The New Warehouse Podcast

In this episode of The New Warehouse podcast, host Kevin Lawton speaks with Derek Dryer, co-founder of Relay Distribution, a thriving e-commerce fulfillment center in Houston, Texas. Derek shares his journey from scaling operations for a fitness YouTuber's brand to co-founding Relay Distribution. They discuss the challenges and strategies of handling influencer-driven product launches, the advantages of their unique YouTube-centric marketing approach, and the impact of installing a Pio automated storage and retrieval system. Derek also provides insights into managing manufacturing partnerships in China amid fluctuating tariffs and the exciting launch of a new partnered brand. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone in the fulfillment and warehousing industry.Check out Relay on YouTube here.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Rodney Galeano, Founder and CEO of Loki 3PL, about his journey from overseeing massive warehouse operations to launching his own third-party logistics company. Recorded live at Supply Chain Point 2025, Rodney opens up about the hustle, the strategy, and the sheer grit it took to launch a fully operational 3PL in under six weeks, with clients, forklifts, a WMS, and thousands of pallets ready to go.Rodney shares how his extensive industry experience and strong relationships enabled him to transition from idea to execution in record time. From subleasing space and signing tech contracts to building a reliable team and onboarding clients, his story offers a raw, real look at what it takes to succeed in the ultra-competitive 3PL space. The conversation also touches on his take on tech investments, client expectations, and the naming inspiration behind “Loki.”Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Manish Kapoor, founder and CEO of Growth Catalyst Group (GCG), a dynamic network of supply chain-focused companies helping businesses scale with technology, process, and strategy. The conversation spans the shift from traditional distribution centers to omnichannel fulfillment, adapting to global disruptions such as tariffs and pandemics, and why the best supply chains are flexible, provide visibility, and have customer needs at the core.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Andrew Wallen, VP of Distribution and Fulfillment at ITF Group, to unpack the growing role of drop trailer solutions in warehouse operations. The ITF Group positions itself as a one-stop shop for logistics services, encompassing transportation, warehousing, and global forwarding. Andrew walks us through how drop trailer strategies are helping companies reduce dock congestion, improve labor efficiency, and better navigate unpredictability in today’s supply chain. With thousands of trailers already in circulation and plans to add another 1,000 this year, ITF Group is doubling down on its commitment to innovative and flexible yard management.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Kevin chats with Emily Kelly, Senior Director of Operations at Zenni Optical, during this special Supply Chain Point edition of The New Warehouse Podcast. Known for its affordable eyewear and direct-to-consumer model, Zenni has evolved over its 22-year history to now include a growing contact lens business. Emily shares how Zenni is balancing innovation and stability in a volatile global logistics environment, especially as they manage a dual-channel supply chain for both glasses and contacts. From navigating small parcel carrier shakeups to handling tariffs on imported frames, she offers clear, practical insight into how Zenni stays nimble while staying true to its brand promise.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Andrew Smith, Founder and CEO of Outrider, a pioneer in autonomous yard operations. It’s been five years since Andrew first joined the show, and a lot has changed, both in the industry and at Outrider. The conversation explores how the company has evolved since emerging from stealth mode, how it integrates AI and deep learning into its solution, and why the yard may be one of the most dangerous, overlooked segments in the supply chain. From enhancing safety and sustainability to streamlining operations, Andrew shares how Outrider is automating the yard by creating autonomous electric trucks that maneuver trailers with centimeter-level precision.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Jordan Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer at Slip Robotics. Slip has made waves in the logistics world with its ability to load or unload a 53-foot trailer in just five minutes using its autonomous SlipBots. Now, with the launch of SlipBot Plus, they’re expanding the platform’s capabilities even further, enabling highly flexible trailer configurations, safer operations, and smoother workflows.Jordan breaks down how customer feedback drove the development of SlipBot Plus attachments, why modularity matters in a chaotic dock environment, and how Slip’s U.S.-based manufacturing is positioning them to support the domestic reshoring movement.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Kevin chats with Nish George, CEO of Fetch Fulfillment, on this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, recorded at Supply Chain Point 2025. Nish’s journey from FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) fanatic to logistics disruptor is anything but typical. With a background that includes operations roles and time at Amazon, Nish brings an unconventional, systems-level mindset to the industry—one shaped as much by personal mission as professional ambition. In this conversation, he shares how deeply human experiences and a love of optimization led him to acquire a 3PL and set out to transform last-mile delivery. From AI that audits timecards via security footage to a future of "red blood cell" package delivery systems, Nish walks us through his strategic vision—and the real-world leadership lessons he’s learned on the warehouse floor.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Nicholas Gordon, Co-founder and COO of SIMPL Automation, a company redefining ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) deployment. Instead of tearing out infrastructure to make way for automation, SIMPL delivers an adaptive solution that installs directly onto existing racking, cutting down on cost, disruption, and environmental waste. With 15 years of integration experience under his belt, Nicholas brings a holistic view of the market and shares how SIMPL’s solution emerged from observing one consistent pain point: warehouse automation upgrades are too invasive, and too much steel ends up in the dumpster.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Kevin chats with Wesley Parkin of Qimarox and Steve Castle of Autoquip in this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, recorded live from ProMat 2025. Representing MHI’s Conveyor and Sortation Solutions (CSS) Industry Group, Wesley and Steve unpack key challenges and emerging solutions in material handling, especially when it comes to moving Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) between facility levels. The conversation dives deep into the CSS Group’s collaborative efforts, the growing need for smarter vertical movement, and how manufacturers and integrators are adapting traditional VRCs (Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors) to meet the precision demands of modern automation.Learn more about Collision Awareness here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show