Short Lines, Big Impact: How Short Line Railroads Power America's Supply Chain with Joey Evans

Short Lines, Big Impact: How Short Line Railroads Power America's Supply Chain with Joey Evans

In "Short Lines, Big Impact: How Short Line Railroads Power America's Supply Chain" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Joey Evans [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-e-8262373b3/], Senior Director, Government Affairs & Business Development, TNW Corporation, discuss how Class III short line railroads leverage technology, sustainability, and first-and-last-mile service to keep American commerce moving. About Joey Evans Joey Evans [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-e-8262373b3/] is the Senior Director, Government Affairs & Business Development, TNW Corporation. He is a seasoned rail industry professional with over 20 years of experience, leading TNW's development and execution of government affairs and strategic growth initiatives. His role oversees legislative strategy, public funding efforts, real estate and industrial development projects, and supports acquisition and expansion activities aligned with the company's long-term objectives. Joey serves as President of the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (TSLRRA) and is a member of the TxDOT Freight Advisory Committee. His career spans various leadership roles across the short line railroad industry. Prior to his current position, he led Customer Success for TNW, encompassing customer service, revenue protection, and infrastructure technology. His journey began as a conductor and engineer, where hands-on experience laid the foundation for his transition into management. About TNW Corporation TNW Corporation [https://www.tnwcorporation.com/] owns and operates three short line railroads — TXNW Railway, TXGN Railway, and TXR Railway — along with multiple rail logistics facilities across Texas, serving as a strategic supply chain partner to industries, shippers, fleet managers, and Class I railroads. With more than 40 years of transportation logistics experience, TNW delivers the efficiency, reliability, and customer service that keep North American commerce moving. TXNW Railway, operating in the Texas Panhandle since 1982, is a One-Stop Supercenter and boasts the largest privately owned railcar storage capacity in the United States. TXGN Railway, also a One-Stop Supercenter, has served central Texas since 1992, operating approximately 67 miles of storage and loop track with Union Pacific interchange. TXR Railway, based in Brownwood, serves the Camp Bowie Industrial Area and interchanges with BNSF Railroad. TNW's full suite of services includes rapid interchange, transloading, railcar storage, repair, cleaning, scrapping, warehousing, and rail-served industrial development. Key Takeaways: Short Lines, Big Impact: How Short Line Railroads Power America's Supply Chain * In "Short Lines, Big Impact: How Short Line Railroads Power America's Supply Chain" Joe Lynch and Joey Evans, Senior Director, Government Affairs & Business Development, TNW Corporation, discuss how Class III short line railroads leverage technology, sustainability, and first-and-last-mile service to keep American commerce moving. * Revenue, Not Track Length, Defines Railroad Classes: Railroad classification is strictly determined by annual revenue, not physical distance. Class I railroads (the "interstates" like BNSF and UP) exceed $1 billion in annual revenue, Class II regional railroads fall between $1 billion and $47 million, and Class III short lines—where TNW Corporation operates—fall below $47 million. * Short Lines Serve as the "First and Last Mile" for Rural America: While Class I railroads excel at long-distance freight movement, North America's 615 short line railroads provide essential first- and last-mile service to industrial parks and rural communities. Operating in smaller towns (often under 15,000 people), short lines keep vital agricultural, manufacturing, and petrochemical hubs connected to the national rail network. * Lowering the Barrier to Entry with Truck-to-Rail Conversions: Because one railcar holds the equivalent capacity of four trucks (4:1 ratio), TNW launched a dedicated logistics and transloading business. This allows smaller regional shippers within a 50-to-100-mile radius to enjoy the economic benefits of rail by breaking bulk rail loads down into local trucks, without requiring a massive capital investment in dedicated track infrastructure. * High-Volume Commodities and Major Public-Private Infrastructure Investments: Short lines primarily handle heavy, bulk commodities like petrochemicals, plastics, lumber, agricultural yields, and construction aggregates (rock). To support these loads, short lines reinvest a massive 33% to 50% of their annual revenue into infrastructure, a timeline accelerated by federal CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvement) grants to expand track fluidity. * Transitioning from Rail's Historic "Black Hole" to High-Tech Visibility: Spurred by rising post-COVID consumer expectations (the "Amazon experience"), TNW developed a proprietary digital portal called My TNW. This tool eliminates the historic visibility "black hole" of rail shipping by providing customers with complete data transparency, allowing them to track cars across both TNW property and intersecting Class I networks. * Embracing AI and Autonomous Infrastructure Safety: The rail industry is heavily adopting AI, autonomous railcars, and automated track inspection tools. These automated systems travel the lines to instantly pinpoint structural micro-cracks, gauge misalignments, or railcar defects. Removing the human error factor from these tedious inspections helped the rail sector chart its safest operational year in its 200-year history in 2025. * Meeting Corporate ESG Targets Through "Clean and Green" Operations: Rail remains one of the most inherently sustainable modes of land transportation, moving a ton of freight roughly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel. Beyond fuel efficiency, TNW helps shippers meet strict corporate environmental goals by certifying all properties under Operation Clean Sweep, which enforces strict handling frameworks to prevent plastic pellets and commodities from spilling into local ecosystems. Learn More About Short Lines, Big Impact: How Short Line Railroads Power America's Supply Chain Joey Evans | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-e-8262373b3/] TNW Corporation | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnw-corporation/] TNW Corporation | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tnwcorporation/] TNW Corporation | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/tnwcorporation/] TNW Corporation | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiaHoxM2ysGuOXfTiSvvhog] TNW Corporation [https://www.tnwcorporation.com/] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

