Mary O'Connell

Former pricing analyst, supply chain planner, and broker/dispatcher turned creator of the newsletter and podcast Check Call. Which gives insights into the world around 3PLs and Freight brokers. She will talk your ear off about anything and everything if you let her. Expertise in operations, LTL pricing and procurement, flatbed operations, dry van, tracking and tracing, reality tv shows and how to turn a stranger into your new best friend.
Apr - 2025 -
15 April
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: New legislation targets freight fraud

In this edition: The fight against freight fraud steps up and why a water fight can affect the supply chain.

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11 April
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Health care logistics gets huge investments

In this edition: Health care sector sees massive investment from small-parcel carriers, a new cold storage acquisition and a disruption in the ice pop space. 

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08 April
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: LTL stocks brace for tariff impact

In this edition: Breaking down what to expect for earnings season and APM Terminals makes big moves at the Panama Canal.

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04 April
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Pharmaceutical supply chain sidesteps tariffs, for now

In this edition: Pharma world catches a short-term break, and frozen pizza combos get a trend forecast.

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01 April
Mary O'Connell

Fresh food gets faster with Grupo Mas and Cimcorp partnership

Consumers want fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. Grupo Mas and Cimcorp are seeking to address the challenges that demand places on the supply chain.

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Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Tariff watch Round 3, the big one 

In this edition: Planning for possibly significant supply chain disruption with tariffs on 15 countries, and manufacturers are getting creative with ways to mitigate the impacts of tariffs.

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Mar - 2025 -
27 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Mr. Cold Chain goes to Washington

In this edition: The Fridge Act debuts in Congress, a hockey puck aims to tackle cargo theft, and peanut butter cones at your fingertips.

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26 March
Mary O'Connell

SFOO Summit: 30 years of carrier improvement and development with Truckstop

Trust between carriers and freight brokers is paramount. Truckstop is on the front lines helping to enhance these relationships.

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25 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: ‘Sell With a Story’ review and LTL spinoffs

In this edition: A book review for “Sell With a Story,” and FedEx freight moves spinoff forward

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21 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Pharmaceutical supply chain headed for $5.3B valuation

In this edition: Pharmaceutical supply chains set for growth, building reliability for vaccines in developing areas and the return of a favorite ice cream bar

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18 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: DHL looks at the global freight market

In this edition: What the “DHL Trade Atlas 2025” report forecasts, and the unofficial start to produce season has arrived.

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14 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The cold chain gets an acquisition, a warehouse and new sorbets

In this edition: Lineage acquires a new cold storage company; Foley, Alabama, gets a new cold storage warehouse and Häagen-Dazs brings new sorbet to the freezer aisle. 

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11 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Broker transparency heads to court

In this edition: A new lawsuit over broker transparency and warehousing space comes at a premium.

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07 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Tariffs may bode ill for already rising pharmaceutical costs

In this edition: Health care and pharmaceutical supply chains face upheaval with tariffs on Chinese goods, a new rapid thaw unit hits the market, and the frozen french fry section gets tastier.

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04 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Tariffs finally arrive in US supply chains

In this edition: Breaking down the impact of tariffs on U.S. supply chains and a new project44 and SONAR partnership.

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Feb - 2025 -
28 February
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Pharma shipping containers get an upgrade

In this edition: Envirotainer enhances pharma supply chains, Wabash boosts trailers and DiGiorno heads to the ranch. 

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26 February
Mary O'Connell

3PL Summit: The art of scheduling appointments for supply chain success

Appointments are the most commonly overlooked component of the supply chain but are crucial to keeping operations running smoothly.

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Mary O'Connell

3PL Summit: Retaining top talent for operational excellence

AI is moving in but transportation is inherently a people business. How do we make sure the human touch is there while having AI as a support system?

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Mary O'Connell

3PL Summitt: What does visibility actually mean?

Visibility was set to be the be-all, end-all solution in logistics. Did it deliver what it promised?

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Mary O'Connell

3PL Summit: Managing your inbox with AI technology

Freight can be made or broken by response time on rate quotes. Front has the AI assistant that helps brokers work faster to get responses out.

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