Chris Mazza of Shippeo talks about their obsessive focus on data quality, visibility, and how current geopolitical disruptions are impacting shippers.

[03.08] An introduction to Shippeo, who they are, and what they do.

“We answer two foundational, practical questions that almost every supply chain, transportation or logistics manager wants to know: where is my stuff, and when will it arrive?”

[06.21] How current geopolitical disruptions are impacting shippers, and why real-time visibility is crucial in navigating challenges.

“If you don’t have a good understanding of where your cargo is, what ship it’s on, how it’s routed, you can’t credibly predict how you’re going to manage things like buffer stock, real lead-time or real customer service expectation – without that data, you’re lost.”

[09.29] From an obsessive focus on data quality to an investment in integration options, what sets Shippeo apart in a very competitive and rapidly evolving market.

“We spend a lot of time educating our customers about what can be a credible expectation in this market, because so much of the data that’s out there is of a degraded quality.”

[16.34] Shippeo’s founder story – the industry challenges that helped shape Shippeo’s solutions, and how their growth in Europe helped position them for success in the US.

“The advantage the founders had, because they didn’t come from the industry, was that they could come to the problem eyes wide open.”

[21.03] The ideal client for Shippeo, and the typical challenges those businesses are looking to solve.

[26.57] A case study exploring how Shippeo helped Yamaha achieve greater visibility to improve customer experience and internal operations via ocean and road.

[33.21] How Shippeo is using AI and predictive analytics to help customers move from a reactive to a proactive mindset, and why this technology has been critical in navigating the current ocean challenges.

“It’s still too early to take the human out of the loop with some of these things, like strikes or fires on ships where a human has to say: ‘This is significant’. A machine can’t spot that yet.”

[39.14] The importance of sustainability, and some of Shippeo’s key initiatives.

[43.03] Chris’s advice to help supply chain leaders future-proof their logistics strategies.

Head over to Shippeo’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Shippeo and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or you can connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Shippeo, you can hear Chris Mazza talking to our own Eric Johnson on episode 443: Mastering Visibility: Insights from LogTech Live with Shippeo.

Stephanie Dominguez talks all about the Port of New York and New Jersey, big infrastructure projects, collaboration, sustainability & preparing for the future.

[04.30] An overview of the Port of New York and New Jersey, who they are and what they do.

“We have a long history… Containerization started at our port.”

[05.40] Why organizations should choose the Port of New York and New Jersey, the many factors that give them their competitive edge and how, in turn, that can give companies doing business with them their own competitive edge.

“We’re a world-class gateway port… We’re focused on efficiency and reliability… Today we have 45 weekly ocean carrier services, and we’re the first port of call on 75% of them.”

[11.36] Some of the biggest challenges of the last few years, and why resiliency, communication and collaboration Is key.

[15.43] The Port of New York and New Jersey’s ‘Master Plan’, and how a predicted increase in volume will impact the port and local community, from challenges to investments.

[17.30] From road improvements to improving navigation channels, the major infrastructure projects the Port of New York and New Jersey is focused on right now, and how they work with other key stakeholders.

“You have to have honest conversations. There will be times when you don’t agree, but you’ll find a solution together.”

[22.58] The potential impact of those infrastructure challenges and opportunities, and the Port of New York and New Jersey’s approach to embracing the future.

“This industry is all about flexibility, adaptability – you never know what’s going to happen… We have to be open-minded, and evolve with the industry. So when there’s new emerging technologies or tools, it’s common for people to be scared. But we need to educate ourselves, and work with other best practices.”

[25.17] The Port of New York and New Jersey’s new marine terminal operator leases with Port Liberty New York and Bayonne and the APM Terminals, and why they’re all focused on planning for the future.

[29.22] Why collaboration is so important as the industry prepares for the future, and Stephanie’s advice for other organizations looking to improve their collaborative efforts.

“Your partners are experts in what they do… So when they’re at the table giving you honest feedback, listen… Bring them in at the beginning, proactively not reactively… It takes time, effort, it takes thick skin! But there’s a level of respect and trust that builds out of those conversations.”

[34.33] Key sustainability initiatives for the Port of New York and New Jersey.

[38.04] What the rest of 2025 will bring for the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Head over to the Port of New York and New Jersey’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with the Port of New York and New Jersey and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about keeping freight moving, check out 388: See The Future of Transportation, with Win Global, 338: Set a New Standard for Global Trade, with Flexport or 406: Unlock the Opportunities of Cross-Border Ecommerce, with CargoWise.

Neil Fisher of Birdseye Security Solutions talks about cargo theft, leveraging AI for proactivity & why security solutions drive business-wide improvements.

