Nolen Akerman
Our Team Nolen Akerman is a data science leader with over 20 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods and medical technology. He excels at developing analytical solutions that turn complex data into actionable insights, particularly in supply chain and operations. As Principal Data Scientist at Kellogg Company, Nolen led efforts to implement advanced analytics and […]
Beyond Short-Term Demand: How Driver-Based Forecasting Supports Better Long-Term Planning
Written by: Roger Baldridge For CPG companies, forecasting has traditionally focused heavily on historical demand. Looking at past sales provides an important foundation, but it does not always answer the questions businesses need to make longer-term decisions. What will demand look like in the future? What decisions could impact our business strategy? What happens if market conditions shift? These questions are […]
As Your CPG Business Grows, Is Your Planning Keeping Up?
Written by: Rob Haddock Growth is a sign of success, but it also introduces new challenges. As consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies add customers, expand into new retail channels, launch new products, and increase promotional activity, supply chain planning becomes significantly more complex. The planning processes that worked when your business was smaller often struggle to keep […]
Instinct Pet Food Expands Partnership with Demand Chain AI to Transform Forecasting and Demand Planning with Puls8™
CHICAGO, IL, July 29, 2026 Demand Chain AI, creator of the Puls8™ Intelligent Planning Solutions platform, today announced that Instinct Pet Food has selected Puls8™ DBF (Driver-Based Forecasting) and Puls8™ DP (Demand Planning) as the next phase of its supply chain transformation. The expanded engagement builds on Instinct’s successful implementation of Puls8™ Replan (Production Planning & Scheduling Optimization) and Puls8™ 360 ADS (Advanced Demand Sensing). Together, […]
From Firefighting to Flow: How CPG Manufacturers Can Regain Control of Their Plants
In this thought leadership article, Demand Chain AI advisor Rob Haddock explores why so many CPG manufacturers find themselves stuck in constant firefighting instead of running stable, predictable operations. Drawing on decades of experience in manufacturing and supply chain planning, he explains how poor planning discipline, inconsistent execution, and ineffective inventory strategies create unnecessary disruption […]
Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit
November 2-3, 2026 | Denver, CO
Engage with forward-thinking supply chain leaders as they explore the future of AI-driven demand planning, forecasting, and operational responsiveness. Featuring real-world case studies, advanced planning strategies, and leadership discussions, the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit showcases how organizations are leveraging AI-powered demand sensing, driver-based forecasting, and intelligent automation to improve forecast accuracy, strengthen S&OP performance, and build more agile, resilient supply chains.
CGSM Summit 2026
October 20-21, 2026 | Chicago, IL
Connect with leading CPG and food & beverage executives as they explore the future of AI-powered commercial planning, revenue growth optimization, and connected decision-making. Featuring real-world success stories, strategic discussions, and innovative AI-driven solutions, the CGSM Summit 2026 highlights how organizations are transforming trade promotion management, forecasting, and commercial execution to improve agility, increase profitability, and drive sustainable growth across the demand chain.
AI Implementations: Balancing Progress vs Perfection
Written by: Nolen Akerman & Fraser Lockhart Earlier this year, friends were conducting research on weather stations for their backyard garden. Evaluating the set of features for all the models was a tiresome process, so they sought assistance from a friendly online AI chatbot. The response was impressively formatted with tables and links, highlighting the best features of each model. The only problem: several of […]
Gartner Supply Chain Symposium
Engage with the industry’s most influential supply chain executives as they define the future of AI, advanced analytics, and digital operations. Featuring leadership-level panels, proven case studies, and strategic dialogues, the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium provides insights that enhance resilience, improve efficiency, and unlock long-term value creation.
Learn more and RSVP today.
Demand Chain AI’s Rob Haddock on Raising Planning Maturity and Helping Companies Outgrow Spreadsheets
This thought leadership piece features Demand Chain AI advisor Rob Haddock, who shares a practitioner’s perspective on why many organizations still struggle with supply chain planning maturity and why moving beyond spreadsheets is often the first step. Drawing on decades of experience in CPG and manufacturing, Haddock explains why discipline, process, and optimization matter more […]