Machine learning - a subset of AI - is a tool that many in the supply chain management field already use for inventory forecasting. But using optimal machine learning - a technique developed by our guest Dr. Naren Agrawal and his co-authors - can unlock a whole new world of decision-making ability for businesses. Dr. Agrawal, the Benjamin and Mae S…

Olives can be a popular snack, drink garnish and ingredient, but as with any product, there's plenty of work that goes into getting them on store shelves and eventually into kitchens. On this edition of the podcast, we explore the process from farm to plate (or glass) with Musco Family Olive Company Senior Director of Supply Chain Michael Lin. Cali…

Supply chain pros come in many forms, with career opportunities spanning just about any skill one can think of. But how does one get started in a freight or logistics job? And has the situation improved for women and diverse populations? For those answers - and more - we welcome Michelle Livingstone, a decorated supply chain leader who has worked i…

With shipping between the U.S. and Mexico continuing to be a hot topic, we turn to an authority on how to move freight via rail between the two countries - Union Pacific. On this episode of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, we're joined by Beto Vargas, UP Vice President of Sales & Marketing - Mexico. He discusses Union Pacific's 30-year histo…

Intermodal transportation offers a consistent advantage in savings over its over-the-road trucking counterpart mode, but a lingering question for many shippers is intermodal service. As in, how consistent is both the rail service and the service a company can expect from an IMC - intermodal marketing company? Ari Ashe with the Journal of Commerce j…

A TMS - transportation management system - is a key part of modern logistics operations, and the right one can help a business succeed. On this episode, we talk with Rexing Companies Director of Operations Rachel Johnson about their TMS, and how it has streamlined and optimized many of PFL Logistics' (a Rexing Company) shipping and coordination pro…

Artificial intelligence - better known and faster said as AI - is a tool that has applications across every day life. And one area that both already uses it and can use it more is the supply chain space. Joining us to discuss AI in supply chain & logistics is supply chain expert and strategic advisor Bart De Muynck. We discuss Bart's recent article…

As the year begins, join us in first looking back at how the freight market behaved in 2023, then offering a freight outlook for 2024. Kevin and Rick discuss a variety of areas, including the recovery that wasn't last year, why this year probably won't be gangbusters either, where the supply and demand balance stands in shipping, and when a bounceb…

California's AB5 (Assembly Bill 5) has been in effect for some time now, but appeals persist and enforcement continues to be cloudy. That cloud is hanging over independent truck drivers and the freight industry as a whole. Joining us to discuss the law, its implications both in California and across the country, and the latest on the legal appeals …

When it comes to intermodal and rail in general, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Analyst Tony Hatch - co-founder of the RailTrends conference, past president of the Motor Carrier Analysts Association, 2019 North American Rail Shippers Association Person of the Year and independent consultant - tells us many of the issues faci…

Sustainability is - or at least should be - a focus of modern businesses, and a new technology platform called The Eighth Notch aims at reducing the carbon footprint of final-mile delivery by reducing stops without reducing products reaching homes. Mike Robinson, Head of Retail Solutions and Founding Member of The Eighth Notch joins us to discuss t…

A week away from Black Friday, holiday shopping season is in full swing, with retailers offering sales throughout November (and even prior) to entice consumers to buy gifts for loved ones - and occasionally themselves. But what is the holiday shopping outlook? Jon Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy with the National Retail Fede…

There is plenty of action in the Mexican freight market, and plenty of uncertainty - particularly in trucking thanks to driver shortages and, relatedly, security concerns. Meanwhile, intermodal is gaining a foothold in Mexico, with steadier capacity, safer freight movement and smoother border crossings via rail to the U.S. To learn more, we welcome…

Freight transportation between the U.S. and Mexico continues to grow - with potentially explosive growth in the near future thanks to a nearshoring boom. But there are challenges for shippers, challenges that the New Border solution is potentially well-positioned to address. Joining us to discuss is Richard Miller, CEO of Spearpoint Logistics - the…

With Halloween fast approaching, candy in many forms is top of mind for kids and adults alike. So we choose to focus on the treats - not tricks - of trick or treating as well, with Carly Schildhaus, Director of Public Affairs and Communications for the National Confectioners Association. Carly discusses the excitement around Halloween in 2023, cand…

Ransomware and other cyber attacks are a danger for any business, and those in the freight & logistics industry are no exception. Joining us this Cybersecurity Awareness Month to discuss what's out there in the cyber threat landscape, and how to prepare your company, is SonicWall Senior Solutions Engineer Jeremiah Vanderneut. Jeremiah offers exampl…

Cross border shipping between the U.S. and Mexico is clearly a growth opportunity of late, with nearshoring a buzzword along with more transportation options including truckload and intermodal. But some American companies are still hesitant due to different customs requirements, the language barrier and other questions they may have. Joining us to …

The word - and job - of coach is generally associated with sports. And with football season getting going, coaching gets plenty of spotlight. But Business Coach Tim Campsall with TBC ActionCOACH joins us to extoll the virtues of private coaching in an office setting, primarily for leadership positions. Tim discusses the value of a coach for a varie…

