Scaling Operations: Is Robotics the Future of Fulfillment? (with Brian Schlise, APR Supply)

About this episode

Brian Schlise discusses how APR Supply is leveraging automation and bold leadership to navigate the future of fulfillment.

What does it take to lead a 100-year-old family business — and set it up for the next 100? Brian Schlise, President of APR Supply, joins Karthik Chidambaram on the podcast to share how a fourth-generation wholesale distribution company is embracing automation, succession planning, and bold leadership to stay ahead.Brian breaks down how APR Supply automated 50% of their warehouse operations with AutoStore and robotics, why their 2025 company theme was "be bold — fail fast," and how RFID technology could revolutionize the wholesale distribution industry. He also shares his philosophy on stewardship, what coaching 35 softball teams taught him about leading people, and why he believes industrial automation creates better jobs — not fewer.

People in this episode

Host: Karthik Chidambaram

Guest: Brian Schlise

Topics covered

• automation
• warehouse operations
• family business
• leadership
• industrial automation
• wholesale distribution

Keywords

• robotics
• fulfillment
• automation
• warehouse
• leadership
• family business
• RFID
• wholesale distribution

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: APR Supply, AutoStore, RFID technology

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