Why 1 Plus 1 Equals 6: Breaking Down the Tompkins Companies' New Era

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with legendary supply chain entrepreneur Jim Tompkins for a candid conversation about growth, innovation, and the evolution of the Tompkins family of companies.

Jim reveals how he built Tompkins Associates from ground up, expanded to Tompkins International, and later launched Tompkins Robotics, Tompkins Solutions, and Tompkins Ventures. Discover how these companies pivoted, adapted, and created value amid changing market conditions—especially through the challenges of COVID-19 and the rapid rise of new supply chain technology.

Dive deep into how network planning, warehouse design, and material handling integration are changing with tools like Cosmic Frog, and how smart entrepreneurs should approach demand fluctuations, transportation rates, and partnerships. Jim and Dave discuss asset-heavy versus asset-light business models, recurring revenue, and project income, giving in-depth perspective on how businesses can collaborate and compete within today’s fast-paced environment.

Whether you’re scaling up operations or looking for new ways to optimize your logistics, this episode is packed with real-world insights from a successful founder who’s still pushing forward—and helping others do the same.

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimtompkins1/

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