Balancing Cutting-Edge Shipping Tools and the Human Element with Avery Dennison | Episode 46

Freight management requires a careful balance between advanced shipping tools and the human element. Building trust, fostering strong relationships and leveraging human ingenuity are essential for navigating challenges and creating sustainable long-term success. While technology like AI and analytics can optimize processes and improve efficiency, it is the human element, including communication, collaboration and flexibility, that ensures success and resilience in the logistics industry.

Episode 46 of Banyan Technology’s Tire Tracks® podcast features Pat Murray, Procurement Manager at Avery Dennison. The 25-year logistics veteran shares how he’s seen the industry evolve and why balancing cutting-edge shipping tools like AI with the human element is critical for building resilient and scalable supply chain solutions.

“Freight management is about finding balance,” said Murray. “Leveraging technology while cultivating relationships ensures long-term success. AI and data can enhance operations, but trust and service are irreplaceable when your business is on the line.”

Murray also explores how trust, collaboration and innovative tools like AI and real-time analytics are key to creating scalable, resilient shipping solutions that drive long-term success.

Shipping Tools Episode Key Points

• Introducing Avery Dennison as a global materials science and digital identification company.
• Pat Murray’s 25+ years of logistics experience, from military operations to consumer goods.
• Change management at Avery Dennison, starting with identifying quick wins and building relationships.
• Why relationships are key to overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success.
• How Avery Dennison’s adoption of analytics and automation is driving operational efficiency.
• Enhancing logistics through cross-department collaboration, despite unique divisional needs.
• Consolidating shipping contracts under a unified strategy to boost negotiation power.
• Achieving measurable impact by laying a solid foundation and celebrating wins.
• Advice for newcomers: focus on quick successes, plan strategically, and avoid burnout.
• The importance of taking time off to reflect, recharge, and refine your goals.

“While I can be data-driven, I’m more into having a relationship. If you talk with folks about what you need and what the challenges are, you have a much better opportunity.” — Patrick Murray [0:06:14]

“When we go to market for freight, and we go for an LTL bid or a truckload bid, we have to understand what the end user wants and work backwards to that solution.” — Patrick Murray [0:12:18]

“Find some quick successes and prove that what you’re doing is the right path.” — Patrick Murray [0:20:16]

Discover actionable strategies to balance cutting-edge shipping tools with the human element to transform your freight operations. Click above to view Tire Tracks episode 46.

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