The Logistics of Logistics

In " Autonomous Execution Without Losing Control: Governing AI Across the Supply Chain", Joe Lynch speaks with the Manager of Generative AI at Trimble, Lotte Vanden Wyngaert, and the Manager of Generative AI at Trimble, Märten Veskimäe, about how Trimble Arc Agent automates complex logistics workflows and inbox management while keeping human operators in full control.

Lotte Vanden Wyngaert is Senior Manager of Applied AI at Trimble, and a hands-on leader who specializes in using technology to transform complex operational challenges into streamlined, scalable systems. Positioned at the intersection of logistics and tech, she leads teams in architecting and deploying production-ready generative AI agents that automate critical workflows. Driven by high ownership, Lotte thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments where she can turn chaos into tangible business results. When she isn't optimizing operations, she enjoys traveling the world.

Märten Veskimäe is Manager of Generative AI at Trimble. Märten Veskimae has led the technical staff behind Trimble Arc Agent, the agentic AI platform built for enterprise needs. His team builds AI agents that take on real work for both Trimble customers and internal teams, and he spends most of his time on the question of what AI lets a business do that it couldn't do before. Before Arc Agent he built AI products in transportation software, built data-services product lines and led fraud modeling at a digital bank. He holds a master's in comparative politics, writes about product and strategy and lives in Northern Italy.

Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety.

• In " Autonomous Execution Without Losing Control: Governing AI Across the Supply Chain", Joe Lynch speaks with the Manager of Generative AI at Trimble, Lotte Vanden Wyngaert, and the Manager of Generative AI at Trimble, Märten Veskimäe, about how Trimble Arc Agent automates complex logistics workflows and inbox management while keeping human operators in full control.
• The Power of a Single AI Agent Model: Rather than forcing logistics operations teams to manage dozens of disconnected AI tools, Trimble Arc Agent uses a unified, single-agent architecture. It acts as a single point of interaction that pulls safely across disparate enterprise systems and databases without forcing users to figure out which tool to use.
• Preserving the "Human in the Loop" and Governance: Autonomous execution requires strict enterprise safety boundaries. Trimble Arc Agent operates under user permissions and security rules—preventing unauthorized data access (such as payroll) and requiring human approval on high-stakes, consequential operational decisions.
• Turning Unstructured Data into Actionable Insight: A massive portion of operational delay comes from static, unstructured documents trapped in emails, PDFs, spreadsheets, and bills of lading. Arc Agent ingests, parses, and maps this messy data into standard TMS structures automatically, removing tedious copy-paste workflows.
• Eliminating the "Morning Exception Chase": Freight operations managers no longer need to spend their first hours logging into multiple portals or manually tracking late shipments. Arc Agent continuously monitors telematics, tracking portals, and inbox communications to generate a prioritized daily briefing that highlights only high-risk exceptions.
• Autonomous Inbox Management and Follow-Ups: Inboxes consume massive operational capacity through routine status checks, rate inquiries, and missing document requests. Arc Agent autonomously handles high-frequency partner outreach—fetching missing proof of deliveries, track-and-trace updates, and routine quotes while keeping drafted responses ready for human review.
• Standardized Workflows via Reusable "Skills": Arc Agent learns specific operational procedures through structured "recipes" or skills. By capturing how work should be executed once, Arc Agent performs routines with zero variation across teams, standardizing service-level agreements (SLAs) across terminals and business units.
• Elevating Logistics Roles from Clerical to Strategic: By shifting repetitive administrative burden, system data cleanup, and chasing missing information over to Arc Agent, transportation professionals are freed from reactive firefighting to focus on strategic negotiation, relationship building, and high-value decision-making.

Lotte Vanden Wyngaert | Linkedin

Märten Veskimäe | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation

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In " The Thinking Advantage: Smarter Ways to Think Alongside AI", Joe Lynch speaks with ICF Certified Coach, Ann Holm, about how professionals can strategically leverage AI as a cognitive co-thinker while keeping human critical thinking, self-awareness, and focus sharp.

Ann C. Holm MS PCC CPCC has been coaching since 2008, with an emphasis on executive and career development, following a successful 25-year career as a speech pathologist specializing in brain injury rehabilitation. Her life's work has focused on helping others stretch beyond what they thought was possible and enjoying the process along the way. She is the author of Educator Bandwidth: How to Reclaim Your Energy Passion and Time. She serves multiple emerging leaders in the logistics industry.

Annholm.net/Uncover Your Potential Professional Certified Coach private practice who will help you develop your strengths while accounting for blind spots. Offering both group and individual coaching, the company also features relevant content via blogs and podcasts. Annholm.net has served clients since 2008.

