The higher shipping costs have been sparked by a combination of factors, including soaring demand amid stimulus money, saturated ports, and too few ships, dockworkers and truckers. The problems are too broad to be remedied by any short-term fix and are creating ripple effects across U.S. and International supply chains.

Supply chain professionals are looking forward to a much-deserved extended weekend during the Fourth of July holiday. However, CargoNet, an industry cargo security firm, reports that extended business closures can create an advantageous operating environment for cargo thieves. For the past five years, the firm has analyzed cargo theft data in the United States and Canada from July 1 to July 7and found 130 cargo theft events in 27 different states, with theft most common in Texas, California, and Florida.

There are several factors contributing to the U.S. labor shortage. It has to be considered that generous unemployment compensation, both state and federal, has had a significant affect upon labor availability. It is understandable to invoke a government funded financial support program during a pandemic. But there is debate over the federal extended unemployment benefits.

The Corona pandemic has had a profound impact on worldwide commerce and adjusting to the new normal will be critical in your company’s market placement planning. The complexly of the intertwined nature of a global supply chain is sensitive to disruptions in any part of the network. Trauma in one area has a trickle-out affect through the entire network.

The global impact of Covid-19 continues to impact the Logistics industry. Increasing demand and a looming labor shortage is forcing freight rates up and capacity down. Persistent labor shortage, particularly for warehousing and distribution, is slowing supply chain and logistics activities. Regardless of specific mode, the warehousing and distribution environment appears to be a common issue for many freight operators right now. 

President Biden introduced a $2 trillion plan on Wednesday to overhaul and upgrade the nation’s infrastructure, calling it a transformational effort that could create the “most resilient and innovative economy in the world”.

We’re all painfully aware that the last 14 months have been devastating to the U.S. economy. But things are looking up. We have several vaccines, hospitalizations are trending down as are Covid deaths. Already grappling with truck driver shortages, rising freight rates, and intermittent capacity issues, the domestic transportation sector experienced major shifts when the global pandemic disrupted supply chains around the world and shippers were sent scrambling for solutions. Trucking has always been a reliable barometer of domestic GDP. Most indices point to a strong 2021. So, what will the future of motor freight look like?

The effects of the Covid-19 virus are yet to be accurately measured in terms of human life and global economic impact.  Hospitalizations have begun to level out in parts of the country with the vaccine rollout. It is the universal expectation that the U.S. economy and the world will slowly recover from this pandemic.  Perhaps as early as Mid-2021. Now is the time to formulate your organizations recovery plan. 

Given the turmoil of 2020, with the pandemic, the tense election cycle and public protests, we are all clamoring for a surer sense of what is to come. The real issue is not whether the economy will be strong, but rather how strong. We’re all cautiously optimistic that things are going to return to some semblance of normal some time In 2021. We may be wearing masks and social distancing for some time to come but the American economy is resilient. We will find a way to adapt and prosper in our new environment.

Today's consumers may be more demanding than ever. They know what they want, and moreover, they want it fast. Sometimes I wonder if they really need it that fast or is it simply the mindset of the new generation of consumer. In an extensive career in the expedited freight market I was surprised to find how many receivers were not in a hurry at all for the product that their suppliers spent triple the money to ship expedited. In fact, I rented a box truck and personally delivered a few skids to a major account after an unavoidable traffic accident sidelined the original truck. After a 5-hour white knuckle drive, I was told it would be a couple hours until they could unload me. Turned out, they were in no hurry at all. The takeaway from all this personal wisdom is to be certain of the consignees' requirements before panicking about production delays and transit times. When you’re sick you call a doctor, in a legal matter you consult a lawyer. The same expertise is just as beneficial when managing your supply chain. If you do not currently have a relationship with a 3PL, think about starting one. It's a tremendous resource, particularly in a time of need. If you do have a current 3PL relationship, here are some tips to make the best of that relationship.

Think Long-Term Commitment

Like in all relationships, when an organization and its 3PL both have committed to mutual success, challenges can be overcome and the relationship can blossom. Service failures are part of our business. When you consider the vast amount of freight that travels thousands of miles across this country every week one must expect it can’t all go right. The true measure of 3PL customer service is how we react to service failures. There are fire alarms daily. A short-term mindset only creates short-term solutions. Your 3PL is invested in the long-term success of your logistics operation, so you should be too. Work together to devise long-term strategies that will improve practices and result in mutual success.

KPI's; A Staple At Land Link Traffic Systems

Many years ago, the founder of Land-Link Traffic Systems Inc. stressed the following. “What does not get measured, does not get fixed”. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for any rational person to repudiate this thought-provoking statement and important underlying principle of business. Yet, many companies do just that. Most companies, in fact, do not have the proper measurements and KPIs in place necessary to drive intelligent business decisions and to serve as support to the policies that are relied upon to drive day to day business activities.

Do not be one of those companies. Land-Link can help you support your business and gain and maintain competitive advantage through effective performance measurements.