Breaking Bulk Logistics Data Silos with IntelliTrans and Matt Everson

In "Breaking Bulk Logistics Data Silos" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Matt Everson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-everson-42341026/], Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at IntelliTrans, discuss how unifying multimodal freight technology eliminates operational blind spots and optimizes bulk supply chains. About Matt Everson Matt Everson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-everson-42341026/] is the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at IntelliTrans. He brings more than 15 years of experience driving growth and building strong customer relationships in the transportation and logistics technology industry. He leads the company's sales and marketing efforts with a focus on delivering measurable value and long-term partnerships that help customers succeed. He leads the commercial and customer engagement strategy that connects shippers with technology designed to simplify logistics complexity and deliver measurable value. About IntelliTrans IntelliTrans [https://www.intellitrans.com/], a business unit of Roper Technologies, delivers multimodal transportation management solutions built by experts to simplify freight complexities for bulk and breakbulk shippers. By combining real-time data, predictive risk management, and expert support, IntelliTrans provides insights to help shippers reduce costs, prevent disruptions, and deliver with confidence. IntelliTrans' mission is to keep the world's goods moving by giving transportation professionals the clarity, confidence, and control to deliver every time. Established in 1992, IntelliTrans is headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in Arkansas, London, and Sweden. Key Takeaways: Breaking Bulk Logistics Data Silos * In "Breaking Bulk Logistics Data Silos" Joe Lynch and Matt Everson, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at IntelliTrans, discuss how unifying multimodal freight technology eliminates operational blind spots and optimizes bulk supply chains. * Serve the Core Bulk and Breakbulk Sectors: Focus technology and operations on shippers of heavy, raw commodities—essentially "anything that comes out of the ground," including oil, gas, chemicals, plastics, metals, agriculture, and forestry products. * Dominate the North American Rail TMS Market: Establish market leadership by processing 40% of all North American railcars (excluding intermodal) on any given day and maintaining direct data connections into 95% of Class II short-line railroads. * Unify Multimodal Freight to Break Data Silos: Eliminate operational blind spots for large Fortune 100 shippers by combining rail, truck, yard management, and barge data into a single comprehensive execution platform. * Leverage Historical Data Cleanliness for AI Readiness: Utilize decades of specialized operational expertise and human-verified data cleaning to build high-quality datasets, positioning the platform to deliver highly accurate predictive insights as supply chain AI evolves. * Optimize High-Value Asset Utilization and Fleets: Provide advanced forecasting and analytics tools that calculate a shipper's exact fleet size requirements, ensuring optimal lease management and minimizing idle railcar costs. * Mitigate Overcharges and Prevent Demurrage Fees: Protect shippers from costly detention, storage, and demurrage fees by deploying automatic alerts, verifying car placement data, and actively auditing carrier invoices. * Track Scope 3 Emissions for ESG Compliance: Help shippers meet modern environmental compliance standards through certified state-by-state tracking of mileage, weight, and CO2 emissions across all transportation modes. Learn More About Breaking Bulk Logistics Data Silos Matt Everson | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-everson-42341026/] IntelliTrans | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/intellitrans/] IntelliTrans [https://www.intellitrans.com/] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

From Strategy to Scale: The ODW Logistics Approach to Growth with Phil Schmidbauer

