Supply Chain Resilience in a Decade of Disruptions
Supply Chain Resilience in a Decade of Disruptions
The Impact of Recent Trade Actions on Trade
First off—a huge thank you to everyone who registered and joined us for last week’s Supply Chain Resilience event. As always, these gatherings are made special not only by the timely content but by the people in the room—and, of course, the incredible food and drink courtesy of Rob Liss and MAKA Logistics.
For this installment of the Supply Chain Speaker Series, we were thrilled to welcome Bill Hohenadel, Business Development Manager at Gebrüder Weiss, one of the oldest transport and logistics companies in the world. With a global footprint and a reputation for adapting across centuries of change, Bill brought deep experience in freight forwarding, operational logistics, and team development. His clear-eyed, boots-on-the-ground perspective sheds light on how modern supply chains are adapting to constant, compounding disruptions.
Before the presentation began, Hohenadel recognized one of the 2025 recipients of the Gebrüder Weiss Supply Chain Leadership Scholarship: Matthew Andrusko. Now in its fourth year, the scholarship continues to provide 黑料门students with both financial aid and internship opportunities.
Global Supply Chains: Interconnected and Inescapable
Bill kicked things off with a macro view: logistics today are deeply global and profoundly interconnected. At Gebrüder Weiss, the company's network spans continents, with locations and strategic partners across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. That level of global reach means disruptions are never isolated—they ripple fast, and recovery requires systemic, multi-layered responses.
A Decade of Disruptions: Lessons Learned
We then walked through a whirlwind tour of the past ten years—a decade defined by disruption. Among the many global events discussed, two stood out:
- COVID-19 Pandemic: No surprise here—COVID fundamentally reshaped supply chain operations. The pandemic exposed the fragility of lean inventory models and just-in-time production. Many companies learned (some the hard way) the importance of redundancy, diversified sourcing, and supplier visibility.
- Ever Given Blockage in the Suez Canal: When a single ship blocked one of the world’s most vital trade arteries, it highlighted how chokepoints can upend global trade in mere days. We explored how contingency planning, alternative routing, and better forecasting tools are now essential investments for logistics teams.
What’s Next: Trends Shaping the Future of Logistics
Bill also looked forward to the major trends shaping the logistics landscape:
- AI & Automation: From route optimization to predictive maintenance, AI is transforming the industry. The companies ahead of the curve aren’t just adopting these technologies—they’re weaving them into their organizational DNA
- Sustainability: ESG compliance, ethical sourcing, and carbon tracking are no longer “nice to have”—they’re operational mandates. Leading companies are embedding sustainability into every link of their supply chain.
- Geopolitics: With the reelection of President Trump, protectionist trade policies are once again reshaping international dynamics. Expect continued complexity around tariffs, trade routes, and sourcing strategies.
- Energy Transition: The shift toward greener energy is accelerating, and logistics providers are leading some of the most innovative solutions in renewable transport and infrastructure resilience.
Bill’s Playbook for Navigating Uncertainty
Bill wrapped up with a set of practical, actionable takeaways for supply chain professionals:
- Embrace emerging tech early (IoT, AI, automation)—or risk falling behind.
- Prepare short- and long-term contingency plans—don’t wait for a strike or disaster to start re-routing.
- Encourage your partners to innovate, challenge them, and reward excellence.
- Collaborate with your logistics provider to discover new vendors (Bill recommended Panjiva as a great resource).
Careers in Logistics: Not Just Trucks and Containers
Finally, Bill spotlighted the many career paths in logistics, many of which fly under the radar but are critical to global trade. From operations and procurement to IT systems, customs compliance, HR, and business development, the field is full of opportunities for professionals with diverse backgrounds.
Thanks again to Bill for sharing his deep expertise, to MAKA Logistics for keeping us well-fed, and to everyone who showed up and made this discussion dynamic and memorable. If you missed it—or want to dive deeper—the full slide deck is available here.
Event info
Date: April 16, 2025
Welcome & Networking: 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Speaker Presentation: 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Happy Hour: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Schreiber Center, 16 E. Pearson Street, Room 908
Featured Speaker
Bill Hohenadel
鈥婤ill Hohenadel is the Business Development Manager at Gebr眉der Weiss, a global transport and logistics company. Based in the Greater Chicago Area, he plays a key role in fostering client relationships and driving business growth. He is an alumnus of Loras College.
