SMC3’s Jump Start 2024 conference began with Andrew Slusher, SMC3’s CEO, noting record-high attendance. Drawn by the promise of dynamic conversation on the state of the supply chain, participants saw the first day unfold with a series of presentations that varied from the qualities of leadership to what macroeconomic trends to expect in the coming year.

The less than truckload (LTL) industry is no stranger to freight embargoes. They have become more common in recent years as the COVID-19 pandemic upended the supply chain world and led to temporary LTL service outages due to surging demand and constrained carrier capacity. Freight embargoes are imposed by carriers in a range of forms — timeframe, geographic region, or specific freight characteristics, just to name a few.

New technology and the introduction of innovative supply chain solutions into established supply chain processes is one way to combat transportation issues. It seems as though the uptick in technology adoption, and a broader adoption of transportation management systems among even the smallest transportation companies, is a sign of how companies are now confronting a challenging supply chain arena.   

Contracts are the heart of supplier/carrier relationships. They spell out in clear terms what is expected of both parties and therefore serve as an expression of trust that holds a given job together. Contracts can also be a source of major headaches if they are not properly negotiated or if they fail to address key provisions.

As in every industry, safety is paramount to the effective functioning of LTL shipping. But while this safety mandate may be common sense, staying compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards is a complicated undertaking for any carrier looking to keep their trucks on the road.

Excitement can reach a fever pitch when shippers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers make the decision to automate freight transportation, and for good reason. Traditional manual practices of rating carriers, receiving quotes, scheduling pickups, tracking shipments and gathering all the necessary documentation can be time-consuming and inefficient.