Ed Burns

The United States’ supply chain is resilient and built to withstand enormous strain. Sal Mercogliano and I may give an update this week on next steps in salvage ops, supply chain, and even maritime law’s rule of “general average.” Before that, let me clear something up… I’ve been asked by folks about the supply chain, inflation, and flow of goods in the stream of commerce. Baltimore is indeed a growing containerized port. As my friend Mark Szakonyi of the Journal of Commerce points out, sensationalism of the system during tough times is just that… sensationalized. I can say, Baltimore “will be” a formidable contender in the coming years, once the “Howard Street Tunnel” double stack rail line opens to the midwest, and Trade Point Atlantic/MSC -TIL container terminal is built and operating — doubling capacity in and around the port of Charm City. 💯’s of millions of dollars have been spent in the distribution, sorting and fulfillment warehousing space in and around Maryland for containerized goods. No doubt, the Port of Baltimore is the largest importer and exporter of autos, light trucks and farm equipment in the country. But, Baltimore handles maybe 1 million containers per year. The Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach handles +/- 1 million containers per month. And same with Port of New York/New Jersey, it handles 700k-plus per month. Indeed, Baltimore needs to get back to work. Longshoremen are the backbone of the Port, they showed up 24-7-365 during COVID. This temporary shut down impacts coal miners in western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia— they all rail to on-dock Baltimore for export. Paper and pulp is big in Baltimore — think Amazon boxes. Autos are huge. But, again, every day retail items will not be affected. The supply chain is resilient, just like Baltimore.

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CROSS DOCKING RE-STACKING NY In the fast-paced world of logistics, efficiency is paramount, especially in a bustling city like New York. Businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their operations, and one strategy that has emerged as a game-changer is Cross Docking. This innovative approach to handling goods is transforming the way products move through the supply chain, particularly in urban centers like New York City. Cross Dock Service Long Island Cross Dock NY facilities are strategically located hubs where incoming shipments are quickly unloaded from trucks or containers and then immediately reloaded onto outbound vehicles with minimal storage in between. This process, known as Cross Docking re-stacking NY, eliminates the need for traditional warehousing and storage, reducing handling costs and transit times. Restack Skids NYC Restack Skids New York centers play a vital role in the city’s logistics ecosystem, serving as central points where goods from various suppliers are consolidated, sorted, and redistributed to their final destinations. By optimizing space and minimizing handling time, these facilities ensure that products flow seamlessly through the supply chain, from manufacturer to retailer. Cross Dock Facility NY At Cross Dock NY facilities, skilled workers meticulously re-stack skids of goods, maximizing efficiency and minimizing the risk of damage during transit. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each shipment is loaded onto outgoing trucks in the most efficient manner possible, reducing the time it takes for products to reach their intended recipients. In addition to Cross Docking re-stacking, these facilities also offer value-added services such as rebuilding skids to meet specific customer requirements. This flexibility allows businesses to customize their shipments according to varying demands, further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain. Cross Docking re-stacking is not only revolutionizing logistics in New York City but also driving innovation in the broader industry. By leveraging strategically located facilities and embracing cutting-edge technology, businesses can optimize their supply chain operations, reduce costs, and deliver superior service to their customers. In conclusion, Cross Docking re-stacking NY is a powerful tool for businesses operating in the fast-paced environment of New York City. By embracing this innovative approach to logistics, companies can navigate the complexities of urban transportation networks with ease, ensuring that products move swiftly and efficiently from supplier to customer. As the demands of the modern marketplace continue to evolve, Cross Docking re-stacking stands at the forefront of innovation, driving efficiency and reliability in the movement of goods across the bustling streets of New York.

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🤐 Did someone utter the forbidden words? Yep, I said it. UGLY FREIGHT! You know - all those things too big, awkward, or awful to ship on your own. Join me at #ManifestVegas, Feb 5-7, for a deep dive into the misunderstood world of "ugly freight." Let's break free from the standard pallet and box and explore a more unconventional and innovative way to combat the diverse challenges of logistics. Don't forget to swing by the uShip booth for cutting-edge shipping solutions and to connect with me for a 1:1 chat. Can't wait to unravel the secrets of logistics innovation together. Raise your ✋ hand in the comments if you'll be there!

