Inbound Logistics | April 2025

ALASKA'S EXTREME LOGISTICS CROSS BORDER SOLUTIONS IN NORTH AMERICA

Your Technology Search Ends Here Supply chain technology solutions| Top 100 Logistics IT Providers Exclusive Market Research: Tech Trends AI Success Stories

BITE SIZED SUPPLY CHAIN/LOGISTICS INFORMATION Info SNACKS STICKER SHOCK “A 25% tari on U.S. auto imports could cost importers $76 billion a year if import levels remain consistent year over year. Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Germany are expected to be most impacted by these taris, as

SWAPPING DESKS FOR DIESEL 46% of Americans would consider a career in trucking if it paid better than their current job. 62% Say truck drivers are paid too little for their work. 79% Say truck driving is a viable career choice for young people. – Survey conducted for FinditParts manufacturers in these countries produce 81.2% of U.S. auto imports. Other countries with a smaller but still appreciable share of imports include China, the UK, Slovakia, Italy, and Sweden.” – Dun & Bradstreet, on the announced 25% tariffs on autos and auto parts that are not produced in the United States

COMMUTING CLASHES 60% of U.S. professionals want help with the cost of getting to the oce 74% of U.S. professionals claim commutes are a major factor when considering a new job 88% of professionals don’t receive any support for their commutes from employers 1-5% of professionals’ annual salary is currently spent getting to work 13% are willing to spend up to 2 hours commuting — end of the super commuter? 40% of managers would look to implement ‘hushed hybrid’ to help retain sta 60% of U.S. professionals say commuting expenses are the most crucial cost to have subsidized by employers. – Robert Walters poll

NEXT STOP, SMOGVILLE U.S. truck freight emissions are predicted to surge by 28 million metric tons in 2025. This is equivalent to: • Adding 6 million+ cars to the road • 370,667 tanker trucks worth of gasoline • 5,835,079 homes’ electricity for one year

– Adobe Analytics

– InTek Logistics analysis of FHA data

SAILING SNARLS • Savannah, Georgia, is currently the most congested port, with ships waiting an average of 91.6 hours. • Sub-Saharan Africa leads in congestion, while East Asia boasts the best performance. • Hong Kong recorded the highest number of ships at anchor, while ports such as Melbourne and Vishakapatnam had zero. • Despite challenges, ports including King Abdullah, London Gateway, and Los Angeles demonstrate resilience with low congestion levels. – Beacon’s 2025 Port Congestion & Performance Report

SAY GOODBYE TO POTHOLES? Using AI, scientists from the UK’s Swansea University, King’s College London, and Chile’s University of Bío-Bío have developed a self-healing asphalt that extends road lifespan by 30%. By combining plant spores, recycled sunflower oil, and bitumen, the asphalt autonomously repairs cracks, reducing the need for costly pothole repairs. The process works by embedding stag’s horn clubmoss spores filled with sunflower oil into bitumen, which release the oil upon cracking, “healing” the asphalt in less than one hour. one hour.

April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 1

CONTENTS FEATURES APRIL 2025 | VOL. 45 | NO. 4 30 SPONSORED CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN NORTH AMERICA: UNCERTAIN TIMES, TRIED-AND-TRUE SOLUTIONS

Logistics providers o er deep understanding of cross-border customs, regulations, technology, and capacity that can streamline operations and move shippers’ goods safely and eciently—no matter the geopolitical environment. 42

56 HOW AI TRANSFORMS SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS Searching for real-world examples of supply chain organizations that

IL MARKET RESEARCH: TECHNOLOGY TRENDS The results from our annual report show that providers are ramping up AI innovations to boost capabilities—and seeing robust growth.

have implemented AI solutions and are seeing financial and organizational success? We serve them up right here. 62 SPONSORED ALASKA: EXTREME LOGISTICS Strategically located but also supremely challenging, the Last Frontier rewards logistics providers that are relentlessly resourceful.

What’s Happening in Supply Chain and Logistics Technology?

48 TOP 100 LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS Searching for the best tech solutions? The companies selected by Inbound Logistics editors for this year’s Top 100 bring shippers the results they need: optimized, ecient supply chain and logistics operations.

2 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

INSIGHT 4 CHECKING IN Generation AI? 6 GOOD QUESTION Will more U.S. companies turn to nearshoring to diversify supply chains in the next five years? 8 10 TIPS Optimizing reverse logistics 26 SC COMPLIANCE 4 keys to successful trade compliance 28 IT MATTERS From digital adopter to digital leader

INPRACTICE

GOOD QUESTION Will more U.S. companies turn to nearshoring to diversify supply chains in the next five years? 6

INFOCUS 1 INFO SNACKS 12 NOTED 14 TAKEAWAYS 74 IN BRIEF 80 LAST MILE Supply chain heroes

10 LEADERSHIP: ROLLING WITH CHANGE

From driver recruitment to policy reform, Jaime Hamm of Werner Enterprises is shaping the future of trucking through leadership, innovation and a passion for safety. 69 IT TOOLKIT: CONNECTING TO CLARITY Using an AI-driven planning suite, IT connectivity accessories manufacturer StarTech.com now easily conducts what-if scenario planning and regularly hits order fulfillment rates of about 95%.

