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.
In this edition: Breaking down Denim’s Shipper Pulse report and Carrier Source’s weekly shipper report.
For a lot of new owner operators stepping into the industry, nobody hands them a guidebook. There’s no checklist stapled to the rate confirmation that says, “Hey, here’s what to look for before you take this load.” And too many carriers assume drivers just know what makes a run worth it—or worse, they shame folks […]
Many carriers skim through setup packets just to get the load—especially when they’re scrambling to fill backhaul miles or respond to a hot reload alert on a load board. That urgency makes it easy to treat all brokers like they’re the same, assuming the terms must be standard. But buried in that rush is where […]
The idea of “niching down” sounds good in theory—until you’ve got bills due, a driver asking where the next load is, and your load board options are thin. For small fleet owners, it can feel risky to specialize. What if the niche dries up? What if you’re limiting your options? But here’s the truth most […]
When most people shop for a truck, they focus on the big stuff: engine size, make and model, maybe even the sleeper setup. But one of the most overlooked specs on a truck—and one of the most important when it comes to long-term profitability—is your rear differential gear ratio. This single number can decide how […]
Once the exception and now the rule, disruptions are a way of life in the global supply chain. But experts told a recent podcast that shippers can still make hay even as they take steps to find their way.
Ocean carriers to reduce cancelled sailings by 44% in July, says Drewry, but weaker trans-Pacific trades to account for almost half the total.
Load boards are one of the most misunderstood tools in trucking. Too many carriers treat them like their main source of business instead of what they really are—a tactical tool to bridge the gap, not build the whole strategy. If you rely on the wrong load board or use the right one the wrong way, […]
Let’s get this straight—adding a driver isn’t just about filling a seat. It’s about knowing exactly when your business can sustain it, when it needs it, and when waiting is the smarter move. Too many small carriers hire too early, chasing growth without the freight to back it up or the systems to support it. […]
The trucking industry is under siege from a relentless wave of criminal activity that threatens its stability and safety. In 2024, cargo theft incidents surged to 3,625 across North America, a 27% year-over-year increase, with losses exceeding $455 million and an average loss per theft of $202,364. The economic toll of cargo theft alone is […]
How Intentional Planning and a Lean Operation Can Beat Market Volatility There’s this belief floating around that 10 trucks is the magic number. That once you hit double digits, you’ve made it. That it somehow guarantees seven figures, financial freedom, or a smooth operation. But the truth is—and I say this as someone who’s coached […]
Inconsistent freight isn’t just a market trend—it’s a reality every small fleet owner has to face head-on. One week you’re running $3.20/mile on solid round trips. The next, you’re fighting for $2.10/mile spot market loads and dealing with detention that doesn’t pay. But your bills? They don’t care. Driver pay, insurance, maintenance, truck payments, and […]
You don’t need to be a freight analyst to know that profit in trucking is made—or lost—between the loads. It’s not just about what you haul. It’s about how you move between hauls. That’s where fuel gets wasted, hours get chewed up, and your driver’s clock gets burned with nothing to show for it. Bad […]
In this edition: World Refrigeration Day, The rising demand for cold chain in the Middle East and North Africa, and cultivated meat makes headway.
Geodis, the global logistics and supply chain specialist, has modules to streamline retail returns.
The Freight Fraud Crisis The trucking industry is grappling with a surge in freight fraud, leaving carriers, brokers, and shippers vulnerable to sophisticated scams like identity theft and unauthorized double brokering. These schemes disrupt supply chains, undermine trust, and cause significant financial and logistical challenges. The root cause is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s […]
Safety remains the biggest obstacle for carriers today, with a recent J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights survey revealing that 51% of carriers identify it as their primary challenge. Even minor accidents and incidents can significantly impact productivity, driver wellness and ultimately affect the bottom line of any transportation company. While proper training can […]
Cold chain providers are accustomed to walking the line between maintaining product integrity while managing operational costs. Ongoing market tension, however, has made it more difficult to strike that balance. For companies in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive industries, maintaining profitability in a difficult economic environment requires an enthusiastic commitment to innovation. While […]
BCC Research recently released the “Cold Chain Regional Analysis Market: Middle East and North Africa(MENA)” market analysis.
Let’s get one thing straight—your business credit is not separate from your personal credit, especially when you’re just starting out. If you’re running a small fleet or even one truck, every lender, leasing company, and equipment finance company is going to look at your personal FICO score first. They’re not just betting on your business. […]