Building the New Manufacturing Workforce

WEBINAR

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As strategic forces push manufacturing back to America, one obstacle threatens progress: finding the right people with the right skills. Before new factories can produce anything, they must be built—requiring a new generation of skilled tradespeople such as electricians, welders, and technicians. And once these modern facilities are operational, companies report an unexpected challenge: the biggest talent gaps aren’t just technical, but also in core soft skills like leadership, critical thinking, and communication.

Join Supply Chain Now hosts Scott Luton and Allison Giddens as they welcome Alan Amling and Darrell Edwards from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville to explore a practical approach to developing a comprehensive workforce from the ground up. Learn what it truly takes to build, staff, and sustain the next generation of American manufacturing.

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Speakers

Alan Amling

Asst Professor of Practice, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Dr.Alan Amlingis a TED speaker and leading authority on supply chain transformation and digital disruption. Named one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Digital Disruption in 2022 and 2025, and a “Top Executive Management Voice” by LinkedIn in 2024,

Dr. Amling parlays his leadership experiences over a 27-year career with UPS with cutting-edge research to help businesses large and small better understand the changing world order of commerce and how they can position themselves for success.

Today, Alan researches and teaches in the #1 rated Master of Supply Chain program at the University of Tennessee.

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Darrell Edwards

Assistant Professor of Practice, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Darrell Edwardscurrently serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Supply Chain Management Department at the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining the UT faculty, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at La-Z-Boy Incorporated, the nation’s largest

producer of reclining chairs and one of the nation’s largest providers of home furnishings. Edwards has over three decades of deep global operations and supply chain experience, delivering significant value within consumer product industries. Edwards was a named Executive Officer (NEO) that led the global operations and supply chain for La-Z-Boy Incorporated’s Branded Business totaling in excess of 9,000 employees.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Correct Craft Corporation in Orlando, FL, Rival Holdings in Fort Wayne, IN, and Revive Home Brands in Grabill, IN. Moreover, Edwards has been recognized as an award-winning global leader, having led numerous business units to achieve national and global recognition for operational excellence. His interests are focused in leadership, business strategy, executive coaching, team building, and process innovation. He is a frequent guest speaker at various national forums, and authored articles in several business trade publications.

Edwards holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and a master’s degree in Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona.

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