• In " The Thinking Advantage: Smarter Ways to Think Alongside AI", Joe Lynch speaks with ICF Certified Coach, Ann Holm, about how professionals can strategically leverage AI as a cognitive co-thinker while keeping human critical thinking, self-awareness, and focus sharp.
• Integrating Cognitive Science into Executive Coaching: Ann Holm combines over two decades of executive coaching experience at Annholm.net with her clinical background as a speech-language pathologist specializing in stroke, brain injury, and cognitive communication to help leaders maximize strengths while identifying and managing cognitive blind spots.
• Positioning AI as a Co-Thinker, Not a Substitute: AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini function best as interactive co-pilots and brainstorming partners rather than complete replacements for human critical thinking, contextual understanding, and strategic decision-making.
• Preserving Cognitive Retrieval and Mental Activation: Passive reliance on AI outputs risks diminishing "retrieval responsibility" and lowering active brain activation, whereas maintaining active engagement and critical inquiry during AI interactions keeps key cognitive retrieval pathways sharp.
• Reclaiming Cognitive Bandwidth: Managing information overload, constant digital interruptions, and rapid context-switching is essential to protecting executive functioning skills and preserving high-level mental energy.
• Leveraging Behavioral Frameworks for Self-Awareness: Applying validated assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) enables professionals to demystify behavioral patterns, enhance self-awareness, and align leadership styles effectively within team environments.
• Safeguarding "Blue Sky" Strategic Thinking: Sustained performance requires setting aside dedicated, uninterrupted space for deep reflection and creative "blue sky" strategic planning, preventing daily transactional noise and automated tasks from dominating schedule capacity.
• Maintaining Human Scrutiny and Defensibility: Because AI-generated content requires validation and refinement, professionals must maintain rigorous editorial oversight and critical evaluation to ensure accuracy, contextual integrity, and defensibility in executive work.

Ann C. Holm MS PCC CPCC | Linkedin

Annholm.net

Free Consultations

Stop Sabotaging Your Sales with Ann Holm

Reclaim Your Energy, Passion, and Time with Ann Holm

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In "Rethinking the Shipper-Carrier Dynamic: How Polyglass Built an Automated Execution Engine", Joe Lynch speaks with the Transportation Manager at Polyglass U.S.A., Eddie Ramirez, about how Polyglass modernized its supply chain by leveraging Trimble's automated slot scheduling, paperless tendering, real-time freight visibility, and AI-driven spot market sourcing.

Eddie Ramirez is the Transportation Manager at Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., where he leads transportation and logistics operations supporting multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States. With nearly a decade of experience at Polyglass, Eddie has progressed through several roles within Transportation, developing expertise in freight operations, carrier management, logistics technology, and supply chain optimization. He holds a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology Management, and is a Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) professional through ASCM. Eddie is passionate about leveraging technology, automation, and data-driven strategies to improve transportation efficiency, strengthen shipper-carrier partnerships, and enhance the customer experience. His leadership philosophy emphasizes continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability, guided by the principles of being a Shipper of Choice and maintaining a Standard of Excellence.

Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., a member of the MAPEI Group, is a leading manufacturer of innovative roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope solutions. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Polyglass has served the North American market since 1992, delivering high-performance products and technologies designed to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry. Known for its patented ADESO® self-adhered technology, Polyglass continues to advance product innovation, manufacturing excellence, and customer service through its nationwide operations. Beyond manufacturing, Polyglass is committed to continuously improving its supply chain and transportation processes through strategic carrier partnerships, technology integration, automation, and data-driven decision-making. These initiatives support the company's focus on operational efficiency, reliable deliveries, and an exceptional customer experience. As part of the global MAPEI Group, Polyglass benefits from extensive industry expertise, research capabilities, and a shared commitment to quality and innovation.

