Shows
Chain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 12 - Rebuilding Procurement on Shared Intelligence - Carwyn JonesRebuilding Procurement on Shared Intelligence In this insightful episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov speaks with Carwyn Jones, founder of Ekarnia, a pioneering platform focused on transforming the commercial supply chain relationships in the pharmaceutical industry. With decades of experience at Eli Lilly, GSK, OpenHealth, and as head of the UK’s Pharmaceutical Marketing Society, Carwyn shares a comprehensive look at the inefficiencies, data challenges, and trust deficits in pharma's collaboration with service providers.Carwyn explains how Ekarnia is addressing the long-standing pain points in sourcing, evaluating, and managing agency partnerships. From th...2025-07-2535 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 11 - Choose Partners, Not Just Providers - Stephen HolcombIn this insightful episode of the Chain Reaction Podcast, Michael Ostroumov welcomes Stephen Holcomb, Director of Logistics at Refeyn, to explore the dynamic contrasts between logistics in multinational corporations and startup environments. With a career rooted in a passion for structure and problem-solving, Stephen shares his journey from GSK and Halion to Refeyn, shedding light on the nuances of cold chain logistics, supplier collaboration, and scaling operations in life sciences.Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look at how Stephen manages temperature-sensitive shipments, builds trust with logistics partners, and tackles the complexity of regulatory requirements in global supply chains...2025-07-1832 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 10 - Not All Protein Snacks Made Equal - Matt HuntIn this episode of the Chain Reaction Podcast, host Michael Ostroumov sits down with Matt Hunt, serial entrepreneur and founder of The Protein Ball Company. From growing up selling nuts in Romford Market to launching multiple successful FMCG brands including Oloves and The Great British Porridge Company, Matt shares an inspiring entrepreneurial journey grounded in resilience and innovation.Matt dives deep into the operational backbone of The Protein Ball Company, including its rigorous sourcing practices, BRC AA-grade factory standards, and evolving technology stack. He opens up about the hard truths of navigating relationships with large retailers, the...2025-07-1133 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 9 - Collaborative Supply Chains, Drive Resilience - Dan PassIn this episode of Chain Reaction Podcast, host Michael Ostroumov sits down with Dan Pass, the Supply Chain and Logistics Lead at Ann Summers, to explore the operational evolution driven by customer experience. Dan shares his unconventional entry into the logistics industry, shaped by necessity and fueled by a hunger for process improvement. Over a career spanning two decades, he moved from warehouse floor roles to executive leadership, gaining expertise in ERP systems, WMS solutions, and procurement.Dan details how his role expanded post-COVID to include direct oversight of customer service, fundamentally shifting his approach to supply...2025-07-0432 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp.8 - Breaking Bottlenecks, Building Resilience - Paul BrooksIn this episode of the Chain Reaction Podcast, host Michael Ostroumov welcomes Paul Brooks, a veteran of the supply chain and logistics sector with over 40 years of experience. Paul shares a reflective and insightful journey through the evolution of logistics - from manual stock tracking in the 1980s to the dynamic, AI-enhanced supply chains of today. His passion for the industry remains palpable, driven by its complexity and continuous innovation.The conversation traverses critical topics including the role of technology in modern logistics, the power of collaboration, the barriers and enablers of trust in supply chains, and...2025-06-2735 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 7 - Automating Logistics with Intelligence - Bram VanschoenwinkelIn this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov welcomes Bram Vanschoenwinkel, Chief Product Officer at Customaite and a longtime AI practitioner, to explore the practical impact of artificial intelligence on supply chain and customs operations. Bram provides a compelling look at how AI has evolved over decades, far beyond the recent hype surrounding generative models, and how these advancements are now delivering tangible value in logistics.Bram delves into the role of agentic AI, which moves beyond reactive tasks to proactive decision-making, transforming traditional customs declaration workflows. He shares how Customaite leverages AI to automate and accelerate...2025-06-2030 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 6 - Secure Logistics, Trusted