Surplus Inventory and Idle Assets Are Draining Margin

Send me a messageThree corporate jets as “excess assets.”Absurd? Yes. Rare? Not really. What does that say about how companies handle surplus?In this episode of the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, I’m joined by Gordon Zellner, CEO and founder of Evergreen Trading, to unpack a problem most organisations quietly struggle with: surplus that turns into risk, waste, and financial drag.Excess inventory, idle equipment, empty buildings, overbought materials. In uncertain times, these don’t vanish. They sit on the balance sheet, depreciating, distorting decisions, and nudging companies towards the easiest exit. Often landfill. Sometimes a write-off. Almost always value destruction. That matters now, as volatility, sustainability pressure, and capital discipline collide.In this conversation, you’ll hear how Gordon’s team takes a very different approach. We break down why excess is inevitable, why freezing is the worst response, and how thinking horizontally across supply chain, finance, and marketing can unlock value that traditional disposal routes miss entirely. You might be surprised to learn how media becomes a financial instrument, why Gordon describes his model as “corporate recycling,” and how rerouting value can fund more sustainable outcomes without taking a financial hit.We also dig into real examples. PPE bought in panic during COVID. Inventory headed for landfill. And yes, the three corporate jets. Not as a stunt, but as a consequence of routine decisions applied at scale. The lesson is uncomfortable, practical, and immediately relevant for supply chain leaders navigating risk, sustainability, data visibility, and resilience.🎙️ Listen now to hear how Evergreen Trading is helping companies turn surplus into strategy, and rethink what resilience really looks like in practice.Support 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.