Warehousing Wednesday Spotlight: A Conversation with Industry Leader Jim Tompkins
This week on Warehousing Wednesday, Redwood’s Mark Lewis sat down with one of the most respected voices in supply chain and warehousing: Jim Tompkins, Chairman of Tompkins Ventures and Tompkins Solutions. With decades of experience shaping how organizations think about warehousing and distribution, Jim shared valuable insights on how the industry has transformed — and where it’s headed next.
From “Back Room Operations” to Boardroom Priority
Jim reflected on how warehousing has evolved from a behind-the-scenes function to a strategic advantage. What was once seen as a cost center is now central to business success, customer experience, and brand reputation. The pandemic accelerated this shift, pushing supply chain into the spotlight and elevating the role of distribution and fulfillment.
Why “Optionization” Is the New Optimization
Traditional supply chain strategy focused heavily on optimization — creating a single “best” path forward. Jim believes that approach no longer fits today’s fast-changing market. Instead, businesses need "optionization:" building multiple paths, partners, and scenarios so they can pivot quickly when disruptions strike.
In other words, resilience now comes from flexibility, not perfection.
A Look Ahead
This discussion was just the start. Jim and Mark touched on topics that will continue shaping warehousing for years to come, including technology adoption, talent, and the role of strategic partnerships in enabling agile, scalable operations.
This episode is Part 1 of their conversation, with more insights coming soon.
Interested in learning more? Stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation with Jim Tompkins in an upcoming Warehousing Wednesday.
