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BITE SIZED SUPPLY CHAIN/LOGISTICS INFORMATION Info SNACKS
DECK THE HALLS…AND HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLET
As the year progresses, concerns are mounting regarding Christmas decorations due to supply chain pressures and tari s. Import tari s on goods from China are expected to increase costs by 10-20%, by 10-20%, with retailers passing these on to consumers. Additionally, fewer imports of artificial Christmas trees from China, combined with tari -related price hikes, mean these items could see a 15-25% increase. Global supply chain disruptions, including shipping bottlenecks and rising freight costs, are further driving up prices, impacting consumers’ wallets this holiday season.
From Zero to Whoa! in Record Time Chinese luxury electric vehicle (EV) brand Yangwang’s U9 Track Edition supercar broke the world record for the fastest EV, reaching a top speed of about 293 miles per hour. The car achieved this impressive feat at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, with professional driver Marc Basseng behind the wheel. The vehicle’s advanced quad-motor system delivers over 3,000 PS, contributing to its record-breaking performance.
Doubling Down on Robots Global demand for industrial robots has more than doubled over the past decade, with 542,000 units installed in factories worldwide in 2024. This marks the second-highest annual installation count in history, driven by the transition of many industries into the digital and automated age. Asia dominated these installations, accounting for 74% of deployments, led by China. Despite global challenges, the International
GWB Cable Comes Home The component parts of the George Washington Bridge were originally manufactured in Roebling, New Jersey. Almost one century later, a cable from the bridge has been returned to the Roebling Museum. This donation by the Port Authority
Federation of Robotics expects installations to continue growing, reaching 575,000 units in 2025 and surpassing 700,000 by 2028.
of New York and New Jersey coincides with the completion of a $2-billion rehabilitation project for the 93-year-old bridge.
LUFTHANSA EYES NEW SCANNING TECHNOLOGIES
Direct-to- Consumer Stats 23% of consumers abandon carts due to slow shipping options 56% growth of global retail sales expected from ecommerce over the next 5 years 21% of retailers rely on manual order fulfillment $890B total projected retail returns in 2024 Sources: NRF, Euromonitor
Lufthansa Cargo is testing new computer vision measurement methods in Frankfurt and Los Angeles to handle freight more eciently and load aircraft more profitably. Two companies
are helping to test these cargo measurement technologies in daily operations, scanning shipments on conveyor belts or forklift trucks. This eliminates an additional process step, as freight dimensions are measured automatically in real time. The data prevents discrepancies and optimizes the entire transportation chain, leading to more ecient aircraft utilization, storage space evaluation, and accurate planning.
October 2025 • Inbound Logistics 1
CONTENTS FEATURES 26 OCTOBER 2025 | VOL. 45 | NO. 10
INTERMODAL: A SMART WAY TO SHIP (AND SAVE) Rail mergers, cutting-edge technology and nearshoring continue to transform intermodal and multimodal transportation, slashing costs and boosting sustainability. Here’s how to capitalize on intermodal for maximum eciency and resilience. 32 PORTS IN MOTION: 11 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SHAPING U.S. SUPPLY CHAINS From deeper channels to modernized terminals, ports nationwide are investing in infrastructure that keeps cargo moving and supply chains competitive. 38 CONTENT PARTNERS LOGISTICS-FRIENDLY SITES: HOW LOCATIONS CAN STAND OUT While o ering geographical advantages and proximity to major markets is a solid starting point, locations draw site selection decision makers by investing in and enhancing their logistics profiles.
INFOCUS 1 INFO SNACKS 12 NOTED 14 TAKEAWAYS 44 IN BRIEF 48 LAST MILE Sharpie redraws its supply chain
INFO 46 CALENDAR 47 RESOURCE CENTER
48
INPRACTICE 10 READER PROFILE: PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST BY TALKING LESS, LISTENING MORE Stefan Loeb, vice president, business development, first- and final-mile markets, with Norfolk Southern Corporation, finds that success comes from listening intently to customers’ supply chain challenges, rather than merely engaging in transactions. CONTENT PARTNERS 16 Unlocking Ef ciency: Leveraging Multimodal Solutions in Today’s Supply Chains O ered by Ryder 18 The NMFC Overhaul: How Shippers Can Adjust to Updates O ered by SMC 3 20 From Chaos to Control:
INSIGHT 4 CHECKING IN Shining a light on dark factories 6 10 TIPS Optimizing direct-to-consumer operations 8 GOOD QUESTION What new job will AI create in logistics/ supply chain management? 22 SC DISRUPTION How multimodal freight bolsters domestic supply chains 24 IT MATTERS Three logistics metrics that matter more than you think
Leveraging AI for Smarter Rate and Freight Decision-Making O ered by Freightgate
COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF NORFOLK SOUTHERN
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2 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
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CHECKINGIN
Shining a Light on Dark Factories
Vol. 45, No. 10 October 2025 THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN ENTERPRISES www.inboundlogistics.com
STAFF
Keith G. Biondo publisher@inboundlogistics.com Felecia J. Stratton editor@inboundlogistics.com Katrina C. Arabe karabe@inboundlogistics.com
PUBLISHER
A manufacturing revolution is underway in factories around the world. “Lights-out” manufacturing is nally being realized in a few highly automated and roboticized locations. This dramatic shift—also known as the “dark factory”—is the ultimate objective of industrial automation: a factory so automated that it requires little or no human presence. Humans need the lights, machines don’t.