CONTENT PARTNERS 18 Redwood Keeps Data Flowing for Flow Control Group Oered by Redwood Logistics 20 How 2025’s NMFC Changes Will Impact Shippers Oered by SMC 3 21 The Importance of Vendor Accountability in Inbound Transportation Management Oered by TransportGistics 22 The Shift-Left Imperative: Tearing Down the Silos Oered by Siemens Digital Logistics 24 Custom TMS and Freight Management Solution Provides Industrial Distributor with Full Supply Chain Visibility Oered by Logistics Plus

INFO 72 SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS 76 CALENDAR 78 RESOURCE CENTER

Inbound Logistics (ISSN 0888-8493, USPS 703990) is mailed monthly to approximately 60,000 business professionals who buy, specify, or recommend logistics technology, transportation, and related services, by Thomas, a Xometry company, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 800, North Bethesda, MD 20852. Periodicals postage paid at North Bethesda, MD, and additional mailing oces. All rights reserved. The publisher accepts no responsibility for the validity of claims of any products or services described. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic means, or stored in any information retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. Postmaster send address changes to: Inbound Logistics, P.O. Box 1167, Lowell, MA 01853-9900

April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 3

CHECKINGIN

Vol. 45, No. 4 April 2025 THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN ENTERPRISES www.inboundlogistics.com

Generation AI?

STAFF

Keith G. Biondo publisher@inboundlogistics.com Felecia J. Stratton editor@inboundlogistics.com Katrina C. Arabe karabe@inboundlogistics.com

PUBLISHER

G enerative AI, or Gen AI, refers to a type of articial intelligence that can create new content. But I am hijacking the term. In the way that Gen Z, Gen X, and Gen Y refer to different generations of Americans, I’m redening Gen AI as the generation who are conversant in articial intelligence and applying it in their work. The good thing about the Gen AI designation is that it is age independent. Anyone can play. And they should, especially in supply chain and logistics.

EDITOR

SENIOR EDITOR

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC CONTENT

Amy Roach amy.roach@thomasnet.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Karen M. Kroll Rich Osborne

Keith Biondo, Publisher

Jeof Vita jvita@inboundlogistics.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

In 2025, the logistics sector is experiencing rapid transformation driven by new technology, as you will see in the Top 100 Supply Chain & Logistics Technology awards on page 48. Unlike previous improvements to AI, which were just vertical siloed version updates, AI now can be employed horizontally across almost every transportation, logistics, and supply chain operation today: • AI is being used to forecast demand, optimize inventory, and predict potential disruptions. • AI is automating various logistics processes, from warehouse operations to customer service. • AI can predict demand to optimize inventory and minimize stock- out risk. • AI-powered systems adjust delivery routes in real time, increasing efciency and reducing costs. • AI automates repetitive tasks, which can be made to self-run, such as shipment visibility across complex supply lines. • AI makes difcult compliance challenges more manageable. Most of the companies you’ll see on this year’s Top 100 list are applying AI to their WMS, TMS, predictive analytics, advanced planning and other solutions. Their investment provides a cascading—or rather a ripple—effect of efciency as those AI-amped solutions scale across their customer base. With the advent and expansion of low-code/no-code AI regimes, shippers are Gen AI-ers too, as the relatively low cost and easier integration enables AI applications in manufacturing, retail, and ecommerce to link up with their providers, causing a network effect of productivity gains. For example, Best Buy is using AI to help its suppliers offset tariff cost increases. And Walmart has developed an AI Assistant to help its suppliers nd alternative sources of tariff-impacted supply. Will articial intelligence live up to all the hype? I think so, especially as this generation of AI practitioners nds their stride.

DESIGNER Arlene So

DIGITAL DESIGN MANAGER PUBLICATION MANAGER CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Amy Palmisano apalmisano@inboundlogistics.com

Sonia Casiano sonia@inboundlogistics.com

Carolyn Smolin

SALES STAFF PUBLISHER: Keith Biondo

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Inbound Logistics supports sustainable best practices. Our mission is rooted in helping companies match demand to supply, eliminating waste from the supply chain. This magazine is printed on paper sourced from fast growth renewable timber.

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4 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

Freight Audit + Payment Parcel Management Honeybee TMS Data + Process Optimization

In a world of complex supply chain data, go Global .

WHATEVER YOUR GLOBAL BUSINESS NEEDS, WE’RE HERE FOR YOU. TRUSTED SINCE 1957. , O OU UR RG GL LO OB BA AL LB BU US SI IN NE ES SS SN NE EE OR YOU. TRUSTED SINCE 1957. O OR RY YO OU U. . T TR RU US ST TE ED DS SI IN NC CE E1 19 RY YO RE EF F

GOODQUESTION Readers Weigh In

Will More U.S. Companies Turn to Nearshoring to Diversify Supply Chains in the Next Five Years?