In "From Strategy to Scale: The ODW Logistics Approach to Growth" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Phil Schmidbauer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-schmidbauer-b4020516/], Vice President of Solution Design at ODW Logistics, discuss how middle-market brands can scale by optimizing their entire supply chain network rather than just chasing low freight rates. About Phil Schmidbauer Phil Schmidbauer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-schmidbauer-b4020516/] is the Vice President of Solution Design at ODW Logistics, where he specializes in creating optimized transportation and integrated supply chain strategies. A dynamic and innovative leader, Phil brings extensive industry experience focused on driving process efficiencies, eliminating waste, and delivering significant value to clients. Recognized as a top industry innovator—including being named a "Pros to Know" award winner—he excels at building strategic bridges across complex supply chain networks. Phil works closely with businesses to align their comprehensive logistics frameworks with overarching financial and operational goals. His expertise spans advanced supply chain analytics, cargo security, and network optimization studies, making him a trusted authority in helping growth-minded brands design custom-engineered solutions that reduce complexity and successfully position their businesses to scale. About ODW Logistics ODW Logistics [https://www.odwlogistics.com/] is a top-tier, integrated third-party logistics (3PL) provider dedicated to enabling collective growth for its clients, associates, and the industry. With over 50 years of experience, ODW Logistics delivers end-to-end supply chain solutions that combine strategic warehousing, distribution, and advanced transportation management. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, health and beauty, and industrial manufacturing. As an approved consolidator for major retail networks, ODW specializes in retail consolidation, strategic inventory load planning, and automated workflows that control costs and improve on-time delivery. Driven by core values of respect, trust, team, and opportunity, ODW Logistics operates as a seamless extension of its customers' businesses, providing the technology, infrastructure, and continuous innovation necessary to scale operations effectively. Key Takeaways: From Strategy to Scale: The ODW Logistics Approach to Growth * In "From Strategy to Scale: The ODW Logistics Approach to Growth" Joe Lynch and Phil Schmidbauer, Vice President of Solution Design at ODW Logistics, discuss how middle-market brands can scale by optimizing their entire supply chain network rather than just chasing low freight rates. * Integrated 3PL Solutions for Middle-Market Growth: ODW Logistics leverages over 50 years of experience to provide end-to-end warehousing, distribution, and managed transportation solutions, operating as a seamless extension for middle-market companies that lack the internal resources to manage complex supply chains alone. * A Consultative, Total-Network Focus: Rather than just chasing the lowest transaction rate on a truck lane, Phil Schmidbauer emphasizes a consultative approach that designs and optimizes the entire supply chain, aligning warehousing and transportation around each other to reduce hidden costs, fines, and lead times. * High-Frequency Retail Consolidation: ODW specializes in retail consolidation (serving major networks like Walmart and Target) by combining smaller multi-pallet shipments into full truckloads. This ensures high-frequency deliveries, which reduces lot sizes, minimizes inventory requirements, and drives better overall service. * Mitigating the Cost of Stockouts: Keeping products on shelves is critical to brand survival. Stockouts cause severe financial penalties and permanent brand-loyalty loss when consumers switch to competitors—making consistent supply chain execution vital for sales growth. * Managing the Hidden Costs of Excess Inventory: Influenced by his background with Toyota's world-class manufacturing processes, Schmidbauer highlights that excess inventory carries heavy hidden liabilities, including high warehousing fees, multiple touchpoints, and obsolescence or shelf-life expiration risks. * The Power of a Dual-Node Network: ODW operates 27 facilities nationwide, utilizing a highly efficient dual-node setup between Southern California and Columbus, Ohio. This center-of-gravity strategy allows brands to easily meet next-day delivery demands for a massive portion of the U.S. population. * Bridging the Omni-channel Divide: As retail and ecommerce models increasingly blend, ODW supports brands navigating both channels, helping companies scale and transition their operational structures from online-only to brick-and-mortar retail fulfillment seamlessly. Learn More About From Strategy to Scale: The ODW Logistics Approach to Growth Phil Schmidbauer | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-schmidbauer-b4020516/] ODW Logistics | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/odw-logistics-inc-/] ODW Logistics [https://www.odwlogistics.com/] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

REPOST: The 2026 M&A Rebound: Why Logistics is Primed for a Banner Year with Logisyn's CEO Ron Lentz

