Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges with Michael Needham
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
Release Date: 06/26/2025
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales”, and , the CEO of Virago Marketing, discuss how businesses can drive measurable revenue growth by understanding and leveraging the invisible customer journey. About Jennie Malafarina is the CEO of Virago Marketing, a Cleveland-based agency helping transportation and logistics companies turn marketing into a revenue-driving engine. Since taking the lead at Virago in 2020, she has elevated the agency’s impact—guiding strategies that deliver measurable results aligned with client growth goals. With over a decade of experience in...
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In “The Skill Gap Epidemic: How Untrained Workers Are Holding You Back”, and , the the Chief Operating Officer at FreightPath, discuss the critical challenges facing the global logistics industry and how targeted workforce development is essential for overcoming the widening skills gap. About Cary Dittman is the Chief Operating Officer at FreightPath, where he leads the company’s efforts to scale operations, forge strategic partnerships, and advance its mission to modernize supply chain education. With over 40 years of experience in logistics, technology, and enterprise growth, Cary...
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In “Freight Downturn: What Winners Do to Gain Ground”, and , the Founder of Stride Motivation, discuss how professionals can adopt an endurance athlete's mindset to overcome fear, rejection, and self-limiting beliefs in the face of a challenging freight market. About Nick Klingensmith After being thrown out of a Las Vegas hotel in a drunken haze, jeopardizing his career and relationships, had to make a change. A 4-time cancer survivor, type-1 diabetic, recovering alcoholic with herniated discs, nerve damage and sleep apnea, he defies it all when he finds Obstacle Course Racing. Refusing...
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In “Warp is The LTL Network of the Future”, and , the Co-Founder and CEO of Warp, discuss how Warp's technology-powered freight network is modernizing LTL logistics across the U.S. by connecting shippers, cross-docks, and carriers through a single operating system to enable flexible, efficient, and highly visible freight movement. About Daniel Sokolovsky is the Co-Founder and CEO of Warp, a technology-powered freight network modernizing LTL logistics across the U.S. He grew up in the world of freight. His parents ran a courier business, so missed ETAs, late-night scrambles, and broken...
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In “From Farm to Fork: A Broker's Guide to Food Safety and Cold Chain Logistics”, and , the CEO and Co-founder of Veritas Logistics, discuss the critical role of human-centric logistics and strong partnerships in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of food. About Brian Hastings is the CEO and Co-founder of Veritas Logistics, a third-party logistics firm founded in 2020 that prioritizes people and operates with core values of truth, partnership, passion, positivity, and service to provide customized transportation solutions. With over 15 years in the freight brokerage...
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In “CHAINge, AI, and the Future of Freight”, and , an industry expert and thought leader with over 30 years of supply chain and logistics experience across the globe, discuss how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the logistics landscape and what the future holds for global freight. About Bart A. De Muynck stands as an accomplished industry expert and thought leader, boasting over three decades of global supply chain and logistics experience. His distinguished career includes significant roles at major international companies such as EY, GE Capital, Penske...
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In “Safeguarding Your Shipments: Denim's Insights on Fraud, Payments, and Carrier Vetting”, and , VP of Operations at Denim, discuss the evolving landscape of freight fraud, payment challenges, and how Denim provides comprehensive solutions to ensure financial and operational security for freight businesses. About Chad Capooth is the VP of Operations at Denim. He brings over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, business growth, and operations leadership. At Denim, he leads operational strategy, leveraging deep expertise in factoring, credit underwriting, and portfolio management...
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In “Navigating the Numbers: Tariffs, AI, and The Future of Supply Chains”, and , BDO’s Logistics and Transportation Subject Matter Expert, discuss the evolving landscape of global trade, the transformative power of artificial intelligence, and strategies for building resilient supply chains for tomorrow. About Corey DeSantis serves as BDO’s Logistics and Transportation Subject Matter Expert, supporting clients in manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications and food manufacturing. Corey improves the condition of BDO’s clients through making data-driven decisions to optimize...
