INVESTMENTS

• Persona AI, an embodied artificial intelligence company, closed its pre-seed funding round, raising $27 million. The investment will accelerate the development and deployment of Persona’s humanoid robot platform, engineered for shipbuilding and industrial manufacturing.

• Supply chain risk management platform Tradeverifyd secured $4 million in new funding from SJF Ventures.

• Optimal Dynamics, which provides artificial decision intelligence for trucking companies, announced a $40 million Series C financing round led by Koch Disruptive Technologies.

M&A

↑ DHL Supply Chain acquired U.S.-based ecommerce fulfillment and retail distribution logistics provider IDS Fulfillment. The acquisition adds 1.3 million+ square feet of multi-customer warehouse and distribution space across the United States.

• WorkStep, a holistic frontline employee engagement platform, purchased WorkHound, an employee feedback management platform built for the supply chain.

• SpotSee acquired Telatemp, a provider of temperature and environmental monitoring devices.

• Kabal, which provides logistics solutions for the energy sector, acquired IronSight, a SaaS company specializing in onshore logistics.

• Global logistics and supply chain solutions provider PSA BDP strengthened its foothold in Mexico by acquiring a majority stake in ED Forwarding, a Mexico-based logistics solutions provider.

• Everest Transportation Systems, a brokerage focused on dry truckload and drayage moves, merged with Simple Logistics, a brokerage specializing in service-sensitive refrigerated truckload freight.

↑ Packsize, a sustainable, right-sized, on-demand packaging company, acquired Sparck Technologies, a Europe-based manufacturer of high-throughput, fit-to-size automated packaging solutions.

UP THE CHAIN

Dawn Andre and Abid Yousuf

← Avetta named Dawn Andre chief product officer and Abid Yousuf chief customer officer.

Jason Spencer Knox

→ Jason Spencer Knox was appointed group chief operating officer at freight forwarder AGI Global Logistics. He will work with the AGI board to develop and implement growth strategies and optimize the AGI network.

William Ryan

← William Ryan was named the new CEO of Nulogy, a provider of supply chain and external manufacturing solutions. He most recently served in executive roles at Körber Supply Chain Software.

Alicia Bly

→ The Transportation Intermediaries Association appointed Alicia Bly to the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee as TIA Services Chair. Bly is vice president of corporate operations at Johanson Transportation Service.

SEALED DEALS

← As part of its digital transformation, Boulanger, a consumer electronics and home appliance retailer in France, deployed LocusOne from Locus Robotics—a flexible robotic solution that scales dynamically with demand.

→ Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products, an edible oil company in Thailand, implemented the AX4-based transportation management system from Siemens Digital Industries Software to optimize and monitor transportation and logistics processes across all modes and geographies.

← Tactacam, which markets action and trail cameras for hunting, shooting, and outdoor enthusiasts, has officially launched operations with Barrett Distribution Centers as its third-party logistics provider.

• Global retailer Carrefour Global Sourcing will implement TradeBeyond’s supplier management and compliance solutions to manage its supplier base covering non-food products, ensuring full transparency.

• Chocolate manufacturer Clasen Quality Chocolate and Odyssey Manufacturing, a chemicals supplier and distributor, implemented a TMS from BeyondTrucks that provides their tank truck fleets with a multi-tenant platform built for AI.

• New Look, a womenswear brand in the UK, onboarded its core supplier base to TrusTrace, a supply chain traceability and compliance data management platform.

RECOGNITION

↑ Echo Global Logistics named Dayton Freight Lines its Platinum LTL Carrier for outstanding service, commitment, and performance for Echo’s customers and employees.

• Averitt received the 2025 Career Catalyst Award, presented by the Next Generation in Trucking Association and sponsored by the National Transportation Institute. This new national award honors transportation and logistics companies that are actively shaping the future of the industry’s workforce.

• John Deere recognized Landair, a Covenant Logistics Group company, with two honors: the Partner-Level Supplier Award—the highest supplier rating awarded by John Deere—as well as the 2024 Sustainability Award. Both awards highlight exceptional performance and dedication to delivering best-in-class logistics solutions.

• Syfan Logistics was honored as a General Motors 2024 Supplier of the Year, an award that recognizes the achievements of the automaker’s top suppliers.

↑ Modula Inc., a manufacturer of vertical lift modules and automated storage solutions, named Carolina Handling a top performer, scoring a second-place finish in overall sales of Modula units during 2024.

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2025 State of Logistics Report: A Foggy Forecast

The logistics and supply chain sector continues to chart a course through economic turbulence, geopolitical pressures, and shifting trade landscapes, according to the newly released 2025 State of Logistics Report by CSCMP, authored by Kearney and presented by Penske Logistics. Themed “Navigating Through the Fog,” this year’s report paints a picture of a sector in flux.

Logistics costs in the United States rose to $2.58 trillion, holding steady at 8.8% of GDP, even amid flat business volumes and surplus truck capacity, the report finds. The data signals a return to some pre-pandemic patterns, but with persistent headwinds such as operational cost inflation, ongoing labor shortages, and global trade volatility.

Mexico overtook China as the United States’ top trading partner in 2024 (with $840 billion in trade), highlighting a broader reshoring and nearshoring trend, accelerated by tariff instability and the need for more reliable supply networks. Meanwhile, ecommerce’s continued boom—global online sales hit nearly $6.3 trillion in 2024—is reshaping last-mile delivery expectations and warehousing agility.

