Penn State CSCR: Unpacked: Insights (formerly Penn State Supply Chain Podcast)

From Garage to Global: Chieh Huang on Building Boxed and Launching Pelgo

In this episode, Chieh Huang, founder of Boxed and now CEO of Pelgo, shares his journey from a garage‑based wholesale startup to a public company and his latest venture helping workers transition to AI‑augmented roles. He highlights the stark difference between building software and managing physical supply‑chain operations, emphasizing that technology alone can’t solve real‑world logistics without resilient processes. Huang explains Boxed’s supply‑chain innovations—regional fulfillment centers, multi‑item packaging efficiencies, and early automation—that drove strong margins, and he outlines Pelgo’s mission to reskill displaced workers as automation accelerates. Finally, he discusses the rapid evolution of warehouse robotics, dynamic pricing AI, and the potential of gamifying logistics to boost frontline productivity.