B1 visa drivers and illegal operators are not the same thing. Here's the difference and why conflating them is hurting the industry.
FMCSA cracks down on MC numbers. A $158M trucking Ponzi. Middle East surcharges.
Here are the most exciting innovations in the freight industry that were presented on Media Day at TIA.
Thank God It's Friday. Apologies for the almost five-hour delay of our newsletter today. We were out late networking last night at the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) Conference in Phoenix. We put together the best newsletter we could in limited time. We'll be back on regular schedule on Monday.
TOP LANE MOVERS POWERED BY GREENSCREENS.AI
*Greenscreens.ai, forecasts real-time truckload buy prices that are suited to each freight brokerage's purchasing power using AI and machine learning. Its engine takes into account over 130 attributes and data points in each rate forecast.
🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT
🎣 ShipperCRM Investors Announced. On April 10, 2024, Tim Higham, CEO of AscendTMS, alongside Triumph Financial, announced their investment in our platform, ShipperCRM. ShipperCRM is the first U.S. shipper database and freight CRM focused on helping freight brokers and trucking companies identify prospects in areas of the country they are already doing business in. ShipperCRM offers extensive, verified shipper leads and profiles. It features a comprehensive database and a unique visual search tool, Magic Map™, aimed at enhancing freight business operations by simplifying the discovery and management of new shipping opportunities.
👨💻 Freight Claims Simplicity. Another demo that impressed us was from Freightclaims.com, crafted by co-founders Michael Schember and Brad Berlin. They've rolled out an enhanced UI for their claims management software that's "designed to transform the freight claims landscape for shippers and 3PLs." The update isn't just about looks; it's about making the entire claims process more intuitive and efficient. The software guides you through the process from the initial details. You can easily communicate, upload images, add documents, and track deadlines in one central hub. When we're thinking about tools that can genuinely make the day-to-day a lot easier, seeing this demo was like a breath of fresh air.
🐝 Company Blocks Scammer & Double Broker Calls. WireBee launched a pretty cool communications platform specifically for freight brokers and 3PLs. The platform, co-founded by Andre Temnorod and Alexandru Boruz, helps prevent fraud from the first incoming call. The advanced caller ID can detect spoofed calls and make sure the carrier on the phone is legit. Plus, you can get an instant look at the FMCSA records to be tipped off to any red flags. A big bonus is that it works as an add-on with your existing TMS and phone systems. Fraud prevention in freight is a growing conversation, and WireBee is stepping up to address it head-on.
TOGETHER WITH TRUCKER TOOLS
Trucker Tools introduces The Ultimate Carrier Sourcing Platform. It combines two powerful features: Carrier Check and Lane Search.
Ready to optimize your brokerage operations and connect confidently with top carriers? Carrier Sourcing is available today, so check it out and take control of your freight matchmaking.
In total, there were 28 companies featured at the first-ever TIA Media Day. We have already mentioned four of the companies above. Below, we have quick summaries of a few others and their innovative tools. Let's get started...
TriumphPay has expanded its logistics payments network to Mexico, integrating Mexican pesos (MXN) to facilitate faster and more secure cross-border transactions, reflecting the growing trade demands with Mexico, the U.S.'s largest trading partner as of 2023.
The Descartes Systems Group introduced Descartes MacroPoint™ FraudGuard, a new feature designed to enhance security in transportation and logistics by helping freight brokers, third-party logistics companies (3PLs), and shippers detect and prevent fraudulent activities such as stolen loads and double brokering.
Key Features of the service:
Greenscreens.ai introduced Greenscreens Ignite, a new tool that transforms pricing analysis and strategy for brokers, enhancing decision-making with comprehensive data insights and real-time adjustments in the freight market.
Lean Solutions Group has partnered with Isometric Technologies to enhance service delivery automation for brokerage customers by integrating ISO’s Transportation Performance Intelligence data, aiming to streamline processes and improve decision-making in carrier selection.
Founder Charlie Saffro came out swinging with some sobering job stats and making it clear why their service is needed.
Gaining and retaining top talent should be a key concern for brokerages looking to focus on fostering long-term and strengthened client relationships rather than exposing them to a revolving door of disengaged newbies. CS's new offering provides consulting services to help you retain and empower your employees.
There were many other great companies featured with innovative products and solutions. We didn't have time to feature them all in today's newsletter, but we hope to soon.
THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR TMS
AscendTMS is the world's most popular & best-rated TMS. Use our referral code RA-FreightCaviar! to receive 3 months of AscendTMS Premium for free. It only takes 20 seconds to sign up and no credit card is required. Click here to learn more.
AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB
🚚 Massive Layoffs. Over 1,300 jobs have been cut across logistics firms in states like Texas and Michigan due to harsh market conditions and client losses, companies say.
🧪 Testing Turmoil. The FMCSA reports a 10% drop in positive drug test results, but it coincides with a 40% increase in drug test refusals.
🔥 Derailment Deal. Norfolk Southern agrees to a $600M settlement for the Ohio derailment lawsuit, covering damages within a 20-mile radius. Meanwhile, residents question whether it's enough given the long-term health risks.
✈️ Sky-High Costs. Chinese e-commerce parcels now make up 60% of the international air cargo market, predicting a pricey peak season, says Flexport CEO.
🤖 Future Fleet. Kodiak Robotics enlists Walmart, UPS, and others to its new advisory council, steering the future of autonomous trucking and more.
🎣 FREIGHT CAVIAR TECHNOLOGIES
FreightCaviar Technologies brings you a shipper database & CRM for freight brokers called ShipperCRM. We've been relatively quiet about the project since October 2022, but we officially launched on Tuesday!
Missed the launch event? You can catch the replay and share your thoughts here.
FREIGHT MEME OF THE DAY
Also, check out:
FMCSA cracks down on MC numbers. A $158M trucking Ponzi. Middle East surcharges.
The domino effects are just starting to hit. Plus: FedEx dethroned UPS, Mexico truck production plunges, another $26M AI supply chain raise, and more.
Flatbed rejections hit a record 48.7%, broker numbers stop falling, and diesel jumps 30 cents overnight.
Join over 14K+ subscribers to get the latest freight news and entertainment directly in your inbox for free. Subscribe & be sure to check your inbox to confirm (and your spam folder just in case).