The month of September brings two major events on the transportation calendar: IANA's Intermodal EXPO and the Journal of Commerce (JOC) Inland Distribution Conference. On this episode, we learn about each of these gatherings, with IANA Chief Operating Officer Rob Cannizzaro taking us through the programming at the Intermodal EXPO in Long Beach and …

Earlier this year, a merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railways formed the Class I railroad now known as CPKC. Of particular note about this combined company is a first that it's created: single line service connecting all of North America - as in, Canada, the United States and Mexico. CPKC Director of Business Development fo…

Just past the mid-point of 2023, we have a better read on how the freight market has progressed - and how it will likely continue to go. On this episode, InTek President Shelli Austin and CEO Rick LaGore take part in a roundtable market update. They go over both the numbers - think trucking and intermodal rates and volume (plus inflation, interest …

With the need to decrease emissions to help combat climate change growing more apparent by the day, freight railroads are stepping up to the plate. We discuss freight railroads and climate change on this episode with Association of American Railroads (AAR) Assistant VP for Government Affairs Jordan Stone and Assistant VP: Environment, Hazardous Mat…

Staying up on the latest legal issues affecting transportation and logistics is vital to businesses and organizations involved in the industry - and there are plenty of laws and rules to track. Marc Blubaugh, Partner at the award-winning Benesch Law Firm, joins us to go over a few key items that should be front of mind for freight pros today, inclu…

Freight has its own set of seasons, and the one that's most tied to summer is produce season, when fruits and vegetable harvests are especially strong and those fresh items must find their way quickly to supermarket shelves. SpartanNash Senior VP of Transportation and Logistics David Frizzell has handled produce shipping for the food solutions prov…

Data can help inform decision-making in a variety of ways, and the trucking industry is no exception when it comes to data's many uses. Dean Croke, Principal Analyst with DAT iQ, joins us to share some data analysis, starting with a deep-dive into the science of sleep as it applies to truckers, and why it's such a passion for him. He also shares ho…

The UIIA - Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement - is a key cornerstone in intermodal freight, but many in the industry have questions about what it does and how it works. Debbie Sasko, VP of Information Services with the Intermodal Association of North America - IANA - oversees the program, and she joins us to offer a deep…

With graduation season firmly upon us, we're joined by Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) VP of Member Services Hal Pollard to discuss what could be next for those considering an intermodal career. We discuss the various backgrounds that can come together in the freight industry, what to expect in a freight career (especially an intermo…

The freight industry has an unquestionably large impact on the environment, but many companies are trying to mitigate it, including the more than 4,000 EPA SmartWay partners. To discuss what the Environmental Protection Agency's program, which turns 20 next year, is, along with how it's helping to cut emissions (and costs) and lead to better freigh…

Fraudulent double brokering - also known as freight broker fraud - is an illegal practice that's unfortunately on the rise. And it's potentially costing the industry hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is on the frontlines of the battle against this criminal behavior, and TIA President & CE…

Ari Ashe covers a variety of freight and transportation topics as a journalist with the Journal of Commerce. He joins us to discuss his background that took him from politics, to sports, to general assignment news, and onto his position as one of the foremost reporters in the industry. Ari provides insights into the motivation behind his journalism…

Larry Gross knows intermodal transportation and freight markets, and we welcome him onto the podcast to get some of that knowledge, but also to learn more about him. Larry tells us how a childhood fascination with trains helped lead him into a 40-plus year freight career, how his education helped him along the way and what those considering a caree…

Women in logistics are slowly but surely becoming more common, but in what is traditionally a male-dominated industry, leadership positions still have quite a gender gap. Kristy Knichel is one of the leading ladies of logistics, as the owner of Knichel Logistics and a noted voice in the intermodal and 3PL spaces - and supply chain overall. Kristy j…

Basketball is on the minds of many this month, and InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast is no exception. As we’re based in Indiana and we deal in logistics, what better way to celebrate NCAA tournament time than an interview about both, with Indiana University legend Chuck Crabb. Chuck, who retired last year, is probably best known as the public …

As March rolls in, we’re beyond looking back at the past, instead, it’s important to assess where the market is now, and where it’s going. On our latest InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, co-host Kevin asks InTek CEO (and co-host) Rick LaGore 5 questions about the state of the freight market for the next 9 months of 2023 regarding pricing, vol…

Ever wondered what intermodal transportation is or how intermodal shipping has evolved? On the debut episode of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, we talk intermodal in depth with Jeff Brashares, Director of Domestic Intermodal Sales at CMA CGM. Jeff has been involved in the industry for more than half a century and has plenty of stories to te…

We hear the basics from the news every day, but what’s the story behind the headlines of supply chains, trucking, intermodal railroad and shipping overall? Join us for InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, as we take a deeper look at what’s happening now, explore the origins of the industry and how it’s evolved, and look forward to what’s ahead. …