The Automation Journey

About The Automation Journey

Adoption rates continue to rise for warehouse automation globally. But every company's journey of exploring, implementing, maintaining, and expanding automation looks different. At TGW Logistics, we look forward to walking alongside our customers no matter what stage of the journey they're in and what their journey ahead looks like. In "The Automation Journey" we'll explore the various topics and questions you might face along your way—from the nitty gritty of how different technologies work to holistic considerations for your supply chain to leading your organization through change, and more.

Publisher

TGW Logistics

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Nov 2025

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Invisible Skills. Visible Results.

   The most important skills in warehouse automation might not be technical at all. Behind every successful automation project are the “invisible” skills that keep teams aligned, projects moving, and partnerships strong—from communication and trust to curiosity, adaptability, listening, and proactive problem-solving. In this episode of The Automation Journey, host Megan Lavish is joined by TGW’s Nicole Suriano and Jerica Wert to explore how these skills shape an automation project from the earliest conversations through implementation and ongoing support. Drawing on their experiences across sales, project realization, and Lifetime Services, the group discusses what strong communication actually looks like, how to keep stakeholders aligned, and why transparency becomes even more important when things don’t go according to plan. They also share real-world examples of navigating project delays, delivering difficult news, rebuilding trust, adapting to different customer personalities, and turning unexpected challenges into opportunities to strengthen a partnership. The conversation also explores the value of curiosity and active listening, why proactive problem-solving can prevent much larger issues down the road, and how teams with different strengths can learn from one another. Because successful automation takes more than great hardware and software. It takes people who know how to communicate, adapt, listen, build trust, and work together toward a common goal. Check out the Women in Supply Chain Forum (November 17-19, 2026) (https://www.womeninsupplychainforum.com/) | Read our "Top Things to Look for When Choosing a Warehouse Logistics Systems Integration Partner" blog (https://www.tgw-group.com/us/news/detail/warehouse-logistics-systems-integration-partner/)

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Avoiding Dreaded Vendor Lock

   Choosing an automation partner is a long-term decision—but what happens when that partnership starts to feel more like a trap? In this episode of The Automation Journey, host Marissa Dierlam sits down with colleagues Rebecca Call and Dexter Weber to unpack the realities of vendor lock in warehouse automation. From restrictive software, hidden licensing fees, and costly upgrades to “Frankenstein” systems built from too many disconnected technologies, they explore how decisions made today can impact your ability to adapt years down the road. They also discuss the difference between being locked into a vendor and choosing to stay with a trusted partner, the tradeoffs between single-vendor and multi-vendor strategies, and the questions companies should be asking before making a long-term automation investment. No one can accurately predict the future. That's why the goal isn’t just to build a system that works today. It’s to make sure you still have choices, flexibility, and adaptability for tomorrow. Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-call-4b90162/) | Follow Dexter on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexterweber/) | Read customer success stories on our website (https://www.tgw-group.com/us/our-customers/)

3. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Proper Peak Preparations

   Peak season isn’t won in November. It’s won in the months—and everyday decisions—leading up to it. In this episode of The Automation Journey, Marissa sits down with TGW Lifetime Services leaders Mario Souza and Richard Figueroa to talk about what it really takes to prepare an automated warehouse for its most critical days of the year. Their philosophy is simple: every day is peak. Mario and Richard share how preparation begins many months in advance, from completing automation maintenance in stages, to stocking critical spare parts, analyzing system performance, preparing inventory, and more. They also explain why stress testing before peak can expose potential bottlenecks across the entire operation, not just within the warehouse automation itself. The conversation goes beyond equipment. Temporary labor needs the right training. Consumables need to be stocked and within spec. Staffing and support hours may need to change. And contingency plans need to account for what happens when things don’t go exactly as expected. You’ll also hear how TGW’s Lifetime Services teams use real-time data during peak, conduct daily performance reviews, and turn post-peak lessons into actionable improvements for the following year. Whether you’re responsible for warehouse operations, maintenance, automation, or peak planning, this episode offers practical lessons for building a more resilient operation when the pressure—and volume—is at its highest. Because when peak hits, the goal isn’t simply to survive it. It’s to be ready to win. Learn more about our Lifetime Services (https://www.tgw-group.com/us/our-portfolio/services/) | Read our "Building an Effective Onsite Maintenance Team" blog (https://www.tgw-group.com/us/news/detail/onsite-logistics-support/) | Connect with Mario Sousa on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariosousa2/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Contact The Automation Journey

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.