In this episode of the Titanium Economy Podcast, host Vivek Sharma speaks with Brish Bhan Vaidya, Global Procurement Executive at Uber, on how procurement is evolving from a cost function to a strategic growth enabler. Brish highlights the shift toward multi-tier supplier diversification, AI-driven intelligence, ESG integration, and proactive scenario planning to build resilient, agile sourcing models aligned with business objectives.

Brish leads APAC Strategic Sourcing and the Global Buying Center at Uber, bringing 20+ years of experience across BT, Accenture, and American Express. He has driven large-scale procurement transformations, strengthening supplier partnerships, embedding digital and AI capabilities, and building world-class sourcing frameworks to deliver sustained value across complex global supply chains.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Procurement’s evolution: Shift from cost center to strategic value driver, requiring proactive planning amid tariffs and geopolitical disruption.
• (6:27) Managing sourcing risk: Multi-tier supplier diversification is now the baseline to address ESG, insolvency, and geopolitical uncertainty.
• (13:21) Building resilience: Effective sourcing hinges on supplier optionality, performance tracking, and co-creation, with TCO factoring in disruption risk.
• (17:39) AI in procurement: AI accelerates category intelligence, supplier risk analysis, and contract lifecycle management.
• (32:03) Future-ready leadership: Procurement leaders must blend ESG rigor with commercial acumen and digital fluency.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode - Vivek Sharma is a President at Ayna.

For More Information

Brish Bhan Vaidya LinkedIn

Titanium Economy

Ayna.AI Website

Vivek Sharma LinkedIn

Ayna’s Mohit Jaju interviews Ed Dowling, CEO of Compass Minerals, on how 2025 tariff regimes are reshaping industrial supply chains. Ed notes that while Compass achieved USMCA compliance exemptions, secondary effects disrupted inbound supply chains, prompting a shift from sole- to multi-source strategies. He highlights market differentiation—high-value industrial products allowed tariff pass-through, while bulk municipal contracts resisted price changes, creating millions in opportunity costs. Ed calls for policy consistency, arguing that volatility deters investment while known risks can be managed—underscoring the need for constructive CEO–policymaker engagement and resilient supply chains.

Ed Dowling, CEO of Compass Minerals, brings 30+ years of global mining and minerals leadership, including CEO roles at SSR Mining and Meridian Gold, senior positions at De Beers and Cleveland-Cliffs, and board chair roles at Polyus and Copper Mountain Mining. He currently serves on Teck Resources’ board. A former U.S. Navy Petty Officer, Dowling holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mineral processing from Penn State, grounding his leadership in deep technical expertise across salt, lithium, magnesium, and plant nutrition markets.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Compass Minerals Overview – Ed Dowling leads Compass Minerals, producing salt, lithium, magnesium, and plant nutrition critical to infrastructure.
• (01:39) 2025 Tariff Impact – Tariff uncertainty delayed expansion, though USMCA compliance exempted core products from direct exposure.
• (04:32) Supply Chain Restructuring – Shifted from sole-source to multi-source networks to manage tariff-driven inbound disruptions.
• (08:33) Cost Pass-Through Dynamics – High-value industrial products absorbed tariff costs; bulk municipal contracts resisted price changes.
• (15:57) Policy and Leadership Insight – CEOs should engage policymakers for trade clarity; policy consistency enables investment and risk management.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Mohit Jaju is a President at Ayna.

For More Information

Compass Minerals Ed Dowling

Titanium Economy

Ayna.AI Website

Mohit Jaju

In this episode of AYNA Insights, host Dinesh Chopra, President of AYNA, speaks with Bob Merrill, a veteran building products executive with over three decades of leadership experience. Merrill shares his outlook on the industry, noting that housing starts remain below replacement levels despite signs of recovery. He discusses the impact of tariffs on pricing, especially for hardware and capital equipment—and stresses the need for execution excellence and operational discipline in volatile markets. Merrill also explains how recognizing “material arcs”—such as the rise of vinyl windows and fiberglass doors—can unlock growth opportunities. The conversation touches on leadership, talent development, and the increasing relevance of digital and direct-to-consumer channels.

Bob Merrill brings 30+ years of leadership in building products and industrial distribution. As CEO of Craft Master Manufacturing, he guided the company through the 2008–09 downturn before its sale to Jeld-Wen, where he later led a $2.4B North American sales and marketing organization. Today, he serves on the boards of Quaker Windows & Doors and North American Specialty Laminations, advising growth-focused firms through REM Consulting. His career reflects deep expertise in strategy, operations, and navigating market cycles.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Market Overview: Housing starts remain cyclical, oscillating between survival and growth, with demand holding steady despite high interest rates
• (02:13) Industry Cycles & Demand Drivers: Sector recovery follows demographic trends, pointing to gradual growth toward replacement-rate levels
• (07:08) Tariffs & Supply Chain Impact: Tariffs drive cascading price hikes across materials, while rising equipment costs strain project economics
• (12:12) Leadership in Volatile Markets: Execution excellence and focus on controllable fundamentals define outperformers during downturns
• (16:01) Material Innovation & Growth: Shifts in core materials—like vinyl and fiberglass—create new growth curves for early adopters

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Dinesh Chopra is a President at Ayna.

For More Information

Bob Merrill LinkedIn

Ayna.AI Website

Dinesh Chopra LinkedIn