• In "Rethinking the Shipper-Carrier Dynamic: How Polyglass Built an Automated Execution Engine", Joe Lynch speaks with the Transportation Manager at Polyglass U.S.A., Eddie Ramirez, about how Polyglass modernized its supply chain by leveraging Trimble's automated slot scheduling, paperless tendering, real-time freight visibility, and AI-driven spot market sourcing.
• Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. (a member of the MAPEI Group) is a leading North American manufacturer of innovative roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope solutions headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Operating out of their Winter Haven facility, the company manages around 300 full truckload shipments per week—primarily using flatbed trailers—making continuous supply chain efficiency and reliable customer delivery critical priorities.
• Eliminating Yard Chaos with Smart Slot Scheduling: Moving away from a traditional "first-come, first-served" model, Polyglass implemented Trimble's Dock & Yard Management tools to streamline truck flows. Dynamically matching truck arrivals to actual dock loading capacity helps reduce yard congestion, lower accident risks, and cut driver wait times by up to 40%.
• Process Optimization Before Automation: Automating supply chain tasks requires a solid underlying process. Partnering with Trimble helped Polyglass evaluate and refine their operational workflows prior to digitizing them, ensuring software enabled actual business rules rather than automating flawed manual practices.
• Hands-Free Tendering and Paperless Operations: By implementing Trimble Transport Execution, Polyglass replaced manual order processing and physical stacks of paperwork with automated order entry and TMS transmission. Rule-based, hands-free load matching cuts administrative processing costs by up to 30% while freeing up back-office bandwidth.
• Proactive Visibility to Eliminate "Where's My Truck?" Noise: Transitioning to Trimble Road Visibility gives Polyglass real-time predictive tracking (combining GPS, traffic, and weather data). Instead of waiting for angry calls or making reactive check calls, Polyglass can proactively notify customers about unexpected delays before issues escalate, cutting check calls by up to 80%.
• Taming Spot Market Volatility with AI Sourcing: To replace manual rate negotiations and stop lowballing spot market carriers, Polyglass piloted Trimble Autonomous Procurement. By utilizing behavioral science and historical carrier pricing data, the tool matches over 90% of spot loads in under two hours at realistic market rates without manual back-and-forth.
• Prioritizing Long-Term Partner Value over Lowest-Cost Sourcing: Chasing the lowest rate often leads to hidden costs, service breakdowns, and severe operational delays. Polyglass emphasizes strong, transparent relationships with tech providers like Trimble and core carrier partners to drive accountability, build resilience, and establish a world-class transportation network.

Eddie Ramirez | LinkedIn

Polyglass| LinkedIn

Polyglass

Polyglass | Facebook

YouTube (POLYflix)

Polyglass | Instagram

Polyglass News & Updates

Product Information

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In " 4 Massive Fleet Problems Wex Solves for Trucking Companies", Joe Lynch speaks with the Vice President of Sales for WEX's OTR business, Noel Glasgow, about how WEX helps fleets control fuel costs, stop fraud, optimize spending, and manage cash flow.

Noel Glasgow is the Vice President of Sales for WEX's OTR business. He began his career in journalism as a sports reporter for various TV stations before moving into leadership positions in the business world. He has been with WEX for over 13 years, working in the mobility sector, and now oversees WEX OTR including the EFS and Fleet One EDGE Programs. He leads the sales division, including inside and outside sales and client success, supporting the full sales cycle from lead to close, along with client retention and educating customers on the value of the business. He currently lives in Nashville with his wife and daughter. He is a diehard Vols fan and a music lover.

WEX (NYSE: WEX) is the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business. WEX has created a powerful ecosystem that offers seamlessly embedded, personalized solutions for its customers around the world. Through its rich data and specialized expertise in simplifying benefits, reimagining mobility, and paying and getting paid, WEX aims to make it easy for companies to overcome complexity and reach their full potential. For more information, please visit www.wexinc.com.

• In " 4 Massive Fleet Problems Wex Solves for Trucking Companies", Joe Lynch speaks with the Vice President of Sales for WEX's OTR business, Noel Glasgow, about how WEX helps fleets control fuel costs, stop fraud, optimize spending, and manage cash flow.
• WEX Powers Fleets of All Sizes across Over-the-Road Transportation: As a global commerce platform, WEX serves the full spectrum of trucking, from single owner-operators to massive fleets with 60,000+ Class 8 vehicles. They offer specialized tools like the Fleet One Edge card and 10-4 mobile app to give smaller carriers competitive buying power.
• Controlling the "Fuel Money Pit" via Dynamic Rules: Because fuel represents one of the single largest expenses for a fleet—averaging over $700 per fill-up—WEX empowers fleet managers to eliminate leaky margins. Fleet managers can set granular, dynamic card controls by gallon limits, fuel grade, time of day, and designated pump locations, while unlocking average savings of 26–27 cents per gallon.
• Cutting-Edge Interception of Fuel Theft & Skimming: To combat pump skimmers and unauthorized swipes, WEX utilizes GPS-geofenced "SecureFuel" technology developed alongside partners like Trimble. By cross-referencing card swipes with the vehicle's real-time ELD position, WEX blocks transactions instantly if the truck and pump locations do not match.
• Next-Gen Security Features (Cardless Fueling & Freeze/Thaw): WEX continues to innovate its fraud prevention stack beyond dynamic prompting. New solutions include single-use "flow codes" for cardless fueling and a mobile "freeze and thaw" toggle that automatically re-locks fuel cards immediately after a authorized transaction is complete.
• Eliminating Blind Spots with Real-Time TMS & ELD Integration: Direct integration into ELDs and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) delivers instant visibility into driver spending behavior. Automatically matching drivers, routes, and cards in real time allows fleets to monitor compliance, track negotiated discounts, and optimize fuel stop choices.
• Solving the Freight Cash Crunch via WEX Capital: Carriers often face delayed invoice payments from shippers and brokers (taking anywhere from 15 to 180 days) while incurring immediate daily expenses like fuel and payroll. WEX Capital provides instant freight factoring, converting outstanding bills into liquid working capital to eliminate cash flow bottlenecks.
• Expanded Ecosystem through the Verified Vendors Program: Beyond core payment and fuel controls, WEX offers a Verified Vendors marketplace to simplify fleet operations. Partners like Engine (discounted lodging), BestPass (toll management), and TFG (vehicle financing) allow fleets to reduce overhead costs across their entire operational footprint.