The Impact of Recent Trade Actions on Trade
First off—a huge thank you to everyone who registered and joined us for last week’s Supply Chain Resilience event. As always, these gatherings are made special not only by the timely content but by the people in the room—and, of course, the incredible food and drink courtesy of Rob Liss and MAKA Logistics.
For this installment of the Supply Chain Speaker Series, we were thrilled to welcome Bill Hohenadel, Business Development Manager at Gebrüder Weiss, one of the oldest transport and logistics companies in the world. With a global footprint and a reputation for adapting across centuries of change, Bill brought deep experience in freight forwarding, operational logistics, and team development. His clear-eyed, boots-on-the-ground perspective sheds light on how modern supply chains are adapting to constant, compounding disruptions.
Before the presentation began, Hohenadel recognized one of the 2025 recipients of the Gebrüder Weiss Supply Chain Leadership Scholarship: Matthew Andrusko. Now in its fourth year, the scholarship continues to provide 黑料门students with both financial aid and internship opportunities.
Global Supply Chains: Interconnected and Inescapable
Bill kicked things off with a macro view: logistics today are deeply global and profoundly interconnected. At Gebrüder Weiss, the company's network spans continents, with locations and strategic partners across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. That level of global reach means disruptions are never isolated—they ripple fast, and recovery requires systemic, multi-layered responses.
A Decade of Disruptions: Lessons Learned
We then walked through a whirlwind tour of the past ten years—a decade defined by disruption. Among the many global events discussed, two stood out:
- COVID-19 Pandemic: No surprise here—COVID fundamentally reshaped supply chain operations. The pandemic exposed the fragility of lean inventory models and just-in-time production. Many companies learned (some the hard way) the importance of redundancy, diversified sourcing, and supplier visibility.
- Ever Given Blockage in the Suez Canal: When a single ship blocked one of the world’s most vital trade arteries, it highlighted how chokepoints can upend global trade in mere days. We explored how contingency planning, alternative routing, and better forecasting tools are now essential investments for logistics teams.
What’s Next: Trends Shaping the Future of Logistics
Bill also looked forward to the major trends shaping the logistics landscape:
- AI & Automation: From route optimization to predictive maintenance, AI is transforming the industry. The companies ahead of the curve aren’t just adopting these technologies—they’re weaving them into their organizational DNA
- Sustainability: ESG compliance, ethical sourcing, and carbon tracking are no longer “nice to have”—they’re operational mandates. Leading companies are embedding sustainability into every link of their supply chain.
- Geopolitics: With the reelection of President Trump, protectionist trade policies are once again reshaping international dynamics. Expect continued complexity around tariffs, trade routes, and sourcing strategies.
- Energy Transition: The shift toward greener energy is accelerating, and logistics providers are leading some of the most innovative solutions in renewable transport and infrastructure resilience.
Bill’s Playbook for Navigating Uncertainty
Bill wrapped up with a set of practical, actionable takeaways for supply chain professionals:
- Embrace emerging tech early (IoT, AI, automation)—or risk falling behind.
- Prepare short- and long-term contingency plans—don’t wait for a strike or disaster to start re-routing.
- Encourage your partners to innovate, challenge them, and reward excellence.
- Collaborate with your logistics provider to discover new vendors (Bill recommended Panjiva as a great resource).
Careers in Logistics: Not Just Trucks and Containers
Finally, Bill spotlighted the many career paths in logistics, many of which fly under the radar but are critical to global trade. From operations and procurement to IT systems, customs compliance, HR, and business development, the field is full of opportunities for professionals with diverse backgrounds.
Thanks again to Bill for sharing his deep expertise, to MAKA Logistics for keeping us well-fed, and to everyone who showed up and made this discussion dynamic and memorable. If you missed it—or want to dive deeper—the full slide deck is available here.
Event info
Date: April 16, 2025
Welcome & Networking: 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Speaker Presentation: 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Happy Hour: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Schreiber Center, 16 E. Pearson Street, Room 908