From Overlooked to Optimized: Rethinking Yard Management

The yard may be one of the most overlooked areas of the supply chain, but its impact extends across transportation, warehousing, customer service, safety, and the bottom line. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton sits down with Adam Newsome, CEO of Lazer Logistics, to explore how greater visibility, intelligence, and action can transform yard operations into a strategic advantage. Adam shares how Lazer Logistics combines connected technology, operational data, AI, and decades of institutional knowledge to improve decision-making across hundreds of locations. He explains why visibility alone is not enough, how AI can help teams identify the “next right thing” to do, and why technology must solve real operational problems. The conversation also introduces “Uncle Phil,” Lazer’s AI coaching tool designed to capture the experience of longtime operations leaders and make that knowledge available to managers at scale. Key Takeaways: The yard connects the supply chain. Inefficiencies between transportation and warehousing can affect the entire operation. Visibility must lead to action. Data creates value when it improves safety, productivity, service, and financial performance. AI needs operational context. Combining technology with institutional knowledge produces more practical guidance. People remain essential. Culture, communication, and hands-on experience are critical to operational excellence. Tune in to learn how Lazer Logistics is moving beyond visibility, scaling decades of expertise with AI, and creating a more connected, efficient, and human-centered approach to yard management. Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Adam: linkedin.com/in/adam-newsome-90a50a34 Learn more about Lazer Logistics: https://www.lazerlogistics.com/ Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive WEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6 WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iem WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/from-overlooked-optimized-rethinking-yard-management-1638 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now. For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected] © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.