Inbound Logistics | January 2026

CONTENTS INSIGHT 10 CHECKING IN JANUARY 2026 | VOL. 46 | NO. 1 39 CONTENT PARTNER PERSPECTIVES 4O Synchronizing the Supply Chain: Building Shared Consciousness Offered by KDL Logistics 66

54 Making Automation Less Scary: Addressing Obstacles and Setting Goals Offered by Engineering Innovation 56 Navigating GRI and Surcharge Changes Offered by Reveel 57 How Jocko Fuel Manages DTC And Retail Fulfillment at Scale Offered by Saddle Creek Logistics Services 58 A Closer Look: Insights on Parcel Costs In Medical Manufacturer Supply Chains Offered by CTSI-Global 60 When Minutes Mattered: An After-Hours Save That Averted A Critical Line-Down Overnight Offered by ProTrans 62 Building a Reputable Brand as a 3PL within the Life Science and Pharmaceuticals Industry Offered by MD Logistics 64 Holman Logistics Uses Artificial Intelligence to Transform Operations Offered by Holman Logistics

Riding the 2026 wave 12 GOOD QUESTION What’s your supply chain acronym for 2026?

41 Scaling Without Losing Control: How a Modern WMS Supports Sustainable Growth Offered by Mantis 42 Building a Continuous Vendor Feedback Loop with TransportGistics Offered by TransportGistics 44 How Digital Transformation Elevates Inbound Logistics Management Offered by PLS Logistics 45 The Differences Between Long-Term 3PL Partnerships and Short-Term Contracts Offered by Phoenix Logistics 46 The Data Advantage That Will Define Tomorrow’s Warehouse Performance Offered by Easy Metrics 47 What You Should Look for in a Freight Audit & Payment Partner Offered by nVision Global 48 Why a Profitable 3PL Will Matter More Than Ever in 2026 Offered by Kase 49 Artificial Intelligence and Transportation: Making Sense of AI’s Real Impact Offered by PCS Software 50 3 Ways Outdated WMS Systems Are Killing Your 3PL Business Offered by Made4net 52 Why Transportation Strategy Can’t Be Static in a Volatile Market Offered by RedStone Logistics

16 DIALOG 18 10 TIPS Improving yard visibility 20 WHAT’S THE WORD? 66 JOE O’REILLY: THE TRANSFORMER Are humans in “the loop” of your future-fit strategy? 68 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Enabling smarter government logistics 70 LEAN SUPPLY CHAIN Follow this roadmap to a lean, sustainable supply chain 72 IT MATTERS How data can fix demand matching 74 RETAIL RETHINK Real-time sales data: the missing link 76 GREEN LANDSCAPE Renewable energy fuels the future 78 RISKS & REWARDS Inside job: embedding risk protection where freight decisions happen 80 VISIBILITY Seeing around the next bend 82 VIEWPOINT Powering progress with electrification 84 3PL LINE 7 principles that make strategic relationships work

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INFO 190 SUPPLY CHAIN INSIGHTS 196 CALENDAR 198 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 offices. 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

8 Inbound Logistics • January 2026

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