The Logistics of Logistics

Logistics and Supply Chain - 1940 to 2040 with Jason Miller

Jason Miller and Joe Lynch discuss logistics and supply chain, 1940 - 2040. Jason is a professor of supply chain at Michigan State University, which is ranked as one of the top supply chain schools in the world.

About Jason Miller

Jason Miller (PhD The Ohio State University) is a tenured Associate Professor of Logistics and the John D. and Dortha J. Withrow Endowed Emerging Scholar at Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business. His primary research stream examines firms' logistics operations, with an emphasis on studying motor carrier safety, productivity, pricing dynamics, and driver turnover. Jason has been recognized with multiple awards for research and teaching. He was recognized as the undergraduate faculty member who had the greatest impact on students based on the 2017 graduating senior survey. The website Poets & Quants has recognized him as one of the top 40 undergraduate professors.

About Michigan State University, Department of Supply Chain Management

Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan. MSU was founded in 1855. Today, MSU is one of the largest universities in the United States and has approximately 634,300 living alumni worldwide. MSU’s Department of Supply Chain Management is the consistently ranked as the top supply chain management school in the country. The department educates students to succeed in careers such as procurement, manufacturing, inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and customer service. Students graduate with foundational knowledge across all areas of SCM, positioning them to work in multiple capacities for the top global companies. The business world views Broad’s graduates and faculty as the voice of the SCM field.

Key Takeaways: Logistics and Supply Chain - 1940 to 2040

Jason Miller is a tenured Associate Professor of Logistics at Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business.
In the podcast interview, Jason and Joe discuss the changes in logistics and supply chain from 1940 to 2040.
In order to reduce the scope and make the topic more accessible, Jason and Joe use the iron skillet as an analog to represent all products that have a supply chain.
In 1940, the iron skillet was manufactured in Wisconsin from iron ore mined from Michigan and Minnesota. The skillet was shipped via rail to a distributor who eventually sold it to a retailer.
In 1980, the manufacturing locations were most likely still in the USA, but may have moved to the lower cost, non-union south. The skillet was shipped by truck (rather than rail) directly to the retailer.
In 2020, the skillet was manufactured in China using Australian or Brazilian iron ore. The skillet was shipped via ocean and truck to a fulfillment center or retailer in the USA.
In 2040, the skillet will most likely be manufactured in the USA or Mexico. The iron ore will come from a North America. The manufacturing process will be highly automated. The skillet will be transported via truck and the consumer will most likely buy via ecommerce or traditional retail.
The discussion illuminates advancements and trends including: sustainability, global economy, nearshoring, infrastructure, information technology, growth of logistics, security, capital investments, automation, productivity, labor, security, and the circular supply chain.

Learn More About Logistics and Supply Chain - 1940 to 2040

Jason Miller

MSU Supply Chain Management Program

Jason’s profile on MSU’s website

Supply Chain Basics with Jason Miller