Beyond the Buzzwords: Real Talk on Reshoring and Automation with Anna Wells

Hey folks, Tom Raftery here, with another enlightening episode of the Digital Supply Chain Podcast. This time, I had the pleasure of chatting with Anna Wells, an Executive Editor with Industrial Media, a powerhouse in the industrial sector providing content to various audiences along the supply chain.In our conversation, Anna offers a captivating glimpse into the ongoing evolution of industrial supply chains, especially post-pandemic. We discussed the significant shift from just-in-time to just-in-case inventory management, as the pandemic has exposed the fallibility of supply chains and highlighted the need for safety stock. Yet, Anna emphasizes, this doesn't mean hoarding every single item, but strategically targeting what's most critical to operations.Anna also touched on the ongoing trend of reshoring and nearshoring. As companies seek greater control and visibility over their supply chains, we see a surge of interest in bringing operations closer to home. As part of this, we dive into the impact of automation, AI, and other technology investments, which are now more than ever becoming central to operations in industries beyond just automotive.We also navigated the exciting waters of digitalization in manufacturing. From AI's increasing role in forecasting to manufacturers exploring e-commerce for B2B operations, we cover the shift in business models. We even explore some novel tech applications, like warehouse inventory management through sensors and cameras - turning the whole warehouse into a vending machine!It was a fascinating conversation that you won't want to miss. So tune in, whether you're a supply chain professional, a manufacturing enthusiast, or just eager to learn more about the future of industrial supply chains.For more, Anna mentioned you could check out IEN.com and Manufacturing .net where Anna also has a podcast.Listen in, and let's dive into the digital supply chain together! And/or check outElevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Olivier Brusle Alicia Farag Luis Olavarria Alvaro Aguilar And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Digital Supply Chain episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.