BNSF will spend $5bn on infrastructure this year, topping its record $4bn investment last year, says Steve Bobb, chief marketing officer. In addition to maintaining and improving service and capacity, BNSF will invest in logistics hubs and other future-focused infrastructure.

Rob Dugas, vice president of supply chain at Chick-fil-A, outlines the challenges around identifying and developing tomorrow's supply chain leaders and discusses the chain's strategic approach to this issue.

Whether it's perishable food being delivered to a restaurant in time for the evening dinner prep, medical supplies on the way to a pharmacy, or a specialty car part on its way to the dealership's repair shop, getting products to consumers on time and in great condition is the single most important task of suppliers and the customers they serve. Even one component of an order that is misplaced or damaged along its route can be the difference between a happy customer and one who takes his business elsewhere.

Hanna Ubl is a generational expert at BridgeWorks, a company that studies and consults on generational differences and the way those differences play out in the workplace. Ubl discusses Boomers, Xers and Millennials and says the Edge Generation, still in high school, will bring even more changes.

When Jim Bowes established the National Logistics & Distribution Conference 10 years ago his aim was to provide a small, non-sales oriented conference for senior supply chain executives. Bowes discusses how NLDC has evolved and what he thinks the future holds.

Leadership comes down to relationships and having a connection with employees, says Kurt Kravchuk, director of distribution at Cabela's. Spending time each day on the floor, focusing on collaboration and maintaining a positive approach are three of his suggestions.