Taris Complicate the Picture

ABSOLUTELY

NEARSHORING WILL ACCELERATE as companies respond to climate risks, economic uncertainty, and shifting trade policies. Taris and global disruptions are pushing businesses to reassess supply chains for greater resilience and eciency. In today’s fast-moving environment, nearshoring strikes the right balance between speed, risk mitigation, and cost. –Mita Gupta Executive Vice President and Global Business Unit Head, WNS Procurement EMBRACING DIVERSIFICATION to reduce supply chain risks, lower costs, and improve resilience is a shift that companies cannot—and should not—overlook. –Gerald Hofmann President of Integrated Marine Logistics Division, Odyssey Logistics

Taris can inspire nearshoring when there’s confidence in their permanency. But that’s not what’s happening. It’s hard to justify a 30-year multi- million-dollar factory investment when you don’t know how input costs will look next week, let alone a year or decade from now. –John Lash Group Vice President, Product Strategy, e2open Taris were expected to accelerate the shift toward nearshoring and reshoring by adding an incentive. Instead, the imposition of taris on Canada and Mexico has introduced complexity and uncertainty. Some manufacturers are launching large reshoring eorts; others are taking a wait-and-see strategy. –David Pate Vice President, TBM Consulting Taris will be increased in Mexico which will make nearshoring moot. Even though it is increasing rapidly especially if you look at Monterrey, Mexico, after time it will alter back to Asia. –Mike Grin President, Razr Logistics

WE EXPECT NEARSHORING TO INCREASE as companies work to diversify their supply chains, reduce risks, and improve resilience. Plus, with the underlying labor shortage in the United States, imported goods will grow. Advances in automation and robotics as well as commitments to reduce carbon footprints make it more feasible to shift manufacturing to Mexico from around the globe. –Dave Kiesling Vice President of Transportation Management, Kenco

NEARSHORING WILL LIKELY GROW, especially among SMBs as they actively manage tari-driven risks and uncertainties, which they are often less equipped to absorb compared to larger competitors. Our research shows nearly 75% of SMBs view taris from China as a significant threat to their business, which could fuel a shift toward more stable, resilient supply chains closer to home.

YES

NEARSHORING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY and will likely continue in the near term, given mounting incentives to relocate supply chains to minimize vulnerabilities and boost resiliency. Companies are still responding to COVID aftereects and logistical bottlenecks, and while preferential duty arrangements may make nearshoring attractive, U.S. tari enforcement may shift that outlook. –Colby Potter Lead Analytical Content Manager, Sayari

–Barry Kukkuk CTO, Netstock

6 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

GOODQUESTION

Reshoring Over Nearshoring

NOT NECESSARILY

NEARSHORING REMAINS KEY, especially in supporting sustainability goals. However, o shoring and globally connected providers will continue to play a role in mitigating risks and adapting to policy shifts that could impact costs.

Amid escalating taris and uncertainty around the future of trade with Canada and Mexico, I expect a rise in reshoring in the United States rather than nearshoring in neighboring countries. We’ll likely see a gradual resurgence of industries previously abandoned in the United States, such as heavy equipment manufacturing, textiles, and shipbuilding. But it will take massive amounts of capital—and time—to build. –Tom Perrone SVP, Global Professional Services, project44 Short-term uncertainties from taris are making onshoring slightly more appealing. As for nearshoring, Mexico gained some traction recently with USMCA, though tari s have the potential to negate the recent gains. If the tari situation can be amicably resolved, nearshoring has strong potential. –Madhav Durbha Group Vice President, CPG & Manufacturing, RELEX Solutions Reshoring will be the name of the game if the Trump 47 Administration achieves its goals. Bringing manufacturing back home will be essential as USMCA loses cost-e ectiveness. Supplier diversity remains a valuable SCM response to geopolitics although even the threat of long-term tari s on Canada and Mexico challenges the risk benefit of nearshoring strategies. –Jonathan Todd Vice Chair, Transportation & Logistics Practice Group, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Arono LLP

–Shanmugam Senthilnathan Group Chief Executive Ocer, EFL Global

WHILE NEARSHORING CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, the bigger priority is building a supply chain that’s nimble and diversified. –Kapil Kalokhe Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy, ePost Global MORE U.S. COMPANIES WILL RECONSIDER where they manufacture their goods over the next five years. However, nearshoring may not necessarily be the answer for every company, as there are other countries that still have huge potential. India is a major example, and I would expect to see more U.S. companies shift their manufacturing from China to India over the next five years. –Bryan Gerber Founder and CEO, Hara Supply

THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES ABLE TO a ord this is relatively small. It will take more than five years to build manufacturing capabilities able to equal today’s supply chain. Asia has dominated the world for nearly 60 years in manufacturing capabilities. We will see many companies fold or be absorbed due to rising costs and inability to nearshore their specialized products. –Samuel Keller Account Manager, TA Services

physical assets, and processes that are spread out globally. The actual degree of nearshoring will fall far short of the buzz. –Guy Courtin Vice President of Industry and Global Alliances, Tecsys

