The Future of Supply Chain

This week, we welcomed Sachin Vijayan from Westernacher, who explained how AI, agents, and real-time sensing are driving the shift toward self-healing supply chains and why humans will remain accountable.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 In this episode, Sachin Vijayan of Westernacher joins us to discuss the rise of the self-healing supply chain. We explore how AI agents, sensing, automation, and real-time data can help supply chains respond to disruptions more quickly, while humans remain accountable for key decisions.
 
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Guest: Sachin Vijayan, Global Planning Lead, Westernacher Consulting   
Sachin Vijayan is an experienced supply chain transformation leader currently serving as the Global Planning Lead at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience in solutions architecture and consulting, he specializes in Digital Business Transformation, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Demand Planning across diverse global industries.

Throughout his tenure at Westernacher, Sachin has held several key leadership positions, including the EU Regional Practice Lead and Solution Architect. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and robust technical models, driving operational excellence and high-quality client delivery.

Sachin is known for his strategic approach to supply chain planning, helping organizations navigate modern market complexities through digital innovation and process optimization.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  
 
She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  

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Show Links:
What if your supply chain could heal itself? Read the article
 
Supply Chain Management:  
SAP Supply Chain Management 
SAP Insights: Supply Chain       

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Sachin Vijayan: LinkedIn
Richard Howells: LinkedIn, 
Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      
SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:00: Intro
00:01:07: Guest Introductions
00:01:44: What does “self-healing supply chain” mean in practice
00:04:37: Core capabilities needed before a supply chain can self-heal
00:07:50: The role of AI in enabling self-healing operations
00:12:27: How humans and AI should work together
00:17:33: What the planner of the future will do differently
00:22:12: Where self-healing is already happening today
00:26:17: What is the Future of Supply Chain?
00:27:20: Outro

In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Lufthansa Technik with Lena Kaehler. We discuss how they deliver aviation spare parts fast, adapt to trade changes, and aim for smarter AI and CO2 neutrality.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠

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On this episode, Lena Kaehler, Senior Director of Component Logistics, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Lufthansa Technik’s global aviation spare-parts network. We break down how their team delivers speed and reliability to avoid AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations, while juggling strict safety regulations, airport access challenges, and an incredible variety of parts, including hazardous and high-value items.

Discover how Lufthansa Technik supports around 800 airlines and manages a million shipments every year. Hear about their $2.3B pooled inventory, powered by a blend of proprietary systems, AI, and expert oversight.

Lena also shares how they’re adapting to shifting tariffs and trade rules, tackling crisis management, and optimizing transport networks. Plus: their vision for the future: smarter AI, ongoing trade volatility, and a push for CO2 neutrality.

This is a must-hear episode if you want to get more insights from Lufthansa Technik.

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Guest: Lena Kaehler, Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS).
Lena Kaehler is Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS). With more than 20 years of experience in aviation, she has held roles across spare parts supply, base maintenance, airline flight operations, and logistics. In her current position, Lena is responsible for Lufthansa Technik’s global transportation network, holistic logistics solutions for the component business, and sales activities for LTLS customers worldwide. She studied industrial engineering and is passionate about the international, connecting nature of aviation.

Host 1: Sin To, SAP

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

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Show Links:
SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Lena Kaehler:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-kähler-944659146/
 
Sin To: 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to
 
Oyku Ilgar: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oykuilgar/
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:22 Podcast Welcome
00:01:20 Meet Lena Kaehler
00:02:34 Aviation Logistics Challenges
00:06:22 Scale of Global Network
00:09:37 Pooling and Stock Planning
00:12:46 Tariffs and Customs Volatility
00:17:11 AI and Digitization Reality
00:19:29 Repair Cycle and AOG Urgency
00:22:26 Transport Network Operations
00:26:55 Future of Supply Chain
00:29:12 Wrap Up and Thanks

Discover industrial AI at Hannover Messe with SAP’s Matthias Deindl, covering embodied AI, productivity-boosting agents, and demos like ginger-shot packaging, digital twins, warehouse robots and partner integrations.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode explores industrial AI at Hannover Messe (20–24 April) with SAP’s Matthias Deindl. Key topics include embodied AI (robots in production, logistics, asset management) and AI agents that enhance productivity and reduce errors. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations.

Matthias emphasises the importance of accurate, timely data, using SAP Business Data Cloud to enable autonomous tasks like AI-assisted tendering and robot-led inspections. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations.

The episode envisions seamless disturbance response, improved productivity for an ageing workforce, and stronger human–AI collaboration.
 
