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Contributed Content

Note: FreightWaves occasionally publishes commentary from industry sources with expertise, information and opinion on current transportation topics. The opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of FreightWaves. Submissions to FreightWaves are subject to editing.
Nov - 2024 -
08 November
Contributed Content

Supply chain impact of incoming tariffs likely to vary from country to country

Donald Trump’s election victory has huge implications for U.S. trade and tax policies, climate change, the war in Ukraine, electric vehicles, and illegal immigration. Here is a summary of policies he has said he will pursue in his second term.

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06 November
Contributed Content

GOP Senate majority could mean different future for rail safety legislation

As the Senate shifts toward the right, rail safety could have a different future, especially as the pending rail safety legislation did not secure enough votes to continue. But experts believe there are a few items that could be considered.

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01 November
Contributed Content

Supply chains need to balance AI, human talent

As AI continues to grow as a buzzword in many industries, especially in supply chains, workers fear getting replaced with new technology. However, AI is best used when working in tandem with employees.

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Oct - 2024 -
31 October
Contributed Content

Washington’s supply chain at risk with EV mandates

The president and CEO of Washington Trucking Associations, Sheri Call, explains why mandates could be a problem for trucking companies due to multiple factors.

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24 October
Contributed Content

Modern supply chain management requires new planning approach

The linear model of traditional supply chains is no longer adequate for modern freight thanks to e-commerce and different fulfillment methods. The dynamic nature of today’s supply chain requires unified planning.

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09 October
Contributed Content

Milton’s effects likely to ripple across global supply chains

Extreme weather and other disruptions have stressed supply chains worldwide, but as a Category 4 hurricane barrels toward Port Tampa Bay and possibly other major ports, things are likely to get worse.

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02 October
Contributed Content

Navigating peak season 2024: Challenges, expectations and consumer behavior

Numerous factors are impacting the supply chain in a way that could make peak season difficult for shippers and carriers alike.

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01 October
Contributed Content

National Guard deploys air assets in North Carolina in response to Helene

National Guard units from all over the U.S. are heading to North Carolina to assist victims of Tropical Storm Helene.

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Sep - 2024 -
23 September
Contributed Content

ILA contract negotiations: US supply chains brace for disruption

The impact of the possible ILA strike is already starting to become visible in the U.S. What is likely to happen if a strike does occur?

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19 September
Contributed Content

Election will revamp loophole that allows lower-value imports to avoid scrutiny

While there is debate over whether Section 321 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act helps the U.S. or gives foreign companies an unfair advantage, the provision will likely come out changed on the other side of the election.

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17 September
Contributed Content

COVID aftershocks still imperil freight companies

Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic threw the entire world and daily life into turmoil, its effects still ripple through the global supply chain long after shutdown laws have been lifted.

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05 September
Contributed Content

Transportation industry needs standard terminology

Regional and cultural factors can create a range of different terminology in maritime and freight. A standard vocabulary across the industry could streamline optimization, but how can it be done?

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Aug - 2024 -
13 August
Contributed Content

Weather’s wrath: Supply chains reel from 2024’s extreme events

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events underscore the need for supply chain resilience and adaptability.

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12 August
Contributed Content

Peak season came early this year – what to do if you missed it

After decades of a steadfast peak season with a predictable time frame, the past few years have seen anything but. DHL Global Forwarding’s CEO offers his insights on this year’s peak season and whether it has already passed.

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08 August
Contributed Content

Record heat in 2024 is making the tough job of trucking tougher

As extreme heat and numerous natural disasters continue to hit the U.S. this summer and beyond, trucking companies must prepare to avoid disruption.

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07 August
Contributed Content

Surge Transportation: A ‘Rocky’ story of resilience in the freight recession

With so many players in the trucking industry having to close, one company was able to recover from the brink of bankruptcy.

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06 August
Contributed Content

FedEx and UPS must adapt to changing parcel landscape 

The old FedEx and UPS business models aren’t working in a parcel market undergoing radical transformation. The express carriers need to rethink their network strategies as B2C shipping takes precedence and consumers compromise on speed to get lower prices.