Noel Glasgow | Linkedin

WEX | Linkedin

WEX

WEX | OTR

WEX | Fraud Protection

Fraud whitepaper: OTR solutions: Fraud protection, fuel card data, and cardless payments

Fraud blog: Fuel card protection: 6 actions to kick fraudsters to the curb

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In " The Zero Distraction Cockpit: Making In-Cab Navigation Safer and Smarter", Joe Lynch speaks with Product Manager at Trimble, Dave Morris, about how AI voice control, truck-specific navigation, and precision gate-to-dock routing eliminate in-cab distractions and keep drivers safe.

Dave Morris is a Product Manager at Trimble with 10+ years focused on mobile experiences, including CoPilot. His background spans partner management, sales engineering, and product management, bringing a wealth of experience to mobile product development.

Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety.

• In " The Zero Distraction Cockpit: Making In-Cab Navigation Safer and Smarter", Joe Lynch speaks with Product Manager at Trimble, Dave Morris, about how AI voice control, truck-specific navigation, and precision gate-to-dock routing eliminate in-cab distractions and keep drivers safe.
• Elimination of Catastrophic Routing Errors: Unlike consumer GPS applications that treat heavy vehicles like passenger cars, Trimble CoPilot uses PC*MILER commercial navigation data tailored to specific vehicle dimensions, axle weight limits, and hazardous material restrictions—preventing bridge strikes, illegal detours, and reducing out-of-route mileage by up to 10%.
• Hands-Free In-Cab Voice Control: The CoPilot Driver Assistant utilizes AI-powered natural language voice commands, allowing drivers to search for amenities, adjust routes, or check live weather and traffic without taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road.
• Enhanced Driving Safety with Motion Lock: To eliminate distracted driving and keep drivers focused, physical touch interactions on the dashboard or tablet are locked while the vehicle is in motion.
• Precision Gate-to-Dock Guidance: By using precise, geofenced commercial location data for over 6 million places, CoPilot guides drivers past generic street addresses directly through truck-specific entry gates and straight to exact dock doors, eliminating the delays that account for up to 80% of last-mile friction.
• Single Source of Truth Between Cab and Back Office: Because CoPilot shares the same routing engine and data as back-office dispatch systems (PC*MILER), the exact miles planned by dispatch match the miles driven in the cab, resolving discrepancies in billing, fuel tax calculations, and driver pay.
• Predictive Parking and Hours-of-Service Management: CoPilot leverages machine learning and real-time integrations to predict parking availability and alert drivers to safe rest options before their hours-of-service limits expire—or with a single tap of an emergency coffee cup button.
• Hyperlocal Weather and Hazard Mitigation: The platform provides proactive alerts for upcoming traffic slowdowns, road closures, and severe weather conditions like high winds and low visibility, giving drivers and dispatchers the intelligence needed to re-plan routes safely.

Dave Morris | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation

The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins with Rishi Mehra

Reinventing Fleet Efficiency: Cutting Friction in Maintenance, Routing, and Dispatch with Michael Kornhauser

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In " The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins", Joe Lynch speaks with the VP, Product & Engineering of Trimble, Rishi Mehra, about how precision location data, commercial routing, and connected AI ecosystems protect fleet profitability and driver safety.

Rishi Mehra is the VP, Product & Engineering of Trimble. As VP, product and engineering, Rishi Mehra is primarily responsible for overseeing the company's technology, products and engineering in North America. Mehra has been with Trimble since 2014, and previously served as a senior product manager and director of web products for ALK Technologies (now a part of the Trimble family). In that role, he led the product management and go-to-market activity for all web solutions globally and helped establish the commercial transportation-focused web digital platform within the organization.

Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety.