EDITOR
SENIOR EDITOR
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC CONTENT
Amy Roach amy.roach@thomasnet.com
Tom Gresham Karen M. Kroll Rich Osborne
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Keith Biondo, Publisher
“Dark factories” are gaining traction due to several macro factors: • Global labor shortages • Rising human resource costs • Falling advanced automation costs • Resurgence in state-of-the-art domestic manufacturing • AI’s in uence in perfecting supply chain ows These trends are driving the move toward unattended manufacturing, promising signi cant cost and operational bene ts, and fewer errors. While very few of these facilities are entirely free of human workers—fully lights- out—many utilize partial automation, with skilled workers still overseeing production shifts. Micro factors play an important role too, speci cally a robust and mature digital transformation strategy that includes several indispensable elements. First is standardization of all processes to ensure consistency in robot/cobot and manufacturing machine programming. Second is communication, as 5G or 6G tone underpins the connections between on-site automation and cloud supply chain solutions and data. Lights-out relies on AI and ML systems that drive autonomous decision making, predict maintenance requirements, and empower adaptive factory optimization as time goes on. Machine vision systems handle quality control automation, which—wait for it—does need lights to operate, but uses specialized lighting rather than standard facility lights. Specialized lighting systems create the contrast needed for cameras to capture clear images of an object. Without proper illumination, defects or errors are not visible. Twenty years ago, IBM operated a lights-out plant to build computer parts and keyboards without these advances. It shut down due to tooling in exibility. Today, Tesla (of course), GE, FANUC, Philips and rejuvenated Intel run lights-out or low-light manufacturing facilities. While not a manufacturer, Amazon uses many lights-out elements to drive ef ciencies and dominate its market. But without a lights-always-on supply chain, those plants would be in the dark in more ways than one.
Jeof Vita jvita@inboundlogistics.com
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DIGITAL DESIGN MANAGER PUBLICATION MANAGER CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
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4 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
10 TIPS 1 CHOOSE THE RIGHT FULFILLMENT MODEL.
Optimizing Direct-to- Consumer Operations
Direct-to-consumer has transformed into a frontline revenue engine. Faster delivery demands, higher return rates, and rising last-mile costs make logistics the battleground.
ensure you’re not paying more than expected based on oversized packaging. Continually solicit feedback from carriers, and evaluate damage claims and unexpected dimensional charges to uncover overlooked inefficiencies and unlock further cost savings long term. 9 UNDERSTAND THE RIGHT KPIs. Monitor granular takes on fulfillment speed, costs, performance, and return rates. Make understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) and acting for continuous improvement part of your logistics playbook. Schedule routine reviews to share insights cross- functionally, keeping teams focused on progress and encouraging swift corrective action where needed.
In-house, 3PL, or hybrid? Brands that need to scale up quickly without heavy capital investment should look to outsourced models. In-house fulfillment offers greater control over quality but may come at a higher cost. Companies opting for hybrid models should leverage product and market segmentation to balance their fulfillment strategy.
5 MAKE INVENTORY TRANSPARENT. Track on-hand inventory across stores, nodes, and third parties, then include what’s in transit. A real- time view of on-hand and projected inventory can be used in collaborative decision making. This level of visibility helps avoid excessive inventory, supports smarter allocation during demand spikes, and improves fulfillment reliability overall. 6 SPEED UP WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK. Use regional carriers to strategically capitalize on their effective costs and speedy services in specific markets. Consider investing
2 DESIGN A SMARTER NETWORK. More brands are investing in multiple regional nodes, often specific to their fastest moving products, to increase shipping speed and reduce handling and costs. Don’t forget that stores make a great node for fulfillment. 3 ORCHESTRATE ORDERS AND PROMISE DATES. A modern order management system (OMS) can route orders to the best fulfillment center with an accurate promise date when considering historical speed, cost, and inventory patterns. It’s essential for peak season agility and multi-node success. 4 COLLABORATE ON FORECASTING. Shared data builds trust and efficiency. Stay close to supply chain planning to offer data- driven input to increase the accuracy of demand forecasts. In return, share forecasts with fulfillment partners and carriers to prepare for demand spikes or disruptions.
models to enable intelligent downgrades that still meet delivery promises. 7 DIVERSIFY LAST-MILE OPTIONS. Mix national and regional carriers and augment them with crowdsourced options. This reduces the risk of relying on a single carrier, while offering scalability (especially during peaks) and a variety of delivery options for customers. 8 SIMPLIFY AND OPTIMIZE PACKAGING. Right-size packaging to lower DIM weight and improve truck efficiency. Consider automation or pre-kitting to reduce labor. Think you have this optimized? Double check your parcel spend to
in technology that offers predictive time-in-transit
10 HANDLE RETURNS LIKE A PRO
Make it easy for the customer but efficient for you. Digitize return flows, analyze causes for future deflection, and restock quickly to protect revenue. Transparent, self-service return portals reduce friction for customers, while automated triage accelerates refunds and resale readiness.