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05 August
Contributed Content

The roadside peril: A call for innovation to save lives

One solution to improve roadside safety for commercial trucks is easily visible flashing lights mounted at the top of the cab.

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Jul - 2024 -
25 July
Contributed Content

Paris Olympics will be a true test of supply chains

The logistics needed to pull off the Olympic Games is always a massive undertaking. The 2024 Paris Games are even more intense. This is what it takes to pull it all off.

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22 July
Contributed Content

Technology: Risk or savior?

While supply chains have adopted new technologies to optimize efficiency, we are seeing how impactful potential risks can be.

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08 July
Contributed Content

Supply chains, logistics and the Garth Brooks extravaganza: A comparison

Garth Brooks’ continual stadium tours are impressive logistical feats but also represent the actual workings of supply chain and logistics.

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01 July
Contributed Content

Georgia’s new trucking accident law: A step backward for public safety

Because insurers will be insulated from direct legal action under Georgia Senate Bill 426, the law may reduce their financial incentives to properly vet the trucking firms they insure.

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Jun - 2024 -
28 June
Contributed Content

The state of logistics in 2024: Low rates and excess capacity

Widespread inflation, growing interest rates and a tight labor market will keep freight service demand low, with excess capacity and low freight rates for the rest of the year. Here’s what to do.

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24 June
Contributed Content

How Congress should think about NTSB’s East Palestine rail report

As the release of the NTSB’s accident investigation report on the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment looms, policymakers can take several steps to focus on rail safety.

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19 June
Contributed Content

Inside the logistics feat of Euros 2024

The UEFA European Championship 2024 is currently underway and takes place across 10 stadiums in Germany, requiring serious supply chain and logistics efforts.

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10 June
Contributed Content

Collaboration: The cornerstone of progress in logistics

The greatest tool in logistics is collaboration, which is now a necessity for the global supply chain.

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07 June
Contributed Content

Forward Air’s board rewarded for destroying shareholder value

Industry expert Satish Jindel offers perspective on Forward Air’s controversial merger with Omni Logistics.

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May - 2024 -
30 May
Contributed Content

Metallica’s eco-friendly tour and the future of sustainable trucking

With the EU supply chain law targeting concert tours for better eco-friendly practices, Metallica is making headway with a tour focused on reducing its carbon footprint and more in its logistics.

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16 May
Contributed Content

Aligning supply chain planning and logistics creates major opportunities

Stubbornly persistent silos in the supply chain wreak havoc. The most glaring disconnect shows between strategic supply chain planning and execution.

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03 May
Contributed Content

Eliminate data silos and optimize shipping with strategic partnerships

Eliminating fragmentation in the supply chain is necessary for a resilient future, but it takes powerful collaboration between platforms.

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Apr - 2024 -
22 April
Contributed Content

Unifying middle and last mile can deliver a customer experience revolution

In the constantly changing world of last-mile delivery, it can no longer operate as a siloed operation from middle mile.

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19 April
Contributed Content

Ship we don’t talk about — contracts edition

Shippers should lock in certainty with airtight ocean carrier contracts that ward off surcharges.

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12 April
Contributed Content

Logistics is in dire need of data standardization

With so much data in supply chains today, it can be difficult to sort through it all to create a strong logistics industry. The need for standardization is now.

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11 April
Contributed Content

Tips for navigating the coming capacity correction

We may be months away from a national market shift, but the time to start planning for it is now.

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10 April
Contributed Content

Railroads can prevent further derailments by looking at history

Recent incidents involving Norfolk Southern trains exposed the continued need for rail safety to the greater public. Here are some ways rail can drive safety.

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08 April
Contributed Content

Dynamic freight spend management: Optimizing costs, embracing agility

The dynamic nature of logistics calls for a new method of negotiating rates, through real-time data and automation.

