Some of today’s most innovative and disruptive companies in the logistics industry showed off their products during FreightWaves’ first virtual 3PL Summit on Tuesday.

OffPeak praised for enabling Southern California distribution centers to operate second shifts.

The FreightWaves SONAR 7.0 release features several key enhancements; each makes the data and analytics platform even more useful to subscribers. Lane Scorecard The first is the Lane Scorecard app. […]

Transship partners with Loadsure to deliver pay-as-you-go, wraparound insurance coverage for all perishable goods.

OptimoRoute is a route planning and schedule optimization platform that helps companies organize their mobile workforce and optimize delivery routes.

Carriers are inteh strongest position in the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index’s 10 month history. Rates have pushed higher in recent weeks as carriers reject more freight than anytime in 2019 and volumes remain elevated.

Flock Freight has put together a complimentary white paper detailing the benefits of shared truckload (STL) service, which streamlines transit and eliminates LTL, TL, and partial truckload waste.

A digest evaluates the keynote addresses from the virtual event.

EKA Solutions and Transflo have expanded their strategic collaboration to develop “end-to-end digital and automated transportation document workflow solutions.”

Employers must take seriously a lawsuit brought by a plaintiff that represents themselves, as evidenced by a court ruling that allowed a case to move forward even when a claim is not filed in a timely manner.

project44 report shows the glaring discrepancies in consumer expectations and last-mile delivery capabilities.

In addition, the level of orders was still 20% below the considered replacement pace that the industry needs to fulfill the capacity in the freight market. Thus, I don’t believe you need to be an economist to do some prognosticating on the future direction of freight rates.

“We believe our boys are future SpaceX employees.”

The Independence Day holiday disrupted both our OTVI and OTRI this week. Volumes are poised to bounce back and remain elevated after the moving average distortion is over.

Andrew and Kevin are joined by former Great Quarter, Guys host and Senior Research Analyst, Seth Holm. The original three change the pace a bit and expand their normal “long/short” […]

The partnership includes 15% discounts to Convoy’s carriers looking to buy KeepTruckin products and solutions.

Outrider focuses on autonomous zero-emissions yard operations for logistics hubs.

KeepTruckin’s new features provide better visibility into driving behavior and they enable fleet managers to remotely click images on the cab cameras.

Freight volumes, which traditionally rise heading into the July 4 holiday, climbed more than expected last week, rising 45% year-over-year, according to the latest FreightWaves SONAR data.

New trends and technological improvements have simplified tolling in this new decade. So what are those improvements and how can you implement them into your processes? FreightWaves has partnered with Bestpass to bring you a complimentary white paper examining ways tolling has transformed over the past years.

Deal comes at the backdrop of food delivery company GrubHub’s $7.3 billion acquisition last month by Just Eat Takeaway.

The Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) new regulations will see an increase in international inbound package rates across the U.S.

Many employers have workplace protections and policies for LGBTQ+ applicants and employees, but those that don’t need to carefully update their policies to avoid discrimination based on sexual orientation or transgender status.

This week Andrew holds down the fort with Director of Passport Research JP Hampstead to discuss his team’s recent research note on Q2 broker performance. Then the two dive into […]

FreightWaves has created a complimentary white paper, sponsored by AIT Worldwide Logistics, to review the current state of final mile and how to prepare for what is to come.

GS1 US has created data standards to help expedite the mainstream adoption of blockchain within the logistics industry.

Amazon is looking to buy Zoox, a self-driving startup that seeks to create a fleet of electrified robo-taxis.

The carriers gained significant pricing power this week. Volumes continue to burst from the seams and tender rejections have skyrocketed in the past week.

Andrew and Kevin are joined by FreightWaves Lead Economist Anthony Smith to discuss whether the housing market can continue its recovery and lead us out of economic slowdown. Then we […]

The narrative of CSCMP’s 31st annual “State of Logistics Report” finds the nation’s supply chain, and the logistics practitioners who support it, will shift from a model based on cost and efficiency to one driven by resiliency.

Librestream uses augmented technology to help workers rapidly diagnose, inspect and troubleshoot assets.

An information digest summarizing the different keynote addresses from the virtual event.

The cargo insurance will now be available to Kleinschmidt’s users on its FreightLaunch platform.

The carriers continues their power grab this week. Shippers remain in control, but carriers are much better off than they were a few weeks ago. Capacity is beginning to tighten and rates are being pushed up.

