The Automation Journey

TGW Logistics
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Adoption rates continue to rise for warehouse automation globally. But every company's journey of exploring, implementing, maintaining, and expanding automation looks different. At TGW Logistics, we look forward to walking alongside our customers no matter what stage of the journey they're in and what their journey ahead looks like. In "The Automation Journey" we'll explore the various topics and questions you might face along your way—from the nitty gritty of how different technologies work to holistic considerations for your supply chain to leading your organization through change, and more.

  1. Sep 23

    Avoiding Dreaded Vendor Lock

    Choosing an automation partner is a long-term decision—but what happens when that partnership starts to feel more like a trap? In this episode of The Automation Journey, host Marissa Dierlam sits down with colleagues Rebecca Call and Dexter Weber to unpack the realities of vendor lock in warehouse automation. From restrictive software, hidden licensing fees, and costly upgrades to “Frankenstein” systems built from too many disconnected technologies, they explore how decisions made today can impact your ability to adapt years down the road. They also discuss the difference between being locked into a vendor and choosing to stay with a trusted partner, the tradeoffs between single-vendor and multi-vendor strategies, and the questions companies should be asking before making a long-term automation investment. No one can accurately predict the future. That's why the goal isn’t just to build a system that works today. It’s to make sure you still have choices, flexibility, and adaptability for tomorrow. Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn | Follow Dexter on LinkedIn | Read customer success stories on our website

    Avoiding Dreaded Vendor Lock

  2. Sep 9

    Proper Peak Preparations

    Peak season isn’t won in November. It’s won in the months—and everyday decisions—leading up to it. In this episode of The Automation Journey, Marissa sits down with TGW Lifetime Services leaders Mario Souza and Richard Figueroa to talk about what it really takes to prepare an automated warehouse for its most critical days of the year. Their philosophy is simple: every day is peak. Mario and Richard share how preparation begins many months in advance, from completing automation maintenance in stages, to stocking critical spare parts, analyzing system performance, preparing inventory, and more. They also explain why stress testing before peak can expose potential bottlenecks across the entire operation, not just within the warehouse automation itself. The conversation goes beyond equipment. Temporary labor needs the right training. Consumables need to be stocked and within spec. Staffing and support hours may need to change. And contingency plans need to account for what happens when things don’t go exactly as expected. You’ll also hear how TGW’s Lifetime Services teams use real-time data during peak, conduct daily performance reviews, and turn post-peak lessons into actionable improvements for the following year. Whether you’re responsible for warehouse operations, maintenance, automation, or peak planning, this episode offers practical lessons for building a more resilient operation when the pressure—and volume—is at its highest. Because when peak hits, the goal isn’t simply to survive it. It’s to be ready to win. Learn more about our Lifetime Services | Read our "Building an Effective Onsite Maintenance Team" blog | Connect with Mario Sousa on LinkedIn

    Proper Peak Preparations

  3. Aug 19

    The Warehouse of the Future

    What will the warehouse of the future actually look like? More robots? AI running everything? Fully dark facilities run by humanoids? In this episode, Rebecca Call sits down with Stipe Galic to separate industry hype from practical reality. Rather than focusing on the latest buzzwords, they explore how the next generation of distribution centers will be defined by connected systems, collaborative partnerships, and smarter decision-making. The conversation dives into how customer expectations have reshaped warehouse automation; why WMS, software, and analytics are becoming just as critical as hardware; and where AI is already delivering measurable value today. They also discuss the growing role of digital twins, the importance of designing for flexibility instead of isolated automation projects, and why the best automation strategies start with understanding the entire business—not just the warehouse. Whether you're evaluating warehouse automation for the first time or planning the next phase of your supply chain, this episode offers practical insights on building resilient operations that can adapt to changing demand, improve customer experience, and create long-term business value. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn | Connect with Stipe on LinkedIn | Read our blog about the pros and cons of fully dark warehouses

    The Warehouse of the Future

  4. Aug 5

    Kevin Lawton's Automation Journey

    Special guest Kevin Lawton, host of The New Warehouse podcast, takes a turn on the other side of the mic, sharing his his path from warehouse inventory control to one of the industry's most recognized voices. One of the biggest things he's learned on his automation journey? Successful warehouse automation projects start with great planning (making sure you're not automating before actually ready) and make time during implementation for comprehensive change management and workforce training. To close out the conversation, Kevin and host Marissa Dierlam talk about which areas of the warehouse are still bottlenecking operations, the automation trends that deserve the most attention right now, and where warehouse operations are headed next. Whether you're evaluating automation currently or simply trying to stay ahead of what's next, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and real-life stories. Listen to The New Warehouse | Follow Kevin Lawton on LinkedIn | Read our blog about change management best practices

