The Cold Truth About Automation

<span style="font-weight: 400">Is your forklift fleet costing you more than it should? In this episode of MHI Cast, sponsored by Smart Charging Technologies, Dr. Nasser Kutkut, CEO and Founder, explores the hidden costs of oversized forklift fleets and how continuous monitoring can uncover opportunities for significant savings. From underutilized batteries and chargers to the limits of traditional power studies, discover how real-time fleet data can help supply chain leaders right-size equipment, cut unnecessary spending, and make smarter capital investment decisions.</span>

Automation works best when the work is predictable, but real-world operations rarely are. In this episode of MHI Cast, Dan Garcia of TGW Logistics North America and Nate Richter of Packsize explore how warehouses can prepare for oversized products, changing order profiles, demand spikes, and other exceptions that fall outside the standard automation flow. They discuss designing for variability, using data to identify the exceptions that matter most, the role of integration partners, and why the smartest strategy isn’t automating every exception — it’s knowing which ones are worth solving.

<span style="font-weight: 400">What does it take to build a culture and a leadership legacy that lasts? In this episode of the CEO Network Podcast, Bryan Jensen, Chairperson and Executive Vice President of St. Onge Company, shares lessons from an unconventional journey into supply chain leadership, the mentors who shaped his approach, and why curiosity remains one of a leader’s most valuable tools. He also explores developing the next generation, preparing for succession, and approaching emerging technologies like AI with both enthusiasm and a critical eye.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">When automation underperforms, the technology itself may not be the problem. In this episode of MHI Cast, Pete Blair, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Pickle Robot Company, Kyle Smart, Sales Manager of Emerging Technology at Hyster-Yale Group, Jay Howard, Product and Business Development Manager at Intralox, and Rick Fox, President and CEO of FOX IV Technologies, Inc. </span><span style="font-weight: 400">explore the systems, processes, and people behind successful deployments – from identifying breakdowns at critical handoff points to strengthening workflows before introducing robotics. They also discuss organizational buy-in, avoiding over-automation, and why building flexibility and resiliency into an operation can be just as important as choosing the right technology.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">How do you keep moving forward when the pace of change keeps accelerating? In this episode of the CEO Network Podcast, Sunland Logistics Solutions CEO Arch Thomason shares the experiences that shaped his leadership journey, from starting in sales to putting everything on the line to acquire the company just as the 2008 financial crisis began. He discusses the fundamentals that have guided him ever since—understand your cash, know your customer, surround yourself with great people, and stay focused on what’s important now. He also shares how continuous learning, a “best idea wins” mindset, and an understanding of VUCA—volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—help Sunland navigate uncertainty, embrace new technologies, and keep adapting as the company grows.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Dashboards don't improve warehouse performance—decisions do. Jim Barnes, CEO of enVista, Robert Nilsson, CCO at VARGO, and Wanda Riddick Johnson, Supply Chain Technology Fellow at Deloitte, discuss how organizations can move beyond reporting to create adaptive warehouse systems that leverage real-time data, trusted execution, and outcome-focused leadership.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Energy decisions are becoming business decisions. In this episode of MHI Cast, Jim Bunsey of the Propane Education &amp; Research Council (PERC) explores how propane-powered technologies are being used in warehouses and distribution centers and the role they can play in operating costs, uptime, operational flexibility, and long-term sustainability goals.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">As AI becomes part of everyday supply chain operations, leadership is evolving. Discover why communication, systems thinking, data-driven decision-making, and people-first leadership are becoming the skills that matter most in an AI-driven world. Featuring President and CEO of Advance Storage Products, John Krummell, and Vice President of Proactive Global, Cian Denvir.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Cold chain automation presents unique challenges, from extreme temperatures and condensation to space constraints and compliance requirements. In this episode, Dave Gustafson, David Scheffrahn and Robert Battaglia discuss how organizations can design resilient automation systems, leverage advanced sensing technologies and create smarter, more efficient cold storage operations.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">What does it take to lead a company through economic uncertainty, industry change and ambitious long-term growth? In this episode of the CEO Network Podcast, Steel King Industries President, Brian Pfannes, shares the experiences that shaped his leadership journey, from getting an early start in the family business to navigating the challenges of the 2008-09 financial crisis. He discusses the habits that help him lead through uncertainty, the importance of building a strong leadership team and the lessons he learned from competitive golf that continue to influence his approach today.</span>