• In " The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins", Joe Lynch speaks with the VP, Product & Engineering of Trimble, Rishi Mehra, about how precision location data, commercial routing, and connected AI ecosystems protect fleet profitability and driver safety.
• Consumer GPS vs. Commercial Reality Creates Costly Risks: Standard consumer navigation apps lack commercial vehicle intelligence—such as bridge clearances, weight restrictions, hazmat regulations, and turn-radius constraints. Using non-commercial apps leads to expensive bridge strikes, fines, off-route detours, and severe brand liability for shippers, carriers, and brokers.
• PC*Miler Serves as the Industry's Financial Currency: Celebrating its 40th annual release, PC*Miler acts as the foundational standard for contracting freight, billing, and driver settlements. It provides precise baseline mileage that ensures carriers, shippers, and brokers operate on agreed-upon data so that no party suffers financial loss.
• Precision Routing Prevents Margin Leakage: In a tight freight economy with razor-thin margins, small deviations—such as a 10-mile detour or unapproved toll roads—rapidly destroy fleet profitability. Precise commercial mileage and batch processing allow fleets to balance the shortest versus cheapest routes, control driver fuel stops, and eliminate hidden costs.
• Solving the "Final 500 Feet" and Dock-Level Navigation: Standard GPS stops at the street address, but Trimble Places covers over 6 million locations with precise dock-level navigation. Directing drivers to exact gate entrances and specialized docks (e.g., distinguishing refrigerated from general-purpose doors) eliminates facility delays, yard congestion, and accidents where they occur most.
• Transitioning from Static Maps to an AI Mapping Engine: Mapping is evolving from passive screen graphics into an active, intelligent engine. Integrating mapping data with conversational AI (such as CoPilot Driver Assistant) enables hands-free voice assistance that calculates rest breaks in real time without distracting the driver.
• Connected Ecosystems Drive Intelligent Automation: Purpose-built AI tools like Trimble's ArcAgent rely on a connected platform to eliminate administrative friction—such as pulling missing cost or delivery facts for incomplete loads. By restricting AI to verifiable network data with human oversight, systems operate with zero hallucination and strict safety guardrails.
• End-to-End Visibility and Vetted Parking Protect Drivers and Assets: Combining in-cab navigation with low-level trailer and pallet tracking provides back-office visibility and immediate alerts for route deviations to combat cargo theft. Furthermore, integrations with networks like Truck Parking Club and Engine give drivers safe, pre-vetted parking and lodging reservations with a single click.

Rishi Mehra | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation

Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking with Rishi Mehra

The Transformative Power of Mapping with Rishi Mehra

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In "The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight" Joe Lynch and Alex Fuller, Sr. Director of Revenue Management & Solutions at TRAFFIX, discuss the end of the freight recession and how rising rates, nearshoring, and market volatility are reshaping North American supply chains.

Alex Fuller, Sr. Director of Revenue Management & Solutions at TRAFFIX, focuses on understanding market trends and helping customers grow through customized supply chain solutions, technology, and AI integration. Passionate about supply chains and business growth, Alex earned his undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management from BYU before beginning his career with a CPG company managing imports from China and distribution across the United States. He later completed his MBA at the University of Virginia and went on to build extensive industry experience with UPS and UPS Supply Chain Solutions prior to joining TRAFFIX. Outside of work, Alex is a former professional triathlete and recently completed the Boston Marathon, reflecting the same discipline and endurance he brings to his professional career.

TRAFFIX is a leading North American 3PL that has been delivering customized supply chain solutions since 1979. With a customer-first approach, TRAFFIX partners with shippers to create flexible, scalable logistics strategies tailored to their unique business needs. The company offers a full suite of services, including truckload, flatbed, intermodal, drayage, expedited, LTL, managed transportation, and specialized government solutions. Backed by experienced logistics experts, TRAFFIX provides real-time visibility, optimized freight management, and agile solutions that help customers adapt to changing market demands. With U.S. headquarters in Chicago, IL, TRAFFIX employs more than 840 logistics professionals across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, helping businesses improve supply chain performance through customized supply chain optimization.