[02.28] An introduction to Neil, his background, and role at Birdseye Security Solutions.

[03.12] How a shifting approach to security led Mike Grabovica to establish Birdseye.

“There was this shift in security in general, from being reactive to having proactive solutions. And our founder identified early on that trucking and logistics companies have really specific needs when it comes to security.”

[03.57] The ongoing issue of yard security and cargo theft.

[04.47] An overview of Birdseye – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.

[05.11] The ideal client for Birdseye Security Solutions.

[05.50] The biggest factors influencing the rapid rise in cargo theft.

“There’s some economic uncertainty out there and, with that, comes all sorts of challenges… And criminals are getting smarter and bolder.”

[06.55] An overview of Birdseye’s security solutions and the benefits of implementing them.

“We can protect a yard, starting at the gate. Just like if you were going to protect your home, the most important part is your front door.”

[08.11] The two primary ‘traditional’ ways of tackling security, and their fundamental weaknesses.

[09.21] How Birdseye can help organizations analyze their infrastructures and determine the security solutions that are right for them.

[10.27] The importance of efficient gate management, and how it works with Birdseye.

“It’s important that you process trucks as quickly as possible, for efficiency but also for safety… We create a tunnel of cameras… so we can gather all that information quickly.”

[12.26] Birdseye’s hybrid people-plus-technology approach to security, and how they’re leveraging AI to tackle a range of issues, from preventing fire to reducing liability.

“In the old days, you would have a couple of agents looking at a handful of monitors. With AI, an agent doesn’t have to see every action… The AI alerts the live agent that something’s going on, and then the agent jumps into action… The whole point is to be proactive.”

[15.10] What implementation and onboarding looks like with Birdseye.

[16.04] How Birdseye’s solutions and approach helps organizations with driver safety and satisfaction, ultimately helping them to retain drivers.

“Drivers want to keep moving… A line-up at a facility typically counts against a drivers hours of service. So if we can move them more quickly and efficiently – which can be up to 50%, versus a live guard – drivers love it!”

[17.31] A case study detailing how Birdseye helped a transportation company avoid theft and operate more efficiently.

[19.43] From cargo theft to AI, the big conversations coming out of 2025 conference season.

Head over to Birdseye Security Solutions’ website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Birdseye and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Neil on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Melodie Van Der Baan talks about her career journey; juggling motherhood & entrepreneurship; positivity; and the intricate dance between supply and demand.

[04.04] The early years of Melodie’s career, why she fell in love with retail, and how her experiences laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial journey.

“I loved every store, every city, every boutique owner I visited and sold to. But, without fail, they would point out what didn’t sell from the season before, and say ‘Mel, what are you going to do about it?’ And so I had to find a solution to their problem.”

“My husband said: ‘This isn’t a you problem, it’s an industry problem. It’s a lack of a network that needs to exist, and you should create it!’ But this was before Amazon, Shopify wasn’t a thing yet, Point of Sales were server-based, not cloud-based. So even though the problem was real, the industry wasn’t ready for the solution.”

[08.31] Why Melodie chose not to go to college, her Mother’s words of advice, and why she decided to open her own retail store.

“Every step of my journey has been so natural.”

[11.56] Melodie’s experience as a working Mom, setting an example for her daughter, and why experience is the best teacher.

[15.09] Melodie’s advice for parents struggling with work/life balance, and why consistency is key.

“We can’t give our best at work and leave the scraps for our family.”

[19.33] How Melodie developed a unique understanding of the intricate dance between supply and demand, the biggest challenges faced by retailers and distributors, and why understanding your inventory is crucial.

[24.57] Why Melodie moved from retail to technology, an overview of her business Max Retail, and how she brings retail experts and tech leaders together to solve the biggest industry challenges.

“It was never an intention to become a CEO of a technology company. The truth is that there was no way to solve the problem without technology.”

[29.37] Melodie’s experience as a woman navigating the worlds of retail, technology and supply chain, and her uniquely positive outlook.

“When you know the authenticity of someone, it can gender-neutralize.”

[32.22] Melodie’s commitment to taking a ‘we lift while we climb’ approach, the role others have played in her success, and how she pays it forward.

[36.00] Melodie’s biggest achievements, personally and professionally, and the passion that drives them.

[38.18] The future for Melodie, and for Max Retail.

You can connect with Melodie Van Der Baan over on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear the experiences of other hard-working Moms, check out 464: Women in Supply Chain, Beverly Steele, 359: Women in Supply Chain, Alexis Mizell-Pleasant or 425: Women In Supply Chain, Josephine Coombe.