This live episode of the Logistics Leadership Podcast features special guest Dale Rogers, ON Semiconductor Professor of Business at Arizona State University, who has decades of academic and industry experience. In conversation with Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean at the Logistics Leadership Forum, Dale shares stories from his career, reflects on the transformation of the supply chain field, and explores emerging challenges and innovations—from AI to talent development. The discussion offers deep insight into how the field has grown in scope, complexity, and strategic importance.

Key topics discussed:

• The broad and evolving nature of supply chain as a discipline that spans finance, marketing, operations, and technology.
• The impact of artificial intelligence, automation, and semiconductor advancements on global logistics systems.
• The changing landscape of talent in supply chain including shifts in education, international student enrollment, and the need for technical and communication skills.
• The challenges of supply chain education and perception among younger generations, and efforts to increase visibility of the field in early education.

Recorded live at the Logistics Leadership Forum, April 24, 2025 (Scottsdale, AZ)

In this episode, host Karl Siebrecht speaks with Ben Gordon, Founder & Managing Partner, Cambridge Capital, about the current state of logistics and supply chain consolidation. Ben shares his perspective on the post-freight recession rebound, the increasing appetite for M&A, and the capital market factors influencing deal activity. He also highlights emerging trends in AI-driven logistics, the importance of post-merger integration, and predictions for the industry's future, including supply chain software consolidation and domestic manufacturing growth.

Key topics discussed:

• How the logistics industry is rebounding from the worst freight recession in history, and the signals pointing to a surge in M&A activity.
• With capital markets increasingly focused on supply chain investments, what’s driving shifts in valuations, and how strategic consolidations are shaping the future of logistics.
• Which areas of logistics and supply chain technology—such as global trade management software and AI-driven solutions—are becoming prime targets for M&A, and why investors are paying close attention.
• The critical factors that make or break a successful M&A deal, and what lessons can be learned from industry leaders about integrating teams, maintaining culture, and driving long-term value.

In this episode, host Karl Siebrecht speaks with Ben Gordon, Founder & Managing Partner, Cambridge Capital, about the current state of logistics and supply chain consolidation. Ben shares his perspective on the post-freight recession rebound, the increasing appetite for M&A, and the capital market factors influencing deal activity. He also highlights emerging trends in AI-driven logistics, the importance of post-merger integration, and predictions for the industry's future, including supply chain software consolidation and domestic manufacturing growth.

Key topics discussed:

• How the logistics industry is rebounding from the worst freight recession in history, and the signals pointing to a surge in M&A activity.
• With capital markets increasingly focused on supply chain investments, what’s driving shifts in valuations, and how strategic consolidations are shaping the future of logistics.
• Which areas of logistics and supply chain technology—such as global trade management software and AI-driven solutions—are becoming prime targets for M&A, and why investors are paying close attention.
• The critical factors that make or break a successful M&A deal, and what lessons can be learned from industry leaders about integrating teams, maintaining culture, and driving long-term value.

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean speak with two seasoned supply chain experts, Bob Spieth and Jeff Sexstone, about the essential factors for success in 3PL warehousing. Bob Spieth, Executive Advisor, Advent International, shares his experiences in growing logistics businesses, emphasizing the importance of people, technology, process management, and disciplined new business practices. Jeff Sexstone, a Partner at Kearney, discusses how shippers can structure and manage 3PL partnerships effectively, highlighting the evolving role of technology, automation, and governance in logistics. Together, they provide a comprehensive look at how 3PL providers and their clients can foster strong, resilient partnerships in a rapidly changing industry.

Key topics discussed:

• The four key pillars of 3PL success: people, technology, process management, and disciplined new business execution.
• The evolving role of technology in 3PL operations, including automation, visibility tools, and customer-facing digital interfaces.
• The importance of structuring strong 3PL contracts and governance models to align incentives and ensure long-term success.
• How external factors like inflation, geopolitical disruptions, and changing customer expectations are reshaping 3PL relationships and strategies.

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean reflect on the predictions shared by their expert guests throughout the season, focusing on what the future may hold for supply chains over the next three to five years. Organized around three main themes—geopolitics, emerging technologies, and how advancements in technology can enable greater flexibility, precision and efficiency in supply chains—Karl and Ben discuss topics such as nearshoring trends, the impact of automation and data visibility, and how supply chain professionals can better navigate an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Key Topics Discussed

• The increasing role of geopolitics, including how trade policies and shifting alliances are influencing nearshoring and global supply chain strategies.
• The importance of technology, such as data visibility and orchestration, in building resilient and efficient supply chains.
• Predictions around shifting inventory management practices, automation, and flexible contract structures to improve supply chain execution.
• The rising focus on disaster recovery planning in response to catastrophic weather events.