    Kevin Lawton's Automation Journey

  5. Jul 22

    The ROI of Supply Chain Community

    Everyone tells you relationships matter in supply chain—but how do you actually build them, and where do you even start? In this episode of The Automation Journey, host Marissa Dierlam sits down with Nathan Cheney, founder of Supply Chaney and Supply Chain Social Club, to break down what real networking looks like in this industry. Nathan shares his path from life on a Texas farm to running TI's chip distribution during the pandemic shortage, to building a community that spans the globe. Along the way, he gets candid about: How a few key relationships have shaped his life and careerWhy local roundtable, trade shows, and even happy hours can outweigh research reports when it comes to real industry insightSuggestions on how introverts can push past the fear and awkwardness of networkingWhy offering value to others first pays off laterOne simple, five-minute action you can take this week to reignite an old professional relationshipWhether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro who's been too heads-down to network, this conversation is a reminder that your next big moment—a job, a partnership, or a crucial piece of advice—is probably one conversation away. Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn | Check out upcoming Supply Chain Social Club events | Learn more about our Campfire Talk events for supply chain executives

    The ROI of Supply Chain Community

  6. Jul 8

    Connectivity from Floor to Dashboard

    Modern warehouses generate more data than ever—but are companies actually turning it into better decisions? In this episode, host Marissa Dierlam is joined by Rebecca Call of TGW North America and Shari Christofferson, President of Connect Inc., to explore how connected systems, software, and people transform warehouse data into actionable insights. From WMS and WES architecture to real-time visibility, dashboards, predictive analytics, and IT security, the conversation uncovers why warehouse automation projects often fall short—and how stronger connectivity between the warehouse floor and the operational dashboard can unlock better performance, resilience, and scalability. If you're evaluating warehouse automation or looking to find the "ghosts" in your existing operation, this episode offers practical insights into building a warehouse that's truly connected from end to end. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn. Connect with Shari on LinkedIn.

    Connectivity from Floor to Dashboard

  7. Jun 24

    What's Shifting in Healthcare Logistics

    In this episode, special guest Pete Bennett from Cardinal Health joins host Marissa Dierlam and Blake Neal (TGW Logistics) to discuss the supply chain pressures facing the healthcare and medical device industries and the shift coming from being reluctant adopters of warehouse automation to big investors of automation and AI. The discussion covers the reasons behind the historical risk averse stance of these industries, the biggest bottlenecks in distribution centers, which warehouse automation technologies are especially interesting to these companies, and where the future of supply chain is going for this industry—including the role of AI. Connect with Pete on LinkedIn. Connect with Blake on LinkedIn. Read our blog about the role of warehouse automation to achieve lean logistics in the healthcare industry.

    What's Shifting in Healthcare Logistics

  8. May 20

    The Lifetime Approach to Maintenance

    In this episode of The Automation Journey, we take a big-picture look at the maintenance and logistics services that automated warehouses need. Mike Elliott (Director of Lifetime Services North America) and Jared Call (LTS Business Development Manager) sit down with Marissa Dierlam to discuss from before go-live to twenty years on what to do and consider when it comes to keeping your site running. It may be tempting to let automated material handling services do their thing with minimal care and support, but Mike and Jared share how long-term thinking and regular investments into maintenance prolong the lifetime of warehouse automation and lead to a smaller total cost of ownership. They also stress the importance of working with a partner you trust and have open, transparent communication with. Learn more about TGW's Lifetime Services. Learn more about our availability guarantee. Connect with Jared Call on LinkedIn. Connect with Mike Elliott on LinkedIn.

    The Lifetime Approach to Maintenance
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About

Adoption rates continue to rise for warehouse automation globally. But every company's journey of exploring, implementing, maintaining, and expanding automation looks different. At TGW Logistics, we look forward to walking alongside our customers no matter what stage of the journey they're in and what their journey ahead looks like. In "The Automation Journey" we'll explore the various topics and questions you might face along your way—from the nitty gritty of how different technologies work to holistic considerations for your supply chain to leading your organization through change, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    TGW Logistics
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © TGW Logistics
  • Show Website
    The Automation Journey