SOURCE: TARA BUCHLER, PRINCIPAL, STRATEGY, JBF CONSULTING
6 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
GOODQUESTION Readers Weigh In
What New Job Will AI Create in Logistics/Supply Chain Management?
Robot manager. Imagine someone stepping in when a robot drops a box Bot Wrangler
AUDIT
AI RISK AUDITOR. As artificial intelligence takes over routine planning, we’ll need experts who audit the decisions it makes. This role will interrogate AI-driven forecasts, sourcing choices, and risk models. –Lisa Montague Commercial Director (South), AGI Global Logistics ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE DIRECTOR. This position drives the safe and ethical adoption of AI across all supply chain functions. It establishes usage policies, monitors AI decision-making for bias or errors, and ensures compliance with data privacy regulations. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in monitoring and mitigating security threats. –Heidi Homan Partner, ON Partners AI COMPLIANCE OFFICER. A role dedicated to monitoring and auditing AI-driven logistics systems to ensure transparency, ethical decision- making, and regulatory compliance. This job safeguards against algorithmic bias, protects human jobs, and ensures companies don’t over-rely on flawed automations.
or misreads a label in a warehouse. Robot managers will make sure fleets of bots and drones don’t crash into each other or stall in an aisle. They will monitor, guide, and troubleshoot the tech to keep things moving. –Abdil Tunca Senior Principal Analyst, Supply Chain, Gartner Physical AI fleet orchestrator. This role will manage and optimize fleets of autonomous warehouse robots, delivery drones, or delivery bots. They’ll oversee the AI systems that govern fleet behavior, troubleshooting exceptions, ensuring human-robot collaboration, and maximizing the eciency of physical automation across the supply chain. –Mat Gilbert PhD, Director, Head of AI & Data, Synapse, part of Capgemini Invent
AI FORECAST COACH. Oversee a team of AI forecasting models, creating the playbook for them to follow and adjusting the strategy as needed, much like a coach in any sport. The role will require a mix of technical skills and supply chain expertise to catch things the models miss. –Peter Weigman
expertise (there’s already a job like this in big tech), and they’ll write policies, manage incidents and audits, and help draft contracts.
–Nick Rakovsky CEO, DataDocks
FORECAST
Software Architect – Product Development, TrueCommerce
PREDICTIVE LOGISTICS OPERATIONS MANAGER. This person will harness AI to forecast delays, flag risks early, and oversee real- time shipment visibility and automated status updates. AI can perform many of these tasks, so the employee will also focus on building processes, ensuring accuracy, and enabling proactive problem-solving, reduced errors, and seamless communication.
DATA
AI QUALITY ANALYST. This role reviews AI outputs, monitoring defects that have been detected in product batches and sending those details to the cloud to refine the model for continuous performance improvement.
–Ken Feinstein Vice President, MIDCOM Data Technologies
ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICER. Someone has to oversee liability and governance. This person will need a combination of operational and legal
–Brian Martensen Product Manager, Plex by Rockwell Automation
–David Mendelson CPO, Super Dispatch
8 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
GOODQUESTION
FULFILLMENT AI DATA CURATOR. Research, identify, document, collect, and record data related to all aspects of fulfillment operations, including inventory, labor, equipment, workflow, operational modes, work cycles, fulfillment cycle times, and seasonal variances. Work with the AI production conformance specialist to curate pertinent outside data to improve performance. –Robert Nilsson Chief Commercial Ocer, VARGO SUPPLY CHAIN PROMPT ENGINEER. Craft and optimize the queries, rules, and scenarios AI agents use to make decisions. Translate tribal knowledge like “Jerry at Dock 5 always knows which trucks have priority” into AI logic, ensure models understand “ASAP” from Customer A means 48 hours while from Customer B means 2 weeks, and teach AI systems the unwritten rules that keep supply chains moving.
Digital Twin Specialist
Supply chain digital twin architect. This position focuses on creating a live, digital twin of the entire supply chain. From raw material sourcing to final delivery, they model the flow of goods. Using predictive analysis, they simulate disruptions and ensure a proactive and comprehensive view of the operation. This transforms reactive logistics into a predictive, strategic function. –Vidya Shankara Account Director, Consumer and Retail, Randstad Digital Digital twin engineer. Professionals who design and manage virtual models of physical supply chains. These models enable scenario testing, risk analysis, and real-time optimization across multiple logistics partners. Using AI-driven simulations, they help predict disruptions and improve eciency. –Matt Garippa Co-Founder & Chief Business Ocer, Order.co
AI ENABLEMENT ENGINEER. A role that actually puts AI into motion. The role would source or help develop the appropriate agents to deploy, mapping workflows and ensuring the data is cleansed enough to support proper decision making. –Eric Elter VP Sales, Marketing and IT, KDL Logistics RESILIENCE ARCHITECT. Partner with agentic AI to anticipate shocks, simulate outcomes, and rewire supply chains for agility. It’s less about tracking disruptions and more about building ecosystems that succeed despite them. –Sunder Balakrishnan Director, Supply Chain Analytics, LatentView Analytics
coordinate automation deployment to keep supply chains running smoothly despite stang gaps.
