Zion Solutions Group

04/15/2026

For the first time, we brought The Zion Experience to Modex for a live recording.

After a few days on the show floor, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sat down to talk through what stood out, what’s getting a lot of attention, and where the real value of the show comes from.

One thing that stands out every year is how quickly a single question can turn into a much bigger conversation.

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xWRlHpbqs8E2B7UNVGmxH?si=d9ec87dfd7d04bfe.

04/01/2026

Every few years, most distribution centers hit a moment where they have to step back and ask: “Does our network still make sense?"

Whether it’s growth, acquisitions, shifting demand, sourcing changes… it all adds up, revealing that what worked 3–5 years ago may not work today.

In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Steve Spratt to talk about how companies should approach network optimization.

The conversation includes:
➡️ What you need to know before starting a network optimization design project
➡️ Why service doesn’t always improve with proximity
➡️ How small changes (like inventory positioning or even tote size) can have an impact

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4yjvtMpBeW4lTQeqSW6Lne?si=1jEWeRIQSmCCtaUw6A2PZQ

03/18/2026

One of the clearest takeaways from our latest Zion Experience episode is that WMS projects are a heavy lift, and spending the time up front can determine how much pain shows up later.

Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank talk through what it takes to prepare for a WMS project before vendor selection and implementation begin.

In this conversation, they cover:
➡️ Why understanding your “why” is the first step
➡️ Why process mapping from order creation through shipment matters
➡️ How rushed requirements create scope problems later
➡️ Why provider evaluation should stay agnostic
➡️ Why testing needs more time than most teams expect

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6r4MJ4iCBcNpHhEZI3oFAV?si=PibJvOAUR2uaI6sUT0fxtQ

03/04/2026

“Data never lies… but it also never tells the whole story.”

That line from Drew in our latest Zion Experience episode is the reason Operations Advisory exists.

In this episode, Jen Thomas sits down with Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank to break down how advisory really works. They talk through defining the right problem, walking the distribution center floor, identifying quick wins, and building a roadmap grounded in reality. Because the truth usually lives somewhere between what the reports say and what the floor is actually doing to keep things moving.

Listen to the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5eEQ2oNYyWiAOsKWYX7WEH?si=e31a91b35fd24b70

02/19/2026

02/18/2026

Automation is a capital investment. Maintenance can be a determining factor in whether that investment delivers long-term value.

In our latest Zion Experience episode, Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank talk with Lee Hobbs about what it actually takes to sustain automated distribution centers over time.

In this conversation, we cover:
➡️ Why preventive and proactive maintenance protects your original capital investment
➡️ How small issues turn into major disruptions when ignored
➡️ What a practical maintenance roadmap looks like in modern automated DCs
➡️ How technician skill sets are evolving alongside automation

Strong maintenance programs reduce downtime, extend equipment life, stabilize operations, and protect capital over the long-term.

🎧 Watch the clip below and listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1noJUZGeJoz2DvWjAnYh7G?si=FPrZEhbpQfO5eu3a5wgsng

02/04/2026

2026 Distribution Center Automation: What's Evolving and What's Trending

In our latest Zion Experience episode, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Drew Eubank talk through what shifted in 2025 and what they’re watching heading into 2026.

Spoiler Alert!

1. Systems are getting more advanced while also becoming easier to use, thanks to better interfaces and a stronger focus on the operator experience.

2. At the same time, the vendor landscape feels less chaotic than it did during the COVID wave. The market has matured, and teams are getting clearer about what’s sustainable versus what just demos well.

🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43GPI2ndvpFCrO6A4w9yhA?si=864d2f1febe94c57

What distribution center automation technologies did you see evolve significantly last year?

01/22/2026

Explore with us how DC automation is transforming healthcare operations at St. Vincent De Paul and helping save lives through smarter, more efficient processes.

The Medication Access Program (MAP) at St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy relies on donated medication to serve patients who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it. But donations were arriving faster than they could be inspected, sorted, and made available. Even with volunteers stepping in, the process couldn’t keep up. The SVDP team had a vision to expand the program and serve more patients, which meant automating the process to increase speed and capacity.

In this conversation, we talk through:
- Why manual processes couldn’t scale, even with volunteers
- How automation shifted processing time from months to a single day
- What changes when inventory accuracy becomes immediate

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, Jake Nordman, and Rusty Curington share how this came together: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sFBZzmyPPlBJDvsjqSX02?si=gepUoITFQ4qLBXMH0TyDjA

What part of the story stood out to you? Let us know in the comments!

01/07/2026

Most decisions look good over 12 months. Very few still look good over 7 to 10 years.

In our Year in Review podcast, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, Drew Eubank, and Chuck Frank discuss a simple but challenging question:

What does it actually mean to be the choice for customers, partners, and team members over the long term?

The discussion touches on:
➡️ Investing in people so they want to stay and grow with you
➡️ Choosing innovation that solves real problems, not just looks impressive
➡️ Building recurring, sustainable revenue that supports customers year after year

This episode offers a transparent look at how we closed out 2025 and how that perspective is shaping our 2026 roadmap.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear what comes next: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49L6HOXtnunOXe7se2L2Wv?si=5826ef9af5d74c89

What priorities are shaping how you’re planning for 2026?

12/25/2025

We love giving back to our communities.

12/17/2025

🎧 THE ZION EXPERIENCE – Solutioning Across Industries

In our latest TZE episode, our Solutions team, Tori Bennett and Christian Seymour, joined Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank to discuss designing across various industries.

Healthcare isn't retail. Aerospace isn't e-commerce. Each operates under its own set of pressures from compliance to throughput, and that’s where design discipline makes all the difference.

Tori and Christian share how they adapt engineering strategy across these environments and why listening to the operators on the floor often unlocks the smartest ideas in the room.

Listen to the full episode → https://open.spotify.com/episode/18uVRMeoxHvIyMEz7ZGHa4?si=rlGVjEVXQKq8fKk5IFBaIg

12/03/2025

🎧 THE ZION EXPERIENCE – Leading with Trust

In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw sat down with Victoria Carlton, founder of Carlton Creative Co, for a conversation about what it really means to lead with care.

Victoria brings a fresh perspective on building teams that don't just execute, but thrive. She explains why the best leaders prioritize clarity over control, how small communication shifts (such as audio messages) can strengthen remote teams, and why getting out of your team's way is sometimes the most powerful move you can make.

Her approach is to lead with trust, communicate with intention, and create frameworks that empower people to own the outcome.

When teams know you care, they show up differently.

Listen to the full episode → https://open.spotify.com/episode/3whNa76LXjCShQsCg4Gi19?si=JSw_T9UQTEyLBpNEwumorA