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.
Aug - 2025 -
07 August
Mary O'Connell

Opposing strategies put brokerages on top

One AI and tech-heavy, and the other is focusing on long-term growth.

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06 August
Mary O'Connell

Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM shift to containerized produce to improve quality

Reducing waste and improving visibility is paramount in produce cold chain shipping.

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05 August
01 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The cold chain goes to space

Inside this edition: NASA explores cryogenic fuel storage, a new gel for cold chain shipping and protein-packed frozen treats.

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Jul - 2025 -
29 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Long live Convoy

In this edition: Breaking down the Convoy sale to DAT and the rail merger of the century.

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25 July
22 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Broker liability hits the headlines once again

In this edition: Breaking down the new broker liability case in the Appeals Court and LTL classification changes get paused.

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18 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: GHX rolls out new AI capabilities to strengthen healthcare supply chains

In this edition: GHX new AI solutions for healthcare, Lineage expands in Kentucky, and mochi mixes with ice cream sandwiches.

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15 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Cross-border volumes surge ahead of possible tariffs

In this edition: Cross-border volumes between the U.S. and Mexico surge and the weekly shipper report.

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Mary O'Connell

ColdTrack gets 100% pack accuracy for perishable order fulfillment

Cold and frozen eCommerce brands get the reliability needed to better serve customers.

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11 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: New partnerships come to the cold chain

In this edition: Compass and Illuminate partner for new TemperPack+, Nordic Cold Chain Solutions has a new GLP-1 packaging solution, and bananas swing for the freezer aisle.

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08 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Tariffs pushed again

In this edition: breaking down the new deadline for tariffs and expansion into Mexico.

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03 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Port Laredo becomes a cold chain powerhouse

In this edition: Breaking down top cold chain hubs, developments in the autoimmune drugs, and ramen comes to the frozen aisle.

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01 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: What a shipper wants, what a shipper needs 

In this edition: Breaking down Denim’s Shipper Pulse report and Carrier Source’s weekly shipper report.

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Jun - 2025 -
27 June
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: World Refrigeration Day brings about the future of cold chain

In this edition: World Refrigeration Day, The rising demand for cold chain in the Middle East and North Africa, and cultivated meat makes headway.

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Mary O'Connell

Cold chain market in Middle East and North Africa expected to hit $41.1 billion by 2030

BCC Research recently released the “Cold Chain Regional Analysis Market: Middle East and North Africa(MENA)” market analysis.

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25 June
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: It’s about giving more than receiving 

In this edition: The Go-Giver book review and cyberattacks hit again.

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20 June
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Europe’s Cold Storage Sector Is Heating Up

In this edition: Breaking down the OC&C strategy report, Roadtex gets an expansion, and P.F. Changs expand their presence in the freezer aisle

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17 June
Mary O'Connell

Check Call:  Shippers and 3PLs not seeing eye to eye

In this edition: Breaking down the annual NTT Data study and Mexico becomes top trading partner again.

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