'Tis the (Holiday Shopping) Season

A TMS - transportation management system - is a key part of modern logistics operations, and the right one can help a business succeed. On this episode, we talk with Rexing Companies Director of Operations Rachel Johnson about their TMS, and how it has streamlined and optimized many of PFL Logistics' (a Rexing Company) shipping and coordination processes.

Rachel shares how PFL chose the MercuryGate TMS about four years ago, why working with a partner like InTek has helped with implementation and support, the advantages of a cloud-based software system, and how well it handles integrations customized to their needs. Also, hear how PFL has continued to grow in recent years, and listen close for a Lost reference!

For more information about PFL Logistics, visit pfllogisticsusa.com. For more on Rexing Companies, visit rexingcompanies.com. And to learn more about InTek's MercuryGate partnership, visit www.intekfreight-logistics.com/tms.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Artificial intelligence - better known and faster said as AI - is a tool that has applications across every day life. And one area that both already uses it and can use it more is the supply chain space. Joining us to discuss AI in supply chain & logistics is supply chain expert and strategic advisor Bart De Muynck.

We discuss Bart's recent article for Forbes, appropriately titled "The True Role of AI in Logistics" (https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/08/17/the-true-role-of-ai-in-logistics), in which he notes warehouse and yard automation, predictive analytics, data analysis among others as areas in which AI fits into freight operations.

He notes that the best TMS (transportation management systems) and WMS (warehouse management systems) already incorporate many AI elements, and of course many warehouses already use automation both with robotics and software. Additionally, those hesitant to use it may be surprised that their smartphones (Apple and Android) and many other items use it extensively already. And Bart predicts this year will be a big one for those holding out on AI implementation, with the hesitations many have being replaced by worries of getting left behind.

Learn more about Bart at https://www.bartdemuynck.com and find more of his work at https://www.bettersupplychains.com.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

As the year begins, join us in first looking back at how the freight market behaved in 2023, then offering a freight outlook for 2024. Kevin and Rick discuss a variety of areas, including the recovery that wasn't last year, why this year probably won't be gangbusters either, where the supply and demand balance stands in shipping, and when a bounceback becomes more realistic. Plus, they talk diesel prices and other potential factors that could influence the market like the Red Sea crisis, labor issues at the ports and more.

For a 2024 freight outlook in written form, read our Logistics and Supply Chain Trends.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

California's AB5 (Assembly Bill 5) has been in effect for some time now, but appeals persist and enforcement continues to be cloudy. That cloud is hanging over independent truck drivers and the freight industry as a whole. Joining us to discuss the law, its implications both in California and across the country, and the latest on the legal appeals process is Paul Torlina, Government Affairs Counsel for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

Paul discusses what happened at the latest hearing in U.S. District Court, how the Commerce and Equal Protection clauses factor into arguments against AB5, and whether there's reason for optimism this go-around. He also shares his likely timeline for what happens next - a timeline that's hardly quick. Plus, Paul tells us about OOIDA, its mission, and how interested truckers can become members.

Learn more about AB5 with our latest blog article blog.intekfreight-logistics.com/latest-california-ab5-law and find out more about OOIDA at fightingfortruckers.com and www.ooida.com.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

When it comes to intermodal and rail in general, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Analyst Tony Hatch - co-founder of the RailTrends conference,  past president of the Motor Carrier Analysts Association, 2019 North American Rail Shippers Association Person of the Year and independent consultant - tells us many of the issues facing the industry are similar to those he encountered in the early stages of his 30-plus year career, but things are moving in the right direction in terms of service and managing through freight cycles.

Tony shares more on his background, what got him into the rail and intermodal specialization, his thoughts on the market today, how Mexico is positioned domestically and cross-border, and why he's generally optimistic about rail moving forward.

Plus, hear the thoughts of the Dodgers' fan on signing Ohtani - a few days before the deal was finalized.

Find Tony at www.abhatchconsulting.com or email him at abh18@mindspring.com.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Sustainability is - or at least should be - a focus of modern businesses, and a new technology platform called The Eighth Notch aims at reducing the carbon footprint of final-mile delivery by reducing stops without reducing products reaching homes.

Mike Robinson, Head of Retail Solutions and Founding Member of The Eighth Notch joins us to discuss the solution, how the pandemic-related ecommerce boom helped bring it about, and how it can help reduce the carbon footprint of retailers and carriers by synchronizing shipments to make final-mile delivery more efficient. We also talk carbon offsets and consumer attitudes toward sustainability.

As a retail expert as well, Mike tells us about how the holiday shopping season feels from the inside, and why Black Friday the day being less of a thing in 2023 is really a good thing.

Learn more about The Eighth Notch at t8notch.com and email Mike at mrobinson@t8notch.com.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

A week away from Black Friday, holiday shopping season is in full swing, with retailers offering sales throughout November (and even prior) to entice consumers to buy gifts for loved ones - and occasionally themselves. But what is the holiday shopping outlook?  Jon Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy with the National Retail Federation joins us to discuss the NRF's projections, which show spending hitting a new record level in spite of some economic headwinds.

Jon also talks about the continued rise of eCommerce, how inventory is looking this year and how the pandemic not only affected consumer behavior but also retailers'  supply chain strategies.

For more on the NRF projections, visit nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/2023-holiday-reach-record-spending-levels.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

There is plenty of action in the Mexican freight market, and plenty of uncertainty - particularly in trucking thanks to driver shortages and, relatedly, security concerns. Meanwhile, intermodal is gaining a foothold in Mexico, with steadier capacity, safer freight movement and smoother border crossings via rail to the U.S. To learn more, we welcome Diego Anchustegui, Chief Commercial and Operating Officer with leading intermodal provider Transportès EASO and President of the Mexican Intermodal Association (AMTI).

Diego shares a variety of updates on all things intermodal and freight in Mexico, explains why there are concerns about capacity and infrastructure ahead of the approaching nearshoring boom and tells us about his half of the "New Border" solution shared in our previous episode by Spearpoint Logistics CEO Richard Miller. Plus, Diego discusses AMTI, why EASO got into intermodal after decades as a trucking company and his membership on the University of Denver Transportation and Supply Chain Institute Board.

Learn more about EASO (also known as ZigZag Logistics) at easo.com and AMTI at www.amti.org.mx.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Freight transportation between the U.S. and Mexico continues to grow - with potentially explosive growth in the near future thanks to a nearshoring boom. But there are challenges for shippers, challenges that the New Border solution is potentially well-positioned to address. Joining us to discuss is Richard Miller, CEO of Spearpoint Logistics - the U.S.-based side of the New Border partnership which counts Transportes EASO as its Mexican counterpart.

Richard shares the ins and outs of the primarily intermodal solution that uses a hub and spoke approach with a Dallas-area warehouse and specialization for overweight containers to streamline crossborder shipping. Beyond the "New Border," Richard also tells us about the Mexican freight market, how it's grown consistently for several years, the timing and projections related to the nearshoring boom, intermodal opportunities and more.

To learn about the New Border, visit www.spearpointlogistics.com or reach out to Richard directly at rmiller@spearpointlogistics.com.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

With Halloween fast approaching, candy in many forms is top of mind for kids and adults alike. So we choose to focus on the treats - not tricks - of trick or treating as well, with Carly Schildhaus, Director of Public Affairs and Communications for the National Confectioners Association.

Carly discusses the excitement around Halloween in 2023, candy favorites and how confections are shipped. She also shares reassurances about Halloween candy availability relating to some sugar supply chain issues. You'll even learn there are multiple ways to eat candy corn.

For more from the National Confectioners Association on Halloween, visit alwaysatreat.com/halloween.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.