bpost has reduced urban air emissions of their mail delivery services by 97% in their project city of Medellin.

The Eco Zone Concept project changed its delivery mode from diesel vans to electric vehicles and bicycles. They also added a dense network of parcel pickup and dropoff points. Their pickup and dropoff network was designed with sustainability and flexibility as the ultimate guiding principle.

Every person can start a pot of coffee, walk or bike to their parcel point and, when they return, their coffee will still be hot - with no vehicle emissions necessary. This has created an organic, easy way for the organization and the people they serve to reduce their carbon footprints.

Gregory Perez, Urban Logistics Project Manager at bpost, and Anna Keim, Senior Consultant at Miebach, join the podcast to discuss the project and the future of urban sustainability.

Listen to our full conversation. Link below.

How much more efficient could your workforce become with ideal ergonomic conditions? Imagine a warehouse employee that must walk around a piece of machinery countless times a day, leading to thousands of non-productive steps. What about an employee that must bend over each time they need to pick up material? This employee experiences nonergonomic conditions, slowing their workflow with each bend.

Now imagine there was a way to obtain that massive amount of data to analyze it. This is precisely what Sascha Kaczmarek, the Co-Founder and COO of Motion Miners, had in mind for their industrial wearables. These aren’t your everyday smartwatches. These data-heavy wearables track key performance indicators, bringing a smorgasbord of data to leaders looking to make efficient, ergonomic changes — all while maintaining data security and employee privacy.

By using the data industrial wearables provide, leaders can build an ergonomically sound workplace, boosting efficiency and employee satisfaction and productivity.

Interested in learning more about how these work in the spirit of efficiency? Click the link below to listen to our conversation.

The biggest roadblock in automating supply chain operations? Financing the initial costs.

Marcel Reinhardt, Partner and Global Head of Supply Chain Financing at Miebach Consulting Group, and Marco Wagner, Global Head of Intralogistics at DLL, join the podcast this week to share how they are setting out to change this.

Automation can reduce risk and improve efficiency, especially with mobile automation solutions like autonomous forklifts and trucks.

Historically, long ROI turnaround has inhibited the adoption of the more advanced automated material handling solutions. Now, massive labor shortages and demand for improved efficiency are driving the need for automation in warehousing and distribution.

With the options available from DLL, the shift to automation could be realized on a much larger scale, much faster than most expect.

Want to learn more about how asset financing can enable advancements in your distribution operations?  Click the link below for the full episode!

Every time Richard Nachar and César Rodríguez send out an offer for a tender project from Miebach Consulting Group, their biggest competitor is not another agency — it is the customer themselves.

Customers almost always have doubts when considering outsourcing to a third party because addressing the tendering process seems like a way to save budget. As Supply Chain Consultant and Senior Consultant, respectively, at Miebach, they firmly believe that outsourcing provides objective viewpoints and guidance. At the end of the day, customers end up saving time and money — because it cuts the sales pitches and bias. Consultants quickly become integral assets to the tendering process while forming long-term partnerships.

Check out our conversations with Richard and César by clicking the link below.

We haven’t quite made it to flying cars, but innovative tech has sparked countless industry-changing developments. In the supply chain industry, automation is ramping up with no signs of slowing down. In addition, tech is continuously getting smarter — autonomous mobile robots are opening possibilities not previously imagined.

We spoke with Victor Splittgerber, Founder and CEO of WAKU Robotics, about the massive changes coming to supply chain as technologies like mobile robots become more and more popular. With benefits in safety and increasingly affordable prices, organizations are running out of reasons not to incorporate robotics into their manufacturing processes.

Want to learn more about the current state of robotics in supply chain and get an outlook on what the future may look like?

Listen to our conversation. Click the link below for the full episode!

There is risk in everything we do in the supply chain! Careful planning is what helps to alleviate those risks to provide effective supply chains, especially over the last 3 years.

This week, we’re joined by Miebach Consultants, Daniel Simon and Tim Wagner, to address Miebach’s latest supply chain risk management study, their first since 2019.

This study sheds light on the challenges faced by global supply chains amidst the disruptive COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. Daniel and Tim discuss the short, middle, and long-term risks identified in the study, as well as the direct and indirect losses experienced by companies worldwide. We explore the primary fears that organizations have when it comes to disruptions and how they can better prepare for the next unexpected event.