A clear message from the report: Resilience is no longer optional. With AI, automation, and data analytics becoming more accessible, companies that act now to integrate long-term durability into their networks and decision-making will have a better chance of cutting through the fog.

The report also includes breakdowns by mode, with the following highlights:

3PLs: Growing in importance as shippers face a heady array of challenges, third-party logistics providers are under pressure this year to evolve rapidly and expand their scope of services. They are also being called on to integrate advanced technologies to deliver greater flexibility, visibility, and resilience. 3PLs will invest more in regional hubs and last-mile delivery networks in 2025, the report predicts.

Air: In 2024, the airfreight market experienced a banner year, driven by record-breaking demand and notable capacity expansion, which was propelled by booming ecommerce from platforms such as Temu and Shein. The report predicts slower growth for 2025—5.8% versus 2024’s 8.6%—with projected volumes reaching 80 million tons.

Ocean: A 4.5% global demand increase featuring shipment frontloading, regional disruptions, and supply chain bottlenecks kept rates high in 2024 despite carrier fleet expansion. For 2025, demand growth is expected to slow to 3%, while supply, driven by new vessel deliveries, will outpace demand, leading to reduced rates and increased competition.

Trucking: After a stabilizing year in 2024, the motor freight sector now faces an outlook clouded by escalating global geopolitical tensions. Carriers face new financial pressures from tariffs, potentially declining freight volumes, higher duties on commercial vehicles, and possible increased equipment costs.

Rail: Class I railroads reported modest revenue growth and a stronger increase in operating income in 2024. This is leading them in 2025 to invest in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to support long-term growth and attempt to convert a share of the $50 billion long-haul truck freight market to rail.

Cross-Border Trade 2025: Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Ongoing geopolitical tensions, regulatory shifts, and rising costs continue to challenge global shippers. Two new reports—Asendia’s Beyond Borders and Redwood Logistics’ Q2 Cross Border Index—highlight a trade landscape marked by both opportunity and disruption.

Half Full: Growth Amid Complexity

Retailers aren’t backing down from global ambitions. Asendia finds 72% of global retailers expect international ecommerce sales to grow in 2025. Strategic shifts reflect this optimism:

• 35% of global retailers are investing in faster shipping and automation to stay competitive.
• 33% have adopted “returnless returns” to cut costs and emissions.
• Regional expansion is rising—U.S. brands eye Canada (47%) and South America (24%), while Chinese brands focus on East Asia (42%) and the Middle East (38%).

In addition, Redwood’s data shows U.S.-Mexico trade up 4% YoY in April 2025, hitting $73.77 billion. Businesses are mitigating risk with inventory stockpiles, supplier diversification, and trade zone usage, the report notes.

Half Empty: Mounting Headwinds

Nearly half of retailers report negative tariff impacts; high shipping costs and customs delays are also major issues. Political instability, especially in Europe, adds further risk.

Redwood’s report warns of new disruptions: a U.S. order requiring English proficiency for Mexican truck drivers could worsen labor shortages and border delays. Plus, tariff policy volatility adds further complexity to already fragile supply chains.

Bottom line: Cross-border trade is still moving—but navigating it now requires more agility than ever.

Ports Hit a Crossroads

Global ocean shipping faces a paradox: while some ports show signs of efficiency gains, others remain major chokepoints, reveals Beacon’s latest Port Performance and Operations Report.

Overall port performance shows improvement, with shorter anchor waiting times and faster container movement. Notably, the Port of Savannah saw a 43% drop in anchorage waiting time, marking a major turnaround. Certain regions, however, still face operational setbacks. Chittagong (Bangladesh) emerged as the most congested port, with ships waiting nearly 69 hours.

Other key regional findings include:

Oceania leads with the most efficient port performance overall.

Sub-Saharan Africa improved significantly, yet continues to struggle with the longest berth turnaround (2.5 days) and highest container dwell time (161 hours).

Shanghai topped ship counts at anchorage (62), while Hong Kong saw an 88% drop.

Several ports—including Barcelona, Oakland, and Busan—reported zero anchorage wait, signaling strong operational health.

Djibouti, Seattle/Tacoma, and King Abdullah stood out for their resilience and efficiency across multiple performance metrics.

Autonomous Supply Chains Gain Favor

Traditional supply chain agility and efficiency strategies need a revamp in order to keep up with pressures from disruptions such as growing online demand, a changing trade environment, and workforce shortages. An increasing number of companies now view tech-powered, AI-led autonomous supply chains as the potential fix.

That’s the key takeaway from Accenture’s new survey, Making Autonomous Supply Chains Real, a poll of 1,000 C-suite executives across 10 industries. Findings indicate that while supply chain autonomy hasn’t been a key focus and is not yet highly adopted, it is quickly gaining favor.

AI-led autonomous supply chains can enable organizations to predict and respond to disruptions faster, balance supply and demand dynamically, and free up human talent for innovation instead of addressing problems, the report notes.

Here’s what the research shows:

• Today, the average autonomy level remains low—only 21% on a 0–100% scale. Most companies still rely heavily on manual interventions; few use AI to adjust sourcing, reroute logistics, or rebalance inventory in real time.
• 66% of companies currently plan to increase supply chain autonomy in the next decade, and about 40% aim to reach higher autonomy levels where systems handle most operational decisions.
• Before the most recent tariff developments, only 25% of companies saw autonomous supply chains as a strategic priority.

The report also details a three-step roadmap toward autonomous supply chains:

1. Build a solid, secure data foundation. This involves integrating real-time data from various parts of the supply chain into a single accessible platform.

