Steve Simmerman

This was an incredibly insightful conversation on automation's position in the industry today, where humanoids are heading and some really interesting thoughts on the future of automation. Great thoughts from Adam, Matt and Pete!

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Check out our latest episode of 'Supply Chain Insight,' featuring the key takeaways from #TPM24, a market outlook and a sneak peek at #TPM25 from two of the industry's most influential voices, Chris Brooks and Mark Szakonyi. Brought to you by the 'Port of Choice,' the Port of Long Beach! #polb #ports #supplychain #supplychainmanagement

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I have an opinion piece in Transport Topics this month - it discusses what TL carriers need to know about how shippers look at transportation procurement. Specifically, I address the importance of monitoring the Spot Premium Ratio and the New Rate Differential in the markets. Enjoy the short read! #TL #transportation #procurement #spotpremiumratio #newratedifferential https://lnkd.in/esxiuvdP

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In the latest Good Question feature from Inbound Logistics, Descartes’ Cyndi Brandt discusses the importance of “data-driven supply chains” in light of the innovations emerging from AI-based analytics. Don't miss her insights!

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Tay-Tay's Supply chain-chain - How Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Mastered the Art of Time-Sensitive Logistics 🌍🚢 When it comes to large-scale logistics, JIT/JIS strategies aren’t just for CPG or manufacturing—they’re essential for massive events like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. The challenge of moving 850 tons of equipment across continents underscores the complexities of international logistics. Swift’s team transported 90 cargo containers (TEUs) via maritime shipping from the UK to the U.S., spending over $15 million to ensure her stage setup, costumes, and production essentials arrived on time. This JIT-like precision was key to ensuring seamless transitions between back-to-back performances across Europe and the U.S.​. Much like manufacturing, every piece—whether a stage component or a set of costumes—had to be in place at the right moment. It highlights the critical role of real-time tracking, container optimization, and expert logistics partners like Fly By Nite and Rock It Cargo. Timeliness wasn't just a preference, it was essential for success. If something doesn’t go right with her logistics, EVERYONE would be talking about it, the fact that this is not mainstream is credit to the team’s performance. When things go wrong, like during Drake’s It’s All A Blur tour in Memphis, TN, in August 2023, tens of thousands of fans were disappointed, and the show lost an estimated $1.5 million to $3.5 million in revenue due to the cancelation. The production was cited as “logistically impossible” to execute. Similarly, delays in Milwaukee forced the show to be postponed by a day due to "logistical and technical" issues. 🚀 Are you making excuses and telling your customers "It's All A Blur" or are you in the success "Era" of on time delivery? How is your supply chain leveraging precision to meet customer demands? What strategies have helped you maintain seamless operations, and where do you find unexpected successes or ongoing challenges that your customers constantly notice? Let’s discuss some behind-the-scenes wins that deserve more recognition! #TaylorSwift #Logistics #SupplyChain #JIT #MaritimeShipping #GlobalLogistics #Operations Sources: 📚 FreightWaves – How much does it cost to ship a Taylor Swift tour overseas? (https://lnkd.in/ePsqkiAz) 📚 FreightCaviar – Inside the $100M Logistics of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour (www.freightcaviar.com) 📚 KCH Transportation – Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Logistics (https://lnkd.in/echYBZ2z) 📚 UK Parliament – Recognising the economic impact of Taylor Swift's Eras tour on the UK economy (https://lnkd.in/eebtpydR) 📚 Daily Memphian – Drake’s ‘logistically impossible’ Memphis concert canceled (www.dailymemphian.com) 📚 WTMJ – Drake & 21 Savage concert in Milwaukee postponed due to production issues (www.wtmj.com)

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Great technology hardware and software working in harmony, will not only improve accuracy but make processes predictable and with it a tremendous uplift in performance

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With AI in general and generative AI in particular the talk of the FreightWaves Future of Supply Chain event, Megan Orth of C.H. Robinson reached for several analogies to describe generative AI’s use at her freight brokerage and in logistics generally. https://lnkd.in/e_PiPPQz

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Great insights from our recent panel on how AI is transforming grocers' #supplychain alongside Alonso from Radius Networks | Flybuy, Tim from Grocery Doppio, and Matt from SpartanNash Check out the full panel (link in comments below) Incisiv

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🤔 Thinking of Insourcing or Outsourcing Your Fulfillment? 👋 Max Garland from Supply Chain Dive has a great article on whether to insource or outsource #fulfillment. This decision can be complex, but some key factors can help you make the best choice for your business. Cost Efficiency is King 👑 One of the biggest factors companies consider is cost. Insourcing gives you more control over the fulfillment process, but managing in-house labor, warehouse space, and equipment can also be more expensive. Outsourcing to a #3PL or #LSP can be a cost-effective solution, especially for companies that are just starting out or don't have the resources to manage their fulfillment. 🇲🇽 Nearshoring with #Mexico for the Win! Companies can enjoy significant tariff reductions on goods imported through Mexico and shipped to the US, greatly reducing overall supply chain costs. And skilled labor for pick-pack-ship, returns and other critical functions. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic! What other factors do you consider when making decisions about your fulfillment strategy? Jim Waters FreighTech Advisors Chad Jacobsen Luke Hoefs Aaron Hatfield Joe Lynch ★ The Logistics of Logistics Walmart https://lnkd.in/em5RkyYV P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to Supply Chain Dive for more great content like this!

