Distributing Wisdom

On this episode of Distributing Wisdom, we host a critical discussion focused on the major issues facing logistics leaders who are Still dealing with the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll discuss the strategies leaders are deploying across the supply chain continuum. From the conception of a business continuity plan, to the logistics involved with last-mile distribution, we provide insight into the emerging issues supply chain leaders should be considering for the near and long-term future. Guests: Kaven Koh, Vice President of Logistics Operations Avnet, APAC Elliot Rabinovich, AVNET Professor of Supply Chain Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University

One of the ways that companies have started to combat the unpredictable quality of our current supply chain and contest the volatile nature of component availability today, is to reconsider an essential aspect of production - redesign. In the past, considerations around design and redesign of products were thought of as separate from a company’s overall supply chain strategy, often occurring outside of conversations around addressing component shortages and geopolitical turmoil. In this episode, we host a discussion around how that dynamic has shifted and why companies should start to think about redesign proactively. Guests: James Ray, General Manager of Avnet Design Services Michael Lucia, Global Director of Supply Chain Solutions for Benchmark’s Aerospace and Industrial Sectors Peter Levinsteyn, Senior Manager of Design Engineering within Benchmark’s North American Engineering Services.

To quote our second guest on this episode of Distributing Wisdom – “Data is the new oil.” With many companies starting to re-evaluate the way that they approach supply chain strategies following the turmoil and disruptions experienced over the last 3-5 years, one of the key aspects of this re-evaluation will be how they collect, organize, and take advantage of data and predictive analytics. In this episode, we discuss the various approaches to harnessing and leveraging data, what supply chain leaders should consider when it come to applying that data moving forward, and how future supply chain leaders are tackling this issue. Guests: Paul Deuchar, Director of Avnet Supply Chain Solutions Brett Duarte, Clinical Associate Professor at the W. P. Carey School for Supply Chain Management at Arizona State University

When it comes to designing and engineering products, the decision to make or buy certain components of that product can have a drastic effect on the lifecycle, cost, and performance of said product. In this episode, we discuss the important dynamics around what should considered when deciding between making a product in-house or outsourcing that production and the various strategies companies should deploy when engaging in those conversations. Guests: Anatoli Lukkarinen, Manager and Technology Advisor for Avnet’s Embedded Computing Division Brian Higgins, Partner and Principal Advisor at KPMG

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, talk of supply chain agility and visibility has become a focal point for many organizations attempting to mitigate the risks involved with continued disruption. In this episode, we discuss how these continued disruptions within the broader supply chain have caused companies to rethink the way they structure supply chain visibility within their own organizations. Guests: JoMarie Skurtovich, Global Vice President of Program Management and Operations for Avnet United & Velocity Brian Whitlock, Senior Director and Analyst at Gartner

The programming and provisioning phase is a critical part of product development that is often overlooked—which is especially risky given that more devices require software and connectivity. In this episode, we discuss how technology changes have affected traditional programming, introducing a need for secure provisioning and new strategies to avoid delays in this phase of product development. Guests: Evan Tsoukalas, Global Senior Director for Programming Operations at Avnet. Patrick Carriers, Regional Marketing Manager of Secure Solutions at Infineon Technologies

The president of Avnet’s Farnell business joins one of our customers and our suppliers for a discussion on how to serve the unique needs of our high service distribution customers. This knowledgeable group discusses the tenets of good communication, the value of delivering easy-to-consume content and the many ways that digital is changing the market. Guests on this episode include Annette Tyler, Corporate Director of Distribution at Amphenol; Tracey Dawson, Managing Director at Daletech; and Chris Breslin, President at Farnell.

Three Avnet customers join this special episode for a robust discussion about one of the most critical components in the technology industry: relationships. Our guests walk us through the fundamentals of long-term relationships and the best practices that are necessary to ensure they stay in place over time. Guests on this episode include: Nicole Enright, President, Avnet Integrated; Randy Lantz, Vice President of CareAware Dev, Cerner Corporation; Avery Pham, Vice President of Operations, Vast Data; Joe Wilson, Vice President of Manufacturing, Netscout Systems.

Industry-leading supply chain experts analyze the challenges and opportunities they see as the strategic value of supply chains has skyrocketed during the past 24 months. They discuss how customers' requirements are changing and how they're adapting--and what the industry needs to do next to ensure we stay more proactive than reactive in the face of future disruption. Guests on this episode include Lynn Torrel, Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer at Flex; Jo Guedes, Senior Supply Chain Business Architect at Intel; and David Paulson, Global Vice President, Avnet United and Avnet Velocity.

Three experts on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) join Distributing Wisdom for an educational and insightful conversation into why ESG matters for the electronic components industry. Experts discuss strategies for managing increasing expectations from multiple stakeholders while setting a strong foundation for a long-term program that can adapt and grow as more needs and requirements arise. Guests on this episode include Suzanne Fallender, Global Director of Corporate Responsibility at Intel; Diane Osgood, Principal of Osgood Consulting; and Stacy Mendez, Director of ESG at Avnet.

Three senior women leaders join us for an honest conversation about the challenge of increasing gender diversity in the electronics industry. Our guests examine our progress on the issue while sharing their personal experiences and offering practical ways to provide more opportunities for women today and in the future. Guests on this episode include: Jackie Mattox, founder of Women in Electronics; Brenda Freeman, member of Avnet's Board of Directors and founder of Joyeux Advisory Group and Holly Snopko, Quote Center Manager at Avnet.

We sit down with three seasoned experts in the electronics industry to get their honest perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the distribution industry today. Our guests tackle the difficult issues, from inventory practices to margins to the new trend of "customers without a supply chain." They also discuss what distribution leaders can learn from other industries to deliver even more value, and what young professionals just entering the industry should focus on. Guests on this episode include: Craig Conrad, senior lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University; Barb Jorgensen, editor-in-chief, EPSNews; and De Anna Norman, manager, District Sales, Avnet.

Leaders from major electronics component distributors discuss how distribution enables them to reach more customers while managing increasing technological complexity. Our guests discuss how their go-to-market strategies and sales forces are changing, plus what new target markets they see on the horizon. We also explore how the need for digitization and global scale, as well as supply chain support, are reshaping the industry. Guests on this episode include: Michael Barone, Vice President, Global Channel Sales at Xilinx; Fred Bell, Vice President at Molex; Monica Highfill, Vice President, Sales, Americas at KEMET, Karen Worley, Director, Supplier Development at Avnet.

On the inaugural episode of Distributing Wisdom, we’re joined by past and present leaders of Avnet to explore the value of distribution as an industry. We’ll speak with current Avnet CEO Phil Gallagher, retired CEO Roy Vallee and retired Avnet board member Veronica Biggins about the evolution of the industry, and what we can expect in the near future. Our guests share their unique insight into how they adapted to new challenges while looking back on some of Avnet’s most transformative changes during their tenure.