“ Georgia is a magnet for growth, and post-pandemic the state continues to thrive. Thanks in large part to Georgia’s comprehensive infrastructure network, the state’s transportation and logistics sectors were able to sustain and adapt to the long- term boom in ecommerce sales. ”
“For the foreseeable future, we expect the upward trend of large ecommerce sales and shipping to continue,” he adds. PREPARING LTL SHIPPERS FOR CHANGE As the National Motor Freight Traf c Association (NMFTA) plans to unveil NMFC classi cation changes later this year, shippers will need to proactively assess the potential impact to their LTL transportation spend and review packaging practices to minimize increased transportation cost. NMFC refers to the National Motor Freight Classi cation, a standard that categorizes freight into 18 classes based on four transportation characteristics for determining the price for carriers to move LTL shipments. SMC³’s BatchMark solution is an LTL price analytics application that helps shippers optimize their transportation spend. Analyzing thousands of LTL freight bills in seconds, it is a useful tool for shippers and logistics providers to calculate the impact of the impending classi cation changes on their LTL spend.
— BRIAN THOMPSON , Chief Commercial Officer, SMC 3
The tool helps shippers focus on enhancing their data management capabilities to enable more reliable scenario planning, while seeking out smarter carrier collaboration opportunities. “It’s imperative that shippers seek methods for collaborating with their carriers—who have access to data, information, and transit intelligence— to gain a deeper insight into how these changes in classi cation affect their operations,” Thompson says. SMC³ prides itself on its rich history of more than 90 years serving
the industry, both within the state of Georgia and across North America. “During this time and through the pandemic, we have been able to remain agile and exible to changing conditions,” Thompson says. “The company’s proven ability to evolve with changes in technology allows SMC³ to meet the increasingly sophisticated customer demands of frictionless integration and interoperability. Today, through hosted technology solutions, SMC³ supports the entire supply chain with industry-leading speed and reliability.
The Blue Ridge Connector (BRC), the Georgia Ports Authority’s inland port near Gainesville, Georgia, is now more than 50% complete. Situated along the manufacturing and logistics corridor of Interstate 85 in Hall County, the BRC is slated to open in 2026. (Image courtesy of GPA)
42 Inbound Logistics • March 2025
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