Editor's note: this Spotlight was first sent to members at the start of June 2026. We're republishing it on acwi.org so the full archive is in one place.
WELCOME JUNE!
Welcome June,
Chris Kane will be attending the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City at the end of June, where industry leaders will gather to explore the latest trends, products, and innovations shaping the food and beverage supply chain.
In addition, we are excited to share two outstanding resumes with the Xchange Board this month. One of the many strengths of the ACWI community is its willingness to support fellow industry professionals. We encourage members to review these candidates and consider whether there may be opportunities within your organizations or networks.
We are also pleased to welcome Jose Larenas to the ACWI team as our new Strategy & Operations Lead. Jose recently earned his MBA from Penn State University and brings strong expertise in artificial intelligence and business strategy. His experience will help drive ACWI's sales and marketing efficiency initiatives while supporting growth opportunities both domestically and internationally.
MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCE
According to supply chain expert Jim Tompkins, "reindustrialization" is the wrong word for what's happening in U.S. manufacturing. The industry isn't returning to the past—it's evolving into something entirely new.
Driven by automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, this next era of manufacturing will focus on productivity, innovation, and resilience rather than simply bringing back traditional factory jobs.
Source: Tompkins Ventures — Reindustrialization of U.S. manufacturing: wrong word
IWLA-PENN STATE 3PL WAREHOUSE IMPACT STUDY
IWLA has partnered with the Penn State Smeal College of Business Center for Supply Chain Research to launch a comprehensive study examining the economic and operational impact of the 3PL warehouse industry across North America.
The research will help quantify the industry's contributions to supply chains, employment, and economic growth while providing valuable benchmarking data for members. Results will support IWLA's advocacy efforts and help demonstrate the critical role 3PL warehouses play at both the state and national levels.
IWLA members are encouraged to participate and ensure the industry's voice is accurately represented.
Participate in the IWLA-Penn State 3PL Warehouse Impact Study
FROM SIBLINGS TO COUSINS: THE NEXT FAMILY BUSINESS CHALLENGE
One of the most critical transitions in a family business occurs when ownership shifts from siblings to cousins. As families grow across generations, governance, communication, and decision-making become more complex, making it essential to establish clear structures and a shared vision for the future.
Successful family enterprises engage the next generation early, define ownership expectations, and create governance processes that balance family relationships with business objectives. Families that proactively plan for this transition are better positioned to achieve long-term continuity and preserve their legacy for future generations.
Source: The Family Business Consulting Group — The siblings to cousins transition
$1 MILLION LEGO HEIST RECOVERY
Authorities recently recovered approximately $1 million worth of stolen LEGO products, preventing a large-scale cargo theft operation from reaching the black market. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cargo theft and the importance of supply chain visibility, law enforcement coordination, and theft-prevention strategies.
As cargo theft continues to rise across North America, shippers, carriers, and warehouse operators are increasingly investing in security measures to protect high-value goods from organized theft networks.
Source: FreightWaves — Stolen freight recovered: $1m Lego heist stopped in tracks
3PL MARKETING EFFICIENCY GAP WIDENS
New benchmarking data shows a growing divide in how effectively 3PLs are turning marketing investments into sales opportunities. While a small group of companies continues to generate strong pipeline growth, many others are seeing significantly lower returns from similar spending levels.
The findings suggest that success is increasingly tied to strategy, execution, and consistent market positioning rather than simply increasing marketing budgets. As competition intensifies, efficient marketing is becoming a key differentiator for logistics providers.
Source: FreightWaves — 3PL marketing spend efficiency diverged dramatically in Q4
SUPPLY CHAIN PRESSURES SPIKE
Global supply chain pressures surged to their highest level since late 2022 as disruptions linked to the Iran conflict triggered inventory stockpiling, product shortages, and rising transportation costs. Manufacturers around the world increased purchasing activity and built safety stock at the fastest pace in three years to protect against further supply disruptions and price increases.
The result has been higher logistics costs, tighter supply availability, and growing pressure on inventory and procurement strategies across multiple industries.
Source: The SCXchange — Supply chain pressures spike on Iran war disruptions
DEMAND SIGNALS POINT TO RECOVERY
Industrial real estate demand is showing signs of improvement as companies continue to expand inventory strategies and invest in supply chain resilience. According to Prologis research, stronger leasing activity, improving customer sentiment, and ongoing demand for modern warehouse space suggest the market is gradually moving toward recovery.
While economic uncertainty remains, businesses are increasingly prioritizing supply chain flexibility and strategically located distribution facilities, supporting long-term demand for logistics real estate.
Source: Prologis — Growing demand points to market recovery
INTRALOGISTICS TAKES CENTER STAGE
According to Tompkins Ventures, the true performance of a supply chain is often determined inside the four walls of the warehouse. Intralogistics—the movement, storage, and flow of materials within a facility—has become a critical factor in operational success.
As companies invest in automation, robotics, and warehouse optimization, efficient internal processes are increasingly driving productivity, customer service, and overall supply chain performance. Simply put, even the best transportation and inventory strategies can fall short if warehouse operations are not running effectively.
Source: Tompkins Ventures — Intralogistics is where your supply chain performs (or not)
AUTOMATION AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Procter & Gamble is testing fully automated warehouse and production operations as part of its Supply Chain 3.0 initiative, with plans for company-wide implementation by 2030. Early results point to significant gains in storage capacity, throughput, and productivity, along with a long-term goal of reducing costs by up to $1.5 billion.
The initiative reflects a broader industry trend, as leading manufacturers increasingly view automation, AI, and robotics not as cost-saving tools, but as strategic investments that can drive growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Source: Hemant Agarwal, LinkedIn — P&G Supply Chain 3.0 Initiative
X-CHANGE BOARD
We're excited to share two outstanding resumes with the Xchange Board this month. Both candidates bring strong industry experience and are actively exploring new opportunities. We encourage members to review their backgrounds and reach out if there may be a fit within your organization.
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