By Marcia Jedd Heading into late summer 2026, U.S. warehouse utilization is reaching near-capacity levels as brands rush to position inventory ahead of the Q4 peak season. The challenge is orchestrating inbound and outbound flows alongside warehouse operations with precision and speed. As we reported on earlier this year, there’s a big race for Class […]
Written by Marcia Jedd Shippers are already gearing up for peak-season shipping. This means rebalancing inventory ahead of anticipated demand spikes and adopting regional distribution strategies. Late summer is crunch time for peak-season inventory positioning as shipping managers and operations directors at manufacturers prepare to fulfill Q4 peak retail orders. While typical strategies have been […]
Written by Marcia Jedd In the end of first half 2026, the Midwest LTL less-than-truckload (LTL) freight market is experiencing tightened capacity and sustained, firm pricing, driven by regional industrial activity and high operating costs. Despite relatively soft national demand for LTL, rates are also rising because of tightened truckload (TL) market capacity, a force […]
The FSMA 204 rule—the Food Traceability Final Rule from the FDA—mandates stricter recordkeeping for certain high-risk foods to enable faster identification and removal during outbreaks. The rule won’t be strictly enforced until July 2028 but many grocers and retailers, such as Kroger and Walmart, are already requiring compliance. Those foods which are subject to the […]
The talent gap has long been a concern in the logistics and supply chain sector. From hourly warehouse workers and skilled labor to the supply chain executive level, there’s a very real talent gap nationwide. Logistics jobs are among the fast-growing sectors and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry has high turnover […]
Both technology and shipper-3PL relationships play major roles in this year’s 2026 30th Annual 3PL Study, “Transforming the Supply Chain: Leveraging Technology and Relationships for Success.” The findings highlight how shippers and logistics providers have long agreed that their relationships are successful and it’s clear that both sides experience positive benefits. But only recently have […]
The disruptions from the dynamic U.S. tariff environment on foreign imports are far from over. Increased costs for imported goods, higher prices, reduced demand and shifts in sourcing strategies have been continued impacts. Many shippers and importers are struggling to maintain landed cost stability. All of these changes have forced businesses to re-evaluate their supply […]
Looking ahead to 2026, the prevalence of AI needs no introduction. AI and machine learning is already serving to transform supply chains by making them function with less disruptions and more efficiencies. The technology is helping to keep products on shelves and to support decisionmakers with rich data and insights to make better decisions, among […]
What’s inside today’s AS/RS? The world of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) has changed dramatically in recent years to keep pace with technology and supply chains. Today’s AS/RS includes shuttles, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), cube-based designs, carousels and hybrid approaches, among many others, to bring more flexible, scalable and efficient solutions. AS/RS systems help […]
Having proper international shipping documentation is critical for U.S. freight moving outbound internationally as exports. Navigating U.S. and international trade laws is already a complex process, further complicated by evolving global trade standards and regulatory environments. Correct paperwork ensures smooth transit, reduces risk, strengthens customer trust and creates a reliable chain of custody. Customs brokers […]