Podcast Summary: The Buzz — Supply Chain Predictions for 2026

Supply Chain Now | January 9, 2026
Hosts: Scott Luton & Corinne Bursa
Special Guest: Alex Pradden, Founder & Principal, Alchemy Advisory

Overview: A Forward-Looking Start to 2026

In the first “Buzz” episode of 2026, Scott Luton and Corinne Bursa are joined by supply chain strategist and technologist Alex Pradden to dissect major events from 2025, share expert predictions for the year ahead, and examine how supply chain leaders are tackling emerging challenges. In their signature conversational style, the hosts delve into AI, data strategy, tariff turbulence, consumer expectations, and case studies shaping the global supply chain landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflecting on 2025: Systematic Disruption & Lessons Learned

Main Themes:

• Recap of major 2025 disruptions: wildfires, trade policy volatility, tariffs, inventory front-loading, and labor unrest.
• Emphasis on the need for flexible, resilient planning and rapid modeling as the “new normal.”

Memorable Quote:
“2025 was definitely a year defined by…systematic disruption…forcing supply chain leaders to adapt quickly and rethink their strategies.”
— Alex Pradden [16:30]

Insights:

• Tariff uncertainty and implementation timing threw inventory and sourcing strategies into flux.
• Strategic reactions included price adjustments, shifting suppliers, and inventory front-loading—leading to congestion and costly carrying charges.

2. Predictions for 2026: AI, Data, and Manufacturing Renaissance

Hot Takes:

• AI Fatigue vs. AI Acceleration:
  • Alex predicts “AI fatigue” could set in as organizations shift from hype to practical, results-driven deployments.
  • Corinne is bullish on AI, anticipating an “inflection point” where hyperscalable AI unlocks faster, more confident decision-making—“decision velocity.”

Quote:
“I think AI fatigue is coming…now we’re talking about the real challenges of AI adoption.”
— Alex Pradden [21:53]

Manufacturing Trends:

• Both predict continued reshoring or nearshoring to North America, but stress it will be a slow, multi-year process.

Quote:
“You don’t just say, ‘OK, I’m going to move manufacturing to the US’ and 30 days later have the ability to do that.”
— Corinne Bursa [23:22]

Emerging Focus Areas:

• Ontology & Orchestration: Structuring and connecting data meaningfully will take center stage as large language models require grounding in real-world contexts.
• More Disruption Expected: The consensus is that volatility isn’t going away—organizations must act on “the art of the possible” around technology and process innovation.

3. Case Studies: Cody & Outdoor Cap – Agility, AI, and the Consumer Demand Gap

Cody, Inc. (Beauty Conglomerate):

• Moved manufacturing from Europe to the US, sped up product development, and embraced AI both in supply chain and product design/NPI.
• Shifted focus from cost-cutting to smarter, faster decisions to close the gap between rising consumer expectations and operational capability.

Quote:
“It’s not just about being faster, but more intelligent…improving decision-making processes.”
— Alex Pradden [30:40]

Outdoor Cap (Webinar Recap):

• Adoption of voice picking led to a 60% improvement in quality and a 15% jump in productivity, demonstrating the practical impact of digital transformation.

4. Market Research Highlights: The Integrity Challenge

Survey Findings (Supply Chain Exchange):

• 84% of leaders say changing trade policies affect planning; 53% say tariffs increased customer prices.
• 56% of consumers claim they’d switch products if tariff costs are passed on.
• Rapid demand shifts (52%) and FDA traceability requirements (food industry) are major integrity risks.
• Technology needs: Real-time visibility, market data integration, scenario planning, and AI forecasting are now table stakes.

Quote:
“…It’s not just the bottleneck of insight, but connecting decisions—the data, the alignment, and execution.”
— Alex Pradden [38:42]

5. AI ROI & The Future of Work

Featured Article (from Zero100):

• Suggests AI might eventually become as unremarkably essential as Microsoft Office, with its value measured less in ROI and more in workforce capability and development.