–Shannon Hynds CEO, Quickcode.ai
–Deepak Singh Chief Innovation Ocer, Adeptia
AGENTIC AI
STRATEGY
AI AGENT MANAGER. Similar to how a sales manager oversees sales reps, this role manages AI agents handling tasks like load booking, carrier vetting, tracking, and exception handling. They prompt, monitor, and optimize AI performance to ensure smooth, ecient operations and help teams get the most value from AI across the organization. –Shawn Vo President and CTO, Denim AGENTIC PROCUREMENT ENGINEER. Design, orchestrate, and optimize intelligent agent workflows that automate sourcing, negotiation, compliance, and spend management. Acting as the bridge between human judgment and autonomous systems, they unlock scale, precision, and impact across the supply chain. –Erin McFarlane VP Operations, Fairmarkit
AI TRADE STRATEGY ANALYST. This hybrid expert blends machine learning tools with human judgment to proactively identify tari shifts, optimize landed cost models, and flag compliance risks before they become liabilities. –Thomas Taggart VP, Global Trade, Passport Global Inc. interface with AI tools used in supply chain, including product ordering, customer marketing, and inventory, fulfillment and storage planning. This senior level position would ensure AI usage and performance measurement align with strategic corporate goals. –Dan Cahalan Sales Director, Integrated Solutions, Swisslog Americas OPERATIONS STRATEGY DIRECTOR. Coordinate and AI LABOR GAP STRATEGIST. Use AI to forecast labor shortages, optimize workforce allocation, and
Answer upcoming Good Questions at: www.inboundlogistics.com/ good-question
October 2025 • Inbound Logistics 9
READERPROFILE Putting the Customer First: Talk Less, Listen More
as told to Karen Kroll
STEFAN LOEB is vice president, business development, first- and final- mile markets, with Norfolk Southern Corporation, which operates a 22-state freight transportation network. RESPONSIBILITIES: Prioritizing innovation in first- and final-mile solutions through the field sales, short-line performance, rail- integrated solutions, and Triple Crown teams; also overseeing industrial development, real estate, and market research and forecasts. EXPERIENCE: Multiple executive roles with Watco Companies LLC; vice president and client manager, Bank of America; vice president and other managerial roles, LaSalle Bank; intern, AG Edwards and Bokam Engineering. EDUCATION: B.S., Finance, Indiana University.
I n 2023, I joined Norfolk Southern to launch the first- and final-mile markets division. We partner with the 260-plus short-line partners that extend Norfolk Southern’s network to come up with solutions that enable our customers to ship more of their cargo by rail. COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS Every day, I need to understand our customers’ supply chain challenges and then put together affordable solutions that can help them be more efficient. Rather than taking a transactional approach—say, asking for more wallet share and then going out for a steak dinner—it’s about talking less and listening more, so we can come up with solutions. My team and I asked several customers that already use Norfolk
Southern why they also send a lot of shipments in long-haul lanes. Then we would come up with rail solutions that address their concerns, such as purchasing a transload facility in Chicago to land carload freight while
It’s asking probing questions and being quiet. Then you have to be creative enough to put together solutions that work against the problems. GROWING WITH CUSTOMERS You have to always try to grow with your customers, rather than just bidding on the book of business that comes out every year, or saying ‘Oh, the market’s down. I guess we’ll wait until it recovers.’ We keep trying to grow, so we’ve had wins in industries that are in decline. It’s a powerful, fun approach and a person can have a vibrant career doing this. What I love about supply chain is that every day is different. Even when you’ve prioritized one challenge, you wake up the next day and a customer has a new challenge that makes you put the other ones to the side.
also growing overall volumes. Especially as our service has
consistently improved, we can take over some lanes that have never used rail before. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS To grow relationships, you can’t care about the market more than you care about people. You have to talk less, be inquisitive, and find out, ‘What keeps you up at night as a logistics person? What’s the biggest problem you’ve always wanted to bring up to us, but never felt like we could answer?’
