Locus Array: The Next Leap in Warehouse Fulfillment Automation
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Kate Peterson of Locust Robotics about the Locus Array, a 10‑foot, fully autonomous fulfillment robot that handles picking, packing, put‑away, inventory counting, and re‑slotting without human intervention. The robot uses AI‑driven cameras, an omnidirectional base, and a versatile arm to pick items from standard totes, manage multiple order sizes, and operate in narrow aisles, aiming to reduce labor reliance and enable 24/7 operations. Locust Robotics built the system over three years, focusing on common SKUs (under 4‑5 lb) and offering a low‑lift implementation that integrates with existing racking and totes, with early deployments like DHL going live in just four weeks. The discussion highlights the robot’s ability to batch orders, dynamically adjust to inventory, and continuously improve picking capabilities through ongoing R&D.
Chemical Conversations: South Korea BTX Rationalisation and Global Impact
In this episode, Argus analyst Santosh and senior aromatics reporter Junlee dissect South Korea's sweeping petrochemical rationalisation, driven by persistently low benzene NAFTA spreads, China’s self‑sufficiency surge, and a global economic slowdown. The government has mandated a 20% cut—about 2.7‑3.7 million...
Everyone Has a Role to Play with Inventory By Tim Grant
In this 11‑minute episode, Tim Grant explains how inventory management has shifted from siloed functions to a collaborative, cross‑functional process that involves every department—from shipping and receiving to procurement, operations, production, sales, accounting, and senior management. He highlights how each...
Parcel Shipping Operations: Moving Packages in Minutes with DHL
In this episode Kevin Lawton talks with Eric Ricardo, VP of Operations at DHL eCommerce, about how the company moves millions of parcels daily through a network of roughly two dozen U.S. facilities and a cross‑dock in Canada. Ricardo explains...
Being a Food Whisperer: How Lineage Applies Inside the Box Thinking in Food Logistics
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Dr. Stephen Neal, VP of Global Food Optimization at Lineage Logistics, about the evolving role of food safety and value‑added services in cold‑storage warehousing. Neal explains how Lineage has expanded from simple cold‑air...
211. How One Small American Manufacturer Is Dealing with Trump's Tariffs
In this episode, host Chad Bowne visits Clearview Corporation, a small Massachusetts maker of chair cushions, to explore how the firm navigated the wave of Trump-era tariffs on Chinese textile imports. Co‑owner Sam Cooper explains that the company relies on...
MODEX 2026 Recap
In this episode of the Robot Report, hosts Mike Oitzman, Gene Dimitri, and guest Sarah Wynn recap MODEX 2026, highlighting its record attendance of 50,000 visitors, over a thousand exhibitors, and the growing prominence of robotics across supply‑chain, warehousing, and...
BRIEFLY: Field Leaves Ford, Mercedes VLE and Free Charging | 16 Apr 2026
The brief EV news roundup covers several key developments: Doug Fields, a senior electrification executive who moved from Apple to Tesla and then Ford, is leaving Ford immediately, prompting a restructuring of its EV, hybrid, and gasoline programs. Dacia unveiled...
GA 628 | A Factory on Fire: How Lean Saves Lives with Brian Meyers
In this episode Brian Myers shares the harrowing story of a fire that broke out in his newly built 56,000‑sq‑ft lean manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and how his lean culture helped the team respond quickly and limit damage. He...
Atomic Show #343 – Yasir Arafat, CTO Aalo Atomics
In this episode Rod Adams talks with Yasir Arafat, CTO and co‑founder of Allo Atomics, about the company’s mission to revolutionize nuclear power by building small modular reactors at factory speed and lower cost. Arafat explains their “speed of physics”...
How Dialogue Is Steering Thailand’s Auto Manufacturing Future
The episode examines how responsible business conduct (RBC)—centered on genuine dialogue between management and unions—can guide Thailand’s auto sector through the shift to electric vehicles, automation, and AI. Georg Lutert stresses that unions must be integral to workplace democracy and...
