The Future of Supply Chain

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Jun 2026

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The Future of Supply Chain podcast is a show hosted by Richard Howells, Sin To, and Oyku Ilgar. The trio discusses hot topics, best practices, and the latest innovations to deliver a risk-resilient and sustainable supply chain. The show features interviews with experts from the world of supply chain, sustainability, AI and automation, who will address the issues of today and tomorrow. This is an ideal podcast for supply chain, R&D, manufacturing, logistics, and operations executives to learn and share ideas and best practices with their peers.

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June 15, 2026Episode 16530 min

Episode 165: Why A Business Network Is The Invisible Backbone of Supply Chains With BrainBox’s Adi Sharoff

In this episode, we speak with Adi Sharoff of BrainBox Consulting Digital about why business networks are the invisible backbone of supply chains. We discuss B2B friction, supplier onboarding, touchless automation, AI, and how procurement teams can move from manual execution to forward-looking value creation.Guest: Adi Sharoff, Managing Partner, Brainbox ConsultingAdi Sharoff is a seasoned business leader, entrepreneur, and investor with over two decades of experience in digital transformation, procurement, and enterprise technology. As Managing Partner of Brainbox Consulting, he leads global initiatives across SAP Ariba, SAP Business Network, Concur, and BTP-driven automation programs. With a strong track record of delivering large-scale transformation projects across APAC, Europe, and North America, Adi is passionate about helping organizations modernize procurement, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable business growth. He is also actively involved in strategic advisory, practice development, and building high-performing global teams.Host: Richard Howells, SAP   Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.  ===== Show Links:Brainbox ConsultingSupply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain   Follow Us on Social Media   Adi Sharoff - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adi-sharoff-a14870187/ Richard Howells - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/ SAP Digital Supply Chain - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

June 10, 2026Episode 16426 min

Episode 164: AI, Innovation, and Humanitarian Logistics: Inside the World Food Programme’s Supply Chain with Bernhard Kowatsch

In this episode we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of Global Accelerator and Ventures at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), to talk about humanitarian logistics and how digital tools and AI are transforming decision-making. Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of Global Accelerator and Ventures at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), to talk about humanitarian logistics and how digital tools and AI are transforming decision-making. Bernhard explains that acute hunger has risen from 85 million pre-COVID to over 318 million due to conflicts, extreme weather, and economic shocks, increasing supply chain complexity across 120 countries using thousands of trucks, ships, and aircraft. The WFP uses AI for real-time and forecasted food security, and its Scout optimization tool to balance cost and speed across procurement, warehousing, and routing, saving $6M in 18 months and targeting $25M annually. He describes responsible AI, human oversight, prioritization by vulnerability, last-mile constraints, and WFP’s Munich Innovation Accelerator model and partnership needs. ===== Guest: Bernhard Kowatsch Bernhard Kowatsch is the Director Global Accelerator and Ventures at the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP). Since he created the Global Accelerator in 2015, it has become one of the Worlds biggest impact startup accelerators, offering 18 annual programmes.Prior to starting the Accelerator, Bernhard co-founded the award-winning ShareTheMeal app that crowdsources funding for WFP and has delivered over 300 million meals for hungry children worldwide. His previous experience includes creating WFP’s Business Innovation Unit and working as a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).Host: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠ World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator: https://innovation.wfp.org/World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator 2025 Year in Review: https://innovation.wfp.org/year-review-2025World Food Programme Hunger Map: https://hungermap.wfp.org/food?w=ipc-phase-3Follow Us on Social Media : Bernhard KowatschLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhardkowatsch/ Richard Howells:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells⁠ Sin To: LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208⁠ SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/⁠ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Future Supply Chains and AI Vision for WFP00:38 Humanitarian Logistics Intro01:42 Meet Bernhard Kowatsch02:35 Crisis Drivers and Hunger Surge04:46 Scale and Speed in Emergencies06:16 Planning Under Uncertainty09:18 Digital Supply Chain and Responsible AI12:01 Making AI Work Scout Savings14:34 Prioritization Access and Last Mile Tech18:43 Innovation Accelerator in Munich22:30 Partnering with WFP24:17 Future Supply Chain Wrap Up

