Navigating the ‘Amazon Effect’ in Food Logistics | Episode 50

Meeting today’s delivery expectations is no small task. When your freight involves food ingredients and moves across 35 states, the pressure to deliver on time and in perfect condition is even greater.

In episode 50 of Banyan Technology’s Tire Tracks® podcast, Jordan Pearman, Vice President of Supply Chain at Skidmore Sales & Distributing, shares how the company manages its supply chain to meet modern food logistics demands. From real-time shipment visibility and team-wide access to freight data, Jordan explains how Shippers can stay competitive in a logistics world shaped by the Amazon effect.

“People want to know exactly where their freight is at all times,” said Pearman. “To make that happen, you need systems that communicate and a team ready to respond when things change.”

Jordan also talks about balancing cost with service quality in LTL shipping, reducing invoice disputes and using data to build stronger relationships with Carriers.

Food Logistics Episode Key Points

  • Jordan Spearman describes the work being done at Skidmore Sales & Distributing.
  • How Jordan got into logistics and what his role as VP of supply chain and operations entails.
  • Exploring the Amazon effect and the challenges Skidmore faces when transporting food items.
  • How Skidmore transitioned from manual to automated systems and the pain points thereof.
  • Adhering to a democratic logistics process, and how to implement new tech.
  • How to find new clients while increasing your value offering for existing customers.
  • Why value is not the same as cost, and unpacking the mystifying cost-value continuum.
  • The future of AI in logistics and specifically, at Skidmore.
  • How invoicing automation plays into Skidmore’s operation.

“Skidmore is actually one of the largest food ingredient distributors in the country.” — Jordan Pearman [0:00:40]

“I love the food industry, first and foremost, and logistics in the food industry is pretty simple. Everybody has to get exactly what they want when they want it, and it has to show up how they expect to get it.” — Jordan Pearman [0:03:16]

“Food isn’t all about the cheapest freight; it’s about the best-value freight.” — Jordan Pearman [0:03:37]

“I don’t see anything yet that tells me anybody’s really got [AI] figured out.” — Jordan Pearman [0:18:09]

“Simply put, we have the right people in the right seats. We have an award-winning culture – we really have a unicorn of a culture. If you walk around Skidmore, you’re not going to see anybody who doesn’t want to be here today.” — Jordan Pearman [0:19:38]

Learn how Skidmore is setting the standard for modern food logistics. Click above to view Tire Tracks episode 50.

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