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01 April
Contributed Content

Port of Baltimore calamity shows supply chain’s vulnerabilities

New technology and processes in supply chains have helped make the industry more resilient — but not enough to withstand every possible disruption.

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Mar - 2024 -
22 March
Contributed Content

Why data standardization is key to streamlined logistics

While the logistics industry as a whole needs data standardization for greater efficiency, it faces specific challenges when compared to other industries.

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21 March
Contributed Content

Parcel carriers still operating according to 1980s narrative

Satish Jindel, president of ShipMatrix, shares his thoughts on the ways parcel carriers should modernize their networks.

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18 March
Contributed Content

What trucking can to do to create safer highways

The trucking industry has a duty to the public, primarily to eliminate all truck crash fatalities and to increase the minimum insurance requirements.

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15 March
Contributed Content

Supply chains face weather’s wrath in 2024

Major weather events in the past few years have greatly affected supply chains and logistics. It’s likely to be the same in 2024, as El Niño causes different effects in different regions.

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04 March
Contributed Content

Ushering in convergence: Unified supply chain platforms are key in 2024

Supply chain technology cannot be siloed or fragmented to operate in today’s supply chain. This is what you need to know for the rest of 2024.

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01 March
Contributed Content

Red sea disruptions among critical supply chain risks in 2024

Houthis, the Lunar New Year, drought in the Panama Canal, an impending potential strike and the upcoming election mean rough seas in 2024. Here’s how shippers can protect themselves.

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Feb - 2024 -
23 February
Contributed Content

2024 presidential election may have big impact on supply chains

Business and supply chains are always influenced by changes in presidential leadership. But what will this upcoming election mean?

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16 February
Contributed Content

Navigating the maze: A guide to the EU supply chain law

The EU’s new supply chain law focuses on corporate accountability in regard to human rights and environmental practices.

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09 February
Contributed Content

Peak season is multiplying: How can logistics respond?

Today, peak seasons and traditional consumer habits are something entirely different than they once were. The CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Americas gives insight on how DHL is handling it and what shippers should do.

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05 February
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: Why it pays to be a Shipper of Choice

In a column, 40-year transportation veteran Rob Haddock shared why it pays for shippers to go above and beyond for carriers.

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02 February
Contributed Content

The new health care supply chain landscape

Midsize companies must strategically position themselves through organic growth, acquisitions or partnerships to thrive in a changing landscape, with the market expected to reach $8 billion by 2030.

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Contributed Content

New regulations will drive further automation in and beyond the warehouse yard

Regulations continue to reshape industries in 2024. For warehousing, new environmental, labor and safety policies will require new strategies and technology adoption.

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01 February
Contributed Content

Much has been done to improve rail safety in wake of East Palestine

It’s been one year since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. What’s been done to improve rail safety?

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Jan - 2024 -
26 January
Contributed Content

Congested ports choking the supply chain

Lunar New Year and the Suez Canal conflict are having a significant effect on supply chains.

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19 January
Contributed Content

People remain key to success of logistics

The concept of “people insights” can optimize a logistics operation through a true understanding of how and where employees work best.

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12 January
Contributed Content

2024 outlook for US domestic logistics

The New Year could see potential rate increases due to several factors. Here are some strategies you need to keep in mind.

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Dec - 2023 -
29 December
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: 2023 in the rear-view mirror

With the year coming to an end, columnist Bart De Muynck reflects on 2023 and the new year ahead.

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22 December
Contributed Content

Expect back-to-basics technology investments in logistics in 2024

The next year could be fraught with disruption but investment in logistics technology is likely to continue.

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20 December
Contributed Content

Earhart Museum nominated for top award

Amelia Earhart’s achievements go beyond aviation, and the pilot has done much more than she is given credit for. This museum gives insight into her impressive career and contributions to the industry and beyond.

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15 December
Contributed Content

Amid industry turmoil, picking right log tech partner more important than ever

A look at how the key to success in the supply chain industry is picking the right partner.