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean examine supply chain resilience, discussing its critical importance in mitigating risks and driving business value. They are joined by Geraint John, VP of Research at Zero100, who explains the shifting focus on resilience from the pre-COVID era to today, highlighting how enterprises can adopt both defensive and offensive strategies to adapt to disruptions and seize growth opportunities. He also emphasizes the role of technology, talent, and infrastructure in creating agile and resilient supply chains that go beyond risk management to support long-term success.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of supply chain resilience from a cost-center approach to a strategic priority, particularly during and after COVID-19.
• Definitions and strategies for resilience on defense (risk mitigation) versus resilience on offense (value creation and growth).
• The role of advanced technologies, such as AI, in enabling visibility, monitoring, and simulation to address disruptions proactively.
• Insights into ROI for supply chain resilience investments, emphasizing cost avoidance, sales enablement, and superior financial performance indicators.

Additional Resources:

Follow Geraint John on LinkedIn

In this episode, hosts Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean engage with Diane Randolph, a retired CIO and Retail Technology Executive, and Jonathan Salama, Co-Founder and CEO of Transfix.io, to discuss the evolving landscape of supply chain technology. Diane shares insights from her extensive experience in retail, emphasizing the importance of digitization, end-to-end supply chain visibility, and balancing competing goals like cost, speed, and sustainability. Jonathan provides a perspective from the transportation side, illustrating how automation and data-driven tools enable faster, more adaptive supply chains while preserving critical human relationships.

Key topics discussed

• The impact of digitization on supply chain efficiency, cost management, and sustainability.
• The challenges of integrating new technologies with legacy systems in supply chain operations.
• The role of automation and AI in reducing human error, optimizing processes, and improving decision-making.
• The importance of people and relationships in maintaining operational excellence alongside technological innovation.

Additional Resources:

Follow Diane Randolph on LinkedIn

Follow Jonathan Salama on LinkedIn

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean explore the challenges and strategies for navigating supply chain uncertainties. Kris Ferreira, an Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, discusses the role of algorithmic decision-making in improving supply chain predictions, while Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce, shares insights on managing market, global, and workforce uncertainties and the critical need for agility in modern supply chains.

Key topics discussed:

• When and how to use AI tools effectively and their integration with human expertise in reducing uncertainty.
• The challenges of sharing data across supply chain nodes and its impact on overall optimization.
• How time horizons affect the accuracy and applicability of demand forecasting models.
• The shift towards agility and resilience as core principles for navigating supply chain disruptions.

Additional Resources:

Follow Kris Ferreira on LinkedIn

Follow Rick Watson on LinkedIn

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean explore the evolving landscape of last-mile delivery, highlighting the impact of consumer expectations and technological advancements. They are joined by Nate Skiver, Founder of LPF Spend Management, who shares insights into the demand side and evolution of parcel services, and Bill Catania, the CEO of OneRail, who discusses how technology is helping retailers streamline their last-mile delivery solutions and optimize operations for both shippers and carriers.

Key topics discussed:

• Challenges and opportunities in last-mile delivery, including the shift from traditional delivery models to carrier diversification for maximizing efficiency
• The influence of Amazon and Walmart on consumer demand and expectations for faster, more reliable delivery
• How retailers are adapting their strategies to meet the rising demand for same-day and next-day services
• The role of AI and technology in optimizing delivery routes, predicting supply and demand, and driving business growth and innovation

Additional Resources:

Follow Nate Skiver on LinkedIn

Follow Bill Catania on LinkedIn

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Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean examine the evolving landscape of logistics and investment in innovation within the supply chain sector. They engage with Will O'Donnell, Managing Partner at Prologis Ventures, who shares insights into the venture investment landscape and emerging technologies reshaping logistics. Later, Mike Griffin, President of Razor Logistics, shares how private equity investment has unlocked new growth and collaboration opportunities for his team.

Key topics discussed:

• Challenges and opportunities in strategic investments in supply chain technology and sustainable infrastructure
• The impact of post-COVID economic shifts and funding constraints on logistics tech investments - McKinsey reports a 90% drop in logistics startup funding in 2023 (1)
• AI’s potential to increase supply chain efficiency through better data connectivity, facilitating predictive insights and improving the decision-making process
• The importance of sustainable logistics solutions, including green materials and renewable energy sources

Links:

Follow Will O'Donnell on LinkedIn

Follow Mike Griffin on LinkedIn 

McKinsey Report (1)

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Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean kick off season two with a deep dive into the current logistics landscape and macroeconomic trends. Dr. Zac Rogers, Associate Professor at Colorado State University, discusses the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI), a key tool for monitoring the industry's performance and predicting future trends. Meanwhile, Dr. John Min, Macroeconomics Professor at Northern Virginia, offers insights into broader economic conditions, discussing the resilience of the U.S. economy, the impact of tariffs, and the ongoing shifts in global trade dynamics.

Key topics discussed:

• How the LMI helps in predicting logistics trends and the state of the economy
• The end of the freight recession and the anticipated recovery of transportation demand
• The global impact of protectionist policies and tariffs on supply chains
• The growing reliance on AI to forecast logistics trends

Recorded in Aug 2024 

Links: 

Learn more about the Logistics Managers' Index

Access GPDNow

Follow Zac Rogers on LinkedIn 

Follow John Min on LinkedIn 

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Ongoing disruptions. Rising complexities. New opportunities. Season 2 of the Logistics Leadership Podcast dives deeper into the critical issues shaping today’s supply chain landscape. Hosted by Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean, this season features expert insights, discussions on the latest logistics innovations, and actionable strategies that supply chain leaders need to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.