June 8, 2026Episode 16326 min

Episode 163: Supply Chain Logistics with Westernacher's Rafael Avila

Today, we speak with Rafael Avila, who discusses how AI-powered logistics improves visibility, reduces emissions, and helps companies balance cost, service, and sustainability in transportation planning.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, Rafael Avila of Westernacher joins us to discuss the future of logistics. He explains how AI can make emissions visible earlier, improve mode and carrier decisions, reduce waste, and support better service. The conversation also explores workforce shifts and the importance of end-to-end supply chain visibility. ===== Guest: Rafael Avila, Supply Chain and Logistics leader, Westernacher ConsultingRafael Avila is a Supply Chain and Logistics leader specializing in SAP Transportation Management and end-to-end supply chain transformation at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience, he has worked across global organizations to design and deliver solutions that improve transportation planning, execution, and visibility across complex networks. A former IBM consulting leader, Rafael spent years supporting large-scale S/4HANA programs and shaping supply chain strategies across industries including consumer products, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and mining. His work has focused on helping organizations connect transportation with warehousing, trade, and order management to unlock more integrated and resilient supply chains. Today, Rafael continues to work closely with clients on modern logistics challenges, with a strong focus on simplifying complex topics, driving practical outcomes, and exploring how technologies like AI are reshaping transportation and supply chain decision-making.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:WesternacherArticle: Smarter Transportation Management cuts your carbon footprintSupply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠   Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, Oyku Ilgar: ⁠LinkedIn⁠  SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest’s Introductions00:04:48: Making transportation emissions visible with AI00:07:39: Why reporting alone does not reduce emissions00:09:50: Mode selection and carrier choice matter00:12:33: AI can cut cost, emissions, and service waste together00:14:27: Biggest sustainability wins in transportation planning 00:18:28: How AI changes the logistics workforce 00:22:33: Common pitfalls in digitizing supply chain00:25:14: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:26:28: Outro

June 3, 2026Episode 16221 min

Episode 162: Circumventing Geopolitics: How Network Intelligence and AI Can Answer Uncertainty with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger

This week, we talk with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger about how network intelligence and AI can assist logistics teams in managing disruptions, enhancing collaboration, and building a more resilient supply chain.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, we speak with SAP’s Ralf Hierzegger about how constant disruption, digital dependencies, and climate and regulatory shifts are reshaping logistics. They explore why supply chains must move beyond company borders, how AI can support real-time decisions, and why trusted network collaboration is essential for better execution, efficiency, and resilience. ===== Guest 1: Ralf Hierzegger, Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, SAPRalf has built his career at the intersection of logistics, consulting, and digital innovation. After starting out as a forwarding agent from 1990 to 1992, he studied economics from 1993 to 1996 before joining SAP in 1996 as a consultant. In 2013, he stepped into the role of Solution Architect at SAP SE Custom Development, focusing on Foreign Trade and Transportation Logistics. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, helping shape the future of business networks in logistics. He is married and the father of two grown-up children.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Read: Circumventing Geopolitics: How Network Intelligence and AI Can Answer Uncertainty blog SAP Business AI Platform Supply chain logistics SAP Logistics AssistantSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠   Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest’s Introductions00:02:23: Why logistics disruption is harder now00:06:26: Structural challenges in supply chain and logistics00:08:02: Using AI to respond to delays and blockages00:10:51: Why AI alone cannot solve logistics 00:12:36: The value of AI for a business network 00:14:24: How data sharing improves network performance00:16:27: First steps for adopting network intelligence and AI00:19:06: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:31: Outro

May 27, 2026Episode 16123 min

Episode 161: How AI is the Next Paradigm Shift with Arkestro's CEO Rob DeSantis

Arkestro’s CEO, Rob DeSantis, joins us this week for an insightful conversation about why AI is the next major paradigm shift in the supply chain and how it can unlock faster value, better decisions, and happier teams.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== Join us as we explore AI as the next paradigm shift in supply chain. This week, Arkestro CEO Rob DeSantis shares lessons from the internet and cloud, the importance of trust and data quality, how AI is reshaping human work, and why fast time to value matters. ===== Guest 1: Rob DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, ArkestroRob DeSantis is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Arkestro. As a former co-founder of Ariba running sales, Rob has deep expertise in the procurement space, having helped propel Ariba from zero to $250 million in revenue in four years and IPO of the year in 1999 before its acquisition by SAP a decade later. In addition to co-founding Ariba, Rob was also an early angel investor and board member of LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional online network.More recently, Rob served as an investor and advisor to a small portfolio of companies, including Bloom Energy, HiQ Labs, Agiloft, USEND and more. He is also a co-founder of TrueParity. Rob started his career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry and holds a BSME from the University of Rhode Island.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Arkestro: https://arkestro.comSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠   Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:00: Guest Introductions00:02:51: The biggest paradigm shifts00:04:53: Lessons from the internet and cloud for AI adoption00:07:23: Overcoming laggards and proving value in production00:08:55: Trusting AI in black-box supply chain planning00:11:54: How AI changes human roles and skills00:15:20: The main business benefits of AI00:19:02: KPIs for measuring AI success00:20:44: How Arkestro supports the paradigm shift00:22:38: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:23:19: Outro