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08 December
Contributed Content

The growing significance of big and bulky in retail supply chains, logistics

Big and bulky items sold online need more finance in logistics. Luckily today, there’s a growing number of new technologies to help.

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05 December
Contributed Content

The next frontier in supply chains: Yard vision and automation

Yard automation will bring about significant improvements in how companies manage their transportation hubs, leading to streamlined operations, reduced costs and enhanced visibility.

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01 December
Contributed Content

The president’s plan to strengthen US logistics

The White House’s new Supply Chain Resilience Council is meant to strengthen the supply chain, but supply chain stakeholders are not included.

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Nov - 2023 -
30 November
Contributed Content

The first aircraft mechanic

The Wright brothers are famous for their contributions to the aviation industry, but one man is responsible for the engine that powered them.

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27 November
Contributed Content

Why retailers should care about supply chain visibility during holiday peak season

Here are a few compelling reasons why retailers should make supply chain visibility a top priority, especially during the holiday peak season.

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17 November
Contributed Content

The ups and downs of logistics in 2023

While bankruptcies and layoffs have abounded in the logistics industry in 2023, there has been much more to the year than meets the eye.

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10 November
Contributed Content

Investment in logistics technology still relevant

FreightWaves’ F3: Future of Freight Festival was full of lively discussions of new technology in freight but also a movement to get back to the basics.

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03 November
Contributed Content

The importance of innovation in logistics

Innovation in freight goes beyond technology. While many major FreightTech companies have gone bankrupt, it does not mean that innovation is lacking or that every tech company is doomed to fail.

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02 November
Contributed Content

The role of integration software in last-mile logistics

Last-mile delivery is complicated. Technology can make it more efficient, but the key is successfully integrating multiple systems.

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Oct - 2023 -
27 October
Contributed Content

Supply chain velocity coming to the rescue

High velocity in a supply chain means reduced lead times, lower cycle times, better inventory and flexibility. This could be the key to answering quick changes in demand.

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24 October
Contributed Content

The evolution of yard management

Yard management needs a technology overhaul, with more automation to drive efficiency. Right now, manual processes slow down operations.

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13 October
Contributed Content

Can last-mile platforms solve last-mile complexity?

With the last mile the most complicated part of the shipping process, new solutions could help, but it will take a strong balancing act.

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06 October
Contributed Content

The crucial role of education in the supply chain profession

Careers in the supply chain are an integral part of global commerce. But the complexity of today’s supply chain requires a true education.

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Sep - 2023 -
29 September
Contributed Content

The vital role of visibility and traceability in food safety

Ensuring that the food on our plates is safe and of high quality is a primary concern for consumers, regulators and the food industry alike.

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25 September
Contributed Content

Ecosystems: The importance of alliances in supply chain technology

As many organizations still have functional silos, it is becoming paramount to the success of broader supply chain technologies that those functions collaborate across the organizations.

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15 September
Contributed Content

The true role of AI in logistics

With this rise of AI, we take a look at how it can be used by the logistics industry.

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14 September
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: The market, not regulators, should set freight rail prices

Regulatory policy expert Rosyln Layton says it’s dangerous to have the Surface Transportation Board lay the grounds for defining how rail service should look under the common carrier obligation.

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Contributed Content

FreightTech industry isn’t what it was a year ago, project44 CEO says

Project44’s Jett McCandless comments on the state of technology as the company completes a round of layoffs on Thursday.

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08 September
Contributed Content

The need for more collaboration in transportation

If shippers and carriers collaborate more around solutions that impact truck drivers, then we can improve efficiency in transportation while at the same time make driving a more attractive profession.

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01 September
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: Sustainability in transportation is running behind schedule

While there have been efforts to improve sustainability in the freight industry, significant challenges remain.

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Aug - 2023 -
26 August
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: 10 mpg in a Class 8 on the open road? Yes, it’s doable

The typical Class 8 truck gets less than 7 miles per gallon on the highway. How does a driver average more than 10 mpg?

