The Future of Supply Chain

In this week’s episode Richard, Darcy MacClaren and Prathiba David explore sustainability by design, showing how AI, data and finance converge to cut Scope 3 emissions, boost resilience and turn green supply chains into core business strategy
 
Download the ⁠⁠episode transcript⁠
 
 
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This week we, together with supply chain leaders Darcy MacClaren and Prathiba David, unpack sustainability by design and why now is the moment to act. They explain how AI, digital twins and unified data models tackle Scope 3, break down silos and link carbon, cost and capital. Real‑world examples from consumer brands, retailers, manufacturers and technology providers show how sustainable supply chains become more resilient, efficient and financially attractive.
 
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Guest 1: Darcy MacClaren, Board Director and Senior Advisor
 
⁠ Darcy MacClaren is a board director and senior advisor with more than 30 years of global experience advancing supply chain technology and sustainability. A former supply chain revenue executive at SAP, she works at the intersection of AI, sustainable logistics, and enterprise transformation. Darcy serves on the board of 1LogTech, an iPaaS platform modernizing transportation integration, and advises PE/VC-backed SaaS companies on scaling and go-to-market strategy.
 
Guest 2: Prathiba David, Technology Executive
 
Prathiba David is a technology executive, multiple times Chief Operating Officer and thought leader at the intersection of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and supply chain transformation. She has led go-to-market and operational strategy across high-growth startups and global enterprises. Her career spans roles at Morgan Stanley, EY, and Dropbox, where she built deep expertise in supplier risk management, cybersecurity, and digital operations. Currently, she works with Fortune 500s on advancing sustainability through data-driven insights and emerging technologies.
 
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.
 
 
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Show Links:
 
 
Connect with Darcy on LinkedIn
Connect with Prathiba on LinkedIn
 
Supply Chain Management: 
SAP Supply Chain Management 
SAP Insights: Supply Chain  
 
Follow Us on Social Media  
Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X  
SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn  
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
 
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Chapters: 
 
 
00:00:00: Intro
00:00:56: Guests' Introductions
00:02:37: What is “sustainability by design”?
00:05:53: Why now for sustainable supply chains?
00:09:29: Scope 3 and regulatory pressure
00:10:21: How AI transforms supply chains
00:15:23: Tackling Scope 3 data challenges
00:18:30: Measuring success beyond CO₂
00:23:37: Breaking silos and cultural barriers
00:26:23: What is the Future of Supply Chain?
00:38:03: Outro

We kick off 2026 with Bloodhound CEO Curtis Spencer on how covert, always‑on tracking combats cargo theft, boosts asset utilization, and uses AI, sensors, and mesh connectivity to secure global freight end‑to‑end

Download the ⁠episode transcript⁠

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This week we, together with Bloodhound CEO Curtis Spencer, unpack the freight security crisis and how covert, always‑on tracking is changing the game.
From multi‑network connectivity and AI “patterns of life” analytics to cold‑chain monitoring, asset utilization, and new CO₂ and fentanyl‑sniffing capabilities, we explore how data‑driven visibility can fight theft, tampering, and trafficking across global supply chains.

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Guest: Curtis D. Spencer, CEO, IMS Worldwide, Inc. & Bloodhound Tracking Device Inc.

Curtis Spencer is the CEO of IMS Worldwide, Inc. (IMSW) and Bloodhound Tracking Device, Inc., (BTD) headquartered in Houston, Texas.  Mr. Spencer is a nationally regarded expert on matters related to:
Logistics and Intermodal Shipping Trends, Ports, Inland Ports and Rail-Served Logistics Centers and how they Impact Industrial Real Estate.
Development and Utilization of Foreign-Trade Zones for Importers and Exporters
Impact of E-Commerce on Logistics and Supply Chains and Industrial Real Estate
 
After spending 22 years searching for a tracking and security solution, in 2021 Mr. Spencer launched BTD with a pair of NASA engineers and Mr. Steve Schellenberg, another IMSW alumni.  BTD is now the leading track, trace and security device for containers, trailers and chassis.  

