McLane Company Inc., a leading U.S. distributor, opened a new technology hub in Austin, Texas, on August 27, 2025, to bolster its Information Technology and Digital (IT&D) team and advance its AI and digital transformation strategy. The hub supports McLane’s focus on enhancing digital supply chain and customer experience capabilities.
Announcement: New tech hub opened in Austin, Texas, on August 27, 2025.
Purpose: Supports AI acceleration and IT&D team growth, housing ~100 teammates.
Focus Areas: Cyber, data, AI, and cloud engineering.
Leadership: Led by Chief Information & Digital Officer Murat Genc, joined September 2024.
New Hires: Tanya Coutray (Retail CIDO), Nick Elizondo (Enterprise Platforms), Juan Gomez-Sanchez (Cybersecurity), Sid Kulkarni (Data & AI).
Impact: Enhances digital supply chain, automation, and real-time visibility for retail and restaurant partners.
Located in Austin, a global tech epicenter, the hub enables McLane to tap into a diverse talent pool to drive its ambitious tech strategy. It will house approximately 100 teammates specializing in cyber, data, AI, and cloud engineering, fostering collaboration and innovation. The facility supports McLane’s digital transformation, focusing on frictionless experiences, automation services, and real-time visibility through AI-powered solutions.
The IT&D team is led by Murat Genc, who joined as Chief Information & Digital Officer in September 2024. With prior roles as Global Technology and Digital Officer at Whirlpool and leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, Genc is steering McLane toward a future-ready logistics and retail model. “Our strategic investments in digital supply chain, cloud, data, and AI are laying the groundwork for exceptional service and personalized insights,” Genc stated.
Joining Genc are four experienced leaders:
Tanya Coutray, VP and Retail CIDO: Over 25 years at AWS, Walmart, and T-Mobile, leading AI-driven transformation in compliance, HR, and supply chain.
Nick Elizondo, VP of Enterprise and Supply Chain Platforms: 25+ years at PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, and Keurig Dr Pepper, specializing in supply chain technology.
Juan Gomez-Sanchez, VP of Cybersecurity: Former GISO/CISO at Whirlpool, recognized among the top 50 CISOs, enhancing security with industry best practices.
Sid Kulkarni, VP of Data, Analytics, and AI: Extensive experience at Intel, Lowe’s, Oracle, PubMatic, and FICO, driving data and AI innovation.
McLane, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, serves convenience stores, mass merchants, and chain restaurants across the U.S., with over 80 distribution centers and 25,000 employees. The Austin tech hub aligns with its strategy to deliver operational excellence through AI and cloud solutions. With 60% of logistics firms prioritizing digital transformation by 2026, McLane’s investments position it to enhance service for brands like Carl’s Jr., Panera Bread, and Wendy’s.
Founded in 1894, McLane Company Inc. is one of the largest distributors in America, serving convenience stores, mass merchants, and chain restaurants. As an industry-leading partner to the biggest retail and restaurant businesses, McLane buys, sells, delivers, and serves the world’s most beloved brands. With headquarters in Temple, Texas, McLane has more than 80 distribution centers across the country, employs more than 25,000 teammates, and delivers to nearly every zip code in the US. McLane is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
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