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In “The Threads of Trade: How Global Events are Reshaping Cotton Logistics”, and , Director of Strategic Network at Louis Dreyfus Company, discuss how global events are reshaping cotton logistics, leveraging Michael’s dual perspective as a BCO and former ocean carrier, and the importance of collaboration and data transparency. About Michael Symonanis doesn’t just move containers - he moves conversations forward. With 30+ years in international container shipping, Michael brings a rare dual lens as both a BCO and former ocean carrier. Now in his 20th year at Louis Dreyfus Company, he...
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and discuss beyond the tracks: the next frontier of American rail. Martin is CEO at , a tech-enabled rail logistics provider with a team of experienced rail professionals, an extensive network of partners, and a best-in-class technology platform that simplifies the movement of freight and creates a competitive advantage. About Martin Lew is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Commtrex, the largest tech-enabled logistics platform in North America (US, Canada, and Mexico) for shippers to directly connect with railroads, transloaders, storage facilities,...
info_outlineIn “Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges”, Joe Lynch and Michael Needham, a Principal at Efficio, discuss how to build resilient supply chains using data-driven strategies and a hands-on consulting approach to achieve both cost savings and operational resilience in the complex pharma and healthcare sectors.
About Michael Needham
Michael Needham is a Principal Consultant at Efficio, the leading global consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals. Michaël has 20+ years of experience working across the pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device development, healthcare services and CPG sectors. His expertise lies in rapid value creation and turnaround for organizations in financial difficulty. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Masters in Purchasing & Supply Chain Management and a PhD based on the implementation of lean six sigma process improvement programs across geographic locations.
About Efficio
For over two decades, Efficio has been a leading independent consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals. They combine the deep expertise of their consultants with a vast amount of data and insights gained from years of specialized work. Efficio stands out by not just advising, but by embedding with clients to truly understand their unique challenges and deliver tangible, sustained results. Their approach is powered by the Connected Platform and eFlow digital procurement platforms, which leverage global knowledge for smarter, data-driven decisions. Whether it's cost reduction, working capital management, or addressing supply chain complexities, Efficio's singular focus on procurement and supply chain, data-driven technology, and hands-on delivery set them apart. They offer flexible support models, from rapid assessments to long-term partnerships, ensuring measurable and lasting value
Key Takeaways: Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges
- In “Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges”, Joe Lynch and Michael Needham, a Principal Consultant at Efficio, the leading global consultancy, dedicated to helping clients achieve their supply chain and procurement goals, the following topics were discussed:
- Optimizing Private Equity Portfolios: Efficio assists private equity clients by optimizing the supply chains of multiple acquired companies within a sector, helping them achieve greater efficiency and economies of scale through consolidation.
- Collaborative, On-the-Ground Support Works: Efficio’s model of “embedding” with clients shows that deep, hands-on collaboration leads to more effective and lasting solutions.
- Specialization Delivers Results: Efficio’s focus on procurement and supply chain proves that specialized expertise is critical for solving complex challenges in sectors like pharma and healthcare.
- Efficio's Role in Strategic Supply Chain Management: The interview underscored Efficio's expertise in navigating complex supply chain challenges, from geopolitical influences and market consolidation to sustainability initiatives, offering strategic guidance to their diverse client base.
- Supply Chain Resilience in Pharma & Healthcare: The Efficio consultant highlighted the varying supply chain dynamics for patented versus generic drugs. Generic medications, predominantly manufactured in China and India, face potential repositioning due to US tariffs, while patented drugs, made in Ireland, Switzerland, and the USA, have different supply chain considerations.
- Sustainability as a Key Driver: Sustainability remains a significant concern, particularly for large companies with extensive supply chains, suggesting an ongoing focus on environmentally conscious practices within the industry.
Learn More About Supply Chain Reset: Overcoming Pharma & Healthcare Supply Chain Challenges
Transforming global procurement: Innovating digital solutions and partnership
Two transformations, one competitive edge: Procurement in Physician Practice Management
Re-designing procurement: A global healthcare manufacturer's post-acquisition journey
Pharma and Healthcare: Avoid panic buying by approaching safety stocks wisely - | Efficio US
How the Inflation Reduction Act is shaping pharma procurement strategies - | Efficio US