Steel From the Deep
In this episode, host explores how the scuttled German fleet at Scapa Flow—sunk in 1919—became a crucial source of ultra‑low‑background steel for mid‑20th‑century science. Because the steel was forged before the nuclear age and remained shielded by seawater, it contains...
Logistics Hub Development: How Franklin County Became a Powerhouse
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Mike Ross, president of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC), about how Franklin County, Pennsylvania became a major logistics hub. Ross explains the county’s strategic location along Interstate 81, the role of early...
Wyatt Gilmore of Grant Stone
In this episode, host Jeremy Kirkland chats with Wyatt Gilmore, founder of Grant Stone, about his unconventional path into footwear—growing up with a family legacy at Alden, then moving to China and Taiwan at 19 to learn manufacturing from the...
3PL Fit: Staying in Your Lane Drives 3PL Growth
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Dave Hariger, CEO of Swift House, about the evolution of his 3PL from a textbook resale operation to a boutique fulfillment provider focused on small brands. Hariger explains how a sudden loss of...
Transforming Asset Management with Physical AI
In this episode of the Robot Report, hosts Mike Weitzman and Brianna Westling discuss recent robotics news, including rising robot density in Europe and upcoming industry events, before interviewing Christian Peterson, Chief Product Officer at IFS. Peterson explains how IFS...
Guest: Christelle Keefer of A3 on Gaps in Automation Skills; Robot Density Is Growing; Fleets Flex in AI
In this episode, Christelle Kiefer, Director of Training and Certifications at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), discusses the growing automation skills gap and the need for broader robotics literacy across all roles in supply chains. She highlights A3’s efforts,...
Attabotics Returns with a Clearer Path Forward
The episode explores the resurgence of Attabotics, a high‑density robotic fulfillment system, after its bankruptcy and its new partnership with Lafayette, a long‑standing automation integrator. Guests Bruce Robbins (founder of Lafayette), Art Eldridge (SVP of Sales & Software at Attabotics),...
Multi-Location Inventory Management Guide for Growing Businesses
In this 8‑minute episode, the host explains multi‑location inventory management—tracking stock across multiple warehouses, distribution centers, or stores—and why it’s essential for scaling manufacturers. They outline common pitfalls such as inconsistent data, inventory imbalances, transfer complications, poor visibility, rising costs,...
Europe’s Electric Vehicle Conundrum
The episode examines Europe’s dual transition: decarbonising transport through rapid EV adoption and maintaining a competitive automotive industry amid Chinese overcapacity and shifting US subsidies. Guests explain how the EU’s reliance on Chinese batteries and EVs threatens supply‑chain resilience, while...
Connecting Forecasting and Warehouse Decisions at Scale - with Jerod Hamilton of Tyson Foods
In this episode, Jerod Hamilton, Director of 3PL Warehouse Strategy at Tyson Foods, explains why modern distribution centers struggle with efficiency due to fragmented planning systems and static facility designs that quickly become outdated. He highlights how multiple, siloed forecasts...
Right-Sized Packaging: A Box Last Approach Means Lower Costs & Less Waste
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Jeff Belcher and Craig Hall of CMC Packaging Automation about the evolution of automated, right‑sized packaging—from early mailing and holiday‑cake boxes to today’s e‑commerce solutions. They explain how CMC’s Carton Wrap and Genesis...
IC to Electric: 90% Fuel Savings, Lower Maintenance, and Smarter Forklift Decisions
In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin Lawton talks with Martin Boyd, CMO of Big Joe, about the rapid electrification of forklift fleets. Boyd explains how Big Joe’s fully integrated lithium‑ion batteries eliminate the drawbacks of lead‑acid and internal‑combustion (IC)...
Developing Electric Vehicles at Scale
In this episode, Sid Sadiq, founder of Electra Vehicles, shares the company’s evolution from a small workshop in West Yorkshire to a global supplier of heavy electric and hydrogen‑powered commercial trucks. He discusses the hurdles of navigating complex UK regulations,...