10 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
READERPROFILE
I’m proud of building a team of supply chain professionals who are passionate about rail and about providing solutions so we can succeed with our customers. My dad, an aerospace engineer, loved airplanes. He always said, ‘Pick a career that will be something you’ll like, even when it’s bad.’ I took that advice to heart. I was one of those kids with model trains and I never outgrew them. I was lucky enough to get a job in banking covering railroads, and I built great relationships providing financial solutions to railroad companies. I parlayed that into one of my rail clients hiring me. I am committed to listening, innovating, and prioritizing customer challenges to continue driving growth for Norfolk Southern. n
Stefan Loeb Answers the Big Questions 1 If you could travel anywhere, with no
who excels in five key areas: hitting for average, hitting for power, baserunning speed, throwing-arm strength, and fielding ability. My parents always taught me, ‘Don’t be good at just one thing; try to be the best you can at everything you do.’ A lot of that lesson was because of Clemente’s example. Another hero is my first boss at the bank, Tom O’Bryant. He was the consummate team builder. He would push you hard, identify what made you special, and then manage both what made you special and your shortcomings to make you better. He also taught me to understand who I’m doing business with and making connections so you can be successful.
constraints, where would you go? I’d travel the Swiss Railway system. 2 What’s your hidden talent? I’m fast at doing laundry. I do it for my whole family and no one complains. 3 What are the first things you check about the business in the morning? Yesterday’s revenue, yesterday’s carloads, and the state of the railroad. 4 Do you have any role models or heroes? Baseball player Roberto Clemente is one of my heroes. He was a five-tool player; in baseball, this means an athlete
asi_halfpgIL_1025_final_• 9/18/25 3:43 PM Page 1
2025
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October 2025 • Inbound Logistics 11
NOTED [ IN FOCUS ]
The Supply Chain in Brief
> SEALED DEALS
> UP THE CHAIN
• Workwear brand Carhartt selected RELEX Solutions to centralize inventory and supply planning. With
Jason Smith was appointed the new leader of GlobalRX’s Life Science Logistics business. Smith joins from Kuehne + Nagel, where he served as vice president of U.S. healthcare contract logistics.
the AI-driven RELEX platform, Carhartt will
Spirits company Bacardi Limited promoted Nicole Zukowski to chief supply chain of cer. Her promotion follows her role as senior vice president of North America Supply Chain. Guillermo Donayre succeeds Zukowski as the new senior vice president of North America Supply Chain.
streamline global production planning, reduce excess inventory, and boost service levels to better meet customer expectations. • Urban Out tters appointed Bleckmann as its new third-party logistics partner, supporting warehousing, ful llment, and return services across Europe. • Golf Superstore is using Descartes Sellercloud integrated with its Lightspeed point- of-sale system to drive order and inventory management ef ciencies by unifying operations across its brick-and-mortar stores and multiple ecommerce channels. • Activewear retailer Fabletics is rolling out GreyOrange’s gStore retail SaaS application at more than 100 stores across North America to gain pinpoint-accurate intelligence about the location and status of every unit of inventory in its retail locations. • High-value shipment tracking company Tive partnered with AstraZeneca FluMist Home to deploy smartphone-scannable temperature trackers in each shipment of medication. • Arvato expanded its ecommerce distribution center in Stryków, Poland, and installed an automated shuttle storage system with a capacity of up to 270,000 cartons to handle H&M’s logistics operations in Central-Eastern Europe.
GEODIS created a new department dedicated to arti cial intelligence and appointed David-Olivier Tarac (pictured) as executive vice president, arti cial intelligence and Carole Besnard as group chief nancial of cer.
Christine Barnhart joins Miebach in the newly created role of head of industry engagement and alliances for the U.S. and Canada. Known across the industry as the Supply Chain Whisperer, Barnhart brings 25 years of end-to-end supply chain expertise.
DHL Supply Chain named Andries Retief chief development of cer, responsible for next-generation supply chain solutions.
> INVESTMENTS
n Gophr App, an AI-powered logistics platform, was selected to join the Techstars Tulsa Accelerator, a program that provides funding, mentorship, and access to a global network of investors and industry leaders, giving GophrApp the resources to scale its delivery technology nationwide. n Gallatin AI, a defense technology company serving military logistics through AI, was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I contract by the Air Force Materiel Command's Digital Transformation Oce. n Augment raised $85 million in Series A funding, bringing its total capital raised to $110 million in five months. The Series A round was led by Redpoint Ventures, with participation from 8VC, Shopify Ventures, Autotech Ventures, and other leading logistics and AI investors.
12 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
NOTED
> RECOGNITION
> M&A
n DHL Supply Chain will acquire SDS Rx, a provider of final-mile delivery and specialized healthcare
• Four CPC Logistics truck drivers from across the United
States were named National Private Truck Council National Driver All-Stars: Greg Basnight, assigned to Walgreens in Browns Summit, North Carolina; William Crawford, assigned to a large CPG company in Alabama; Stuart M. Shuck, assigned to John Deere in Davenport, Iowa; and Rene Umana, assigned to Toyota Quality Parts Express in Torrance, California.
transportation for long-term care and specialty pharmacies, radiopharmacies, and health system networks. n Logistics Plus acquired LoadDelivered Logistics, a Chicago-based freight brokerage business. This collaboration will provide customers with holistic transportation management solutions while leveraging back-office synergies across both organizations. n ADL Final Mile acquired DMC Logistics, a provider of customized and final-mile logistics services across New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Utah.