2. Invest in critical, AI-enabling technologies, then scale strategically. Companies should focus on investments that improve agility and efficiency—for instance, upgrading legacy systems and building an adaptable AI stack.

3. Restructure how people and technology work together. Preparing the workforce for change and boosting employee engagement is imperative for building an autonomous supply chain.

Brands Bulk Up on Inventory

In a high-stakes game of inventory management roulette, companies across the United States are loading up their shelves as they scramble to keep up with and/or outrun the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Inventory levels increased a staggering 228% in just two months, shows new data from unified commerce solutions provider Deposco. The analysis shows this Days of Inventory on Hand (DIOH) increase was based on actual WMS system transaction data rather than forecasts, underscoring the validity of the increase.

The current inventory surge represents only the first phase of a two-part market reaction to trade tariffs, Deposco’s analysis suggests. The initial pre-buying surge is likely to be followed by a period of margin compression as carrying costs eat into profits, potentially forcing businesses to discount heavily to move excess inventory later in 2025.

Here’s how the scenario is playing out:

Warehousing capacity crunch: Brands and consumer packaged goods companies are rapidly filling available warehousing space to beat tariff deadlines, creating a nationwide capacity challenge.

Profitability paradox: Logistics providers face reduced revenue potential as warehouse space fills with static inventory rather than flowing through for fulfillment, where margins are highest.

Industry-specific impacts: The data reveals significant variations in inventory strategy by sector, with consumer electronics, apparel, and home goods seeing the most aggressive stockpiling behaviors.

Inventory carrying cost explosion: Detailed analysis shows how storage costs, insurance, and financing expenses are dramatically increasing as a percentage of product value across nearly all categories.

Supply Chain Careers Deliver

Pat yourself on the back for choosing a career in supply chain—it’s widely viewed as a great field in which to work. That’s the overall sentiment of employees in the sector, according to The 2025 ASCM Supply Chain Salary and Career Report, based on responses from more than 3,500 supply chain professionals. The research reveals that the supply chain sector continues to provide stable career paths, strong earning potential, and high job satisfaction.

Here’s a breakdown of key wins:

Competitive compensation: The median U.S. supply chain compensation has reached six figures for the second year in a row ($103,000), including bonuses, which is 52% higher than the national median.

Strong job market: One-third of U.S. supply chain professionals are optimistic about their career prospects, indicating a robust job market.

Job mobility and advancement: Younger professionals experienced a significant number of job changes and promotions in 2024, demonstrating a dynamic career landscape.

Clear career progression: The report shows a straightforward path for career advancement, with directors earning substantially more than managers and entry-level professionals.

Positive work environment: Globally, 62% of supply chain professionals report a positive company culture, and 78% have flexible work arrangements.

High job satisfaction: 82% of respondents enjoy high levels of job satisfaction (ranking it at least 7 out of 10), and 83% would recommend a supply chain career.

The report also shows the correlation between advanced education and increased salaries, with professionals who obtain graduate or masters degrees receiving a median salary of $119,000. In addition, survey respondents shared their ideas on what emotional skills it takes to succeed in the field, ranking trouble shooting, collaboration, and critical thinking as the most important.

The post State of Logistics Report; The Latest Data on Cross-Border Trade; Spotlight on Autonomous Supply Chains & other Logistics News appeared first on Inbound Logistics.

Rare earths are an essential part of the high-powered magnets and rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Additionally, they are crucial components in:

• computer screens
• cell phones and other electronics
• compact fluorescent lamps
• medical imaging machines
• lasers
• fiber optics
• pigments
• polishing powders
• industrial catalysts

Supply Chain Barriers

1. Tiny amounts at a time. Rare earth elements are only found in small quantities. While abundant in the earth’s crust, REEs are hard to find in large, mineable concentrations or without the presence of other elements.

2. China in control. China has a stranglehold on the rare earth supply chain. Not only does China hold approximately 49% of the 90 million known tons (according to the U.S. Geological Survey), it controls almost 90% of processing capacity and accounts for around 70% of the global supply of NdFeB magnet exports (permanent magnets made of neodymium, iron, and boron).

3. Demand outpaces supply. The continued rapid growth of REE-dependent industries (EV batteries, consumer electronics, and renewable energy) strains the REE industry.

4. No viable substitutes. Alternatives to rare earth elements are weak. While other substances can be substituted for REEs, they are usually less effective and much more expensive.

Extracting Solutions

Two promising supply chain solutions involve artificial intelligence (AI) and recycling:

AI can enhance the efficiency of mining processes and the search for rare earth elements using predictive analytics. AI-driven technologies can enable a more precise and cost-effective identification process for rare earth deposits.

Recycling presents another opportunity. Only about 1% of rare earth elements are currently recycled, compared to recycling rates of 30-70% for base metals like aluminum, copper, and lead. Rare earths are often blended with other metals in touch screens and similar products, making removal difficult and energy intensive.

But companies are making inroads. For example, Colorado-based Tusaar Corp. is developing technology that enables large-scale REE recovery operations at existing U.S. mine sites. Companies that recycle rare earth metals include Hitachi Metals, Global Tungsten & Powders Corp., Osram Licht AG, Solvay SA, and Umicore.

Based on some estimates, recycling could meet as much as 25% of the demand for rare earths in about 10 years.

What Are Rare Earth Elements?

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a set of 17 metallic elements on the periodic table—categorized as either light rare earths (light REE) or heavy rare earth elements (heavy REE). Light rare earth elements include lanthanum and cerium, and are more easily obtained. Heavy rare earth metals like thulium and erbium are much rarer and more expensive.

