Capacity is an omnipresent concern for shippers. Though LTL capacity has ebbs and flows, finding the right freight transportation carrier for the job, at the right price point, is an ongoing issue. To a large extent, the coronavirus pandemic has made finding and securing LTL capacity with carriers significantly more difficult. Shippers may also be shopping around for new transportation providers, looking to save money. But saving money on freight transportation should not be the overriding factor when looking for a new partner.

Clear Lane Freight Systems has experienced exponential growth during its eight years of operations. Tom Nagel, the company’s president and CEO, recently spoke with SMC³ about how the pandemic has impacted operations and how the company uses technology to confront supply chain issues.

The coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting shutdown of the economy, has made digitization a necessity. Buy in from all supply chain partners is necessary for full digitization, but a commitment to paperless processes from carriers would really move the needle. Carriers and other supply chain stakeholders are currently reviewing processes and instituting new procedures.

SMC³ President and CEO Andrew Slusher recently participated in a podcast sponsored by Innovecs, talking about how the pandemic has impacted the supply chain. During the conversation, Slusher presented three main ideas that supply chain company leaders need to keep in the front of their mind when confronting unique challenges like the coronavirus pandemic.

In the current environment, freight transportation providers are paying very close attention to the market because their capabilities are fluctuating drastically each day. The supply and demand equation is swinging back and forth, and lane balance has shifted with little warning. Truckload carriers can gain an accurate measure of freight profitability by relying on SMC³’s Cost Intelligence System.

Every member of the SMC³ freight transportation technology team has a different story. Two long-time employees, Anita Hollman and Wendy Bratcher, took the time to explain what makes SMC³ so special. Hollman has spent a combined 42 years at the company; Bratcher began her company journey in 1998.