• Yang Ming was recognized by The Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards as Best Shipping Line-Intra-Asia. This is the eighth time that Yang Ming has received this award.
> GREEN SEEDS
n MSC and OOCL emerged as the most efficient carriers on the Asia-Northern Europe trade lane in OceanScore’s Scope 3 at
• Averitt received the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Clean Air and Transportation Solutions . The award recognizes companies and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership in improving air quality and advancing sustainable transportation practices across Tennessee.
Sea report, thanks to their combination of below-average carbon intensity, steadier speed profiles, and consistent vessel utilization.
> MILESTONES
• Kaleris received the Strategic Supplier Award from International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI). The award recognizes
n Founded to meet the rising demand for modern and green
industrial facilities, and celebrating its fifth anniversary, industrial developer
HelloParks will have completed more than 5.38 million square feet of warehouse space in the Budapest metropolitan area by the end of 2025.
supplier partnerships that deliver operational excellence and innovation across ICTSI’s global network.
n Combilift achieved the milestone of producing its 100,000th Combilift forklift. To celebrate, the company is offering the chance to win the exclusive forklift through a special competition, with all proceeds donated to UNICEF Ireland’s Children’s Emergency Fund.
• Technology company aluco GmbH was awarded the Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award 2025 for its modular
software solution aluco STRIX, which improves
n Amazon Business reached a new milestone, actively serving more than 8 million organizations globally, excluding emerging markets—from small businesses to the world’s largest companies.
logistics processes through precise freight measurement, automated dispatching, and intelligent data cleansing.
October 2025 • Inbound Logistics 13
TAKEAWAYS Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
Transportation is no longer just a cost center—more than ever, it’s viewed as a competitive weapon for shippers and logistics providers. According to Descartes Systems Group’s 9th Annual Global Transportation Management Benchmark Survey , a record 81% of respondents now view transportation as a differentiator in business growth and customer value—the highest level in the nine years of the survey. The study, which surveyed 616 shippers and logistics service providers across North America and Europe, highlights both progress and persistent gaps in transportation technology adoption. While transportation management systems (TMS) are recognized as essential, only 17% of respondents report being fully automated, and more than one third remain heavily dependent on manual processes. The divide is particularly stark when comparing leaders—51% of high-performing companies are fully automated—against laggards, where only 5% have achieved full automation. Other key findings include: • AI adoption: 96% of respondents report using generative AI in their operations, with top applications in data entry (41%), route/load optimization (39%), freight forecasting (35%), automated load matching (35%), and chat bots for customer service (34%). • TMS investment: 80% plan to increase IT spending, prioritizing performance management, visibility, and fleet routing. ( See chart below .) • Risk-management approach: Carrier monitoring for insurance, safety, and fraud ranked as a top-three TMS capability, with North American companies placing 7% more emphasis on it than European peers. • Growth outlook: 72% expect at least 5% annual revenue growth over the next two years. TRANSPORTATION’S EVOLVING ROLE Where will you make your greatest transportation IT investments in the next 2 years? (Select three) 40%
NEW BUZZWORD, EXPLAINED: TOUCHLESS FORECASTING Another day, another new supply chain buzzword. This time, it’s touchless forecasting—an AI-powered approach to demand planning that autonomously gathers, interprets, and analyzes large data sets to deliver precise forecasts with little or no human involvement. The objective is to build a fully automated system that adjusts in real time to market shifts, streamlines inventory management, and frees human planners to concentrate on exceptions and strategic priorities. That’s a mouthful, but it’s catching on: Gartner recently predicted that 70% of large-scale organizations will adopt AI-based forecasting to predict future demand by 2030. “The value of AI-based forecasting includes improved strategic decision making, faster responses to market changes, and enhanced collaboration workflows,” says Jan Snoeckx, Director Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “To help drive successful adoption, planning leaders should clearly articulate a sense of urgency in pursuing touchless forecasting and place AI as a core element within their technology strategies.” While touchless forecasting remains limited today, Gartner recommends this five-part plan for implementation: 1. Define a touchless forecasting vision: Assess workflows, tools, and improvements for automation. 2. Establish the business change parameters: Redefine processes and metrics; prioritize change management. 3. Define your touchless data strategy: Expand data sources; ensure quality and governance. 4. Create a technology enablement roadmap: Invest in AI tools; align with data strategy. 5. Plan for the adoption journey: Build trust in AI forecasts through transparency and benchmarking.
30%
20%
10%
0%
Source: Descartes
14 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
TAKEAWAYS
MANUFACTURING OUTLOOK 2026 Global manufacturers will enter 2026 under intense pressure to modernize, adapt, and deliver in the face of relentless disruption, finds the 2026 Manufacturing Outlook Report from Xometry, Thomas, and Zogby Strategies. Survey respondents—300 executives from the United States, U.K., and Europe—see technology, agility, and sourcing resilience as the defining forces shaping the industry’s future. The report identifies four central themes that are influencing the manufacturing industry in 2026: the acceleration of AI and digital tools; the growing demand for operational agility; rising customer expectations for quality and responsiveness; and the need for stable, flexible sourcing strategies. In addition, closing the talent gap to sustain innovation is one key challenge executives agree upon. Why it matters: The supply chain is no longer just about moving goods; it’s a competitive dierentiator. From reshoring production to deploying AI at scale, manufacturers are investing heavily to meet customer expectations and navigate volatile global markets.
