In this Issue:
- Sate of Logistics: Out of sync
- Truckload Roundtable: A slow return to stability
- Cloud adoption rates soar
- Sippers pivot toward emerging markets
- Warehouse/DC: Piece-picking robots make their mark
Logistics Management Magazine Archives
July 2022 Logistics Management
July 2, 2022 · Last year was a deeply unsettled and trying time for logistics managers, as demand for freight services in all modes surged and supply chains struggled to keep inventory on hand. To return to a more balanced, long-term growth trajectory, shippers will need to invest in the ideas and capabilities that will make the industry more resilient.
July 2, 2022 · E-commerce demand, limited capacity equals another great year.
July 2, 2022 · Reports of swoon “exaggerated” even as spot rates temper boom.
July 2, 2022 · Railroad and intermodal aim to get back on track.
July 2, 2022 · Ocean shipping continues its rough passage
July 2, 2022 · Air cargo markets still in flux.
July 2, 2022 · Third Party Logistics (3PLs) march onward.
July 2, 2022 · Once again authored by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney in partnership with CSCMP and Penske Logistics, the SoL has become known as the most comprehensive report of its kind, encapsulating the cost of the U.S. business logistics (USBL) system during the previous year (2021) and offering a snapshot of how economic conditions are shaping the current logistics landscape.
July 1, 2022 · As shippers continue to pivot toward more emerging markets, supply chains need to be redesigned with economic diversification, sustainability and resilience in mind.
July 1, 2022 · Coming off of 2021, which had carriers clearly in the driver’s seat with sustained pricing power, things have shifted in 2022 as rates trend back down. But even with some rate relief, shippers still face challenges.
July 1, 2022 · As logistics operations seek out new or replacement supply chain management solutions, an increasing number of them are putting Cloud solutions at the top of their shopping lists.
July 1, 2022 · These automated fulfillment systems are part of the latest wave of technology, and they are already scoring huge improvements in distribution efficiencies. Here are some best practices to make your own army of piece picking robots successful.
Not a subscriber? Apply online today.
Latest in Logistics Management
Shipment and expenditure decreases trend down, notes Cass Freight Index
April 24, 2024
March’s shipment reading, at 1.113, fell 3.6% annually, down from February’s 4.5% decrease and January’s 7.6% decline.
March trucking tonnage trends down, reports ATA
April 24, 2024
The ATA’s advanced Seasonally Adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 2%, to 113.4 (2015=100), following a 4% February gain, to 115.7, and a 3.2% January decline.
FTR Shippers Conditions Index enters negative territory
April 24, 2024
For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at -1.4, below January’s 3.4, which was 3% below December’s 6.4 reading and also below November’s 6.3.
DAT March Truckload Volume Index sees modest March gains
April 23, 2024
From February to March, the the van TVI, at 260, was up 4%, with the refrigerated TVI, at 200, up 2.6%, and
the flatbed TVI, at 242, up 4.4%.
National diesel average, for week of April 22, is down for the second straight week
April 23, 2024
For the week of April 22, the national average fell 2.3 cents, to $3.922. This followed a 2.3-cent decrease, to $4.015 per gallon, for the week of April 15, which was preceded by a 6.5-cent increase, to $4.004, for the week of April 8.
UPS reports first quarter earnings decline
April 23, 2024
Quarterly consolidated revenue, at $21.7 billion, fell 5.3% annually, and adjusted earnings per share, at $1.43, saw a 35.0% annual decline. Consolidated quarterly operating profit came in at $1.6 billion, which was off 36.5% annually.
LM Podcast Series: Assessing the freight transportation and logistics markets with Tom Nightingale, AFS Logistics
April 18, 2024
During this podcast, Nightingale provided a detailed overview of the new Cowen/AFS Freight Index report and variuous market issues.
Investor expectations continue to influence supply chain decision-making
April 17, 2024
More shareholders are expecting supply chains to become resilient to protect the bottom line.
Sponsored Content
The Next Big Steps in Supply Chain Digitalization April 16, 2024
Technology continues to advance and new developments are building on the foundation that is now in place in many supply chains. Here are five of the most significant advances shaping the next wave of digitalization.
Under-21 driver pilot program a bust with fleets as FMCSA seeks changes
April 16, 2024
The FMSCA says only 113 motor carriers have applied for its under-21 truck driver apprenticeship program since July 2022. That is a very disappointing turnout for an initiative that the government had expected to recruit up to 1,000 carriers and 3,000 drivers.
Diesel back over $4 a gallon; Mideast tensions, other worries cited
April 15, 2024
Diesel prices are back over $4 a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly, on-highway survey of prices at 73,000 service stations and 9,500 truck stops around the country. Average diesel prices rose by 6.5 cents, increasing to $4.06 per gallon as of Monday, April 8. The Western states of Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington saw the highest average price increase for the period, rising 11 cents to $4.26 per gallon.
Four U.S. railroads file challenges against FRA’s two-person crew mandate, says report
April 12, 2024
Following the issuing of a final rule by the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) earlier this month, establishing establishes minimum safety requirements for train crew sizes, with the new rule requiring a second crew member on all trains, four U.S.-based railroads are calling on federal appeals courts to toss out the rule, calling it “arbitrary, capricious, and an illegal abuse of discretion,” according to an Associated Press report.
XPO opens up three new services acquired through auction of Yellow’s properties and assets
April 12, 2024
XPO opened up three of the 28 service center locations it acquired through an early December court-supervised auction, in which a dozen trucking companies bought properties that resold about three-fourths of Yellow’s properties for a total of just under $1.9 billion.
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index weakens, due to fuel price gains
April 12, 2024
For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading came in a -5.31, down from January’s -1.41, which was ahead of December’s -4.3.
U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for week ending April 6, reports AAR
April 12, 2024
Rail carloads, at 209,142, were off 4.5% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 241,000 units, increased 7.6% annually.