HEDGING MY BETS

NO, NOT HAPPENING SOON

THE FUTURE OF NEARSHORING depends on the political climate. U.S.-based

WHEN THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION implemented

manufacturing is expected to grow as seen in the pharma and oil sectors. A key challenge is companies’ reluctance to hold inventory for tax reasons, leading to long lead times and lower- quality goods. This issue must be addressed macroeconomically to boost U.S. manufacturing.

tari s, it didn’t result in a U.S. manufacturing renaissance. It

takes companies time to build new manufacturing facilities. There was a little bit of that but more looked at shifting sourcing strategies—where products were coming from and where they were going to—which may be the most likely outcome again, at least in the short term. –Jackson Wood Director of Industry Strategy, Global Trade Intelligence, Descartes Systems Group

–Kyle Neathery CEO, Samson Extracts

Answer upcoming Good Questions at: www.inboundlogistics.com/ good-question

THE BUZZ WILL CONTINUE but the challenge remains: Nearshoring is not simply picking up and moving a few assets, but requires a delicate balancing act between people,

April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 7

10 TIPS 1 MAINTAIN CONSISTENT PRODUCT TEMPLATES

Effective returns management requires a well-planned strategy—from the pre-purchase stage through to the product’s second shelf. Optimizing Reverse Logistics

8 INTEGRATE WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT. Implement a dedicated Returns Warehouse Management System to streamline sorting, inspection, and categorization of returned goods. Automating key processes reduces manual intervention, enhances accuracy, and ensures products are promptly reintegrated into inventory, resold, or recycled. 9 ENABLE RECOMMERCE AND THE SECOND SHELF. ReCommerce—reselling products through secondary marketplaces or direct-to- consumer channels—lets retailers extend product lifecycles, reduce waste, and maximize protability. Integrated ReCommerce solutions provide an even better opportunity, combining optimized routing, refurbishment capabilities, and efcient resale strategies to reduce handling and increase second-life revenue.

Retailers must maintain standardized product templates with accurate fit information and clear measurements to set proper customer expectations. AI-powered sizing tools can enhance accuracy and improve the customer experience.

2 PRIORITIZE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. Effective returns management starts with well-dened contractual agreements between retailers and vendors. Using software to congure policies, negotiate changes, and optimize settlements, return-to-vendor shipping and communication ensures clarity and efciency. Without structured agreements, both parties risk nancial and operational inefciencies. 3 IMPLEMENT CLEAR RETURN POLICIES. Return policies impact customer satisfaction and purchasing decisions. Studies show that 82% of shoppers consider return policies before buying and 33% avoid retailers with unclear policies. Retailers should prioritize accessibility and exibility in their return policies to build trust and encourage condent purchasing. 4 ESTABLISH FRAUD DETECTION PRACTICES. In 2024, returns fraud cost retailers $103 billion. To mitigate risks, retailers need advanced fraud detection

tools that identify suspicious return patterns, validate purchase histories, and ag high-risk returns. Without proper prevention, fraudulent returns can signicantly impact protability and operational efciency. 5 EMPLOY SAVE-THE-SALE STRATEGIES. Offering alternatives to refunds helps retailers retain revenue and customer loyalty. Solutions such as store credits, incentives, and instant exchanges convert returns into repurchases, ensuring a positive shopping experience while minimizing revenue loss. 6 AIM FOR PROCESSING SPEED AND EFFICIENCY. Rapid returns processing is essential to maintain cash ow and operational

efciency. Quickly reintroducing returned products into inventory

reduces warehousing costs, prevents bottlenecks, and enhances liquidity, enabling reinvestment in growth opportunities. Alternatively, slow processing can keep essential working capital tied up, negatively impacting a business’ ability to operate. 7 OPTIMIZE RETURNS ROUTING. An efcient transportation network ensures returns are directed to the appropriate destination—whether for restocking, return-to- vendor, or resale. Reducing handling time lowers labor costs, minimizes seasonality impacts, and accelerates the return-to-sell cycle, saving retailers time and capital.

10 LEVERAGE DATA AND ANALYTICS FOR END-TO-END VISIBILITY.

A data-driven approach that tracks a return from initiation to final resolution helps retailers uncover inefficiencies, reduce processing times, and enhance customer experiences. Advanced analytics enable businesses to identify return patterns, forecast demand, and implement proactive solutions that minimize avoidable returns and provide actionable insights that drive continuous improvement and profitability.

