The New Warehouse

Recent Episodes

1. Before Adding a Warehouse, Maximize the One You Have

   Sep 16, 2026

   Jan Zizka, CEO and co-founder of Brightpick, discusses the company's mobile manipulation robotics solutions for warehouse automation. Brightpick combines mobile robots, AI, and robotic grippers to automate piece picking, offering two primary products: the Auto Picker for flexible, scalable operations, and the Grid Picker for high-throughput ASRS-style automation. Zizka explains the technical challenges of item recognition and gripper technology, and argues that maximizing existing warehouse capacity through automation should precede building new facilities.

2. Warehouse Flexibility: Inside Carhartt’s Automation Strategy

   Sep 14, 2026

   Austin Myers, Senior Manager of Distribution Center Engineering at Carhartt, discusses the company's five-facility distribution network spanning fully automated company-managed centers and DHL-operated 3PL facilities. The conversation covers Carhartt's technology strategy, including the transition from legacy crane-based ASRS to modular Exotech systems, the operational impact of fashion-driven demand spikes (like the beanie phenomenon), and the importance of non-proprietary, flexible automation solutions for managing both planned growth and unexpected demand shifts.

3. Physical AI Orchestration for Warehousing Starts with Software

   Sep 9, 2026

   Saurabh Gupta, CTO of GreyOrange, discusses the company's evolution from robotics manufacturer to physical AI orchestration platform. The conversation covers how GreyOrange's software (Grey Matter) bridges WMS and WES systems, the importance of simulation before hardware deployment, and how AI is being integrated across three phases to handle warehouse complexity. Gupta emphasizes that orchestration solves the silo problem where independent automated systems fail to work cohesively, and explores the future where software becomes invisible to users while augmenting rather than replacing human warehouse workers.

4. Leading Well at a 3PL: Jim Heffernan of The Armstrong Company

   Sep 7, 2026

   Jim Heffernan, Executive Vice President of Fulfillment at The Armstrong Company, discusses leading a 140,000 sq ft fulfillment operation in Southern California that handles 200-300 containers weekly across e-commerce, beauty/cosmetics assembly, and college and NFL merchandise. With over 30 years in logistics, Heffernan shares operational insights on managing seasonal spikes (particularly June pre-season football merchandise), client relationship strategies, and his philosophy that successful 3PL leadership centers on empowering teams and listening to customers.

5. Freight Claims: Closing the Warehouse Evidence Gap

   Sep 2, 2026

   Dave Ginbey, founder and chief evangelist at PalletVision, discusses how camera-based technology at the stretch-wrapper solves the warehouse evidence gap in freight claims. PalletVision captures pallet condition, dimensions, wrapping activity, and shipment data, then ties this information to a unique pallet ID via QR code label. The system enables faster damage claim resolution by providing instant access to original wrapping evidence and automating the claim reporting process, eliminating the need for manual photo hunting across personal devices and file systems.

6. Chemical Warehousing: Safety, Technology, and Resilience

   Aug 31, 2026

   Richard Heath, President and CEO of TALKE USA, discusses the specialized world of chemical and petrochemical logistics. He explains how chemical warehousing differs fundamentally from standard warehousing due to hazardous material segregation requirements, fire suppression systems, and retention infrastructure. Heath shares TALKE's 75-year history from post-WWII transportation through European expansion, Middle East operations, and US growth, while addressing how geopolitical disruptions reshape supply chains and force rapid pivots.

7. Toyota Material Handling: Insights on Forklift Technology with Brett Wood

   Aug 26, 2026

   Brett Wood, President and CEO of Toyota Material Handling North America, discusses the company's new $100 million electric forklift factory in Columbus, Indiana and the future of material handling technology. The conversation covers electrification trends (now 70% of the market), automation strategy, ergonomics, operator experience, and Toyota's innovation approach centered on customer feedback and the Toyota Production System. Wood emphasizes the company's four pillars—respect for people, serve customers first, pursuit of excellence, and partner for success—as guides for navigating rapid technological change while prioritizing the human element.

8. Physical AI in Warehousing: Berkshire Grey

   Aug 24, 2026

   Dave Paratore, CEO of Berkshire Grey, discusses the company's evolution into physical AI and its applications in warehouse automation. Berkshire Grey develops AI-enabled robotics for picking, sortation, and trailer unloading, with a focus on solving complex, high-variability tasks. Paratore explains the company's market-pull philosophy, the definition of physical AI as decision-making in variable environments, and recent milestones including 100% SKU eligibility in picking and expansion into European markets.

9. Frozen Fulfillment: Cost, Data, and Transportation Waste

   Aug 19, 2026

   Ariane Mary Kemper, co-founder and COO of eGourmet Solutions, discusses the evolution of cold chain 3PL logistics over 20 years. eGourmet specializes in frozen and refrigerated fulfillment, operating five U.S. locations that reach 80% of the U.S. population in one day. Kemper shares operational lessons on D2C economics, process improvement, and transportation efficiency, including insights on their proprietary FROST (Frozen and Refrigerated Operating System Technology) platform and actionable data strategies for frozen fulfillment brands.

10. Peer Robotics: When Warehouse Robots Become Operational Peers

    Aug 17, 2026

    Rishabh Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Peer Robotics, discusses the company's vision-based mobile robots designed to automate pallet movement in manufacturing and warehouse environments. Agarwal explains how Peer Robotics differentiates itself through ease of use, human-in-the-loop learning systems, and operations-based (rather than mission-based) design that enables adoption by small and mid-market companies without requiring robotics engineers. The conversation covers the Peer 3000 platform's applications in trailer loading/unloading, its ability to capture operational data through vision systems, and how physical AI enables robots to adapt dynamically across multiple use cases.