March 7, 2022By: Eric Zybura
As the freight industry looks to green technology for sustainable solutions, electric vehicle (EV) solutions were on full display at CES 2022. Alongside innovations in digital health, food tech, gaming, and smart home applications, companies exhibited heavy-duty battery-electrics and hybrids alongside lighter duty last-mile vans and even autonomous platforms for closed logistics ecosystems. Unlike some of technology that’s unveiled at CES, some of these EVs are not only already in production but also currently in commercial use. In other words, the EV tech displayed at this year’s CES was both strong in concept and reality. Ultimately, these entries offered new promise that EVs might finally...
Read MoreFebruary 28, 2022By: Eric Zybura
In a competitive environment, many businesses search in earnest for anything that can offer them a strategic edge. In these situations, their eyes often turn to their supply chains. Some organizations consider optimizing what they already have. Others, look further afield to ask how supply chain integration strategies can help them gain a stronger foothold in their niche. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the concept of supply chain integration. What is it? And how can your business leverage supply chain integration to get an edge in your marketplace? We’ll start by setting the groundwork with a few definitions. What Is Supply...
Read MoreFebruary 14, 2022By: Eric Zybura
A little while ago, we tackled the question, “Why is the supply chain so messed up?” Despite efforts from local officials, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and even President Joe Biden’s administration, there’s still significant congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For our part, we’ve been hearing from a number of shippers looking for drayage solutions to get their containers out of the ports. A few key statistics lay out the current state of affairs: 82% increase in average end-to-end transit time from China to the U.S. Due in large part to port congestion, U.S.–China ocean freight transit time has increased considerably,...
Read MoreFebruary 7, 2022By: Eric Zybura
As a business grows, its supply chain operations can get geometrically more complex. If you're only shipping a few loads a week, though, you might not need a transportation management system (TMS). However, if you move a significant number of loads via several different modes from several different origin points, a TMS could be a vital tool to help you plan, execute, and analyze all of your supply chain activities. Transportation Management System (TMS): A software platform that helps businesses optimize their supply chain activities, specifically around the movement of goods. Both shippers as well as 3PLs may leverage these systems to streamline operations. If you're considering a transportation management system for your business, we'll walk you through the major benefits. You'll see how other operations leverage...
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2022By: Eric Zybura
Considering shipping freight to Puerto Rico? Maybe you're an entrepreneur or a company entertaining the idea of starting a new business located in Puerto Rico. Or perhaps you're a freight forwarder looking at entering the Puerto Rico market to attract new customers. Because of its status as a U.S. territory and, therefore, a Jones Act location, shipping freight to Puerto Rico can generate a number of questions—and misconceptions. Some people think it must be a complicated process. Others believe the transit times are too long. And still others imagine it must be expensive. Still others worry that dealing with the government of Puerto Rico will be a hassle. However, the truth is that shipping to Puerto Rico doesn't have to be any of these things. In...
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2022By: Eric Zybura
Created by the International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms are a series of three-letter designations that define responsibilities between buyers and sellers around the sale of goods, specifically related to transportation costs and liability. If you’re looking for more information on Incoterms, check out our other articles on this topic: The Complete Guide to All 11 of the 2010 Incoterms Rules Incoterms 2020 Rules: Everything You Need to Know Protect Your Bottom Line by Understanding These 5 Common Incoterms Negotiating terms in a contract to buy or sell goods can be tricky. However, knowing your Incoterms® can make the process much more straightforward. By understanding these common, three-letter...
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