SOURCE: WES BERRY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CLIENT PARTNERSHIP & SUCCESS, RETURNPRO

8 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

LEADERSHIP Conversations with the Captains of Industry

Driving Safety & Leadership: Jaime Hamm’s Road to Success

While growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, the corporate headquarters of Werner Enterprises, Jaime Hamm, senior vice president of safety and recruiting, often saw the company’s trucks on the road. When a friend who worked at Werner had an opening, Hamm applied. The original opening had closed, but another had opened in the safety division. Hamm wanted a career helping others or improving peoples’ lives. “Working in safety, we always try to limit accidents and prevent injuries,” she says. “Plus, there’s always something new happening. It’s a rewarding career.” Currently, Hamm oversees about 250 associates in Werner’s safety, recruiting, terminal management and risk management teams. She shared her thoughts on leadership, the trucking industry, and the Green Bay Packers with Inbound Logistics . IL: How do you instill an appreciation for safety? We talk about safety from the moment new associates and professional drivers join the company. It’s at the top of our core values and everyone has to get on board, because it’s simply who we are. Derek Leathers, our chairman and CEO, always says, “Nothing we do is worth getting hurt or hurting others.” We do all we can to loop safety into other processes, so nobody needs to go out of their way to keep up with training. For example, our drivers can complete their monthly safety training right from their tablets, when it’s convenient for them. IL: How are you addressing the truck driver shortage? We take only about 10% of professional driver applicants, because the other applicants’ driving records aren’t suitable or they don’t t into Werner’s safety culture. It’s a struggle. But we have great resources to help us target areas where we need drivers, and then to identify quality applicants and bring them into Werner. Because Werner owns Roadmaster Drivers School, we can vet students and nd those who meet our safety culture and standards. We encourage them to apply at Werner once they successfully complete school and obtain their commercial driver’s license. IL: How does your leadership in professional organizations help in your role at Werner? As chair of the American Trucking Associations’ Safety Policy Committee, I work with others in the industry to

Jaime Hamm, Senior Vice President of Safety and Recruiting, Werner

From driver recruitment to policy reform, Jaime Hamm is shaping the future of trucking through leadership, innovation, a passion for safety, and rolling with change.

by Karen Kroll

10 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

LEADERSHIP

Leading Anti-trafcking Efforts At a conference about 10 years ago, Jaime Hamm saw a video on tracking and found it very moving. She came back to Werner and asked how they could implement training to make sure their professional drivers know tracking is a problem, and ensure that if they see something, they know how to report it. Today, Werner drivers and even many oce and maintenance associates complete human tracking training and receive annual refresher training. Among other tools is a tracking hotline drivers can use to report any red flags. This might be, for instance, a young person at a truck stop who’s dressed for warm weather when it’s winter. Through its Pathways to Freedom initiative, Werner provides resources to customers, partner carriers, and vendors. “The company is getting more people involved and spreading the word that this modern- day slavery still exists, and that we are part of the solution,” Hamm says.

improve safety. It’s a great platform that lets me work with my peers to improve our nation’s roadways. The beauty of safety is it’s not a secret sauce—people are willing to share their experiences, because the impacts are so widespread. IL: What characteristics shape effective leadership? Effective leadership requires adaptability and the ability to roll with change. This industry is constantly evolving, with new regulations, technology and more always on the horizon. We have to constantly look beyond the status quo, learn and look for the next best solution, and work to stay ahead of the game. The ability to problem-solve is another component of effective leadership. There are always challenges ahead, and we need to make the best decisions we can and move on. Breaking big concepts into small wins is key, especially as technology evolves and systems change. IL: What challenges keep you up at night? Our litigation landscape and nuclear verdicts. The trucking industry has been the target of high-stakes lawsuits that require our entire team to remain diligent and ensure nothing is overlooked. We constantly review and update our policies and procedures, and benchmark best practices with our peers. In addition, we go above and beyond testing for drugs and making sure drivers are well rested, healthy, operating safely and endorsed properly. Despite our efforts, we often face an uphill battle whenever a lawsuit is led. It’s unfortunate and a major concern. We’re also engaged in tort reform efforts throughout the country at the state level, and even on a federal level with the new administration. IL: How do you help employees and drivers adapt to change? Being transparent from the beginning and communicating the ‘why’ behind the change and how it will help make processes easier or faster can help alleviate concerns of associates and professional drivers. We also make sure people have a voice in the change. When it comes to changes in equipment or technology affecting professional drivers, we have a group test the equipment and give us their feedback. Someone sitting behind a desk telling

a professional driver, ‘This camera will help you’ is not as effective as a peer telling them.

IL: Any lessons learned throughout your career? I’ve learned it’s okay to speak up and go against the grain. By asking questions, you can prompt others to have a higher discussion. Several years ago, we were changing our ELD (electronic logging device) platform. We’d need to keep eight days of logs from the prior system when switching to the new one. We were trying to determine the best way to comply with this as we made the shift. Some team members suggested going down a paper path. I said, ‘It’s a computer system. Can’t we transmit from the old system to the new, without having to print eight days of logs for 9,000-plus drivers?’ I had to ask the question, even if people thought I was crazy. And it worked out. IL: What qualities do you look for when hiring? Especially with our leadership team, I don’t want to hire somebody who has the same skills or mindset I have. I want somebody who will challenge us and bring unique experiences to the team, ultimately making us more well-rounded. IL: Who would you trade places with for a day? My family comes from Wisconsin and I’m a big Green Bay Packers fan. I’d choose Brett Favre at the 1997 Super Bowl, when he holds up the Lombardi trophy. I’m thinking of the stress before the game, the 81-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Freeman, and how it felt as the game came together and they won.