Source: Kenco
HIGH STAKES PEAK SEASON As the holiday peak season approaches, two new surveys paint a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities facing ecommerce brands: consumers are laser-focused on price ( see graphic above ) and therefore, tightening their wallets, while brands scramble to navigate taris, rising costs, and increasingly demanding customer expectations. Together, the findings underscore a high-stakes environment where value, convenience, and supply chain execution will be crucial. The surveys—Kenco’s 2025 eCommerce Peak Season Pulse and Passport’s Peak Season 2025 Playbook —oer insights from both sides of the equation: shoppers grappling with inflation, and retailers working to maintain margins while meeting customer demands. Consumers Cut Spending but Demand Greater Convenience Kenco surveyed consumers to understand how economic pressures are shaping holiday shopping behavior. The findings reveal a season defined by inflation concerns, demand for deals, and shifting expectations around delivery and returns: • Inflation and tari s are cutting into holiday budgets: 28% of consumers plan to reduce holiday spending, up 11% from 2024. • Price pressure dominates: 58% say inflation is their top concern, compared to just 16% citing product availability. • Shoppers want deals and control: 75% would choose slower, free shipping over paying for faster delivery. 57% say easy returns are the most influential shipping incentive. 72% call free return shipping the top return-related perk. 51% are willing to pay extra to guarantee a specific delivery window. • Visibility matters: 58% want real-time delivery map tracking, while 37% want photo confirmation. Brands Brace for Tari s While Betting on Cross-Border Growth Passport, a global ecommerce solutions provider, partnered with Drive Research to survey 200 ecommerce leaders across the United States, U.K., and Canada. The research reveals how brands are managing taris, fulfillment challenges, and customer expectations heading into peak season. Here’s what they found: • Tari s reshape pricing: 87% of brands have already raised U.S. prices to oset taris, and 99% say trade shifts are directly influencing peak-season planning. • International sales outlook remains bullish: 96% expect cross-border orders to rise in Q4 2025 compared to 2024. • Execution risks are high: only 31% of leaders are “extremely confident” in their ability to handle cross-border fulfillment. • Customer-first priorities:
A need for stable sourcing strategies is boosting the reshoring trend:
Here are some key takeaways from the survey:
AI as a Growth Engine 82% of executives view AI as a driver of growth 44% report significant ROI already from AI adoption 85% plan to invest over $100,000 in AI initiatives in 2026 Agility as the New Currency 45% of executives plan reshoring 29% have already reshored facilities Customer-Centric Mandate 54% note rising product quality demands 46% cite faster delivery as a core expectation 43% of buyers now expect “Amazon- like” supply chain transparency Sourcing for Stability 76% of global companies plan price increases in 2026, but 18% already face pushback from customers— making strategic sourcing crucial 84% will use new tech and partnerships to manage sourcing and pricing risks
57% rank fast, reliable delivery as their top goal this season. 41% say shipping costs are a main focus, with many exploring in-country fulfillment. 37% cite customer satisfaction as their most important KPI.
Source: Xometry, Thomas & Zogby Strategies
October 2025 • Inbound Logistics 15
CONTENT PARTNERS
Unlocking Ef ciency: Leveraging Multimodal Solutions in Today’s Supply Chains Recently announced plans for mergers and partnerships in the U.S. rail network highlight the value of multimodal operations across the country. F or 2025, U.S. rail intermodal Pivoting to a multimodal strategy may require some internal change
value has experienced modest growth, reaching the highest volume in August since May 2021, according to the Association of American Railroads. Multimodal supply chain solutions—those that combine more than one mode of transportation, such as rail, road, sea, and air under a single contract—offer signi cant bene ts by reducing costs, enhancing speed, and delivering greater customer satisfaction. The concept of multimodal transportation can also extend to different highway modes such as truckload, less-than-truckload, and parcel shipments. The goal of a multimodal strategy is to enable shippers to optimize routes, streamline logistics, and manage volatility in global markets. “Multimodal solutions help shippers simplify their processes to reduce fragmentation and take out some of that complexity where issues can happen,” says Tim Kolb, Group Director – Freight Brokerage for Ryder System, Inc. DATA AS THE FOUNDATION To discover if multimodal options are a good t, shippers can work with a strategic logistics partner to analyze 12 to 24 months’ worth of load-level data to evaluate opportunities. With that data, it’s possible to assess modes, carriers, and lanes to optimize the cost structure across the entire network. “Evaluating the data holistically is the rst step towards putting together the best, most ef cient operation,” Kolb says. “You
management as transportation managers learn new ways of doing business.
