Birgit Matthiesen

Stay up to date on all the latest conversations, interviews, and episodes we released this week here at Supply Chain Now. On Monday, we released 2 new episodes! On this episode of Digital Transformers, produced in partnership with TNS, host Kevin L. Jackson welcomes Praveen Rao, Managing Director with IBM, to the podcast. On This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton relates true stories marking notable anniversary dates this week, including the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, the first Chevy Corvette to be produced in 1953, & more! On Tuesday, we released an episode of TEK TOK! In this episode, host Karin Bursa dives into 6 strategies that supply chain innovators are doing now to become more resilient. On Wednesday’s episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Kelly Barner, Host of Dial P for Procurement, dive into the friction between North Face and the oil and gas industry – an industry that supplies the substance and materials North Face needs to make its products. Despite this, North Face is concerned with protecting their brand from the potential damage of publicly associating with oil and gas, leaving them in a tough spot with regard to their supply…

Blog Post written by Ohad Azgad, CEO of Cinch Logistics leaders must control costs while maintaining service quality, but hidden freight charges often erode profits due to poor visibility. Cinch analyzed over 7,000 line-item charges from 30+ freight forwarders, brokers, and carriers in FMCG and manufacturing, uncovering three major cost drivers: The Frequency-Impact Paradox Frequent charges like fuel surcharges appear in 14.4% of invoices but contribute just 4.2% of hidden costs. In contrast, customs duties—though present in only 5.8% of invoices—account for 52% of hidden costs. Identifying these patterns helps logistics teams focus on impactful cost reductions. Inconsistent Invoice Terminology Charge names like “Fuel Surcharge” vs. “Bunker Adjustment Factor” vary between carriers, reducing cost visibility and negotiation leverage. Standardizing terminology improves tracking, clarity, and vendor negotiations. Hidden Budget Risks: Customs, Duties & On-Carriage Fees Customs duties account for 46% of hidden costs, while on-carriage fees add 26%, despite appearing in only 4.3% of invoices. These charges are often underestimated during quoting, leading to budget overruns. Proactive management prevents unexpected expenses.   Strategies to Optimize Freight Costs Real-Time Data Analytics: Platforms like Cinch provide charge visibility during quoting, improving cost forecasting and negotiation leverage. Standardized Terminology: Consistent charge names enhance cost…