April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 11

NOTED [ IN FOCUS ]

The Supply Chain in Brief

> GOOD WORKS

> SEALED DEALS

• The CMA CGM Foundation will produce and deploy 10 PharmaBox units, which enhance access to medicines and healthcare in numerous humanitarian crisis zones across Africa. The units will be installed in Chad, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Mozambique, with deployment to be adjusted as humanitarian needs evolve.

• Thomas Oileld launched a new business division, Thomas Supply, built on Vroozi’s P2P solution. The system automatically monitors inventory levels and triggers purchase requests when supplies run low, while managing all associated data and transactions.

• Canadian apparel solutions company iFabric Corp selected the BlueCherry ERP system to optimize operations and enhance supply chain visibility.

• Rittal , a system provider of electrical enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure, software and services, selected JAGGAER to help optimize its procurement processes. • First Solar , a photovoltaic solar technology and manufacturing company, selected Everstream as an end-to-end supply chain solution for enterprise risk insight, and mitigation and supplier data management.

> MILESTONES

• Citi Trends, a value-priced retailer of apparel, accessories, and home goods, selected Invent.ai to provide AI-driven inventory solutions for allocation and replenishment.

n Consolidated Chassis Management

(CCM) successfully rolled out its 12,000th refurbished chassis to the South Atlantic Chassis Pool, ahead of schedule. This milestone marks the first phase of refurbished chassis deployment in the region, with the entire CCM fleet of nearly 45,000 units expected to be fully upgraded by the end of 2027. n The Port of Savannah recently welcomed the largest capacity vessel to ever call the port, the OOCL Iris . With a maximum capacity of 16,828 TEUs, the vessel measures 1,204 feet long and 167 feet wide.

• Ekart , a 4PL supply chain company based in India, partnered with IKEA to power last-mile deliveries for the retailer’s home furnishings business, enabling seamless doorstep fulfillment of orders placed on IKEA’s website.

• TrueCommerce delivered an electronic data interchange (EDI) solution integrated with NetSuite to help baby care brand Coterie streamline the management of its high-transaction volumes.

• The Oodie , the Australian brand known for its popular wearable blanket, partnered with Bleckmann to enhance logistics operations. This collaboration ensures efficient handling of the brand’s rapid growth, seasonal demand, and high- volume fluctuations.

12 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

NOTED

> RECOGNITION

> M&A

n Source Logistics , a specialist provider of dry

• PepsiCo recognized Averitt as its 2024

Asset Based Carrier of the Year–South Division for its truckload services; specifically its on-time performance, which exceeded the beverage company’s goal. • The Customized Logistics & Delivery Association recently honored three supply chain veterans who have had a significant impact on the last-mile sector: Errol Cvern, Mark Cossack, and the late Randy Edmonds.

and ambient warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment services, purchased LaGrou Distribution’s warehousing business, based in Northeast Illinois. n Allstates WorldCargo acquired freight forwarding and logistics company Saturn Freight Systems . n NTG Nordic Transport Group A/S acquired DTK BE Holding ApS , a Danish-based provider of part- and full-load solutions, temperature-controlled transportation, and a range of logistics services. n Jes' Brands , a data-driven ecommerce company operating on the Amazon Marketplace, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Smart Repair Pro purchased Pure NJ Logistics , a company that operates a strategically located logistics center equipped with 20 loading docks in New Jersey.

• Nussbaum Transportation Services received the 2024 TCA Fleet Safety Awards Grand Prize (large carrier division) from the Truckload Carriers Association to recognize its safety programs and leading accident frequency ratios.

• The National Motor Freight Trac Association and Ben Wilkens , its cybersecurity principal engineer, were recognized with a 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Award for Cybersecurity Project of the Year. The submission, Empowering Small Fleets with Cybersecurity Tools: NMFTA’s Game-Changing Guidebook , is a resource to help owner operators, as well as small and mid-sized trucking fleets, strengthen their cybersecurity defenses against digital threats.

n Advantive acquired Commerce Vision , a digital commerce platform in Australia and New Zealand.

n Descartes Systems Group acquired 3GTMS , a transportation management solutions provider that combines cloud architecture, a large carrier network, and planning-driven automation to help shippers improve costs and customer satisfaction. n Armlogi Holding Corp. , a U.S.-based warehousing and logistics service provider will acquire Leopard Transnational Inc. , a California-based logistics provider specializing in cross-border ecommerce fulfillment.

• CN was recognized as one of the Top Sustainability Performers in the Transportation Industry by the 2025 S&P Global Yearbook as a result of its overall score from the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

> INVESTMENTS

n The Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) acquired Evergreen Transport , a transportation company specializing in the delivery of dry bulk materials throughout the Southeastern United States.

n CADDi, an AI data platform for manufacturing companies, raised a $38m Series C extension round led by Atomico, with existing investors Global Brain and Minerva Growth also participating. CADDi uses AI to transform legacy drawings and supply chain data, aiming to enhance eciency and reduce costs in the manufacturing sector.