• In "The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight" Joe Lynch and Alex Fuller, Sr. Director of Revenue Management & Solutions at TRAFFIX, discuss the end of the freight recession and how rising rates, nearshoring, and market volatility are reshaping North American supply chains.
• The 2026 Market Inflection: Following a brutal, multi-year freight recession post-COVID, the North American freight market has officially turned. As of mid-2026, contract rates have climbed 10% year-over-year, while spot rates have exploded by 40%.
• The Tariff & Pull-Ahead Wrench: Volatility in 2025 trade policies forced shippers to radically alter inventory strategies. Many pulled massive volumes ahead to beat tariffs, briefly spiking intermodal demand, before aggressively pivoting back to lean, just-in-time supply chains.
• Fuel Cracking the Budget Dam: Skyrocketing diesel rates in early 2026 acted as a major catalyst for rate hikes. Unlike previous years where carriers absorbed fuel spikes, tight capacity means these costs are hitting shippers directly, forcing corporate CFOs to expand logistics budgets.
• The Nearshoring Reality: Shorter, responsive supply chains are replacing long-distance sourcing. A massive wave of nearshoring to Mexico is underway, trading complex ocean freight for direct, highly automated cross-border trucking networks.
• Immediate Capacity Threats (Q2 2026): Roadside inspection events like DOT Week, combined with driver pullbacks over Memorial Day weekend, are actively squeezing summer capacity. Spot rates are projected to remain highly elevated for the next 9 to 12 months as a result of these seasonal disruptions.
• The Death of the Annual RFQ: High market volatility means annual freight bids are breaking down. Savvy shippers are shifting to agile 3-month and 6-month mini-bids, allowing 3PLs to price lanes accurately without adding heavy risk premiums to the rates.
• TRAFFIX Corporate Profile: Established in 1979, TRAFFIX is a premier North American 3PL operating across the US, Canada, and Mexico. As an asset-light partner, they leverage mid-market agility, cross-border expertise, and on-demand warehousing to protect shipper capacity in volatile cycles.

Alex Fuller | Linkedin

TRAFFIX | Linkedin

TRAFFIX | Facebook

TRAFFIX | Instagram

TRAFFIX | X

TRAFFIX | YouTube

TRAFFIX

TRAFFIX Trends Q2 2026

TRAFFIX Bi-Weekly Market Update

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In " The Logisyn Analysis: What Will Reshape Freight Sectors Next", Joe Lynch speaks with Chief Executive of Ti, John Manners-Bell about how geopolitical fragmentation, artificial intelligence, nearshoring, and evolving security risks are reshaping the future of global freight sectors.

Prof John Manners-Bell is Chief Executive of Ti, Honorary Visiting Professor at the London Metropolitan University's Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law and an adviser to the World Economic Forum. He has over 25 years' experience working in and analysing the global logistics sector. John started his working life as an operations manager of a logistics company based in the UK. Prior to establishing Ti in 2002, he worked as an analyst in consultancies specialising in international trade, transport and logistics. He also spent a number of years as a manager of UPS, in a strategic marketing and communications role. John holds an MSc in Transport Planning and Management from University of Westminster and is an Associate of King's College London where he studied Classics and Theology. He is a Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and former Chair of the Supply Chain and Logistics Global Advisory Council of the World Economic Forum. He has also advised the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport. He has written three books on the industry – 'Global Logistics Strategies: Delivering the Goods', 'Supply Chain Risk: Understanding Emerging Threats to Global Supply Chains' and 'Logistics and Supply Chains in Emerging Markets'. His second book, 'Supply Chain Risk' won the Mention Speciale ACA-Bruel Prize for supply chain literature in 2014.

Ti is one of the world's leading providers of expert research and analysis dedicated to the global logistics industry. Utilising the expertise of professionals with many years of experience in the mail, express and logistics industry, Transport Intelligence has developed a range of market leading web-based products, reports, profiles and services used by all the world's leading logistics suppliers, consultancies and banks as well as many users of logistics services.

• In " The Logisyn Analysis: What Will Reshape Freight Sectors Next", Joe Lynch speaks with Chief Executive of Ti, John Manners-Bell about how geopolitical fragmentation, artificial intelligence, nearshoring, and evolving security risks are reshaping the future of global freight sectors.
• Global Fragmentation & Geopolitical Shifts: Global supply chains are transitioning away from decades of free trade and globalization toward fragmenting markets, protectionism, and nationalist policies reminiscent of the mid-20th century.
• Reconfiguration of Asian & Ocean Freight Trade: Shifting trade policies and tariffs (such as US-China dynamics) are redirecting manufacturing and trade flows from China into ASEAN countries (e.g., Vietnam, Indonesia) and Mexico, leading to circumvention of tariffs and changing global import ports.
• Emergence of Cross-Border Opportunities & Risks: Reshoring and nearshoring to Mexico offer huge cross-border freight opportunities, but companies face infrastructure bottlenecks, severe cargo theft, and security challenges that often require transloading or armed escorts.
• Cybersecurity & Rising Cargo Theft: Freight fraud and cargo theft have evolved from opportunistic crimes to highly sophisticated cyber-enabled physical operations, driving shippers toward larger, better-funded logistics providers capable of making massive security investments.
• Economic Pressures Outweighing Sustainability: Economic headwinds, rising operational costs (like diesel), and geopolitical disruptions have forced companies to temporarily reprioritize bottom-line profitability and capital survival over environmental/sustainability initiatives.
• Impact of AI on Freight Brokerage Margins: Freight brokerages leveraging AI-driven automation operate on dramatically lower gross margins due to reduced headcount, driving rapid consolidation across the market and pushing smaller players to adapt.
• Labor Shortages, Warehousing Tech, and Future Talent: Addressing warehouse real estate costs and truck driver shortages requires increased automation and capital investment; however, heavy reliance on technology raises concerns about where the industry's future managers and leaders will develop as entry-level positions disappear.