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.

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Show Links:

Supply Chain Management
⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠
⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠

Follow Us on Social Media
Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠X⁠
SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro
00:02:31: Impact of rising cargo theft on global supply chains
00:03:52: How digitization and data quality reshape freight security
00:05:31: Why real‑time visibility across the whole supply chain matters
00:10:10: Role of AI, sensors, and “patterns of life” in detecting anomalies
00:11:51: Using data for fleet optimization, utilization, and dead‑mile reduction
00:16:56: What's the next wave of freight security
00:18:34: The Future of Supply Chain
00:19:42: Outro

In this week’s episode, hosts Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar wrap up 2025’s biggest supply chain shifts, from AI and digital twins to cybersecurity, geopolitics, human-centric workforces, and sustainability – sharing expert insights and a look ahead to a more resilient 2026

Download the episode transcript

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This week, Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar – together with leading voices from SAP, IDC, Deloitte, Everstream, BDO, and more – revisit 2025’s hottest supply chain topics:
AI-enabled and human-centric operations, business networks, cybersecurity, geopolitics, ESG regulation, and sustainability.

Hear how digital foundations, intelligent planning and circularity are reshaping supply chains and why resilience will define success in 2026 and beyond.

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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.

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.

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Show Links:

Supply Chain Management
SAP Supply Chain Management
SAP Insights: Supply Chain

Follow Us on Social Media
Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X
Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn
SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro
00:00:37: AI-enabled, data-driven supply chains and digital foundations
00:03:10: Business networks and supply chain orchestration
00:04:16: Cybersecurity deep in ERP and operations
00:06:01: Geopolitics, tariffs and global trade disruption
00:08:32: AI, automation and the human-centric workforce
00:10:57: ESG regulation and sustainability
00:13:27: Holiday wishes and looking ahead to 2026

In this week's episode, we are joined by SAP's Tod Stenger to explore how AI and agentic AI are transforming planning roles, automation, and decision-making

This week we, together with SAP's Tod Stenger, dive into "Planning Reimagined," discussing AI's shift from machine learning in forecasting to generative AI for analysis, data quality, and agentic workflows that automate routines while keeping humans in the loop for strategic decisions.

Join Richard and Sin as they chat with 4flow’s Kai Althoff about digital transformation and tomorrow’s supply chain trends. Discover how to keep ahead in an ever-evolving logistics landscape.

Ready for a genuine glimpse into the future of supply chains?

In this episode, Richard and Sin sit down with Kai Althoff, CEO and co-founder of 4flow, to discuss everything that makes the heart of supply chain enthusiasts beat faster: digital transformation in the supply chain. Which trends will shape the supply chain of tomorrow, and how can you stay ahead?
Dive into fascinating insights on the digital transformation of logistics: How do Germans and Britons actually perceive “logistics”, and what does that mean in practice? Which trends are set to define the supply chain’s future and how can you keep a leading edge?
Experience that ‘aha’ moment as we discuss the findings of the latest BVL study, “Trends and Strategies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management”.
Discover why communication and breaking down silos are more important today than ever before.

Download Episode Transcript

Follow Us on Social Media:
⁠SAP Digital Supply Chain⁠
⁠Kai Althoff - LinkedIn⁠
⁠Richard Howells - LinkedIn⁠
⁠Sin To - LinkedIn⁠
⁠SAP Digital Supply Chain - LinkedIn⁠

Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

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Guest: Kai Althoff, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 4flow

Kai Althoff is a co-founder of 4flow and chair of the executive board of the German supply chain and logistics association BVL. As CEO of 4flow, he is responsible for 4flow’s global business and 4flow software, sales and marketing. From 2000 to 2020, Kai was COO of 4flow and was responsible for the global operations of the company. After completing an international education, Kai managed large scale supply chain and logistics projects for a global management and supply chain consulting firm with a focus on the automotive, aviation, consumer goods, industrial and software sector.

Host 1: Richard Howells

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.

Host 2: Sin To

Sin To 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.