“Shippers tend to have their way of doing things, and oftentimes it is highly ef cient, but sometimes they haven’t kept up with changes in their network and the latest best practices,” Kolb says. “One of the responsibilities of the strategic partner is to help their customers evaluate options and stay as innovative and cutting-edge as possible.” Ryder offers port-to-door services covering everything that happens within a shipper’s supply chain, from the port of origin to the door of the end user. “We want to help shippers nd the best possible solution to manage cost effectively and ef ciently and provide exible solutions whenever possible within that port-to-door operation,” Kolb says. Multimodal strategies aren’t just about mixing modes—they’re about designing smarter, more exible supply chains. Shippers that audit their shipment data, right-size freight to the correct mode, and build stronger, more focused carrier partnerships, will be positioned to lower costs, simplify operations, and gain resilience in today’s dynamic freight market.
can identify inef ciencies in modes, and carriers, and balance service levels and costs. Shippers that don’t undergo the analysis are probably spending more than they should if they don’t have the right carrier mix in their network,” Kolb adds. ROLE OF THE STRATEGIC PARTNER The strategic logistics partner can provide advice on the pros and cons of adopting a multimodal strategy and the value of simplifying operations and allowing shippers to focus on their core competencies. “It’s critical to understand all the strengths and weaknesses within the carrier network and then be able to match the right carrier to each load,” Kolb says. The outcome is a leaner carrier strategy: fewer partners, and deeper, more strategic relationships. With clear alignment on roles and capabilities, shippers can maximize the value of every provider in their supply chain.
www.ryder.com
16 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
EVER MOVING
Whether it’s a single pallet, several truckloads a day, or managing a private fleet and drivers, you need transportation logistics that keep your freight and business moving forward. With an entire portfolio of transportation logistics that includes freight management & brokerage, truckload capacity, transportation management, and dedicated transportation, Ryder helps you reduce freight costs, improve service levels, and drive eciencies while getting your goods to consumers on-time and in-full. Discover how Ryder Transportation Logistics can make you Ever better ™ at ryder.com . Transportation logistics that put your supply chain in motion
SUPPLY CHAIN | DEDICATED TRANSPORTATION | FLEET MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
CONTENT PARTNERS
SOLVED Supply Chain Challenge? The NMFC Overhaul:
How Shippers Can Adjust to Updates The changes to the NMFC classification system that took effect on July 19, 2025, have major implications on LTL shipping. The impact on freight rates varies. Here’s how to manage:
keep abreast of any updates or clarifications regarding the new classification system. ■ Assess commod- ity classifications. Shippers should con- duct a thorough review
challenges. The tech- nology created by SMC³ forms a digi- tal link between all stakeholders in the industry, empow- ering shippers and 3PLs to effec- tively manage their LTL operations from start to finish. This includes bid management, rate comparisons among providers, transit planning and scheduling of pick- ups, and invoice auditing. The analytical data and technological capa- bilities offered by SMC³ are crucial for strategic planning, optimizing trans- portation modes, and swiftly adapting to the ever-changing market conditions. SMC³’s BatchMark® XL is a quick batch rating tool that deliv- ers comprehensive analysis of freight expenses to shippers, 3PLs, and carri- ers. With this tool, users can simulate various scenarios and make adjustments to their freight characteristics, such as changes in shipment classifications. The high-speed batch rating feature of BatchMark XL allows for efficient calcu- lation of LTL expenses across multiple shipments in just a matter of minutes.
THE CHALLENGE One prominent obstacle facing the industry is the potential for shifting freight trends as production and manufacturing facilities are relocated worldwide, with companies striving to improve cost- effectiveness, speed of manufacturing, and inventory management. Shippers are carefully considering how these factors may impact their logistics and are contemplating increasing onshore inventory levels in anticipation of potential disruptions. In the world of less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, the significant changes to the NMFC classification system, implemented in July 2025, represent a formidable hurdle. The impact on freight rates varies from increases to reductions, depending on the density of individual shipments. A thorough examination is necessary for shippers to comprehend the ramifications for shipping expenses. Those lacking established protocols for accurately measuring package density or managing cargo packaging will likely face significant disadvantages. THE SOLUTION ■ Stay informed. It is crucial for shippers to stay informed about the latest developments and information related to the NMFC changes. Shippers should regularly consult the NMFTA website and other industry resources to
of their commodity classifications to understand how the NMFC changes impact their freight classes and rates. This assessment will help shippers iden- tify potential cost implications and adjust their shipping strategies accordingly. ■ Optimize packaging. Efficient packaging practices are essential for min- imizing density-driven costs. Shippers should evaluate their current packag- ing methods and explore opportunities to optimize package design and materi- als to reduce the overall dimensions and weight of their shipments. ■ Collaborate with carriers. Open communication and collaboration with LTL carriers are crucial for navigating the NMFC changes. Shippers should engage in discussions with their carriers to understand their approach to the new classification system and explore mitigation strategies. CALCULATE THE IMPACT TO YOUR TRANSPORTATION SPEND SMC³ provides educational materials and transportation technology solu- tions to aid shippers, third-party logistics providers, and carriers in tackling
www.smc3.com
18 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
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