain Podcast, we sit down with Mike Bunge, Vice President of Global Supply Chain Operations at Hamilton Beach Brands, explores how SCOR®-based maturity assessments can help supply chain leaders take control of trade, customs, and global logistics.
Bunge shares how Hamilton Beach used a SCOR assessment to move beyond reactive decision-making and identify where trade costs, risks, and inefficiencies were truly coming from. Rather than treating tariffs and trade policy as uncontrollable external forces, the assessment created a shared, data-driven view across supply chain, finance, legal, and IT — allowing the organization to prioritize improvements and align on outcomes.
The conversation highlights how SCOR enables leaders to diagnose root causes, balance lean operations with resilience, and connect trade strategy to enterprise performance metrics like cost, agility, and asset efficiency. Mike also explains why cross-functional ownership and disciplined analysis are critical for turning assessment insights into measurable business impact.
For supply chain leaders navigating constant disruption, this episode offers practical insight into how SCOR maturity assessments provide clarity, focus, and a roadmap for action—especially in complex areas like global trade and logistics.
 
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast
 

Leading Manufacturing Through Change, Data and Talent with Tsubaki Nakashima

We're joined by Nashay Naeve, President of the Engineered Plastic Components Business Unit at Tsubaki Nakashima, to explore what it takes to lead manufacturing organizations in an era of constant disruption.
Nashay shares how global experience — from living and working in China to leading teams across Europe and the U.S. — has shaped her leadership philosophy.
Together, we discuss how:
Manufacturers can move from reactive decision-making to proactive, data-driven operations.
Why upskilling frontline teams is just as critical as investing in digital transformation.
How sustainability can become a true competitive differentiator.
The conversation also covers career advice for early professionals, mentorship for women in supply chain leadership, and how organizations can plan long-term while staying agile in the face of today’s volatility.
 
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
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The Future of Manufacturing with the Reshoring Institute

Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, Rosemary Coates, joins us to unpack what’s truly happening beyond reshoring.
You’ll hear why much of the work described as “coming back” to the U.S. was never here to begin with, where nearshoring to Mexico fits, how friend‑shoring actually plays out and why automation and skills will define the next decade.
We dig into China “decoupling” realities, tariff whiplash, the rise of C‑suite supply chain strategy and what leaders, policymakers and the next generation of professionals must do now.
You’ll learn:
Clear definitions: reshoring vs. nearshoring vs. friend‑shoring
Why automation, data and AI change the talent equation
The hard parts of leaving China: contracts, IP risk and regulatory permissions. 
Practical steps executives can take now to build a resilient supply chain
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast
 
 

How IoT is Transforming the Cold Chain with SmartSense by Digi

In this episode of The Chain, Guy Yehiav, President of SmartSense by Digi, joins us to explore how IoT, AI and real‑time sensing are reshaping the cold chain.
 
From preventing foodborne illness and reducing waste to improving healthcare safety and unlocking full supply chain visibility, Guy shares how data-driven monitoring and predictive analytics are helping organizations build resilience, consistency, and customer trust across every link of the supply chain.
 
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast
 

Tariffs, Talent and Uncertainty: What Supply Chains Learned in 2025

We revisit the past year of tariff policy and its ripple effects across global supply chains.
 
Our guest, supply chain expert Alastair Charatan, returns to discuss what predictions held up and what surprises emerged from the predictions we made back in January.
 
We unpack why large‑scale reshoring hasn’t materialized, how shortened planning horizons complicate capital investment and why a “carrots over sticks” industrial strategy beats blunt trade instruments.
 
Listen and learn:
Why you need to invest in scenario planning tools
lock capacity early when bottlenecks loom, and
prioritize workforce development to work alongside automation and co-bots. 
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast
 

AI, Talent and Sustainability: 2026 Supply Chain Trends

Join Abe Eshkenazi as he welcomes Scott Luton, founder and CEO of Supply Chain Now, for a dynamic conversation on the future of supply chain management.
Fresh from the annual conference in Columbus, they give a sneak peek into the top trends shaping 2026, including the rise of artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, and the growing impact of climate and circularity.
Scott shares insights on the human-machine dynamic, the evolving skills gap and why investing in people is key to overcoming today’s challenges. Whether you’re an early-career professional or a seasoned leader, this episode offers actionable advice and inspiration for navigating the fast-changing supply chain landscape.
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
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Blockchain-Driven Supply Chain Transformation with Vinturas

In this episode of The Chain, we sit down with Ronald Kleijwegt, CEO of Vinturas, to explore the future of supply chain visibility, traceability and collaboration.
Ronald shares insights on how blockchain and AI are transforming global supply chains, the importance of connecting every tier of suppliers, and how technology can help organizations respond to disruptions — from tariffs to cyber threats.
Discover how leading companies are leveraging data to design agile, resilient supply chains and why cross-functional collaboration is essential for success in today’s volatile environment.
Get the latest tips for improving your supply chain visibility by downloading our whitepaper. 
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

Revolutionizing Returns with LiquiDonate

In this episode of The Chain Podcast, we dive into the future of returns and the creation of a more sustainable and socially conscious supply chain. Our host, Abe Eshkenazi, is joined by Disney Petit, the CEO and founder of LiquiDonate. Disney shares her extensive experience working with tech companies to implement social impact programs and discusses how LiquiDonate is revolutionizing the returns process.
Discover how LiquiDonate leverages existing business models and evolving technologies to reduce landfill waste and enable circularity by connecting retailers' excess unsold and returned inventory to nonprofits. Disney explains the shocking reality that about 80% of returned products end up in landfills and how LiquiDonate's innovative software helps reroute these items to nonprofits, upcyclers, or recyclers.
We also explore the environmental impact of returns, the inefficiencies in reverse logistics and the role of e-commerce in complicating the returns process. 
 
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For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

The Future of Supply Chain Leadership

Join host Abe Eshkenazi and Dr. Zal Phiroz, professor of supply chain management at Harvard University.
Dr. Phiroz shares his unique journey from computer science to supply chain. We explore the evolving role of the Chief Supply Chain Officer, the balance between technology and critical thinking and the preparedness of the next generation of supply chain leaders.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a student entering the field, this episode provides an important look at how academia is shaping the supply chain industry. 
Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. 
For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast
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