John Deere Planter Updates Target Emergence and Input Efficiency
In this episode, John Deere’s Anthony Stosinski outlines the 2027 planter upgrades, highlighting Exact Depth control from the cab, FurrowVision imaging, and automated downforce adjustments to improve emergence and residue management. He also explains the new dual‑product fertilizer system that...
Metal Movers: How the Iran Conflict Is Impacting Steel Markets
The Metal Movers episode examines how the Iran‑Israel conflict has disrupted global steel markets, from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to direct strikes on Iranian steel plants. Reporters detail the immediate supply shock—loss of roughly 500,000‑600,000 t/month of Iranian...
Lead Time in Manufacturing: A Complete Guide to Types, Strategies, and Optimization
In this 17‑minute episode of the MRP Easy Manufacturing Podcast, the hosts break down lead time—what it is, how it differs from cycle, throughput, and takt time, and why it matters for profitability and customer loyalty. They explain the various...
Fertilizer Matters EP44: Chinese Ammonia Market
In this episode, Argus senior reporter Denise Cheng talks with ammonia market editor Roof Sharp about the launch of Argus' new China FOB ammonia price assessment and the shifting dynamics of China's ammonia trade. China, once a major importer, is...
Modular Warehouse Solutions That Adapt to Change
In this episode, host Kevin Lawton talks with Ben Hull, Director of Sales at Item (pronounced "EET-em"), about the company's modular T-slot aluminum extrusion system—often likened to industrial Legos—that lets warehouses and manufacturers quickly design and reconfigure workstations, carts, and...
Episode 150: House Building Robots - Vikas Enti
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Vikas Enti, co‑founder and CEO of Reframe Systems, about how their robotic micro‑factory platform enables mass‑customized, climate‑resilient homes. Enti explains the end‑to‑end workflow—from site analysis and automated design to robot‑guided panel fabrication and...
The SpaceX and Tesla Playbook for Hard Tech Startups
In this episode, Erin Price‑Wright talks with Chandler Lujica, CEO of Galadine (next‑generation missile propulsion), and Turner Caldwell, CEO of Mariana Minerals (critical mineral supply chains) about how their time at SpaceX and Tesla shaped the way they build hard‑tech...
The Hidden Cost of Expiring Inventory for Small Food Manufacturers
In this 38‑minute live webinar, Steve Maurer—an industry veteran with 35 years of food‑processing experience—explains the hidden costs of expired inventory for small food manufacturers. He breaks down direct losses (raw material, labor, overhead) and indirect expenses such as storage,...
Submarines and the Future of Defense Manufacturing
In this episode, Vice Admiral Robert Goucher, the Pentagon’s first “submarine czar,” and Chris Power, CEO of Hadrian, discuss the urgent need to rebuild the U.S. submarine fleet and the massive workforce gap threatening that effort. They explain how submarines...
On-Demand Warehousing Solves Distressed Freight Problems
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Dave Gutierrez, VP of Sales at Olymp Warehousing, about their on‑demand warehousing marketplace that connects shippers needing immediate storage or freight services with 3PLs and warehouses. Olymp’s platform automates RFQ submissions, rapid bidding, and...
How China Made Itself Tariff-Proof
In this episode, Keith Bradshirp explains how China has become virtually tariff‑proof by rapidly expanding its advanced, robot‑driven manufacturing capacity. The discussion highlights four key factors: diversification of export markets, indirect shipments through third‑party countries, a deliberately weakened yuan, and,...
Finding a Home for Excess 3PL Inventory
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Abby Naraki, CEO and founder of Stock, about the growing problem of excess inventory in the 3PL and e‑commerce space and how Stock connects that surplus to a vast network of nonprofits. Abby...
Supply Chain Data Capture Is Entering a New Era with Surgere
In this episode Kevin Lawton interviews Bill Woppler, CEO and founder of SurgeAir, about the evolution of data capture in supply chains. SurgeAir now processes about 15 billion transactions a month and has introduced Sophia, an agentic AI that makes sense...
