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.
Sep - 2024 -
06 September
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Triple-cooled cold chain

In this edition: Maersk Container Industries has a new triple-refrigerant solution, Pharma air cargo gets an upgrade, and a friendly face in the frozen aisle gets a facelift.

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04 September
Mary O'Connell

Navigating market uncertainty in 2024

Knowing the signs of a potential market flip is half the battle in preparing for the future.

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03 September
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Gains find their way into the 3PL space

In this edition: The TIA’s report has positive findings, and Jack Cooper is back in the limelight.

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Aug - 2024 -
30 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Lineage patents Lego

In this edition: Lineage crosses 100 patents, Polar King Mobile develops new portable cold storage solutions and a new pack to package frozen food.

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29 August
Mary O'Connell

Loaded and Rolling: Grants for CDL training programs

In this edition: CDL training programs get grants, autonomous trucking faces a setback and Motive releases its August economic study.

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27 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: US caught in the middle of North American supply chain problems

In this edition: Rail issues and cargo theft plague Canada and Mexico, and the Panama Canal looks for a drought solution.

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23 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain chaos averted

In this edition: The cold chain dodged a rail lockout bullet in Canada, heart transplant transportation gets a boost and Chick-fil-A expands.

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20 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The rise of private fleets

In this edition: Private fleets are rising in popularity, and the Canadian rail strike looms.

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16 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The acquisition edition

In this edition: The cold chain hits acquisition central

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13 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The rise of cross-border struggles – and the response

In this edition: Complications mount with cross-border freight, and the FMCSA wants input on guidance.

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09 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Quarterly earnings comes for cold chain

In this edition: Americold quarterly earnings, South Jersey gets a new warehouse and frozen pasta finds a new home.

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Mary O'Connell

Driver hiring standards key to keeping down insurance costs

Rigorous driver hiring standards are proving to be more than just a safety measure — they’re a strategic tool for managing insurance costs.

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06 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: A great hope comes after disappointing Q2

In this edition: Breaking down second-quarter earnings, the impacts of Hurricane Debby and warehousing meets video games.

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02 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain on the moon

In this edition: The moon becomes a cold storage warehouse, vaccines transported outside the cold chain and Pig Sooie chicken nuggets hit the freezer.

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01 August
Mary O'Connell

The power of Group captive insurance plans for trucking companies

Thin margins and unpredictable risks are the norm, and trucking companies are increasingly turning to captive insurance plans to address those challenges.

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Jul - 2024 -
30 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Shippers spell out expectations for 3PLs 

In this edition: The Inbound Logistics annual survey results have been released, and Werner celebrates 25 years in Mexico.

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26 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: An IPO gold rush for Lineage

In this edition: Lineage’s beyond-successful IPO; new cold storage in Motor City

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23 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Freight market shows promise of strong finish to 2024

In this edition: Breaking down the most recent Armstrong & Associates study and the FMCSA hits a snag.

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19 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Port Houston gets an upgrade

In this edition: Port Houston gets the cold treatment, Lineage strikes it big, and decreasing food waste in the supply chain.

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18 July
Mary O'Connell

 A unified approach to improving cross-border operations

Reliance Partners’ Modernization of Cross Border Trade event Aug. 6 will spotlight ways to improve cross-border operations through collaboration and relationships.

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