Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY
Guest: Mike Van Bree of the American Ladder Institute on Safety when Working at Heights; A Cybersecurity Collaboration; Sensing Your Way to a Smoother Supply Chain
Why It Matters
Ensuring ladder safety reduces preventable injuries in the fast‑growing warehousing sector, while coordinated cybersecurity defenses are critical as manufacturing becomes increasingly digital and interconnected. The surge in sensor adoption promises to transform visibility and accuracy across supply chains, making these discussions essential for anyone planning resilient operations in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- •Ladder safety standards governed by ANSI A14 series.
- •Regular inspections prevent most ladder-related injuries.
- •ENFORCERS alliance targets cybersecurity for industrial automation.
- •Sensor tags double logistics visibility, reducing theft.
- •National Ladder Safety Month raises workplace awareness each March.
Pulse Analysis
The American Ladder Institute (ALI) serves as the ANSI‑accredited developer of the A14 safety standards that govern portable, rolling and fixed ladders used in warehouses and distribution centers. By aligning product design with these standards, manufacturers ensure that ladders meet duty‑rating, material, and labeling requirements. OSHA consistently cites ladder violations among its top ten safety infractions, yet most incidents are preventable through routine pre‑use inspections—checking for damaged casters, secure welds, and legible safety labels—and proper setup based on ladder type. Emphasizing these practices during National Ladder Safety Month helps embed a culture of vigilance across the supply‑chain workforce.
Across Europe, the newly formed ENFORCERS partnership—Enhanced Cooperation for Cybersecurity—brings together industrial manufacturers, cybersecurity firms, and research institutes to harden automation software against evolving threats. Their three‑year roadmap focuses on closing the loop between incident detection and coordinated response, delivering technical demos, best‑practice guides, and certification frameworks. By standardizing protective measures for segmented automation networks, ENFORCERS aims to reduce the ripple effect of a single breach, bolster digital sovereignty, and set a replicable model for global supply‑chain resilience.
Sensor technology is reshaping logistics, with demand projected to double by 2033. Walmart’s deployment of battery‑free IoT tags—tiny “pixels” that attach to pallets and cases—provides continuous, real‑time visibility into temperature, humidity, and location across its distribution network. Meanwhile, GenLogs leverages trillions of data points from satellite and roadside sensors, applying AI to verify carrier behavior and curb freight fraud. These innovations illustrate how embedded sensors improve inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, and cargo security, positioning data‑driven logistics as a cornerstone of modern supply‑chain strategy.
Episode Description
Our guest on this week's episode is Mike Van Bree, director of product safety and engineering at Louisville Ladder Inc. and current president of the American Ladder Institute (ALI). This is Friday the 13th, and you have probably heard that old adage not to walk under ladders. That warning is probably not so much because it might bring you bad luck, but because it is an unsafe thing to do. And that brings us to our guest today: March is National Ladder Safety Month in the United States – a reminder to follow proper safety procedures while working at heights in warehouse and distribution centers, among other places. Mike Van Bree brings some safe practices when working with ladders to our discussion.
This week we saw the launch of a new plan by businesses in Europe to cooperate on joining together to set standards and practices for cybersecurity, specifically for software used in industrial automation and manufacturing. Ben Ames tells you what their plans are to defend themselves against cyber criminals.
Global demand for sensors in logistics is set to double between 2024 and 2033, according to recent industry reports. Victoria Kickham shares about a feature she wrote for DC Velocity’s March issue that examines how sensor technology is helping companies improve the efficiency, accuracy, and security of their supply chains. Specifically, she looked into an inventory project by Walmart and a recent market expansion by a transportation industry security startup that shows just how powerful sensors are in logistics.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. The latest series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
American Ladder Institute
National Ladder Safety Month website
Ladder Safety Training resources
European groups form cybersecurity initiative for industrial automation
Sensing your way to a smoother supply chain
Visit DC Velocity
Visit Supply Chain Xchange
Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com
This podcast episode is sponsored by: Storage Solutions
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