Partnerships - Neil PowellIn this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov speaks with Neil Powell, founder and Managing Director of The NX Group, a niche 3PL logistics provider based in Northamptonshire, UK. Neil shares how his business has carved out a loyal client base by focusing on secure logistics, operational integrity, and deeply personalized service. Amidst a turbulent market shaped by post-Brexit pressures and economic uncertainty, Neil explains why these core values have become their competitive edge.The conversation explores the challenges of delivering exceptional service in an industry often driven by cost-cutting and price-checking. Neil articulates why trust, consistency...2025-06-1324 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 5 - Inside Hyperlocal Delivery Tactics - Rafael NorbertoIn this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov engages with Rafael Norberto, a key figure at Delivery Mates, a logistics firm redefining last-mile delivery through hyperlocal strategies. The discussion dives deep into the mechanics of delivering within tight urban geographies like London, showcasing how micro hubs and strategic route planning allow Delivery Mates to guarantee deliveries within just an hour, often even faster. Rafael elaborates on how Delivery Mates balances operational agility and green logistics, partnering with councils and renting micro-depots to create adaptable, low-emission delivery routes. From navigating congested streets to ensuring service continuity amidst middle-mile delays, the...2025-06-0621 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 4 - Designing Strategy That Delivers Results - Rupert MorrisonIn this episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov welcomes Rupert Morrison, a serial entrepreneur, former management consultant, and founder of OrgView and Arahi. The conversation spans Rupert’s transformation from consultancy to technology entrepreneurship and dives deep into his three acclaimed books, each tackling strategic value creation, organizational design, and workforce planning.Rupert discusses how robust strategy and thoughtful organizational design are essential to sustainable value creation, especially in commoditized industries like logistics. The conversation delivers practical insights on how businesses—whether large enterprises or five-truck logistics startups—can leverage data, clarity in value proposition, and scalab...2025-05-3038 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 3 - Tariffs, Chaos, and Tactical Supply Chains - Chris ClowesIn this episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov sits down with Chris Clowes, COO of FLOX, to tackle one of the most volatile moments in global logistics. With the recent 90-day pause on US tariff hikes, logistics leaders are scrambling to make critical supply chain decisions in an already crisis-ridden environment.Chris unpacks how businesses are shifting from strategy to survival, reacting tactically to stockpile inventory before potential tariff spikes. The conversation explores the domino effects of US import behaviors on global markets - especially Europe - and the mounting operational stress on logistics professionals. They...2025-05-2622 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 2 - Two Businesses, One Supply Chain Gauntlet - Gene BoyarovIn this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael Ostroumov speaks with Gene Boyarov, co-founder of Bioglo and director of Energian, about the supply chain challenges of delivering specialized energy products - from domestic heating fuels to off-grid solar and battery systems. Gene shares how his companies navigate complex logistics environments, from remote Scottish islands to hazardous battery handling, all while scaling two distinct operations with drastically different requirements.The conversation dives into the evolution of logistics partnerships, why robust IT integration is a must for survival, and how predictive analytics and data standardization can solve persistent delivery failures...2025-05-2322 minChain Reaction - The Supply Chain and Logistics PodcastEp. 1 - The Matchmaker for Logistics - Michael OstroumovIn the debut episode of Chain Reaction, host Michael Ostroumov, Founder of Flox, sits down with Justin Campbell to launch a new video podcast series focused on practical, real-world insights in the logistics and supply chain industry.Michael shares why Chain Reaction was created—to give logistics service providers and SME buyers a platform to share their challenges, solutions, and differentiators. He unpacks the inspiration behind Flox, a logistics matchmaking platform designed to eliminate inefficiencies and help smaller businesses thrive through smart partnerships, AI-powered tools, and transparency.This conversation lays the foundation for a community-driven se...2025-05-1624 min