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"Alright, team, let's cut through the chaos! Are we really aiming to be 'North America's Next Top Logistics Provider'? Seriously?" He grabs a delivery manifest, inspecting it with a critical eye. "Strategic planning? More like a haphazard attempt at playing darts with delivery routes! It’s as if we’re navigating without a map here." Visibly frustrated, he points at the fleet of trucks. "And this fleet—can we even call these relics trucks? They look like they've been resurrected from a graveyard! We're burning cash on repairs instead of making deliveries!" He turns to a group of workers, his tone intense but focused. "And you, the team—my god, it's like wrangling cats! We need drivers who are trained, not just told to 'figure it out.' We're dealing with high-stakes cargo here, not running a lemonade stand!" Ramsay’s tirade peaks as he emphasizes the need for immediate action. "We need a revamp, and fast! Invest in modern trucks, get this team trained properly, and for heaven’s sake, streamline our communication. No more missed signals!" He leans closer, his tone slightly softer but still urgent. "Here’s the bottom line: If you think we can become the leading logistics provider with subpar standards, think again. We need precision, efficiency, and dedication. Now, let’s get it right and show we’re the best!" Lessons Learned: • Strategic Planning is Key: Navigating without a solid plan is a recipe for disaster. Let’s leverage technology to streamline our routes and operations. • Invest in Reliable Tools: A robust logistics operation requires state-of-the-art equipment. Regular updates and maintenance are crucial. • Value Your Team: Our drivers are the heart of our operations. They deserve comprehensive training and respect to keep operations smooth and safe. • Clear Communication: Keeping everyone on the same page is essential. Miscommunication can derail even the best-laid plans. With a renewed focus on these fundamentals, we can truly transform our operations and set new standards in logistics. Let’s make mediocrity a thing of the past!

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Focus on your core competency There has been much said & even more written about RXO, Inc.'s acquisition of Coyote Logistics. My good friend, Grace Sharkey 🚛🤖💙 wrote of the deal over the weekend. For those in the business, this deal comes as little surprise. It's no secret that UPS has struggled to make sense of the volatile world of the brokerage industry. When it's good, it's great, but when it's bad... it's really bad. And lately, it's been really bad. While leaders are tasked with unlocking new revenue, not all that glitters is gold. And oftentimes those same leaders make the case that an acquisition creates the magical formulae of 1 +1 = 3. So let's do the math: UPS bought Coyote Logistics $1.8 billion in 2015. RXO, Inc. will buy Coyote Logistics from UPS for $1.025 billion sometime in 2024. 9 years & nearly $1 billion (that's billion with a 'B') in value gone. This is not an aberration. Brokering freight is increasingly commoditized & the margins of 2015 will likely not materialize for some time. I believe that RXO, Inc. got a great deal. I believe Coyote Logistics is a great company. The deal makes sense, but the landscape is changing. 2H of 2024 is going to be very, very interesting. https://lnkd.in/gt9MGusT

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#Interesting and very #DESPERATE times ... if some carriers have embraced the concept of a "Loss Leader" just to keep the doors open. The concept of ... "Yea, we lose a $1 on every sale, but we'll make it up in volume" has #NEVER worked in retail and it definitely won't work here in trucking where it's #NOT $1 per load, but hundreds of dollars per load. I get it that there are some carriers that are just barely staying alive and hoping and praying the #CashFlow will keep them alive to fight another day. But losing money on loads, is #NEVER a good idea, especially when you are struggling. I personally know of one such TL carrier with over 400 trucks out of the Northwest that may not survive the month. I hope and pray that they do, for the sake of the drivers and employees. But when #Leadership is too proud to admit their mistakes, and unwilling to accept the recommendations of those wanting and willing to assist to help the carrier survive ... and even provide those services on a Pro Bono basis (for some that may not know the term, that's for #No #Charge) ... there's not much that friends or associates can do. Anyhow, enough about that ... read the article and I'm sure you'll walk away scratching your head. https://lnkd.in/gsvQDjCb

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🧩🎯 If you want to learn more about RV Consultancy, please reach out to me and we can schedule a FREE consultation call! Link in the comment section 👇🏼 RVC Logistics (part of RV Consultancy) | RVC Management (part of RV Consultancy) #MiddleEast #ConsultancyServices #LogisticsSolutions #WarehousingSolutions

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Many of you know I frequently disagree with FreightWaves regarding their continually revisions to their predictions of when the truckload market will turn, and I also challenge that their tender volume data are representative for all of truckload operations. However, one thing I do agree with them about is that the American Trucking Associations continually claims about a systematic shortage of truck drivers are incorrect. That said, this article from today (https://lnkd.in/gt4fmJep) caught my attention. A few thoughts: •FW's isn't pulling punches in stating "the bill [H.R. 3013] is intended to rectify the shortage of truckload drivers — an oft-repeated myth of the ATA, and one for which the organization’s projections are revised frequently — there is no real urgency behind its advancement. •And no punches pulled with, "Based on its results this Congress, the American Trucking Associations’ lobbying efforts make it look less like a Machiavellian operator, pulling strings in the halls of power, and more like another Washington grifter — a shop that raises a lot of money, pays its staff well and takes congresspeople to dinner, but gets little done." Implication: regarding this story, grabs🍿and waits for the ATA to respond. #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #freight #trucking #truckload #transportation

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Just like you don't post your best loads, carriers don't post their best trucks. It takes some work to find the capacity you actually want. #freight #3pl #transportation

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May update for Pony Xpress Logsitics: Load count: 23 Gross Revenue: $130.4k Gross Profit: $12.4k RPM: $3.77 Took a few losses that really hurt this month. DOT week + lack of inbound trucks in the southeast destroyed our month. Volume is still ticking up for us which has been great, we just need to focus on growing that number and revenues/profit will follow. We have also seen an uptick in rates. We saw a lot of issues with scheduling in May and has continued into June as well. Looks like places are closing earlier than what they had been by a few hours which has really stretched the loads out between 1-2 days. As we continue to push forward we are hopeful the market is slowly turning its tables and provides some much needed relief to everyone across the board.

