Supply Chain Optimization

Manifesting Good Stuff

There were lots of vendors at the Manifest conference, BUT there were fewer shippers. I did see two interesting things:
  • Shared trailer pools.  Not like Chep pallets, but I’d say a combination of that and how the railroads share box cars
  • Relay trucking —it is like the old Pony Express—swap drivers every 250 miles
Neither are new ideas – – and I hope they can survive these turbulent times.
Are carriers more optimistic than before, or is their equipment just wearing out?
ACT Research  says orders for class 8 tractors are up:
  • 600 units from December
  • 45% over this time last year
Maybe they are hoping for a price rebound --- like shipping containers  (but I don’t think they want the Red Sea issues that are driving container pricing).