Additionally, we explore the emerging opportunities in nearshoring as businesses seek to increase supply chain resilience and how the advancement of AI software can help expand the understanding and preparation of risk management.

Click the link below for the full conversation.

The word omnichannel only came into existence in 2011. Since then, going omnichannel has become the only way for businesses to survive and thrive. Consumer buying preferences have changed drastically over the past few years. COVID forced the buying pattern to shift away from brick-and-mortar stores and towards digital experiences.

Joe Henderson, Senior Director of Technology Alliances at Deposco, joins us to discuss the technology-enabled shift to omnichannel. Many companies are using a digital storefront as startups — some skipping the physical footprint altogether. Other businesses are experimenting with pop-up shops and seasonal physical locations. All of these options have shown great success. But which is right for you?

The omnichannel approach isn’t just for the big names anymore. Smaller companies are now maximizing the benefit of multiple channels to build their brands, too. With lower start-up costs, lower risk, and less overhead, companies can test ideas rapidly and effectively, while also developing the perfect customer experience. Ready to grow your reach with additional channels?

We’ll give you a great starting point. Click the link below to check out the full episode!

People in the logistics and supply chain industries are *busy.* We don’t have time to keep up with white papers or write articles. But catching an informative and entertaining podcast is easy.

As we wrap the 1st season of Speaking of Supply Chain with host Ellen Wood, we’re excited to reach industry professionals and service providers across a vast spectrum. We’re an incredibly inclusive and important field — and this podcast is geared toward sharing crucial insights and expertise for all. It’s a platform that allows us to engage with the community and also spread the word about Miebach Consulting Group.

Our guests are at the top of their game and you can get even more amazing content by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

The status of your supply chain matters more now than ever. That’s why we dive into critical topics, from strategies to trends, challenges and solutions. And we’re just getting started. Coming up, we’ll be exploring innovative new technologies, the changing landscape of automation, and much more. 

We want to hear from you. Find out how to join us on our journey — click the link below to check out the full episode! 

Per the Paris Agreement, emissions must hit net zero by 2050. The new German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) requires the implementation of a risk management system to tackle that goal and other social and environmental issues.

How will this inspire new legislation in the EU? Anastasiia Omelchuk, a top supply chain consultant in Corporate Sustainability at Miebach, joins us to discuss what the German law will actually mean in the field.

Anastasiia is closely monitoring data on reactions to the coming regulations. She believes businesses need to change their perspective, especially those in high-impact industries like fashion, agriculture, and minerals.

Anastasiia encourages smaller firms to develop an action plan now to combat the fear that larger entities will "push the responsibility upstream." She's also seen quite a lot of optimism from brands that have taken the lead in sustainability for years.

German companies are well-positioned to enjoy the benefits (and marketability) of more agile supply chains before other countries in the EU.

Hot acronyms in the business world come and go. But in today’s ever-shifting supply chain landscape, one is absolutely critical for forecasting success.

IBP — integrated business planning.

Alex Waterinckx, Partner at Miebach Consulting Group, and Markus Ly, Practice Director at Westernacher Consulting, join us to discuss IBP and other vital methodologies. What’s so special about this process of bringing stakeholders together? These cloud-based analytics transcend traditional paper-based exercises, destroy silos and integrate the sales and operations cycle with strategy and execution. Markus believes there’s an emerging trend of seeing suppliers as part of the team and embracing network planning.

Since the COVID upheaval, we’ve seen adaptability triumph and become much more risk aware. IBP connects the dots so businesses can add value, clarity, and opportunity. Alex and Markus also dive into SAP’s sleek IBP platform and its efficient, user-friendly, Excel-inspired front end. Familiar routines meet cutting-edge tech to leverage AI-driven data collection for more effective outcomes.

Learn more about the nearly endless IBP applications — click the link below for the full episode!

Are you tired of outdated planning strategies holding your company back in the fast-paced business world?

This week, Bryan Nielson, Director Consumer Goods Industry Lead at Miebach, joins to discuss how companies have adapted their planning strategies in response to changes in the business landscape.