Chinese warehousing robotics startup Geek+ is the most funded startup in the world in its segment.

While an employer is not directly prohibited from terminating an employee while he or she is on medical leave, the rationale must be unrelated to the underlying condition and related need for the medical leave.

Large jury awards are crippling trucking fleets, but technology can help prevent some accidents from happening, and when they do, ensure liability is correctly assigned.

BackboneAI relies on real-time data synchronization to empower vendors to optimize their product flow to customers.

The coronavirus is not the only issue currently plaguing oil and gas companies.

With this acquisition, STORD will now provide a variety of freight hauling options aside from its core functionality of on-demand warehousing.

It seems to me that the present day essential truck driver meets that criteria to a tee. However, in society, the truck driver is considered a worker. Let us examine the current pandemic. The role of essential workers during this 100-year crisis has been obvious, understandable, and well deserved.

I recently watched a wonderful video put together by Mike Durst and Ernie Thornton of Artic Express, out of Ohio, on race relations and what is happening in our country today. Wow…such a timely, innovative chat that we could all learn from.

Even as freight volumes have climbed to within 11% of their all-time high, capacity has been slow to react and carriers are still at a disadvantage when it comes to pricing power.

As the size of jury awards has grown, trucking fleets are dealing with how to mitigate the rest. Many are turning to technology.

The investment round was led by OGCI Climate Investments, a $1 billion+ fund that invests in solutions to decarbonize commercial transport.

Carriers gained another 5 points of pricing power this week. This marks 6 weeks of power gains, but shippers remain in control.

Data shows that such preferred carriers are four times more likely to win new loads and customers.

Route optimization software can help trucks better manage their equipment and driver hours, while providing shippers with more accurate ETAs.

Berlin- and Paris-based startups are merging to become one of the largest digital trucking freight forwarding platforms in Europe.

These more focused numbers will give your company a much better understanding of where you stand – and why. This drill-down will focus on the different dispatch boards in your company. Look at your dispatch boards as though they are individual fleets within your company because they are. Different boards cover different regions and various types of services and skills; therefore, they often have different kinds of drivers. These types of drivers are often managed differently by dispatchers. It’s easy to see why some boards are harder to staff than others. 

Survey finds dearth of talent for handling the increasing pace of change in the industry.

As I interact with the TCA Profitability Program (TPP) members, one thing becomes obvious, the attention toward safety in the workforce has attained unimaginable results. We know inside the TPP community, and the TCA community at large, the attention to safety is a core component of their cultures.

In the wake of COVID-19, businesses are looking to reshape and insulate their core sourcing processes from sudden disruption, even as consumers move online.

As the economy slowly bounces back, carriers are starting to regain some leverage in rate negotiations with shippers.

Read why digital transformation of supply chains is so important and why those that ignore the trends risk their businesses.

Plus: Elon Musk wants to break up Amazon; autonomous vehicles no guarantee of safe roads, study says

The carriers gained pricing power this week on the back of surging volumes. Capacity remains loose although tightening each of the past five weeks.

OPEC+ meeting over oil output cuts; air cargo volumes declined by 7.8% this year for top air freight players; Volkswagen invests $2.6 billion in self-driving startup Argo AI.

Public relations and marketing during a time of national crisis

Independent contractor laws continue to evolve, and a recent decision by the NLRB further reinforces the need for proper legal advice on the matter.

Digital freight forwarding startup Beacon raises $15 million in Series A investment.

Alibaba.com has introduced three new services – a freight matching platform, financial services for small and medium-sized businesses, and virtual events connecting businesses with buyers.

American Shipper has partnered with Haven to develop a white paper that explores processes necessary for your organization to customize its workflow to capture the efficiency of the virtual supply chain.

While the current COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way we live and work, the adaptations—at least for our working lives—may point to a new paradigm of work self-determination, lower overhead, […]

According to Wikipedia; Strong culture is said to exist where staff responds to stimulus because of their alignment to organizational values. In such environments, strong cultures help firms operate like well-oiled machines, engaging in outstanding execution with only minor adjustments to existing procedures as needed.

Focusing on risk management can help protect fleets from the pain of paying massive damages.

Plus: Rivian re-opens factory; drones deliver PPE

This week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index: 25 (Shippers) Last week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index: 20 (Shippers) Three-month DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index Outlook: 50 (Balanced) […]

Samsara introduces driver efficiency scores; core capital goods shipments from U.S. drops; Softbank looks to fix U.S. roads.