Also known as:

• rare earths
• rare earth metals
• rare earth oxides

$10-Billion Global Market by 2034

The global rare earth metals market size is estimated at $3.75 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach around $9.91 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 10.21% over the forecast period 2025 to 2034, according to Precedence Research.

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“In the past, when industrial robots have unexpected contact, they either emergency stop or smash through that contact. They often don’t even know they have hit something because they cannot sense it.”

Aaron Parness,
director of applied science, Amazon Robotics, who described the typical robot as “numb and dumb”

Supply Chain Job

Vulcan stows and picks items in a mobile robotic inventory system in Amazon fulfillment centers. The robot places products in fabric-covered compartments, which hold up to 10 items on average. Each bin has elastic bands which prevent items from falling out. Fitting an object into or grasping one out of this small space favors the natural dexterity of humans while robots excel at optimizing space usage.

Special Skillset

Vulcan is Amazon’s first robot with touch perception—it can understand when and how it makes contact with an object.

Because of its sense of touch, Vulcan is the first robot that can mimic human finesse and dexterity. It manipulates objects within the bins to make room for whatever it’s stowing, perceiving when it makes contact and how much force to apply.

Vulcan uses end-of-arm tooling and force feedback sensors to determine how hard it’s pushing or how firmly it’s holding something. It can adjust its grip strength based on the item’s size and shape.

Extensive Training

Amazon’s stow system is operating three times as fast as it was 18 months ago, Parness told IEEE Spectrum in May 2025. Parness and his team improved the robot’s stowing speed and reliability over more than 500,000 stows in warehouses; Vulcan is now slightly faster than the average stowing human.

What’s Next

More than 14 billion items are stowed by hand every year at Amazon warehouses. Amazon’s target: Vulcan robots to stow 80% of these items at a rate of 300 items per hour, while operating 20 hours per day.

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MILESTONES

• C.H. Robinson performed more than 3 million shipping tasks with its fleet of generative AI agents—proprietary tech tools the global logistics provider has built to automate steps across the lifecycle of a shipment and reduce customers’ speed-to-market from hours to seconds.

INVESTMENTS

↑ Silicon Valley venture studio NEC X made a strategic investment in SeafoodAI, a startup enabling sustainable seafood with real-time biometric data and AI-powered traceability.

• 1Logtech, a no-code integration platform purpose-built for transportation and logistics, closed a $1.5-million seed funding round led by North Coast Ventures, with additional participation from Queen City Angels and other investors.

• Optilogic closed its Series B funding round, led by NewRoad Capital Partners, with participation from MK Capital and Moore Strategic Ventures. Optilogic’s cloud-native platform empowers businesses to model and optimize complex supply chain scenarios.

• Atomic, an AI-powered platform, closed a $3-million seed round that included DVx Ventures, the company creation platform run by former Tesla president Jon McNeill, and Madrona Ventures, a venture capital firm known for backing Amazon, Snowflake, and Smartsheet.

• Vallor, an AI-agent platform that puts procurement contracts on autopilot, completed a $4-million seed round led by Dynamo Ventures with Bloomberg Beta as a co-lead, with participation from Liquid 2 Ventures, El Cap Ventures, and Rock Yard Ventures.

RECOGNITION

↑ Hyster’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered ReachStacker was named a transformative product in the 2025 BIG Innovation Awards. The lift truck uses a hydrogen fuel cell engine to convert hydrogen into electricity.

UP THE CHAIN

Greg Toornman

← 4flow appointed Greg Toornman, AGCO Corporation’s former global vice president of materials management, logistics and demand planning, as strategic advisor.

Randy Leeder

→ MGX Beverage Group, a supply chain and logistics company specializing in the alcohol beverage industry, expanded its executive team with two new appointments. Strategic financial advisor Randy Leeder (pictured) joined the team as chief financial officer and Rob Bradshaw was tapped as chief commercial officer.

SEALED DEALS

↑ Furniture manufacturer Uttermost improved billing accuracy and operational efficiency by integrating with Shiplify, an accessorial revenue identifier.

• Through a partnership with ITS Logistics, Ghent, a manufacturer of visual communication display products, replaced traditional LTL shipping with a streamlined distribution model to minimize handling, decrease transit times, and elevate the overall customer experience.

• Roche selected Tecsys’ Elite for laboratory inventory management. The solution will move Roche toward automated demand capture, real-time visibility, and smarter supply chain management.

← Riceland Foods, a U.S. rice miller and marketer, partnered with ODW Logistics to optimize supply chain operations and expand into the Memphis market.

• Flat River Group, an end-to-end ecommerce distributor, implemented John Galt Solutions’ Atlas Planning Platform to incorporate Amazon point-of-sale data into the planning process, and leverage advanced analytics and automation to enhance demand planning, visibility, and inventory alignment.

→ Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Company, a personal protection equipment manufacturer and distributor, selected FORTNA to retrofit its Romeoville, Illinois, distribution center with a warehouse-ready, high-density AutoStore solution.

• De’Longhi, which manufactures home appliances, designated Encompass Supply Chain Solutions as its main parts supply manager and authorized reseller in North America.

← Instinct Pet Food, a provider of raw, natural pet nutrition for dogs and cats, entered a strategic partnership with Demand Chain AI to enhance its sales and operations planning capabilities.

• The CMA CGM Group and Mistral AI, a generative artificial intelligence company, entered a five-year strategic partnership. Working in collaboration with CMA CGM’s in-house team, Mistral AI will deploy and scale AI solutions across shipping and logistics operations.

↑ Schlüter-Systems KG, a tile and natural stone installation company based in Iserlohn, Germany, is streamlining shipping processes with the International Shipping System from EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group). The multi-carrier management solution processes approximately 800 orders daily, ensuring scalable and cost-efficient shipping operations.

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Avoiding Peak-Season Pain

As retailers prepare for the 2025 peak season, a recent post-season fulfillment analysis from Deposco serves up a sobering reality check: Expectations are outpacing execution. According to Deposco’s report, 93% of supply chain leaders felt confident heading into the 2024 holiday rush—but when the dust settled, only 58% reported success in meeting customer expectations for delivery timing and order accuracy.
That’s a 28-point gap between anticipated and actual performance—something retailers do not wish to repeat. Data from the report helps explain what’s behind this disparity:

• Technology shortfalls: While 70% of executives believed their fulfillment systems were up to the task, just 42% report that those systems actually delivered.
• Labor pains: Despite 51% planning to offset workforce demands with automation and seasonal hires, 65% still faced major staffing challenges.
• Misaligned systems: The study exposed a widespread overestimation of system capabilities across order and warehouse management.

The report also outlines three key investment areas for peak-season readiness:

1. Unified supply chain platforms that integrate warehouse and order management systems
2. Artificial intelligence-powered workforce optimization tools to mitigate labor volatility
3. Customer experience enhancements that build brand loyalty even during fulfillment crunches

Ann Drake Builds Leadership Legacy

Former supply chain luminary Ann Drake has a new mission: empowering the next generation of women leaders to shape the future. And she will soon have a new place to further that goal—a forthcoming Women’s Leadership Center being built in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The 24,000-square-foot retreat, situated above Geneva Lake, is set to become a nexus for women leaders to engage in innovation, collaboration, and leadership development.

The center is a partnership between Lincoln Road Enterprises, an organization Drake founded to elevate women’s leadership, and Studio Gang, an international architecture and urban design firm led by Jeanne Gang.

Drake—who had a trailblazing career as CEO of DSC Logistics before founding Lincoln Road and AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education), a community of more than 1,500 women in senior supply chain roles, views the new center as “a place where conversations happen that will change the world.”

The new center features gently curved spaces and expansive windows (see rendering above). Situated on 8.6 acres, it will comprise three main structures—the Lodge for large gatherings and dining, the Council for meetings and conferences, and the Cabin for intimate retreats. The Center broke ground in July 2024 and is expected to open in 2026.

Dock and Yard Ops Level Up

Often overlooked as merely an extension of transportation and warehousing, dock and yard operations are critical components of supply chain efficiency—and the sector is currently undergoing significant transformation. Companies that focus on these elements as distinct functions from their transportation and warehouse networks can gain a leg up in competition, finds the 2025 State of Yard and Dock Management Report from C3 Solutions.

Many supply chain organizations still rely on manual processes for managing dock and yard operations, the report indicates. But as their importance gains favor, companies now seek real-time visibility for these areas.

Here are some top findings on the state of the dock and yard management sector:

• Manual inefficiencies remain a top challenge: 39.1% of respondents identify manual processes as a significant barrier to efficiency.
• Yard congestion disrupts operations: 36.3% of businesses struggle with congestion, leading to bottlenecks and delays.
• Labor shortages persist: 35% report difficulties in maintaining adequate staffing levels, exacerbated by rising labor costs.
• Lack of real-time visibility: 31% of respondents state that the absence of real-time data slows reaction time and exception management.
• Limited automation increases costs: 27.5% indicate that their yards rely heavily on manual processes, leading to higher operational expenses.
• Late carrier arrivals require flexible response: 60% reschedule appointments and notify stakeholders, while 48.5% build buffer times into schedules.

3 Strategies for Managing Disruptions

Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) have plenty of things keeping them up at night right now as supply chains face major simultaneous disruptions. Instead of counting sheep, Ken Chadwick, vice president, advisory, in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice, offers three high-impact strategic actions that CSCOs can implement to help prepare for a period of prolonged uncertainty. Shared at the recent Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, this trifecta, according to Chadwick, can help leaders prioritize in order to deliver value.

They are:

1. Navigate risk and uncertainty by investing aggressively in advanced visibility and building an iterative scenario-planning capability. Chadwick emphasizes that while CSCOs recognize the value of advanced visibility and scenario planning, many fall short of fully executing these capabilities due to obstacles such as data challenges and incomplete tech stacks.

2. Orchestrate dynamic supply chain outcomes through diversifying networks and taking ownership of commercial outcomes. Scenario planning enables CSCOs to drive growth through flexible network design and analytics-driven insights, while also taking ownership of commercial outcomes beyond short-term cost and portfolio concerns.

3. Accelerate innovation by matching ambitions with capabilities, while enabling and inspiring teams to lead the transition. To accelerate innovation and extract value from technologies like AI, Chadwick advises aligning investments with an organization’s risk profile and culture, making both tactical and transformative bets, and supporting adoption through dedicated change leadership.

Temp Check: Tariffs

In a recent LinkedIn poll conducted by Inbound Logistics, nearly 90% of respondents express concern about the impact of tariffs on supply chain costs and long-term business success. While 42% call tariffs a “major challenge,” the largest group—47%—say the issue is “manageable.” Only 12% report no impact at all, signaling that tariffs remain a key pressure point for most logistics and supply chain professionals.

Working 9:00 TO 6:10

Does it seem like you’re working longer hours than most people you know? You may be right. The logistics sector has earned the dubious distinction of having the longest workday at 9 hours and 10 minutes—26 minutes longer than the cross-industry average, according to ActivTrak Productivity Lab, which based its findings on three years of workplace data spanning 23 industries, including 774 companies and 218,900 employees.

In addition, the research shows logistics leads all industries with 20% of workers overutilized and 15% at risk of burnout. ActivTrak defines “overutilization” as an employee who exceeds their daily productive hours goal by more than 30%, based on thresholds set by their employer. Burnout risk applies to employees who spend more than 75% of their time overutilized annually.

The news isn’t all bad, however. It turns out logistics workers are also highly productive and collaborative. Additional findings include:

• Logistics workers log the most daily productive time at 7 hrs, 3 minutes—46 minutes longer than the overall average.
• Logistics workers rank second in daily collaboration time at 56 minutes—18 minutes longer than the overall average.
• 72% of logistics workers adopted AI tools in 2024, the most across industries studied.
• Logistics employees have the highest daily AI usage, nearly three minutes longer than the overall average.

Manufacturers Top Cyber Attack hit List

The manufacturing sector has become the foremost target for cyber adversaries, surpassing more than 20 other industries in alerts generated, confirmed threats detected, and incident response engagements, according to Arctic Wolf’s 2025 Threat Report. The report also shows a rise in ransomware attacks and indicates that 96% of ransomware attacks involve data theft, indicating that double extortion, where attackers steal and threaten to leak data before encrypting systems, is now the norm.

The post Prepping for Peak-Season; Next-Level Yard and Dock Ops; Strategies to Mitigate Disruption; & More Supply Chain News appeared first on Inbound Logistics.

The Evolution of Procurement: From Fragmentation to Centralized Solutions

Historically, the acquisition of commercial transport and specialized equipment relied heavily on dealership networks, local auctions, or personal contacts. While these methods had their merits, they frequently restricted companies’ access to a broader market and could significantly slow down the procurement process, directly impacting production and distribution schedules. With the advancement of digital technologies, a clear need emerged for more flexible, transparent, and globally accessible tools to manage procurement effectively.

This is precisely where digital transformation unlocks new opportunities through specialized marketplaces. These platforms serve as centralized hubs where thousands of sellers and buyers can directly interact. They not only simplify the search but also provide systematized data, comparison tools, and analytical insights, enabling more informed decision-making. For logistics companies, this translates into enhanced responsiveness to changing market demands and optimized cost structures.

Truck1.eu: Addressing Global Commercial Vehicle Needs

Truck1.eu exemplifies such a specialized platform, having established itself in the realm of online classifieds for commercial vehicles. Leveraging years of experience in specialized equipment classifieds, it provides an interface for interaction between sellers and buyers. The platform aggregates offers from thousands of sellers across Europe, granting access to an extensive array of trucks, tractor units, as well as construction and agricultural machinery. It also integrates options for leasing and spare parts acquisition, broadening the scope of fleet management solutions.

Key attributes of Truck1.eu that cater to the needs of logistics professionals include:

Global Reach and Accessibility: The platform connects users from over 150 countries and supports listings in 33 languages. This enables logistics companies to overcome geographical barriers and to source necessary equipment internationally, whether it’s specific new models or extensive used truck listings from Europe. A vast selection of offerings becomes accessible through a single portal

Streamlined Search and Selection: Its intuitive interface and advanced filtering capabilities allow users to quickly refine searches by key parameters such as brand, condition, power, or region. This approach significantly reduces the time spent on sourcing and simplifies the process of comparing and evaluating propositions.

Facilitating Seller-Buyer Interaction: The platform ensures information transparency by providing detailed descriptions, photographs, and direct contact options with sellers. For dealers, it offers tools for effective engagement with millions of potential buyers, including analytical features to monitor performance. Furthermore, dedicated personal managers provide support to dealers throughout the process, contributing to smoother interactions on the Truck1.eu platform.

Digitalization as a Core Factor for Logistics Optimization

The integration of digital marketplaces into the procurement strategies of logistics companies represents a significant step towards enhancing overall operational efficiency. The ability to swiftly identify and acquire essential specialized equipment allows for minimized downtime, rapid adaptation to evolving demands, and the maintenance of continuity for critical operations within the supply chain.

The adoption of such platforms reflects a broader trend towards the digitalization of the logistics industry, aimed at fostering more agile, resilient, and competitive supply chains. They are evolving from mere transaction platforms into strategic resources for improving asset management and responding effectively to market dynamics.

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• Switzerland-based roll-on/roll-off carrier Sallaum Lines added the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, to its Atlantic network linking Europe, North and South America, and Africa.

• South Carolina Ports now offers importers, exporters, and retailers more options in the U.S. Southeast market. New ocean carrier deployments increased the Port of Charleston’s coverage from 25 to 29 weekly services. SC Ports offers first in-calls from key markets in Asia and Europe.

Products

← Bobcat’s B20SU-9 is an electric stand-up rider, narrow-aisle forklift that has a 3,000-4,000-pound capacity. The B20SU-9 offers forward and upper visibility with its overhead guard profile, with a bar thickness and arrangement designed for strength and an enhanced view.

• Designed to prevent loading dock accidents, the Power Chock Auto—the automatic version of GMR Safety’s patented wheel restraint Power Chock product line—is equipped with optical sensors that can detect different types of vehicle wheels, including semi-trailers, straight trucks, and delivery vans, up to 21.5 feet from the loading dock wall.

↑ Beontag’s new tracking solution Ironside Slim Curved is a durable hard tag for global asset tracking of round objects and surfaces. With a modular design, it offers flexible mounting options without the need for a mounting bracket.

Technology

• Yale Lift Truck Technologies’ new Yale Relay platform for its automated lift trucks enables easy set up and on-the-fly changes. With a drag-and-drop portal, the platform lets warehouse operators map their facilities by operating the lift truck along the desired route and dropping waypoints in the portal.

• Porter AMR, a pallet-moving autonomous mobile robot from Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA), part of Ocado Group, automates warehouse workflows such as cross-docking, bulk-item picking, putaway, and pallet movement. OIA’s software orchestrates each Porter AMR—or a fleet of them—to reduce travel times.

• Supply chain technology company Beebolt launched an AI-powered assistant to simplify global trade for small and midsized enterprises. The platform provides SMEs with support to enter and expand into cross-border trade.

• Articul8, a provider of domain-specific Generative AI (GenAI) solutions, now offers A8-SupplyChain, a family of specialized GenAI models engineered to optimize supply chain, manufacturing, and industrial process operations with autonomous reasoning and real-time decision-making capabilities. A8-SupplyChain can translate complex technical documentation into structured, actionable sequences.

• OneTrack introduced AiOn, an AI agent platform designed to automate logistics operations across networks. Consolidating tools and workflows into one platform, the solution provides a digital workforce of AI agents to autonomously handle 80% of administrative and operational decision-making.

Services

↑ SeaCube, which offers refrigerated intermodal equipment leasing, introduced SeaCube Cold Solutions, a portable cold storage service for companies looking to rent or purchase refrigerated containers for temperature-sensitive goods. The solution is designed to maintain temperatures between -20°F and -80°F.

• The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with Realterm and Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), opened the first new cargo facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in 25 years. The new $270-million cargo handling center at JFK consolidates operations from four separate cargo zones, improving service for high-value cargo such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishables.

• Brands and retailers can optimize their domestic freight network with a new program from Warp. Offering an alternative to traditional LTL and FTL services, the FreedomChain program uses Warp’s routing platform, vehicle fleet, and a network of cross-docks to provide shippers with tailored freight plans across the United States.

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← Corvus One: Developed by Corvus Robotics, the Corvus One inventory management system deploys autonomous, infrastructure-free drones. Corvus One drones count pallets and cases, batch scan multiple SKUs in the same location, and provide a volumetric analysis of the slot’s storage capacity. Health brand GNC recently implemented the Corvus One system to track and store material for its distribution centers in Indiana and Arizona.

→ Amazon Prime Air MK30 Drone: Since launching in the United States in 2022, Prime Air has completed thousands of last-mile deliveries in 60 minutes or less using a fleet of electric drones designed, built, and operated by Amazon. The newest Prime Air drone, the MK30, has safety features that allow it to deliver packages to customers with smaller backyards and in more densely populated suburban areas. It can also operate in more diverse weather conditions, including light rain. Using vertical take-off to get off the ground, before transitioning into horizontal, wing-borne flight, the drone can carry packages up to 5 pounds.

← DEXA (Drone Express) DE-2020: Autonomous drone delivery company DEXA combines a tech platform with drone delivery services, partnering with retailers such as The Kroger Company, Papa John’s International, and Winsupply. Its DE-2020 hexacopter, designed and manufactured in the United States, merges autonomous flight systems with safety protocols to handle last-mile delivery demands. Recently securing two certifications (FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certification and the Secretary of Transportation’s S-1 List of Approved UAS under Section 44807), DEXA is one of the few U.S. companies authorized to conduct unmanned deliveries beyond visual line of sight.

→ Sientis Autonomous Inventory Monitoring Service (AIMS): Sientis, a Nokia Venture, leverages autonomous drones and AI technology to improve inventory counting—making cycle counting 7 to 10 times faster than the traditional manual process. By utilizing automated cycle counting, Sientis minimizes human error, boosts efficiency, and provides inventory insights, optimizing supply chain operations. Sientis autonomous drones accurately count individual items such as eaches, cases, or cartons at any racked inventory location.

← ModalAI Starling 2 Logis Drone: New U.S.-made Starling 2 Logis drones powered by ModalAI’s VOXL 2 autopilot for warehouse inventory data gathering can increase inventory scanning speed from an average 900 pallets per hour to 1,500 pallets per hour. Inventory intelligence solution Gather AI is augmenting its DJI drones with the new Starling 2 Logis drones. This addition, available in Q2 2025, doubles inventory scanning speed and enhances accuracy with 3D data. DJI drones can fly in very narrow aisles (typically as narrow as 5 feet 4 inches wide), while Starling 2 Logis drones can fly in aisles as narrow as 4 feet 5 inches wide.

→ ZenaDrone IQ Nano: The IQ Nano indoor drone, a 10 x 10 inch or 20 x 20 inch rotary drone, can provide full physical counts of inventory on an hourly basis. Developed by ZenaDrone, part of the ZenaTech group, IQ Nano is designed for autonomous use—equipped with sensors, high-quality cameras, data collection and analysis, and AI capabilities. One or multiple drones can read barcodes or RFID data for input into an ERP system. The drone has obstacle avoidance technology and flies for up to 30 minutes before automatically landing on its recharging pad.