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Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) conclude season one of the Logistics Leadership Podcast and highlight key moments and conversations. They discuss how to prepare supply chains for uncertainty, evolve to meet strategic goals and continuously optimize to improve outcomes. 

Some of the topics explored: 

• How to build agility into the forecasting process and prepare for disruption
• Evolving omnichannel supply chains to create great customer experiences
• Test-and-learn approaches to optimize supply chains

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Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) consider the future of logistics and reflect on past guests’ supply chain predictions. They examine trends from digitization to rising consumer expectations to the cyclical nature of the logistics industry.

Some of the topics explored: 

• The cycle of supply and demand in logistics
• The benefits created by the digitization of supply chains
• Why supply chain leaders focus on customers, costs, and carbon
• The future of supply chain innovation, infrastructure and agility

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Jon Schechter (VP of Fulfillment Solutions, AutoStore) joins Karl to discuss robotics and warehouse automation. Listen in to learn about the acceleration of robotics in the past decade, automation challenges and how great people and processes accelerate ROI. Then hear from Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy) and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) as they discuss the rapid growth of warehousing and automation solutions, automation’s ROI and future innovations in the space.

Some of the topics explored: 

• The rapid acceleration of robotics over the past decade
• The benefits of automation, from maximizing space to meeting customer SLAs
• How investments in automation intersect with 2024 labor trends
• How great people and processes accelerate robotics ROI

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Rob Garrison (Managing Director, WiseTech Global) joins Karl to discuss global onshoring and nearshoring trends. Listen in to learn about three nearshoring approaches, the intersection of innovation and nearshoring, and what industries may benefit. Then hear from George Holland (VP of Business Development, JT Logistic), Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy) and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) as they discuss supply chain bottlenecks, hybrid nearshoring strategies and new solutions over the next decade.

Some of the topics explored: 

• Post-pandemic trends and supply chain bottlenecks
• Three approaches to nearshoring and their strengths and weaknesses
• The intersection of technology, innovation and nearshoring
• Industries interested in nearshoring strategies
• How nearshoring increases supply chain resilience

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Melinda McLaughlin (Global Head of Research, Prologis) joins Karl to discuss the current state of warehousing, how the supply and demand cycle affects logistics real estate and long-term projections for warehousing into 2024. Listen in to learn about the value of tech-enabled networks—and the importance of test-and-learn approaches. Then hear from Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy) and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) as they discuss the latest warehousing trends and Flexe data points.

Some of the topics explored: 

• The cycle of supply and demand in logistics real estate
• Market expansions and scarcity into 2024
• Nearshoring as a trend and what that means for U.S. warehousing
• The importance of tech-enabled omnichannel networks to meet consumer demand
• How test-and-learn approaches reduce CapEx spend and create a competitive advantage

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Lior Ron (CEO, Uber Freight) joins Karl to discuss supply chain digitization as well as transportation opportunities and challenges. Listen in and learn how digital infrastructure transforms logistics—and how innovators connect fragmented supply chains. Then hear from Chris Reed (Director of Business Development, Bogdan Delivery) on diversifying transportation partners and investing in the future. 

Some of the topics explored: 

• The top benefits created by the digitization of supply chains
• How technology democratizes supply chains and unlocks efficiencies
• Advice for businesses who haven’t yet begun to digitize their supply chain
• Top trends in transportation today—and the unprecedented speed of change 

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In part two of a two-part series on retail and eCommerce, Michael Bender (former COO of eCommerce, Walmart) joins Karl to discuss how consumer behavior drives eCommerce decision-making, the importance of robust forecasting and how supply chain flexibility creates eCommerce success. Listen in and discover lessons retailers learned from pandemic-era disruptions—and how AI can transform supply chain insights. Then hear from Chris Halkyard (Founder and COO of La Bella Stella, former Chief Supply Chain Officer of Blue Apron), Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy), and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization).

Some of the topics explored: 

• The four customer questions every eCommerce brand should ask themselves
• Lessons retailers learned from pandemic-era disruptions 
• Why supply chain leaders focus on customers, costs, and carbon
• How AI transforms supply chain insights
• The value of combining robust forecasts and flexible supply chains

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In part one of a two-part series on retail and eCommerce, Jason Trusley (SVP, Land O’Lakes) joins Karl to discuss how consumers think, behave and make purchases in an evolving economy. Learn how retailers build great experiential brands with new technologies—without creating complex supply chains. Then hear from Jacob Laufer (Head of Expansion, Ohi), Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy), and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization).

Some of the topics explored: 

• Changes in consumer behavior amid a rapidly evolving economy
• Consumer cravings, great brand experiences and the role of eCommerce
• What AI can reveal about consumer desires, expectations and experiences
• How to test and learn fast, build experiential brands and create a durable competitive advantage with new technologies
• How flexible infrastructure helps retailers quickly adapt to evolving consumer behaviors

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