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Guest: Matthias Deindl
Matthias Deindl is a digital transformation leader focused on discrete industries and supply chains, with more than 17 years of leadership in dynamic, cross-functional environments. At SAP, he currently leads end-to-end product management for Discrete Industries. Previously, he headed supply chain management initiatives across the global SAP Experience Centers network and oversaw the SAP S.Factory Walldorf, helping customers in process and discrete industries accelerate their digital transformation. Before joining SAP, Matthias served as a Group Leader and Product Owner in a corporate IoT startup at Bosch and worked as an Innovation Manager in Corporate Logistics. Earlier in his career, he was a Project Lead and Head of Department in R&D at RWTH Aachen. He has collaborated with customers across automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, and logistics. Matthias holds a Diplom in industrial engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Sin To

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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Show Links:
SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm
 
Visit us at Hannover Messe (HMI): Hall 15, Booth F08

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Matthias Deindl:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdeindl/  
 
Richard Howells:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells
 
Sin To: 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:00 Vision for AI Supply Chains
00:01:51 Meet Matthias and Industrial AI Today
00:02:14 Two AI Tracks Robots and Assistants
00:03:30 Data Foundations and Business Data Cloud
00:05:04 Deployment Challenges and Quick Win Use Cases
00:06:46 Embodied AI Inspection Robots
00:09:51 Resilience Roadmap Transparency to Agents
00:12:25 Human Machine Collaboration at the SAP Booth
00:15:41 Ecosystems and Partner Integration
00:19:17 Closing and How to Find SAP at Hannover Messe

Digital battery passports are set to transform supply chains by driving transparency, interoperability, and circular business models beyond compliance. In this episode, we explore how companies can prepare for 2027 and use compliance as a strategic advantage.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠

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In this episode, we unpack the EU digital battery passport mandate and what it means for global supply chains. We discuss key requirements, data ownership, interoperability, security, AI, and the business value of digital product passports. The conversation also covers how companies can prepare for 2027 and use compliance as a strategic advantage.

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Guest: Oleksandra Ostapenko, SAP
15+ years of international experience in overseeing complex, large-scale programs and products, driving strategic initiatives, and delivering impactful results across cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.
• Expertise in product and portfolio management, strategic customer engagements, corporate operations, and mergers and acquisitions.
• As Head of Product Management, Industry Standards at SAP, I define the product vision, strategy, and roadmap to embed industry standards such as AAS and regulatory requirements such as ESPR and Digital Product Passport across our portfolio and lead initiatives to drive adoption of both our products and the standards.

Host 1: Sin To

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

Host 2: Zoriana Zahorodnia

Zoriana is a Product Marketer specializing in Supply Chain Management. As an engaging content creator, blogger, and podcaster, she explores how supply chain innovations and sustainability shape the future of global business.

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Show Links:
SAP Digital Battery Passport
 
Join us at Hannover Messe 
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Oleksandra Ostapenko
 
Sin To
 
Zoriana Zahorodnia
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:00 Beyond Compliance Promise
00:00:47 Podcast Intro and Guests
00:02:19 What Is Battery Passport
00:03:47 2027 Requirements and Scope
00:05:50 Who Owns the Data
00:08:14 SAP Solution Overview
00:11:33 Data Challenges and Standards
00:15:18 Global Regulations and Security
00:19:13 Value Creation Use Cases
00:21:57 Roadmap to 2027
00:23:51 Blueprint for Other Products
00:26:24 Demo Invitation Hannover Messe
00:27:10 AI in Battery Passports
00:28:14 2030 Outlook and Wrap Up

In this episode, we are joined by Markus Kirchschlager, who explains how mindset, organization, skills, and AI-enabled platforms build trust, fight change fatigue, and connect shopfloor and boardroom.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we talk about communication as the operating system of supply chain transformation. Together with our guest Markus Kirchschlager, we explore his three pillar framework, how to build trust across ecosystems, prevent change fatigue, integrate AI and digital platforms, and empower leaders as communicators from the shopfloor to the boardroom.
 
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Guest: Markus Kirchschlager, Managing Partner PANTARHEI Advisors

Markus Kirchschlager is an entrepreneur and managing partner of PANTARHEI Advisors, deeply invested in communications and technology. As an experienced communicator and strategy consultant – and as a trained computer scientist – his focus is on international transformation projects at the intersection of communication, technology, leadership, and organisational change.
 
At PANTARHEI, his clients include DAX-listed companies such as Bayer, the BMW Group and Lufthansa, Rolls-Royce (FTSE-100) as well as globally operating mid-sized businesses and international tech scale-ups.
 
Markus’ background includes the frontlines of Public Affairs on EU level. He has worked at PANTARHEI’s Brussels office, was part of the European Commission’s information service in Vienna and a spokesperson for the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.
 
He is a trained computer scientist, studied communications management and holds an MBA in General Management and Finance from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
 
Markus’ voluntary work includes being one of the contributors to the World Economic Forum’s “Future 50” programme on intergenerational foresight as well as being a team member the European Commission’s Team Europe.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Sin To

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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Show Links:
SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠

World Economic Forum (WEF): https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/07/accelerating-transformation-in-manufacturing-from-the-factory-floor-to-the-boardroom/  

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Markus Kirchschlager
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kirchschlager/
 
Richard Howells:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells
 
Sin To: 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:00: Intro
00:01:28: Guest introduction
00:02:23: Three‑pillar communication framework
00:03:31: Communication as ecosystem “campfire”
00:04:54: Transparency, risk and trust
00:06:16: Preventing change and transformation fatigue
00:07:40: Global message, local realities
00:09:02: AI, platforms and new intermediaries
00:09:47: Communication skills for modern leaders
00:13:57: Digital platforms, analytics and targeting
00:15:39 What's the future of the supply chain?
00:17:51: Outro