April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 13

TAKEAWAYS Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain

RETAIL’S BIG SHIFT

• Belk , where retail stores double as fulfillment centers to leverage the ship- from-store model. Belk uses real-time routing to direct online orders to the nearest store, reducing delivery times and optimizing inventory allocation to ensure a seamless customer experience. • Nike , which uses predictive analytics to match inventories to consumer needs, allowing it to optimize inventory across an omnichannel environment through hyper-local demand predictions. Additional highlights from the report include: • 75% of retail leaders allow any store to fulfill any order, optimizing both speed and cost. • Retailers who integrate fulfillment networks see 20% lower fulfillment costs while maintaining 95% on-time delivery rates. • Leaders reduce last-mile delivery costs by 31% by leveraging stores as mini distribution centers. • 91% of leaders oer seamless cross-channel returns with instant refunds, compared to just 49%of other retailers. 6 Cybersecurity: Implementing measures to protect sensitive data and infrastructure from cyber threats. 7 Last-mile innovations: Developing new solutions to enhance the eciency and speed of final delivery stages. 8 Ecommerce: Adapting to the rapid growth of online shopping and its impact on logistics and distribution networks. 9 Circular economy: Embracing sustainable practices that promote recycling and reuse within the supply chain. 10 Artificial intelligence: Leveraging AI to optimize logistics operations, forecast demand, and enhance customer service. The survey also reveals the biggest challenges that companies need to address today and identifies how they dovetail with the identified trends. The top challenge? Geopolitical disruptions , cited as the most important issue by more than half of survey respondents. They indicate that the political environment and trade relations are particularly challenging, with rising costs exerting additional pressure. New regulations/laws also landed in the mix. Respondents say the current challenges are closely matched, however, with no single issue standing out too far above the rest, indicating that businesses must navigate multiple pressures simultaneously.

It’s ocial: Retailers are no longer just merchants; they’re experts at building logistics networks. Leading retailers are transforming stores into fulfillment

hubs, cutting costs while speeding delivery. That’s the consensus from Manhattan Associates’ 2025 Unified Commerce Benchmark for Specialty Retail —an analysis of 220 retailers across seven industry segments, evaluating 300+ customer experience capabilities. Fulfillment has undergone a reinvention of sorts, thanks to a new generation of consumers shaped by same-day delivery, real-time tracking, and flexible pickup options. In order to serve these customers who don’t distinguish between buying channels or fulfillment methods, retailers are leaning heavily on new fulfillment approaches, the report notes. Two leading examples are: changes—and anticipating them. That’s why so many resources are focused on identifying and sharing logistics and supply chain trends. The latest entrant is The Logistics Trend Map , a new report and interactive guide released by Maersk in collaboration with Statista. The Logistics Trend Map combines a robust data foundation, based on a wide range of primary and secondary sources, with firsthand perspectives from industry decisionmakers. It seeks to provide actionable insights on how to leverage trends to solve key logistics and supply chain challenges. These are the top 10 trends the report identifies: 1 Supply chain visibility: Emphasizing the need for real-time tracking and transparency across the supply chain. 2 Internet of Things (IoT): Integrating IoT devices to enhance data collection and operational eciency. 3 Supply chain diversification: Reducing reliance on single sources and diversifying suppliers to mitigate risks. 4 Financial resilience in logistics: Building robust financial strategies to withstand market fluctuations and disruptions. 5 Digital transformation: Adopting digital technologies to streamline operations and improve decisionmaking processes.

10 LOGISTICS TRENDS TO WATCH For today’s supply chains, staying competitive is about both reacting to

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TAKEAWAYS

MANUFACTURING: THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

For years, manufacturing was seen as a male-dominated industry, but the tides are turning. Women are not only thriving in the sector but also driving innovation, leadership, and progress. The latest Women in Manufacturing study from Xometry, Thomas, and the Women in Manufacturing Association reveals an industry in transformation—one where women are more optimistic than ever, companies are addressing labor shortages, and diversity is proving to be a business advantage.

TARIFFS SHAKE UP U.S.MEXICO TRADE As the constant flux of tari policies loom over U.S.- Mexico trade, companies are rushing to adapt. With many businesses pulling forward shipments to get ahead of trade deadlines, capacity is tightening and border congestion is ramping up. Shippers shared their sentiments on the impact in the Q1 2025 Cross-Border Index from Redwood Logistics. “Many of our customers are already moving to mitigate potential risks. One customer is planning to relocate over 25% of its Mexican operations back to the U.S.,” says Jordan Dewart, president, Redwood Mexico. “However, in the short term, this shift is driving significant disruptions, with border wait times exceeding one hour at the WorldTrade Bridge and almost two hours at the Ysleta- Zaragoza Bridge.” Here are some key takeaways from Redwood’s report: • Proactive shipment strategies. Businesses are ramping up production and stockpiling goods ahead of tari deadlines, leading to disruptions at major border crossings.

