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Six-Second Wins: Designing Waste Out of Supply Chains with Intelligent Automation
Description
In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I had a cracking chat with René Schrama, Chief Commercial Officer at Peak Technologies. We dug into the evolving landscape of supply chain automation and what it truly means to “leverage automation intelligently” today.
René shared how supply chain leaders are moving beyond full-scale automation projects and instead focusing on targeted improvements that actually matter. We explored why finding even six seconds to save in a warehouse process can add up to real gains, and how the Kaizen approach remains a solid guiding principle for continuous improvement.
We didn’t shy away from the challenges, either. René highlighted the impact of geopolitical disruptions like tariffs and shifting trade policies, and why adapting supply chain strategies has become more critical than ever.
A big takeaway for me? Automation isn’t about replacing people, it’s about striking the right balance between human creativity and machine precision. We also discussed the importance of designing out waste, re-harvesting resources, and why open systems, not closed silos, are key to future-proofing operations.
If you’re in supply chain, sustainability, or digital transformation, this one’s worth a listen. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or on my website at https://www.sustainablesupplychainpodcast.com/
#SupplyChain #Sustainability #Automation #Kaizen #IntelligentAutomation #Podcast
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