Plus, cargo theft risks spikes ahead of Memorial Day, April sees drop in freight, a Wisconsin carrier and brokerage file for bankruptcy, and more.
ATA and ACT Research report declines in U.S. truck tonnage and trailer orders in April, as economic uncertainty and tariff pressures stall recovery across freight and equipment markets.
Trucking firm Elite Carriers and brokerage affiliate ECI Inc. have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, joining three other entities owned by Kirk Ecklund in seeking protection.
UPS explores humanoid robots with Figure AI while cutting 20K jobs and closing 73 sites in major network overhaul.
UPS is considering humanoid robots for future operations, even as it plans to cut 20,000 jobs and shut down 73 facilities across its U.S. network in 2025. The dual development reflects the company’s evolving strategy to increase automation and reduce reliance on lower-margin e-commerce volumes—especially from Amazon.
UPS is in active talks with Figure AI, a robotics startup developing humanoid robots for warehouse and logistics tasks. While the companies have not confirmed a partnership, discussions began in 2023 and have continued into this year.
A Figure AI video posted in February showed one of its robots picking parcels beside a conveyor belt, hinting at possible roles in sorting or fulfillment. The company has emerged as a major player in the humanoid robotics space and is reportedly seeking to raise $1.5 billion at a $39.5 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg.
UPS did not confirm the partnership, stating only that it “regularly explores and deploys a wide range of technologies, including robotics.”
Currently, UPS uses robotic arms and AI-powered systems at its Velocity hubs and has partnered with Dexterity Inc. for more advanced warehouse robotics.
At the same time, UPS is executing what CEO Carol Tomé called the company’s “largest network reconfiguration in our history,” driven by a planned 50% reduction in Amazon volume by mid-2026.
Key operational changes include:
Amazon volumes fell 16% in Q1, with similar declines expected in Q2 and steeper drops of 30% in Q3 and Q4. Tomé cited profitability concerns, noting that certain outbound shipments from Amazon fulfillment centers were “not profitable for us, nor a healthy fit for our network.”
As UPS reduces its footprint, it is emphasizing consumer access via The UPS Store, Drop Boxes, and Access Points—90% of Americans live within five miles of one of these locations.
Sources: Supply Chain Dive | Transport Topics
OTR Solutions launches OTR365 Ecosystem and OTRintelligence, combining AI-powered automation with 24/7 instant funding to transform freight factoring for carriers and brokers.
Discover how Stevens Transport uses Bitfreighter’s API automation to dominate spot freight. More loads, less burnout, higher margins.
Freight brokers are over AI hype. Here's why they want ready-to-use tools (not overhauls) and how Epay Manager is quietly changing the game.
Freight claims don’t have to be a time-sucking nightmare. AI-powered automation is transforming the process—faster resolutions, fewer errors, and more money recovered. Here’s what you need to know.
Join over 12K+ 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).