Here’s what 1,110 industry professionals say about the evolving landscape of manufacturing careers: 80% of women and 81% of men recommend a manufacturing career, a high overall approval of manufacturing careers and an improving perception of manufacturing among women compared to previous years. 78% of women say significant progress has been made for women in manufacturing in the past five years and are optimistic about the progress made. 79% of companies report experiencing labor shortages, a slight decrease from the previous year, which suggests potential improvement. This could be due to increased automation, reshoring eorts, or other factors impacting the labor market. 74% of women and 49% of men “fell into” manufacturing careers, highlighting a key dierence in how genders enter the industry. Women are more likely to enter unintentionally, suggesting a need for greater awareness of manufacturing career paths among young women and more proactive recruitment eorts. 87% of women and 56% of men agree that workplace diversity improves business outcomes.

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Retaliatory tari s. Mexican and Canadian responses could severely impact the profitability of cross-border manufacturing. Operational constraints. With existing contracts tying companies to Mexican- based operations and lacking U.S.-based alternatives, pivoting has become a logistical and financial maze. Visa and carrier uncertainty. Approximately 35% of cross-border truck carriers rely on B1 visas, creating further hesitancy given current U.S. immigration policies. Infrastructure disruptions. A surge in cargo theft during transit highlights the need for enhanced planning and security measures.

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April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 15

TAKEAWAYS

CAN GLOBAL TRADE ENDURE? Despite the uncertainty surrounding global trade policies since the start of the second Trump Administration, new research from DHL, in cooperation with The New York University Stern School of Business, paints an optimistic picture of global trade’s strength and path forward. The DHL Trade Atlas 2025 highlights how global trade growth has proven surprisingly resilient in the face of recent disruptions and predicts this pattern is likely to continue. • Global goods trade is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 3.1% from 2024 to 2029, growing faster over the next five years than during the preceding decade. • Even if U.S. trade restrictions are enacted and met with countermeasures, global trade is still projected to grow, albeit at a slower pace.

• India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines will lead in trade growth between 2024 and 2029, ranking among the top 30 for both growth rate and absolute trade volume increase. ( See graph below .) India also stands out as the country with the third- largest absolute amount of forecast trade growth (6% of additional global trade), behind China (12%), and the United States (10%). • While direct trade between the United States and China decreased from 3.5% of world trade in 2016 to 2.6% in early 2024, the United States continues to import a significant share of goods from China, indicating ongoing interdependence. • The shift away from trade between geopolitical blocs observed in 2022 and 2023 did not persist into 2024, suggesting a stabilization in global trade alliances.

The report outlines several reasons for optimism about the future of global trade despite a turn toward more restrictive U.S. trade policies: • Most countries continue to pursue trade as a key economic opportunity, and U.S. trade barriers could strengthen ties among other countries. • Trump’s proposed trade measures are often subject to change, delay, or revision to avoid unintended economic consequences such as inflation, the report notes. • The U.S. share of world imports currently stands at 13%, and its share of exports is 9%—enough for U.S. policies to have substantial eects on other countries but not enough to unilaterally determine the future of global trade. The report’s key findings include the following:

16 Inbound Logistics • April 2025

TAKEAWAYS

ROBBERIES ON THE RAILS While the surge in cargo theft on American roads has been well documented, less attention has been given to the increase of theft on the rails. Cargo heists of high-value shipments are on the rise, too, with the Association of American Railroads documenting 65,000+ thefts in 2024 —40% more than the previous year. Those thefts cost the industry more than $100 million, the association notes in its newest fact sheet. Here’s the breakdown: Methods of theft. Authorities suggest that criminals identify high-value shipments through insider tips from warehouse workers or by spotting visible locks on containers.

Tactics used. Thieves often disable trains by cutting air hoses to trigger emergency stops or wait for routine halts in remote areas to ooad stolen goods. Some immediately transport merchandise away, while others hide stolen items near the tracks for later retrieval. Primary targets. Nike sneakers are the most frequently stolen items, with other high-value goods such as gaming headsets and smart vacuums also targeted. Recent trends. In the past year, 90% of train heists involving BNSF trains in the Mojave Desert specifically targeted Nike products. Challenges in prevention. Train robberies are dicult to detect, as conductors may be unaware of thefts occurring in containers positioned miles away. Additionally, securing the 140,000+ miles of railways across the United States presents a significant logistical challenge.

AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE FLUNKS THE TEST American students sometimes get a bad rap for failing grades, but it’s U.S. infrastructure that really needs to boost performance. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave the country’s infrastructure a measly C on its report card . Worse yet, that C grade is an improvement from a C- in 2021 (the last full report card)—and marks the nation’s highest grade since the ratings began in 1998. American roads scored abysmally, with a D rating. One bright spot: ports and rail scored in the Bs.

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April 2025 • Inbound Logistics 17