Demand for temperature-controlled equipment is typically at its highest during the summer months, peaking right around Independence Day. That’s when spot rates increase and produce volume peaks, but within the space of a month, volume can drop by as much as 25%. From the start of July, the reefer market goes into maintenance mode until…
Capacity migration is a subject often underestimated and misunderstood by industry experts. Most successful small fleets and owner-operators have a variety of trailer types at their disposal, enabling them to switch between modes based on spot rate and demand levels. An example could include a reefer carrier that changes to bulk liquid haulage in winter,…
Stuck in your factoring contract? The thought of switching factoring companies can be a complicated process. However, our partner, OTR Solutions, makes switching factoring companies easy with their dedicated buy-out task force. This guide will walk you through key considerations to help you identify the following: Should you switch from your current factoring company? The…
Truckload carriers have been experiencing considerable growth in freight volumes in the Southeast and Southwest since the pandemic began in early 2020, and it is likely being sustained based on recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Northeast, traditionally a GDP powerhouse, now contributes less to the national GDP than six fast-growing states in…
The summer months often come with an uptick in severe seasonal weather that leads to delays, damage, and safety concerns. Fortunately, shippers can leverage freight market intelligence and data-driven decision making to better prepare for severe weather. Seasonal weather is responsible for 23% of all roadway delays, costing American shippers over 32 billion vehicle-hours and…
On a recent DAT Freight & Analytics show, we interviewed Grace Maher, COO at OTR Solutions, to talk about ways that carriers are handling the current soft freight markets and how factoring is helping them manage cash flow. Here’s an excerpt from the interview. Dean Croke (DC): How can factoring help carriers survive this soft…
Flatbed carriers have moved around 42,000 fewer truckloads of steel this year compared to the first six months of 2022, based on data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Excluding 2020, when global demand crashed, year-to-date steel production tonnage is the lowest since 2018. The AISI reports steel output in the U.S. in the…
The long Independence Day weekend traditionally marks the peak in produce shipping volumes, and after a slow start, national volumes recovered to be up 11% y/y for the week ending July 4. National volumes were almost identical to 2018 and 2019 volumes halfway through 2023. Like last year, weather has significantly impacted this year, with…
Expecting the unexpected is imperative across the transportation and logistics sector. The fragmented state of regional supply chains leaves shippers susceptible to major disruption and operational downtime in the wake of disaster. Whether it’s severe weather or poor infrastructure, all it takes is one event to amplify supply chain risk. The recent I-95 bridge collapse…
As shippers seek to contend with the ever-evolving transportation market landscape, the evolution of data is causing major shifts to the procurement process. On May 8, 2023, DAT Chief Scientist Dr. Chris Caplice gave a presentation at the Gartner® Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2023 discussing the rise of data analytics and its impact on transportation procurement.…