Efficient & Eco-Friendly: Transforming Foodservice Logistics with Sustainable Distribution Practices, Loraine Yalch President of National Accounts Division at ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions

Farm to Fork: The Innovators with David Maloni

In this episode, Loraine Yalch, President of National Accounts at Armada Supply Chain Solutions, joins us to discuss the critical role of transportation and distribution in the food service supply chain. With over 23 years of experience in the industry, Lorraine shares how Armada operates as a 4PL, helping businesses optimize their logistics by managing relationships, enhancing network efficiency, and reducing risk.

We dive into the current landscape of transportation, why distribution capacity has tightened, and how leveraging technology and AI can help predict disruptions before they occur. Lorraine also highlights the importance of collaboration between supply chain partners and best practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overall costs. From redistribution strategies to sustainability initiatives, this episode provides valuable insights into how businesses can create more efficient and resilient supply chains.
Connect with the Host:

David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/
Connect with our Guest:

Loraine’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loraine-yalch/
Connect with Datum FS:
https://datumfs.com/
Timestamps:
00:00
00:00:45 – Overview of the episode and Loraine Yalch’s background in the food supply chain industry.

00:01:33 – Introduction to the main topics: transportation, distribution, and emissions reduction.

00:02:02 – Loraine Yalch’s career background: from civil engineering to foodservice logistics at Armada.

00:03:11 – Overview of Armada’s services: managing supply chain risk and delivering cost reductions.

00:04:12 – Loraine Yalch’s personal interests and her connection to Pittsburgh.

00:05:06 – Loraine Yalch’s history with Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh.

00:06:12 – The scale of Armada’s operations: working with major food service brands.

00:09:00 – Discussing Armada’s acquisitions and growth beyond food service.

00:13:00 – Technology’s role in supply chain visibility and AI-driven platforms for predicting disruptions.

00:17:30 – Transportation logistics and tightening capacity in the last-mile distribution network.

00:22:00 – The impact of LTL (Less-than-Truckload) vs. full truckload consolidation in distribution.

00:26:30 – Why restaurant brands evolve from broad-line distributors to more custom distribution solutions.

00:32:00 – Current challenges in the transportation market: skew proliferation and cost pressure.

00:35:00 – The shift in leverage from restaurant chains to distributors post-COVID.

00:38:00 – Dwell time and its impact on cost and efficiency in transportation logistics.

00:42:30 – Reducing inefficiencies: How minimizing dwell time can save millions in supply chains.

00:46:00 – Collaboration across the supply chain and the importance of streamlining processes.

00:49:30 – Exploring sustainability initiatives: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation and warehouses.

00:53:00 – Using SmartWay certification to ensure carriers are reducing environmental impact.

00:57:00 – Redistributing products and optimizing truckloads to minimize environmental footprint.

01:00:00 – Financial services and other unique capabilities offered by Armada to manage supply chain costs.

01:03:30 – Loraine Yalch shares final thoughts on the future of transportation and supply chain management.

I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company.

Click here to find out more.