John Manners-Bell | LinkedIn

Ti |LinkedIn

Ti

John Manners-Bell on geopolitics, AI and the future of US freight - Transport Intelligence

Professor John Manners-Bell BA (Hons) MSc AKC FCILT - Transport Intelligence

Transport Intelligence - Logistics & Supply Chain Market Research

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In " Unlocking Fleet Superpowers: The Power of the Trimble Ecosystem", Joe Lynch speaks with General Manager of Corcentric's Fleet Services, Pat Gaskins and Vice President of Implementation at ISAAC, Matt Ruth about how integrating in-cab telematics and automated billing with the Trimble ecosystem eliminates operational friction, optimizes fleet utilization, and boosts profitability.

Pat Gaskins is General Manager of Corcentric's Fleet Services, overseeing both sales and operations for fleet offerings. Pat and his Fleet Solutions leadership team have successfully executed strategies to drive profitable growth tied to our Private Fleet & Carrier GPO, Capital Equipment, and Remarketing solutions. Pat joined Corcentric in 2010, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a financial services professional into the transportation industry. Previously, he held leadership positions with GE Capital, PHH Arvil, and TCF Equipment Finance, among others.

Matt Ruth is the Vice President of Implementation at ISAAC. Matt started his career working in transportation immediately upon graduating from college and has served in a wide variety of operational, technology, and leadership roles. He has gained a wealth of experience over the past 25+ years, largely invested at TMW systems and Trimble Transportation in senior management roles, leading teams responsible for managing the most complex transportation technology implementations. Matt has thus developed a unique ability to provide practical solutions to an otherwise complex and fragmented ecosystem of supply chain technology solution providers.

Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety.

Corcentric is a leading global provider of best-in-class procurement and finance solutions. We offer a unique combination of technology and payment solutions complemented by robust advisory and managed services. Corcentric reduces stress and increases savings for procurement and finance business leaders by forming a strategic partnership to diagnose pain points and deliver tailor-made solutions for their unique challenges. For more than two decades, we've been a trusted partner who delivers proven results. To learn more, please visit www.corcentric.com.

ISAAC offers in-cab technology that goes far beyond ELDs. We partner with trucking companies to simplify the life of drivers and keep the wheels turning. We provide a reliable, comprehensive open platform that allows fleets to integrate all of their business apps on a single device. Our real-time, in-cab coaching supports eco-driving for unparalleled fuel savings and safer highways, while artificial intelligence (AI) technology empowers informed decision-making. ISAAC is the market leader in Canada and has a rapidly growing presence among top-performing fleets across the United States.

• In " Unlocking Fleet Superpowers: The Power of the Trimble Ecosystem", Joe Lynch speaks with General Manager of Corcentric's Fleet Services, Pat Gaskins and Vice President of Implementation at ISAAC, Matt Ruth about how integrating in-cab telematics and automated billing with the Trimble ecosystem eliminates operational friction, optimizes fleet utilization, and boosts profitability.
• Eliminating Back-Office Friction via Direct Billing Integration: Corcentric automates North American billing and receivables for major manufacturers like Daimler North America, auto-populating repair orders and invoices directly into Trimble's TMT system to eliminate paper processing, keypunching errors, and administrative noise.
• Simplifying the Driver Experience with Predictive Workflows: ISAAC Instruments leverages load and route planning data from Trimble TMS to deliver a predictive, step-by-step workflow on in-cab tablets—automating turn-by-turn navigation, geofenced arrival calls, and document scanning so drivers focus on driving rather than manual data entry.
• Protecting Margins through Preventive and Predictive Maintenance: By capturing VMRS-coded shop data from Trimble TMT along with real-time telematics fault codes and eDVIR reports, fleets can identify recurring part failures, flag high-risk trucks before they break down on the road, and reduce costly multi-day downtime.
• Strategic Fleet Optimization and Lowering Total Cost of Ownership: Combining telematics utilization metrics with Corcentric's financial, purchasing, and remarketing programs enables fleet leaders, procurement, and finance teams to make data-driven decisions on asset lifecycles, financing structures, and right-sizing fleet counts to avoid over-fleeting.
• Safety Coaching and Fuel Efficiency Interconnection: ISAAC's in-cab real-time coaching, AI, and camera technology monitor driving habits like over-acceleration and hard braking; improving driver efficiency directly translates into both safer operations and significant fuel savings—where a 0.5 MPG gain can save $7,000 per truck annually.
• Prioritizing Driver Retention and Safety Culture: In an environment facing driver shortages and heightened legal liability, creating a safe, tech-enabled, and streamlined cab environment boosts driver satisfaction and uptime while protecting carriers against catastrophic nuclear verdicts.
• The Power of Open Ecosystems and Interoperability: Because no single technology vendor can solve every supply chain challenge alone, seamless interoperability between open platforms (Trimble, ISAAC, and Corcentric) allows data to flow effortlessly between the cab, TMS, maintenance, and finance back-office—solving operational challenges at the seams.