In "The 2026 M&A Rebound: Why Logistics is Primed for a Banner Year with Logisyn's CEO Ron Lentz", Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Ron Lentz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlentz/], CEO of Logisyn Advisors, discuss how $4 trillion in untapped capital and industry consolidation are driving a major wave of logistics exits. About Ron Lentz Ron Lentz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlentz/] is a founding partner and CEO of Logisyn Advisors, recognized as a logistics subject matter expert with over 40 years of industry experience. His deep knowledge of capital markets, combined with an extensive global network spanning logistics firms, private equity, family funds, and debt financing, enables him to help clients maximize returns across all M&A services. Ron's expertise covers key logistics sub-sectors, including e-commerce fulfillment, asset-light logistics, final-mile delivery, 3PLs, specialty hauling, air cargo, and freight forwarding. His career includes international executive leadership at Ryder Logistics, over a decade of C-level assignments, and a track record of transforming Fortune 500 companies, startups, and turnarounds into high-performing businesses. About Logisyn Advisors Logisyn Advisors [https://www.logisyn.com/about] is an M&A advisor specializing in the transportation and logistics sector. The firm's customers include global freight forwarders, customs house brokers, domestic forwarders, trucking companies, logistics software providers, and many other companies across the industry. Logisyn provides a variety of M&A services, including buy-side advisory for companies looking to grow through acquisition, sell-side advisory for entrepreneurs looking to exit and capitalize on the businesses they've built, and enterprise valuation services for managers looking to gain a better understanding of the value of their business. The company has a proven track record of advising executives navigating the M&A process and is actively engaged with leading companies across the logistics industry. Key Takeaways: The 2026 M&A Rebound: Why Logistics is Primed for a Banner Year * In "The 2026 M&A Rebound: Why Logistics is Primed for a Banner Year with Logisyn's CEO Ron Lentz", Joe Lynch and Ron Lentz, CEO of Logisyn Advisors, discuss how $4 trillion in untapped capital and industry consolidation are driving a major wave of logistics exits. * The Power of "Logistics-First" Specialization: Unlike "industry agnostic" investment banks, Logisyn only hires former operators who understand the intricate day-to-day realities of the supply chain. Ron emphasizes that a generalist banker can cause a "generalist penalty," where the unique operational value and specialized assets of a logistics firm are lost in translation during a deal. * The $4 Trillion "Dry Powder" Catalyst: A massive driver for the 2026 rebound is the estimated $4 trillion in global private equity "dry powder." Much of this is older capital that firms must "use or lose," creating a high-pressure environment for acquisitions in fragmented markets like transportation. * The "Six Ps" of Market Readiness: Ron lives by the mantra: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Success requires "staging the house" by cleaning up these financials 12–24 months before an exit. * Asset-Based Logistics is Primed for a Bull Run: While freight brokerage is facing a "leaner and meaner" period due to AI and fee transparency, Ron is incredibly bullish on asset-based carriers. As driver shortages persist and capital costs for equipment remain high, those who actually control the trucks will hold the most leverage in the coming year. * Cultural Compatibility is the #1 Deal Killer: Citing PWC data, Ron highlights that cultural alignment is the primary reason mergers succeed or fail. For entrepreneurs, selling isn't just a financial transaction; it's "giving up their baby." A successful M&A advisor acts as much as a counselor as a banker to ensure the legacy remains intact. * The "Jigsaw Puzzle" Strategy for Buyers: Strategic acquisitions in 2026 are moving away from simple "growth for growth's sake." Buyers are looking for specific "jigsaw pieces"—such as a niche cold chain specialty in the Southeast or a robust tech stack—to create a "pure play" offering that doesn't require a "fixer-upper" effort. * The Death of the "Country Club" Broker: The complexity of modern logistics—from AI-driven RFPs to real-time WMS integration—means owners can no longer rely on a general business broker or a "golfing buddy" to sell their company. To maximize the 8x to 10x multiples, founders need advisors who can navigate the deep-dive diligence of tech-savvy private equity buyers. Learn More About The 2026 M&A Rebound: Why Logistics is Primed for a Banner Year Ron Lentz | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlentz/] Logisyn Advisors | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/logisynadvisors] Logisyn Advisors [https://www.logisyn.com/about] Customer Testimonials [https://www.logisyn.com/testimonials] Logistics M&A Club Events [https://www.logisyn.com/logisticsmaclub/home] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]

The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight with Alex Fuller

In "The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight" Joe Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlynchjr/] and Alex Fuller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thealexfuller/], 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. About Alex Fuller Alex Fuller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thealexfuller/], 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. About TRAFFIX TRAFFIX [http://www.traffix.com/] 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. Key Takeaways: The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight * 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. Learn More About The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight Alex Fuller | Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thealexfuller/] TRAFFIX | Linkedin [http://www.linkedin.com/company/traffix/] TRAFFIX | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TRAFFIXGroup] TRAFFIX | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/traffix.highperformance/] TRAFFIX | X [https://x.com/Traffix1979] TRAFFIX | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@traffixlogistics] TRAFFIX [http://www.traffix.com/] TRAFFIX Trends Q2 2026 [http://www.traffix.com/resources/traffix-trends-q2-2026] TRAFFIX Bi-Weekly Market Update [https://www.traffix.com/resources/traffix-bi-weekly-market-trends] The Logistics of Logistics Podcast * If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. * The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google [https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVsb2xwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz], Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast/id1409735368], Castbox [https://www.thelogisticsoflogistics.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2R6BcnTSREZ7fOx9EIoI36?si=9SxorwsJTOicUq7hOEQaYQ], Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/dancewaves/the-logistics-of-logistics], PlayerFM [https://player.fm/series/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast], Tunein [http://tun.in/pi548], Podbean [https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/dtyrb-7364a/The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast], Owltail [https://www.owltail.com/podcast/23776-The-Logistics-of-Logistics-Podcast/episodes], Libsyn [https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/thelolpodcast], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1409735368/the-logistics-of-logistics-podcast] * Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPVXYJLkj3mIceUYPIOedA]