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25 August
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: The last mile has become the hardest mile

Technology can offer solutions to help last-mile shippers handle increasing volumes while reducing cost and improving the customer experience.

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21 August
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: The evolving world of real-time visibility

It’s important to have access to full end-to-end visibility across all parts of the supply chain.

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17 August
Contributed Content

Parcel market dilemma: Excess capacity with stagnant demand

With capacity far in excess of demand, the parcel market is in for a very uncertain future.

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11 August
07 August
Contributed Content

Sustainable freight and logistics vital as capacity correction looms

Rate deals and spikes don’t last forever, and smart industry players know caring for the partners who will sustain them when the market inevitably shifts is mission-critical.

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06 August
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: How Yellow’s closure could impact supply chains

Yellow was the third-largest LTL carrier in the U.S. and controlled around 7% of the total less-than-truckload market. So the question on everyone’s mind is what the impact will be on supply chains now that Yellow has closed.

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04 August
Contributed Content

Change on the horizon: A personal journey

By Bart De Muynck The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates. Change is all around […]

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Jul - 2023 -
19 July
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: Court enters huge win for freight brokerage industry

The 7th Circuit on Tuesday ruled in favor of the freight brokerage industry regarding negligence claims.

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Jun - 2023 -
27 June
Contributed Content

Bringing manufacturing back to America

Long global supply chains and the exposure to risk started company executives thinking through their global sourcing and manufacturing strategies. Now they are considering nearshoring and reshoring.

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12 June
Contributed Content

Overcoming roadblocks to fleet electrification

As fleet electrification draws closer, here is how fleet managers can make the transition smooth and sustainable.

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08 June
Contributed Content

Q&A: Policy items could impact the freight industry

Jake Medwell sits down with Loren Smith to discuss policy items, including fleet electrification, rail safety and the debt ceiling.

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May - 2023 -
18 May
Contributed Content

Fastest woman on Earth — 70 years later

Seventy years ago, Jackie Cochran broke the sound barrier. Here’s the story of how she did it.

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17 May
Contributed Content

Leverage aggregation to shorten last mile, improve sustainability efforts

AxleHire CEO Adam Bryant says the most significant impact on the carbon footprint will come from the ability to drive more efficient utilization and aggregation processes in last-mile delivery.

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03 May
Contributed Content

Rail reform: How Congress might get a bipartisan win 

In the wake of the East Palestine train derailment, Congress is poised to take action to improve rail safety. Here’s how they can do it.

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Contributed Content

Dear Teamsters: Negotiate hard with UPS at the table, not the picket line

Only UPS and Teamster rivals benefit when the bargaining leaves the table and becomes a verbal war, Jindel says.

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Apr - 2023 -
19 April
Contributed Content

An open letter to the Teamsters: Think before you walk

There is a lot more competition waiting to take a UPS parcel if workers go on strike, consultant Satish Jindel says.

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18 April
Contributed Content

Strike ahead? What to watch as UPS and Teamsters negotiations unfold

As negotiations get underway between UPS and the Teamsters, here are key considerations for shippers navigating a period of uncertainty.

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Mar - 2023 -
28 March
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: Railroads talk about ‘growth,’ but where is it?

For railroads to increase market share and grow volume, it will require new services and a very different mentality on service performance.

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Contributed Content

Viewpoint: Optimizing inventory key for SMBs to beat shrinking warehouse landscape

Working in a co-warehousing environment is the next opportunity for merchants to hit customer targets while keeping warehouse and distribution costs under control, an expert says.

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Feb - 2023 -
10 February
Contributed Content

Viewpoint: Culture of convenience worsens emissions, but solutions arise

Booster CEO Frank Mycroft explains how reimagining fueling can lead to more sustainable delivery.

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03 February
Contributed Content

Make last-mile logistics more sustainable with 3 key initiatives

Tracking and acting on sustainability metrics, as well as implementing small and large-scale sustainable last-mile goals are vital steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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