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Retailers, take note! Adding an alternate delivery option at checkout could be key. Not just for high-value shipments, but for cases when the customer won't be home. With porch piracy on the rise, leaving packages unattended is a risk. The current redirection process through carriers' portals is cumbersome and impacts customer satisfaction. Check out more on this trend here: https://lnkd.in/gZmJWsYe By the way, signature delivery is $6.50 per package in 2025! Alternate delivery locations a signature isn't required... #customerexperience #porchpiracy Via.Delivery Corp. Parcel Pending by Quadient

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The exciting part of Gnosis Freight is where they are heading. As the dirty data gets cleansed, and the IoT sources for data grow, the Gnosis Freight tech lords are going to create new insights that will change the way we manage containerized freight. 😎

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Visibility is the biggest pain point in the freight industry. Using a mature Tracking and Visibility system can relieve those pain points.

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Pitney Bowes' decision to shut down its e-commerce logistics unit is a significant shake-up in the industry. This move underscores the increasing challenges and complexities of e-commerce fulfillment. As logistics providers, it's crucial to stay ahead of these trends and offer robust, reliable solutions. How is your business adapting to the evolving e-commerce landscape? #ecommerce #logistics #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #ecommercelogistics #fulfillment #returnsmanagement #industrynews

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Need to clear that warehouse floor or add capacity for seasonal needs? Visit trailerstorage.com for a fixed storage trailer solution. Simple application process, setup, and delivery to your location. Click below and scroll down to get started! #storage #peak #warehousing

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Are you thinking about Light Technology? If you do any kind of Piece/Batch Picking, you should be. And if that’s the case, this post below is for you. It’s how our patented technology differentiates FastFetch by ABCO Systems from other technologies. We can save you dramatic time and money simply by keeping your operation running without WiFi connection…amongst other ways. ABCO Systems LLC

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Despite hype that the current freight recession is over (e.g., https://lnkd.in/gSqkfYu5), William Cassidy at Journal of Commerce, reporting from the Traffic Club of Chicago (https://lnkd.in/gZvn5-Nh) shared that shippers and brokers are taking a more cautionary tone. As I’ve said repeatedly, I don’t expect a true market shift to occur before late Q1 or early Q2 2025. Consistent with the need for caution (and patience), data for October’s industrial production wasn’t encouraging in many sectors. Two charts (made using the new improved visuals from FRED). Thoughts: •Top plot shows seasonally adjusted industrial production of fabricated metal products. The past few months have seen sharp declines in production (it is now ~2.5% below 2017 levels). As can be seen, drawdowns in fabricated metal production in 2015 and the especially steep drop in 2019 corresponded to freight recessions. While some of this may be due the Boeing strike (which cascades upstream to fabricated metal products), as can be seen, production has been trending down since mid-2022. •The bottom chart shows seasonally adjusted wood product production (e.g., sawmills, millwork like making windows, producing plywood, etc.). Production has been effectively flat since about October 2022, around 5-6% below 2017 levels. You will note how production started falling in Q4 2018, which was the same time the FOMC had started raising interest rates (and housing cooled). Implication: during normal economic cycles (like today), it takes many months for manufacturing activity to meaningfully lift itself off a trough. Carriers, remember that in 2017 we didn’t see the market turn until June, and that was with manufacturing starting from a better position at the time President Trump took office (e.g., lower interest rates, consumers in better financial condition, fracking activity much more elastic to oil prices). As November and especially December exhibit seasonal tightening, we won’t truly know if the freight recession is over until mid-January (and that assumes no extreme weather events like in January 2018 or January 2024). My belief is that we are in what I’d term “freight cycle limbo” in that the down cycle that started in Q3 2022 has indeed bottomed out, but we aren’t yet in a true upcycle. That upcycle will wait till late Q1 or early Q2 2025 to materialize. #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #freight #trucking #shipsandshipping

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Logistics is at an exciting turning point, where data and technology fundamentally transform how we book and manage freight. I’ve always been passionate about how tech drives real change through improved visibility, speed, or smarter decision-making. On November 14, I’ll speak at Armstrong & Associates, Inc.’ 3PL Value Creation Europe Summit in Barcelona, Spain. I’m looking forward to diving deep into Data Analytics, Automation, and Freight Booking, and how these tools are reshaping international transportation management. We’ll be discussing key questions like: 1. How can data analytics enable smarter, faster decisions in logistics? 2. What role will automation play in building resilience into freight booking? 3. How can we harness these technologies to empower 3PLs and shippers alike? This is a chance for industry peers to connect and explore the insights that can elevate logistics strategy. Don't miss out! View the agenda and grab your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/geMqujiM I hope to see you there. #SupplyChainSummit #3PLSummit #LogisticsLeaders #Barcelona2024 #SupplyChainInnovation

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