May 20, 2026Episode 16026 min

Episode 160: Beyond Go Live: Driving Continuous Improvement in SAP SCM with LeverX

SAP SCM value doesn’t end at go-live. Jacob Ladson and Dmitry Antonovich share how continuous improvement, clean core, KPI governance, and agentic AI help organizations keep supply chain solutions delivering value.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, LeverX’s Jacob Ladson and Dmitry Antonovich join us to discuss what happens after go-live in SAP supply chain implementations. They cover operational drift, user adoption, clean core strategy, KPI governance, continuous improvement, and how agentic AI may reshape warehouse operations. Join us as we discuss the future of the supply chain! ===== Guest 1: Jacob Ladson, EWM Practice Lead, LeverXJacob Ladson is the EWM Practice Lead at LeverX, based in Houston, Texas, where he helps organizations modernize and optimize warehouse operations using SAP Extended Warehouse Management. He brings extensive experience leading warehouse transformation initiatives across implementations, enhancements, and optimization programs for complex distribution and manufacturing environments.Jacob partners with operations and IT leaders to translate business objectives into practical SAP solutions that improve throughput, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, and operational visibility. He is known for delivering scalable, sustainable warehouse solutions that drive measurable results beyond go-live.Guest 2: Dmitry Antanovich, Solutions Director, SAP Supply Chain Management, LeverXTechnology and business leader with a strong focus on growth, strategy, and execution in SAP-driven transformation initiatives. As a Solutions Director, I lead solution strategy and customer engagement across complex SAP programs, helping organizations translate business priorities into clear technology roadmaps. I work closely with executive stakeholders, SAP teams, and partners to guide modernization efforts, moving from legacy landscapes to scalable, cloud-enabled architectures built on SAP S/4HANA and SAP BTP.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:LeverX: https://leverx.com/SAP EWM Value Realization Program: https://leverx.com/services/sap-ewm-value-realization-programWarehouse Efficiency Check Up: https://leverx.com/services/warehouse-assessment Blogs: SAP EWM Optimization After Go-Live: Unlocking Hidden Warehouse Performance: https://leverx.com/newsroom/sap-ewm-optimization-after-go-live Common Post Go-Live Traps in SAP EWM: How to Move From Stable to High-Performing Warehousing: https://leverx.com/newsroom/common-post-go-live-traps-in-sap-ewmSupply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠   Follow Us on Social Media : Jacob Ladson: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest’s Introductions00:02:55: Why value stalls after go-live00:05:15: Common causes of post-implementation failure00:06:03: Why trust and knowledge transfer matter00:07:48: Keeping the system flexible as the business changes00:09:01: Why clean core and technical debt matter 00:10:40: Using new SAP tools to stay agile00:12:10: Revisit unused capabilities after go-live00:15:26: KPI governance after implementation00:17:00: Breaking down silos across supply chain teams00:18:49: Continuous improvement examples after go-live00:22:30: How can LeverX help in logistics implementations 00:23:42: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:25:53: Outro

May 13, 2026Episode 15931 min

Episode 159: Will AI Replace or Redefine the Supply Chain Workforce with SAP’s David Vallejo

In this episode, SAP’s David Vallejo discusses whether AI will replace or redefine supply chain jobs, and explains how assistants, agents, trust, and reskilling will shape a more strategic future for the workforce.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== SAP’s David Vallejo joins us to explore one of supply chain’s biggest questions: will AI replace jobs or redefine them? The conversation covers practical AI use cases, the role of assistants and agents, how to build trust, why reskilling matters, and which KPIs prove business value. ===== Guest: David Vallejo, Vice President, Head of SCM Innovations Product Marketing, SAPHis global organization leads strategy and growth initiatives for SAP’s SCM portfolio which encompasses solutions for product lifecycle management, manufacturing, planning, logistics, assets and service management as well as the Business Network. The suite of AI-first solutions enable customers to orchestrate their supply chain with confidence to become risk-resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in their supply chain operations.David joined SAP in 2014 and has held various leadership positions before attaining his current role. During David’s tenure he drove the successful launch of SAP’s Supply Chain Business Network focusing on direct materials collaboration across the extended supply chain and driving the customer co-innovation program as product owner for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP).Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Supply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain   Follow Us on Social Media : David Vallejo: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn  SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:18: Guest introduction00:01:54: Will AI replace supply chain jobs?00:06:05: Where AI will have the first impact00:10:01: Building trust and adoption in teams00:13:58: Assistants, copilots, and job design00:19:02: Best early use cases for agents00:22:52: Reskilling supply chain organizations00:26:28: KPIs that prove AI value00:29:00 What's the future of the supply chain?00:31:10: Outro

