February 16, 2017

State of the Market: 3PL Relationships Focus on Adding Value

In the past, shippers and their third-party logistics providers stuck to a uniformly transactional relationship. This relationship was one of utility for both parties and lacked any true value or longevity.

February 14, 2017

Shipper Strategy: Flower Demand and Reefer Rates

Demand for reefers is not only seasonal but regional.Reefer.jpg In late November 2016, reefer load and truck posts rebounded after the Thanksgiving holiday. Load posts jumped 49%, yielding a 36% increase in the load-to-truck ratio. That’s the highest reefer ratio since March 2015. Then, in January 2017, reefer load posts dropped 9%, compared to December 2016. From January 29 to February 4, DAT Trendlines show that reefer load posts dipped 5%, and the national average reefer rate fell 6 cents to $1.91 per mile to accommodate the loss in demand.

February 9, 2017

Data-Driven Decisions Rule the Modern Supply Chain

data-driven supply chainShifting capacity, increased shipper demands, and unpredictable disruptions make informed decision-making a top priority for logistics professionals. For shippers trying to optimize the supply chain, efficiency is the number one priority, and analytics drives results.

February 7, 2017

Can Shippers Beat This Year’s Capacity Crunch?

From 2015 to 2016, freight declined hurriedly, by as much as 15% in the dry van sector. In 2016, freight volume and rates began to rise and shippers had a consistent capacity. Freight demand was strong at the end of 2016; the DAT Freight Index revealed that spot market demand increased for 6 straight months, from June-December 2016. This year, analysts are predicting less capacity, steady freight volume, and rising rates.

February 2, 2017

Automakers Succeed with Lean and Resilient Supply Chains

The automotive industry has a lot of moving parts and experiences ebb and flows as demand and economic conditions shift. Most US automakers outperformed December expectations, selling 17.55 million new vehicles, ending 2016 on a high note. In 2015, US markets set a sales record of just under 17.5 million vehicles, up 5.7% from the year before.

January 31, 2017

6 Trending Transportation Updates: January 2017

US Manufacturing Expect Rising Profit in 2017. Manufacturing has expanded at the fastest pace in 2 years, and US manufacturing firms expect to see revenues accelerate 4.6% next year. (: Manufacturing Productivity Generates Focus on Transportation)

January 24, 2017

Market Update: $3+ Trillion to Keep Up with Infrastructure Repairs

Ports and surface transportation must be able to accommodate the country’s growing population and freight volumes. The US DOT predicts that by 2045, freight volume will increase by 45% and America’s population will grow by 70 million people. America’s infrastructure has an average rating of a D+, ranking 12th worldwide in its health of infrastructure.

January 19, 2017

Your Top 5 Questions on NOx Standards Answered

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing a rule that would set new standards to reduce NOx emissions from heavy-duty truck engines beginning in 2024. The agency last tightened its NOx standards for truck engines in 2010 to 0.2 gram per brake horsepower-hour.

January 17, 2017

8 Fascinating Statistics from Shippers about 3PLs

3PLs have two fundamental responsibilities – leading customer relationships, which focus on supply chain services and providing the management of those services.

January 12, 2017

Capabilities and Benefits of Shipment Tracking

Shipment tracking technology enables shippers to be in control of their transportation and locate freight at any point in its journey. Track and trace features are available on a transportation management system (TMS). With this technology, you have the insight into carrier performance, transportation costs and market trends as you manage your logistics. Shipment tracking is a necessary element of supply chain management.

January 10, 2017

Beginner’s Guide to PLS PRO, Transportation Management System

guide to transportation management systemTMS software is credited for saving companies money; those who manage transportation poorly spend $53 for every $1,000 of total spend on outbound transportation, while those utilizing a TMS only spend $6.35 per $1,000.

January 6, 2017

The Interrelated Issues Facing the Trucking Industry

The American Trucking Association projects that the trucking industry is poised for serious growth by 2022. The forecast suggests that overall revenue for the industry will rise almost 66% and tonnage will increase 24% by 2022.

January 4, 2017

A Step Closer to Automation: DOT Rule for V2V

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of death and injury in the US – killing more than an average of 32,000 people a year. A 2007 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that almost half of all two-vehicle crashes are rear-ended crashes, and the primary reason for rear-end crashes is driver inattention.

December 30, 2016

5 Trending Transportation Updates: December 2016

Amazon Innovation: Grocery Stores. Amazon’s first big venture into brick-and-mortal is revolutionary: a grocery store with no cashiers or checkout lines. In the new store, shoppers will scan their Amazon Go app, and the technology will keep track of what you are picking up and add them to your virtual shopping cart. (Read: Omnichannel Takes on Food Industry & Gains Consumer Support)

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