Packaging Management: Workflows, Inventory, and Tools
In this episode the host explains packaging management as a critical component of manufacturing, covering its role in product design, workflow optimization, inventory control, cost reduction, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Key takeaways include the importance of treating packaging like any...
AI, Supply Chains, and the Future of Economic Power
In this episode, Jacob Helberg, Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs, discusses how AI, hardware, and secure supply chains have become central to U.S. economic and national security. He outlines the administration’s three‑front strategy to win the AI race: superior...
The Buyer's Journey for Warehouse Automation
The episode explores the warehouse automation buying journey from three angles: iAutomate’s CEO Christoph Buchmann explains how the process truly begins with identifying a problem and validating automation as the right solution; Staples Canada’s Mert Selchuk describes a data‑driven, internal...
Warehouse Automation Success Depends on Operational Alignment
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Adrian Stuck, CEO of High Robotics, and later Colin McAleenan, VP of Business Development, about the company’s mobile ASRS solutions, especially the HyperClimb robot that combines horizontal and vertical movement. They stress that successful...
The Looming Bottleneck for Global Tech
In this episode, Sean Kim explains how the Strait of Hormuz— a critical shipping lane for energy— could become a bottleneck for the global technology sector, especially advanced semiconductor manufacturing. He highlights that chip fabs, like those in Taiwan, consume...
Ed Mehr on Transforming Manufacturing at Machina Labs
In this episode, host Mike Oitzman and editorial director Gene Dimitri discuss highlights from Automation World 2026 in Seoul, noting Korea's massive robot density, the mix of domestic and international exhibitors, and the strategic importance of government support. The conversation...
3PL Culture and Fulfillment Experience
In this episode, Kevin interviews Michelle Harris of Our Service Works (OSW), a Dallas‑based 3PL that evolved from outsourced customer care to a full‑service fulfillment operation. They discuss how OSW carefully selects carriers—evaluating performance data, technology integration, and support—to enhance...
Product Identification Across the Supply Chain
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Jim Bureau, President and CEO of Loftware, about the critical role of product identification and connected packaging in modern supply chains. They explore how Loftware’s cloud‑based labeling solutions enable authentic, compliant, and traceable...
E706 | Jo Slota-Newson & Marc Sabas, Almanac Ventures: Systemic Deep Tech for Industrial Decarbonisation
Almanac Ventures, founded by deep‑tech scientist Jo Slota‑Newson and finance‑focused Marc Sabas, invests seed‑stage deep‑tech solutions for industrial decarbonisation across Europe. They target technologies that improve performance, lower costs, and cut emissions in complex, capital‑intensive sectors that account for 75%...
Metals Movers: Stainless Insights with ISSDA’s President
In this episode Deepika Singh talks with Rajamani Krishnamurthy, President of the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISDA), about the rapid expansion of India’s stainless‑steel sector and the structural challenges it faces. Krishnamurthy stresses that the biggest hurdle is the prevailing...
Top Warehouse KPIs for Small Businesses – What To Track and Why?
In this episode the host breaks down the most important warehouse KPIs for small businesses, organizing them into receiving/shipping, put‑away, picking, order management, storage, labor, and safety categories. Each metric—such as receiving efficiency, picking accuracy, inventory turnover, labor utilization, and...
Where Is Warehouse Technology Heading with Gary Allen of Ryder
In this episode, Kevin Lawton chats with Gary Allen of Ryder about the rapid evolution of warehouse technology, focusing on automation and AI. Allen explains how automation—from autonomous mobile robots to autonomous forklifts and emerging humanoids—is becoming more affordable and...
Semiconductors, Satellites, and Scale With Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy
In this episode, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy explains how her company provides end‑to‑end semiconductor services—from custom ASIC design and foundry access to wafer processing, packaging, board assembly, and final box builds—for aerospace, defense, and the rapidly growing new‑space sector....