Quotes:
“Productivity doesn’t automatically equal value…unless directed toward the right decisions and outcomes.”
— Alex Pradden [42:17]

“…Orchestration…puts us back in the driver’s seat versus being reactionary to…supply chain forces.”
— Corinne Bursa [42:44]

6. Orchestration Over (Only) Visibility

Alex’s Article: “Orchestration in Isolation”

• Encourages supply chain leaders to move beyond visibility and reaction (“seeing and responding”) to holistic orchestration: connecting visibility, judgment, automation, and aligned, system-level decision-making.

Quote:
“Real value comes from connecting the visibility, the decision-making—and balancing automation with the human.”
— Alex Pradden [44:47]

Corinne’s Take:
“Technology is now getting to a point where it’s easier to harness… but we need to think about our business differently.”
— Corinne Bursa [45:53]

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Rose-Colored Glasses Banter:
  “Can you send me a pair of those rose-colored glasses?” — Corinne Bursa [00:41]

• Women Executive Panel Shout-Out:
  “Bringing together supply chain executive leaders like Stephanie Beale…was such a highlight for me.” — Corinne Bursa [05:24]

• AI Fatigue Prediction:
  “I think this year, it’s going to be the year of the ontology and orchestration.” — Alex Pradden [21:53]

• Real-World Failures Valuable:
  “A lot of things I have created…have failed miserably—and we’re better off because of it.” — Scott Luton [32:46]

• On Orchestration:
  “If we think about business value…it comes from connecting the visibility, the decision-making, and how you coordinate decisions across the supply chain.” — Alex Pradden [44:47]

Notable Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Topic/Activity | |------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | [00:12]—[02:22] | Welcome, show intro, supply chain optimism for 2026 | | [03:40]—[05:07] | Data centers, energy infrastructure, tech’s role | | [05:24]—[08:37] | Favorite 2025 episodes & female exec panel highlight | | [10:37]—[11:01] | Nonprofit highlight: American Logistics Aid Network | | [12:07]—[14:39] | Guest intro: Alex Pradden, New Year’s resolutions | | [16:30]—[19:29] | 2025 recap: disruptions, tariffs, inventory strategies | | [21:53]—[23:22] | Predictions: AI fatigue, data orchestration, reshoring | | [30:40]—[36:47] | Cody case study, agility in product development | | [38:42]—[41:04] | Survey research: tariff impact, consumer expectations | | [42:17]—[43:41] | AI ROI: shifting away from traditional metrics | | [44:47]—[46:49] | Orchestration vs. mere visibility | | [47:41]—end | Final thoughts, where to connect with hosts & guest |

Tone & Language

Throughout the episode, the tone was conversational, optimistic, and intellectually curious, with the hosts and guest balancing practical advice, data-backed observations, and industry anecdotes. Humor (“rose-colored glasses,” “AI fatigue like the Dallas Cowboys”) and personal reflections kept the show accessible and engaging, even as they tackled technical topics.

Takeaways for Supply Chain Professionals

• Resilience is non-negotiable: Volatility will persist—model, plan, and experiment quickly.
• AI is evolving: Move from hype to hands-on, targeted experimentation; value comes from orchestration and actionable use cases, not just shiny tools.
• Consumer expectations are outpacing supply chain change: Data-driven agility, scenario planning, and collaboration across the ecosystem are vital.
• Risk, failure, and learning: Organizations must know their risk appetite and be prepared to “fail forward” on innovations.
• Holistic orchestration: True competitive advantage comes from smartly connecting visibility, decision-making, and automation across the chain.

Connect with the Guests

• Alex Pradden (Alchemy Advisory): LinkedIn & open to direct messages.
• Corinne Bursa (Supply Chain Now / NEO): LinkedIn. Mention your interests when reaching out.

For More

Visit Supply Chain Now for this episode, recaps of referenced panels, and ongoing live programming.

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Action Prompt from Scott:
“Take one thing, do something with it, share it with your team. It’s about deeds, not words.” [49:55]