06-18-2026IMPACT COUNCIL

AI-driven velocity is manufacturing’s new competitive edge 

The companies that do well in the future will use AI to move quickly and innovate.

[Photo: Getty Images]

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In the volatile world of manufacturing, one factor is emerging as the ultimate differentiator in 2026: speed, and in particular, operational velocity. This is the ability to sense market changes, make decisions quickly and decisively, and recover swiftly across the entire value chain.

Persistent uncertainties are the new normal right now, ranging from shifting tariffs and supply chain disruptions to labor shortages and rapid demand changes. These factors make traditional, slow-moving operations a liability. Automation is vital.

Additionally, companies that can compress their response times from weeks or months down to minutes or seconds are poised to thrive.

OPERATIONAL AND TECHNICAL VELOCITY

To understand this shift, I sat down with Brittain Ladd, a globally recognized supply chain expert, business consultant, and fractional COO with more than 20 years’ experience in logistics and operations strategy. He’s also a strategic advisor to my own company, Chang Robotics. Brittain is at the forefront of emerging technologies for........

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