Bryan shares his insights on demand planning versus resource production and how companies have shifted their focus in the post-COVID world.

Join as we discuss:

• How companies have changed their planning strategies
• Understanding the centralized vs. decentralized approach for corporations
• Using technology in planning strategies through simulations How data is shared in real-time for planning aspects

Want to learn more about this subject? Click the link below.

Women make up 39% of entry-level supply chain positions. But when it comes to leadership in the industry, only 11% are women.

In most cases, the supply chain job market has gender-based double standards that exclude women, placing them at various disadvantages. Addressing these biases requires a comprehensive overhaul of the corporate culture - top to bottom at every level.

On the latest episode of Speaking of Supply Chain, we spoke with Emilie Lalibertè, Supply Chain Manager at Miebach Consulting. According to Emilie, change must be very intentional. Businesses must actively support women to elevate them to leadership positions. Some powerful ways companies support women include:

• Flexible and remote work options
• Mentorship opportunities
• Active work against biases and unconscious microaggressions

Want to learn more about how you can make a difference, increase inclusion and build retention? Click the link below.

As technology advances, companies and Supply Chain managers are utilizing these advancements to enhance their solutions to better handle problems when they arise.

Today’s guest, Dr. Hendrik Thamer, CEO and Co-Founder of Cellumation, joins to discuss how the advancing of technology and AI are solving many of the problems the supply chain industry is facing with an uncertain economy forecast for 2023 and the future beyond this year.

Join as we discuss about innovation and AI in material handling, the Celluveyor technology, space-saving technological solutions, the future of robotics and AI in supply chain, etc.

Want to learn more about how innovation in technology and AI are changing material handling in the supply chain? Click the link below.

Get ready to mark your calendars - as we make headway into the new year, the top supply chain trade shows and conferences are quickly approaching.

On the latest Speaking of Supply Chain episode, our host, Ellen Wood, shares some of the most exciting upcoming events across the industry. 

Expos such as ProMat and Manifest in North America and LogiMat internationally offer an opportunity to see the latest technologies, enhance your education, and connect with industry leaders. We cover several opportunities for innovative supply chain professionals available at:

• Gartner Supply Chain Symposium
• The SCOPE Supply Chain Summit
• LogiMat Logistics conference
• American Supply Chain Summit
• And more!

Don't miss out on the latest industry trends and networking opportunities. Gain an upper edge by staying on top of the newest advancements in supply chain technology.

Big things are coming to supply chain in 2023. Want to learn more about where you can connect, learn and network in the coming year? Click the link below.

Over the past few years, companies have jumped head-first into digital transformation, accelerating digital platforms and technology adoption quicker than ever before.

Thanks to The Fresh Connection, learning about supply chain can be an immersive, interactive experience for anyone and everyone around the globe.

No more boring conference rooms. No more uninspired graphs and charts.

To walk us through how the game operates and how it's being used by companies, Ellen speaks with Hans Kremer, Co-Founder and Director at Inchainge, and Alex Waterinckx, Leader Consulting Supply Chain Planning at Miebach. They share some insights and how consultants are using this to support their clients.

"Supply chain outcomes and success depend on practically everyone in the company and lots of functional departments. It's all about collaboration and communication, which is not rocket science. Give them the experience of how everything is connected so they can connect those dots."

Want to learn more about The creation of The Fresh Connection game, experiential learning for companies, and how communication and collaboration are the key topics to ensure businesses are operating holistically? Click the link below.

Think of all the Amazon packages or food deliveries you’ve had in the past two years – To say that the demand for last-mile delivery services has skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic is an understatement!

Increased demand means increased strain on the supply chain. Not only that, but companies are under extreme pressure from their governments to make sure that their practices are sustainable as well. This week on Speaking of Supply Chain, Marius Bungenstock-Siemon, Senior Consultant at Miebach Consulting, and Erik van der Vliet, Senior Director of Business Development Industrial Leasing Germany at JLL, discuss the issues facing urban logistics and how it is impacted by the increase of the demand-economy.

Want to learn more about Q-Commerce changing urban logistics everywhere, the on-demand logistics boom, how no one is alone in solving the post-COVID logistics problem? Subscribe and listen with the link below.