← Zipline: Founded in 2014 and launching commercial operations in 2016, Zipline has made more than 1.4 million deliveries to customers and completes a delivery every 60 seconds. Zipline has two delivery services—a service optimized for long-range deliveries, Platform 1 (P1), and a service optimized for home delivery, Platform 2 (P2). P1 drones complete middle-mile deliveries for enterprises, businesses, and government. Meanwhile, P2 aircraft can precisely deliver last-mile orders to areas as small as a patio table or the front steps of a home.

→ Wing: Developed by Google in 2012 and becoming an independent Alphabet business in 2018, Wing provides precise last-mile deliveries. Its suite of APIs lets businesses integrate drone delivery into their operations. Organizations can scale their Wing setup for a range of use cases and delivery volumes. Since launching in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in Texas in 2022, Wing has completed more than 75,000 deliveries in the Dallas area alone, maintaining an average flight time (from takeoff to delivery) of 3 minutes and 27 seconds.

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INVESTMENTS

• CADDi, an AI data platform for manufacturing companies, raised a $38m Series C extension round led by Atomico, with existing investors Global Brain and Minerva Growth also participating. CADDi uses AI to transform legacy drawings and supply chain data, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in the manufacturing sector.

SEALED DEALS

← Thomas Oilfield launched a new business division, Thomas Supply, built on Vroozi’s P2P solution. The system automatically monitors inventory levels and triggers purchase requests when supplies run low, while managing all associated data and transactions.

• Canadian apparel solutions company iFabric Corp selected the BlueCherry ERP system to optimize operations and enhance supply chain visibility.

• Rittal, a system provider of electrical enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure, software and services, selected JAGGAER to help optimize its procurement processes.

→ The Oodie, the Australian brand known for its popular wearable blanket, partnered with Bleckmann to enhance logistics operations. This collaboration ensures efficient handling of the brand’s rapid growth, seasonal demand, and high-volume fluctuations.

• First Solar, a photovoltaic solar technology and manufacturing company, selected Everstream as an end-to-end supply chain solution for enterprise risk insight, and mitigation and supplier data management.

• TrueCommerce delivered an electronic data interchange (EDI) solution integrated with NetSuite to help baby care brand Coterie streamline the management of its high-transaction volumes.

↑ Ekart, a 4PL supply chain company based in India, partnered with IKEA to power last-mile deliveries for the retailer’s home furnishings business, enabling seamless doorstep fulfillment of orders placed on IKEA’s website.

↑ Citi Trends, a value-priced retailer of apparel, accessories, and home goods, selected Invent.ai to provide AI-driven inventory solutions for allocation and replenishment.

MILESTONES

↑ Consolidated Chassis Management (CCM) successfully rolled out its 12,000th refurbished chassis to the South Atlantic Chassis Pool, ahead of schedule. This milestone marks the first phase of refurbished chassis deployment in the region, with the entire CCM fleet of nearly 45,000 units expected to be fully upgraded by the end of 2027.

↑ The Port of Savannah recently welcomed the largest capacity vessel to ever call the port, the OOCL Iris. With a maximum capacity of 16,828 TEUs, the vessel measures 1,204 feet long and 167 feet wide.

RECOGNITION

↑ PepsiCo recognized Averitt as its 2024 Asset Based Carrier of the Year–South Division for its truckload services; specifically its on-time performance, which exceeded the beverage company’s goal.

• The Customized Logistics & Delivery Association recently honored three supply chain veterans who have had a significant impact on the last-mile sector: Errol Cvern, Mark Cossack, and the late Randy Edmonds.

← Nussbaum Transportation Services received the 2024 TCA Fleet Safety Awards Grand Prize (large carrier division) from the Truckload Carriers Association to recognize its safety programs and leading accident frequency ratios.

• The National Motor Freight Traffic Association and Ben Wilkens, its cybersecurity principal engineer, were recognized with a 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Award for Cybersecurity Project of the Year. The submission, Empowering Small Fleets with Cybersecurity Tools: NMFTA’s Game-Changing Guidebook, is a resource to help owner operators, as well as small and mid-sized trucking fleets, strengthen their cybersecurity defenses against digital threats.

↑ CN was recognized as one of the Top Sustainability Performers in the Transportation Industry by the 2025 S&P Global Yearbook as a result of its overall score from the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

M&A

↑ Source Logistics, a specialist provider of dry and ambient warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment services, purchased LaGrou Distribution’s warehousing business, based in Northeast Illinois.

• Allstates WorldCargo acquired freight forwarding and logistics company Saturn Freight Systems.

• NTG Nordic Transport Group A/S acquired DTK BE Holding ApS, a Danish-based provider of part- and full-load solutions, temperature-controlled transportation, and a range of logistics services.

• Jeffs’ Brands, a data-driven ecommerce company operating on the Amazon Marketplace, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Smart Repair Pro purchased Pure NJ Logistics, a company that operates a strategically located logistics center equipped with 20 loading docks in New Jersey.

• Advantive acquired Commerce Vision, a digital commerce platform in Australia and New Zealand.

• Descartes Systems Group acquired 3GTMS, a transportation management solutions provider that combines cloud architecture, a large carrier network, and planning-driven automation to help shippers improve costs and customer satisfaction.

• Armlogi Holding Corp., a U.S.-based warehousing and logistics service provider will acquire Leopard Transnational Inc., a California-based logistics provider specializing in cross-border ecommerce fulfillment.

↑ The Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) acquired Evergreen Transport, a transportation company specializing in the delivery of dry bulk materials throughout the Southeastern United States.

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