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Load boards are a key tool for trucking companies to find spot freight that fits their business model, but they aren’t all created equal. Choosing the right load boards and learning to use them to your best advantage requires both knowledge and forethought. Learn all about load boards, what they can do for you, and how to choose the right ones to serve your business on our blog here:  https://lnkd.in/dF3S_7da #EFF  #TruckingBusiness #Loads #Blog  #freight #findingfreight

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Using freight brokers will keep your trucking business broke While they might be convenient for sourcing loads Fright brokers cut heavily into your margins If you’re looking at your books for some extra money It might be worth it to source direct shipper loads yourself But - there’s a lot that goes into it I’ve made a full guide on how to:   → What direct shippers are → How to find them → How to outreach to them → And how to close the deals This video could add 5 (maybe 6 figures) to your bottom line Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/g2JRBm_2

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Don’t be a pick me broker. Being a pick me broker is: - Never questioning the shipper - Always defending the shipper - Throwing carriers and drivers under the bus to maintain your relationship - Not defending carriers and drivers when you should - Not holding shippers accountable  - Not charging accessorial fees Being a pick me broker is like defending billionaires and celebrities, they don’t care about you. I’m not suggesting going scorched earth on all shippers. But I do think more of them need to hear the “kind truth”. Which is they cause a lot of their own problems. As a broker it is our obligation to help make shippers supply chain better, and if they are using tactics that torpedo that, we need to speak up. We need to teach them better ways rather than adopting their problematic strategies. #HoldThemAccountable #DontBeAPickMe

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Don’t underestimate how little some customers know about this industry. I’ve worked with shippers… Who thought two completely different lanes of the same mileage should be the same price. Who figured a load with one hour of lead time should be the same price as a load with two weeks of lead time. Who didn’t realize that asking a driver to chill across the street for a few hours while the police searched their warehouse, and then asking him to help unload b/c the rest of the staff already left for the day might incur some extra charges. They weren’t being assholes. They just didn’t know. You’re the expert and it’s your job to help educate your customers when they don’t understand things. #freight #3pl #transportation

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Hey LinkedIn Community, For those of you that continue to be curious about innovative technologies that provide real-time visibility in supply chains, logistics, and transportation, I’m excited to share that the most recent episode of the Beyond Visibility Lounge Podcast is live (link in comments). Recently, Richie Daigle, the Enterprise Account Executive at Tive Inc, joined the podcast to share his insights on the transformative power of visibility technologies in the logistics industry.  In-transit real-time visibility: 🛳 can save shipments during transportation, and as such millions of dollars,  ⏲ allows its users to address problems in the moment and save shipments, 🤝 can inform collaboration with other solution providers to enhance capabilities Specifically, Richie highlighted: "What we're finding is that our customers, after using Tive for a year, have this really rich data set. And you look at all the aggregated data from all the trackers that they've had on their shipments through the course of the year. And now you can start analyzing that data to figure out trends. And this is more of a strategic use case for IoT devices that I think a lot of companies are just now starting to have an aha moment, especially with AI coming, becoming a bigger thing, machine learning, becoming a bigger thing." There are more valuable insights about real-time in-transit visibility. Tune in to listen to this insightful episode and discover how real-time visibility is revolutionizing the logistics and supply chain industry. You can follow Beyond Visibility Lounge on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay tuned about upcoming episodes and equally insightful conversations! #BeyondVisibilityLounge #SupplyChainInnovation #RealTimeVisibility P.S. Are there any real-time visibility solutions that inspire you?  Open Solve Studio Ron Volpe TraceChain.ai

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Hot take on RXO, Inc. acquisition of Coyote Logistics Makes a ton of sense. Coyote tech was out of date and RXO is best in class. That’s a area other bidders would have had to invest heavily in that’s solved. Also their ability to still service TFI International Inc. and XPO LTL business has great synergies for all three businesses. Moreover, the RXO/XPO family of companies have shown that biz integration is a core competency. They’re as likely as any company to actually realize the value (unlike most M&A efforts). Finally - this is the starting gun that a bunch of companies and firms needed to get the M&A markets in logistics moving again. 2H is going to be spicy 🥵

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