Six-Second Wins: Designing Waste Out of Supply Chains with Intelligent Automation

Send me a messageIn 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 #PodcastSupport the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevGary LynchAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.🎤 Looking for a keynote speaker on supply chain resilience, AI, and sustainability?I help leaders understand the forces reshaping global supply chains, from geopolitical disruption and climate risk to AI and real-time decision-making. Download my Speaker Pack: https://tinyurl.com/spkrpckFinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.