Pat Gaskins | Linkedin

Matt Ruth | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation | Linkedin

Trimble Transportation

Corcentric

Corcentric | Linkedin

ISAAC Instruments | Linkedin

ISAAC Instruments

The P44 and LSP44 Story with Jett McCandless

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In " The P44 and LSP44 Story", Joe Lynch speaks with Founder and CEO of project44 and LSP44, Jett McCandless, about how project44 and LSP44 are split to serve shippers and service providers through AI agents, global connectivity, and API infrastructure.

Jett McCandless has spent 25 years inside the global supply chain, running it, not studying it. He started on the dock and in dispatch at YRC Freight, helped scale GlobalTranz past $2 billion in revenue, then founded Metafora, an Inc. 500 advisory firm. In 2014, he founded project44 on a simple bet: enterprises don't need another dashboard, they need one operating truth of their entire network. That bet became the world's largest real-time logistics data graph, trusted by 1,300+ leading brands moving over a billion shipments a year across 190+ countries. In 2026, Jett launched LSP44, AI-native agent and API infrastructure built for logistics service providers (brokers, carriers, 3PLs, forwarders). It automates exceptions, procurement, and documents, built on data spanning 280,000+ carriers. Jett leads both companies as Founder and CEO.

LSP44 is the AI-native agent and API Infrastructure business for logistics service providers. Built on the world's largest logistics data graph and carrier network, LSP44 gives 3PLs, freight forwarders, and brokers the AI agents, carrier infrastructure, and developer capabilities to embed intelligence directly into their own products and workflows. LSP44 is profitable and headquartered in Chicago. Learn more at LSP44.ai.

project44 is the Decision Intelligence Platform for the modern supply chain. Its context-based AI transforms fragmented logistics management into unified intelligence, bringing certainty to global supply chain operations. With intelligent transportation management, end-to-end visibility, yard management and last mile solutions, and a preferred carrier network of 282,000 carriers, project44 connects over 1.5 billion shipments annually for over 1,000 leading brands in manufacturing, automotive, retail, life sciences, food and beverage, CPG, and oil, chemical and gas. Learn more at project44.com.

• In " The P44 and LSP44 Story", Joe Lynch speaks with Founder and CEO of project44 and LSP44, Jett McCandless, about how project44 and LSP44 are split to serve shippers and service providers through AI agents, global connectivity, and API infrastructure.
• Strategic Brand & Operational Split: project44 separated its operations into two distinct entities—project44 remains focused on Global 2000 shippers, while LSP44 caters specifically to 3PLs, freight forwarders, and brokers to match their faster operational cadences and unique technology needs.
• AI-Native & API Infrastructure: LSP44 provides AI-native agent and API infrastructure built on a network covering 282,000 carriers across 190+ countries and territories, backed by over $1 billion in platform investment.
• Combining APIs with AI Agents: While APIs handle direct system-to-system connections, AI agents bridge operational gaps, correct missing data, and interface with carriers when APIs aren't available, driving high data accuracy and automation.
• Evolution Beyond Passive Visibility: Supply chain tracking has shifted from passive "little V" transportation tracking to "big V" inventory-in-motion, allowing companies to automate workflows and drive insights across all global modes.
• Consolidation for Global Scale & AI Talent: project44 established its ocean visibility capabilities and AI expertise by acquiring top market players Ocean Insights for data quality and ClearMetal for machine learning talent.
• Connectivity Quality as the Core Benchmark: Connectivity quality is the single most critical metric for supply chain maturity, serving as the necessary foundation to achieve broader logistics, financial, and operational goals.
• Market Consolidation & Margin Dynamics: AI and API integration will divide logistics service providers into winners and losers, allowing tech-forward LSPs to expand net margins, lower operational costs, and execute transactions faster.

Jett McCandless | Linkedin

Jett McCandless | Substack

LSP44 | Linkedin

LSP44 | X

LSP44

project44 | Linkedin

project44

• If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues.
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