Blogs

The current economic environment is incoherent and unpredictable, and the gap between available labor and expected growth grows wider every day. A pivot in consumer behavior toward eCommerce seems to have led to a noteworthy overhaul of supply chain management processes. The traditional business model—with its focus on shipping bulk to stores and distribution centers—has been disrupted by eCommerce, requiring adjustments in operational structures and labor requirements. Warehousing has taken on a new role with much more expansive and complex operations. The eCommerce market in the United...

The Covid-19 pandemic—a rare black swan event—was the catalyst that created a logistics nightmare. This past summer, Congress stepped in and passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA 22) to prevent another such crisis from occurring in the future. Learn more about OSRA 22 and what it means for your business. The supply chain bottlenecks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic exposed longstanding issues with ocean ports and maritime regulations. Ships sat stranded off the west coast for weeks at the pandemic’s height, unable to deliver goods at the Port of Los Angeles. The result was a goods shortage...

Skyrocketing demand trends during the Covid-19 pandemic—coupled with rampant labor shortages and bottlenecked supply chains—strangled the logistics industry. As people locked themselves inside during the early pandemic, eCommerce took off—but the pivot caught businesses by surprise. It was a mass shift to a digital economy, but with all the expectations of the old system; manufacturers, retail stores, and consumers alike expected their orders instantly, stressing a delicate logistics system near breaking point. In addition, rising costs and tax rates added strain as the economy began to slow...

American truckers have, for too long, had to handle crumbling infrastructure while working tirelessly to complete their routes. In November, the White House and Congress finally took action to rectify these conditions by signing the mega-bill Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law. The new bill, which could represent the largest investment in US infrastructure since the 1970s, may prove to be just what the industry needs. The Covid-19 pandemic sidelined many industries—but some, like the trucking industry, simply didn’t have the option to take a break. Traveling hundreds of...

In 2022, American agribusiness leaders face a reefer container shortage forcing them to once more re-examine distribution logistics. What strategies can help agribusiness leaders navigate the reefer container shortage and maintain profits in 2022? The Covid-19 pandemic brought global trade to a standstill. While some businesses weathered the storm fairly unharmed, knowing their products were safe in storage, others—like American agribusinesses—wore their concerns on their sleeves. Temperature-sensitive and seasonal products would perish if they couldn't get to the shelves and eventual...