May 6, 2026Episode 15824 min

Episode 158: Logistics in the 21st Century: The Journey to the Cloud

Logistics used to be about keeping costs down; today, it’s about surviving the next disruption. We’re unpacking how to break free from aging legacy systems, when to play it safe versus leapfrog to the cloud, and what the future of logistics looks like.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== SAP’s Till Dengel joins Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to discuss the shift from legacy logistics systems to cloud-based solutions. He outlines SAP’s logistics modernization paths, explains how companies can assess complexity and risk, and shares his view on the future of supply chain as cloud-first, AI-enabled, and network-driven. ===== Guest: Till Dengel, VP Product Marketing Logistics, Assets and Service Management at SAP SETill Dengel oversees global market research, thought leadership, commercial strategy, positioning, messaging, and communications for SAP's Digital Logistics and Asset/Service Management portfolio. As an accomplished speaker in this domain, he offers a comprehensive perspective on market dynamics and the latest industry trends.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Curious about your migration options? Check this out: 3 Journeys That Redefine Your Logistics in a Disruptive World Supply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

April 29, 2026Episode 15727 min

Episode 157: Self-Healing Supply Chain with Westernacher’s Sachin Vijayan

This week, we welcomed Sachin Vijayan from Westernacher, who explained how AI, agents, and real-time sensing are driving the shift toward self-healing supply chains and why humans will remain accountable.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====  In this episode, Sachin Vijayan of Westernacher joins us to discuss the rise of the self-healing supply chain. We explore how AI agents, sensing, automation, and real-time data can help supply chains respond to disruptions more quickly, while humans remain accountable for key decisions. ===== Guest: Sachin Vijayan, Global Planning Lead, Westernacher Consulting   Sachin Vijayan is an experienced supply chain transformation leader currently serving as the Global Planning Lead at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience in solutions architecture and consulting, he specializes in Digital Business Transformation, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Demand Planning across diverse global industries.Throughout his tenure at Westernacher, Sachin has held several key leadership positions, including the EU Regional Practice Lead and Solution Architect. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and robust technical models, driving operational excellence and high-quality client delivery.Sachin is known for his strategic approach to supply chain planning, helping organizations navigate modern market complexities through digital innovation and process optimization.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:What if your supply chain could heal itself? Read the article Supply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain   Follow Us on Social Media : Sachin Vijayan: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn  SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:07: Guest Introductions00:01:44: What does “self-healing supply chain” mean in practice00:04:37: Core capabilities needed before a supply chain can self-heal00:07:50: The role of AI in enabling self-healing operations00:12:27: How humans and AI should work together00:17:33: What the planner of the future will do differently00:22:12: Where self-healing is already happening today00:26:17: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:27:20: Outro

April 22, 2026Episode 15629 min

Episode 156: In Control at 30,000 Feet: How Lufthansa Technik Manages Global Supply Chain Risk

In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Lufthansa Technik with Lena Kaehler. We discuss how they deliver aviation spare parts fast, adapt to trade changes, and aim for smarter AI and CO2 neutrality.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠===== On this episode, Lena Kaehler, Senior Director of Component Logistics, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Lufthansa Technik’s global aviation spare-parts network. We break down how their team delivers speed and reliability to avoid AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations, while juggling strict safety regulations, airport access challenges, and an incredible variety of parts, including hazardous and high-value items.Discover how Lufthansa Technik supports around 800 airlines and manages a million shipments every year. Hear about their $2.3B pooled inventory, powered by a blend of proprietary systems, AI, and expert oversight.Lena also shares how they’re adapting to shifting tariffs and trade rules, tackling crisis management, and optimizing transport networks. Plus: their vision for the future: smarter AI, ongoing trade volatility, and a push for CO2 neutrality.This is a must-hear episode if you want to get more insights from Lufthansa Technik. ===== Guest: Lena Kaehler, Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS).Lena Kaehler is Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS). With more than 20 years of experience in aviation, she has held roles across spare parts supply, base maintenance, airline flight operations, and logistics. In her current position, Lena is responsible for Lufthansa Technik’s global transportation network, holistic logistics solutions for the component business, and sales activities for LTLS customers worldwide. She studied industrial engineering and is passionate about the international, connecting nature of aviation.Host 1: Sin To, SAPSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scmFollow Us on Social Media : Lena Kaehler:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-kähler-944659146/ Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oykuilgar/ SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters: 00:00:22 Podcast Welcome00:01:20 Meet Lena Kaehler00:02:34 Aviation Logistics Challenges00:06:22 Scale of Global Network00:09:37 Pooling and Stock Planning00:12:46 Tariffs and Customs Volatility00:17:11 AI and Digitization Reality00:19:29 Repair Cycle and AOG Urgency00:22:26 Transport Network Operations00:26:55 Future of Supply Chain00:29:12 Wrap Up and Thanks