Wunder Mobility launches new offering that will make the company an all-in-one mobility solutions platform.

In Episode 30, Andrew and Kevin reunite with an original host and creator of the show’s name, Seth Holm, to discuss the future of malls, brick-and-mortar and retail overall. Seth […]

Amazon is looking to acquire self-driving technology startup Zoox, with talks being underway between the two companies.

The direct mail segment accounted for 23% of USPS 2019 revenue, which is decreasing as a direct result of the pandemic.

Like many of you, I have been inconvenienced by COVID-19 throughout the last several weeks. But, as you know if you have been reading any of my mostly weekly posts, I have focused on being productive during this different time.

Over the past two weeks I have seen the plans and the strategies that the “best in class” carriers are putting in place for their business during recovery. The key takeaways for me were plenty, but it starts with the phenomenal job these fleets have already done. Their main mission of keeping their workforce healthy, and the supply chain secure, should be a roadmap for all businesses when re-opening. It starts with strong leadership, open communication, and a “do it now” philosophy when deploying critical resources.

U.S. retailers face two options: selling at a discount in the domestic market or going online to sell globally.

Outbound tender volumes are benefiting greatly from the reopening of the economy and a release of pent-up consumer demand, and the result is the highest level of pricing power for carriers in nearly two months.

This week the carriers gain some pricing power on the back of surging volumes. Tender rejections are beginning to show signs of life and spot rates are up in most markets.

Ford reopens Dearborn and Chicago facilities; U.S. GDP predicted to slide by 40% in three months to June; Target saw sales rise by 10.8% last quarter.

Recently, a longtime employee of a local car dealership was terminated, allegedly due to a dispute with a co-worker and a subsequent failure to appear at work, showing once again that employers should be careful in handling employment termination decisions which effect those in a protected class.

The FreightWaves Quarterly Shipper Rate Report is crafted with contributions from US Bank, Recon Logistics and Blume Global.

Futuristic mobility company HyperloopTT uses virtual collaboration platform Workplace to seamlessly connect all of its spread-out employees.

Tender volumes are racing to the upside and are tracking positive year-over-year in May, albeit off a depressed 2019 comparison, and that is some positive news for carriers.

Apart from exonerating drivers from wrongful accusations in road accidents, dash cams can also help the fleet management reward top drivers and improve driver behavior.

The DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power index moved up for the first time since the volume surge in March. The index now sits at 15, which is still positions the shippers comfortably in bid negotiations.

Amazon’s slower deliveries are leveling the playing field; global natural gas demand to drop by record levels; Nauto announces predictive collision alert feature.

A $750 million external investment this week comes as an extension to Waymo’s $2.25 billion financing earlier in March.

Private equity funds and other investors are scouring 35,000 miles of North American short-line rail track for deals even as the industry sees one of the biggest volume drops since 2008.

Food shipment volumes across restaurants and hotels are still down, while on-demand food delivery volumes have gone up during this pandemic.

The current focus on the rate war distracts from the real issue at hand: how to build a profitable trucking business and control your own future.

Inadequate cybersecurity will allow attackers to hack into railway systems and stop trains, causing massive disruption to freight movement.

I woke the other day to a bright ray of sunshine beaming down through my bedroom window. It’s definitely Spring — rain tonight/tomorrow — then sunshine for a couple of days. Nature has already shown recovery from the Winter months of dormancy. Some of you are just now experiencing that Spring effect as well. Even with the stay at home orders of recent, my little town in SW Indiana does not appear to have heard that message.

Even as volumes slowly begin to return, carriers are still not in an advantageous position when it comes to pricing, although there is some positive momentum developing.

Plus: California Trucking Association, CERES, release report on path to electrification

Social distancing because of COVID-19 has challenged warehouse operations, and the result could be a new push to bring more automation into facilities.

National volumes and tender rejections have been roughly flat for the past week. There is no change in the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index this week. Shippers remain in dominant pricing power position.

U.S. factories face issues with sourcing from Mexico; Permian basin output to decrease in May; Lime raises funding from Uber.

FreightWaves conducted a survey of consumer packaged goods (CPG) shippers in April to gauge sentiment, transportation trends and current dynamics in the CPG supply chain. Sponsored by Echo Global Logistics

The need for social distancing will push companies to look at increased automation of their warehouses.

Employees that are fired for falling asleep on the job can’t claim a disability after the fact, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled.