Share:

Analysis of the Q2 2025 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Bobby Holland of U.S. Bank and Bob Costello of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for a timely and data-rich discussion on the Q2 2025 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index—and what the latest shifts in the freight economy mean for shippers, carriers, and supply chain leaders.

They discuss the first quarter in over two years where all five U.S. regions saw increases in shipment volume, signaling a potential turning point after a prolonged slowdown. Bobby shares fresh Index data on spend and shipment velocity, while Bob brings broader economic context, including consumer spending patterns, inflationary pressure, and the uneven pace of recovery. From driver shortages and regional capacity gaps to policy impacts and shifting inventory strategies, the panel examines how these macroeconomic forces are playing out in freight and what they could mean for the rest of 2025, offering insights for supply chain professionals preparing for continued volatility, opportunities in cross-border trade, and early signs of renewed activity.

 

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.

 

Additional Links & Resources

Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show:

 

Want more Supply Chain Now?

We know you can’t get enough Supply Chain Now! Don’t miss a single episode, livestream, or webinar:

 

More Podcast Episodes

digital transformation
play-button-podcast
podcast-blue-microphone
Podcast
June 18, 2025

From Inbox to Action: How Supply Chains Are Automating the Mess Away

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Kevin L. Jackson sit down with Antonio Bustamante, CEO of bem, to explore how automation is reshaping the supply chain landscape in 2025. Together, they unpack the hidden costs of manual workflows, the pitfalls of outdated systems, and the massive opportunity in eliminating data friction. Antonio shares how bem helps teams move away from time-consuming email and PDF-based processes toward self-healing, AI-powered systems that learn from every operator input. He discusses why the freight world is especially burdened by unstructured data, and how automation can free up teams to focus on serving customers, not fixing typos. The conversation also covers the limitations of RPA and email triage, the challenge of achieving interoperability across legacy systems, and why meeting operators where they are (even if that means faxes and handwritten notes) is key to meaningful digital transformation. Plus, Antonio offers a peek at bem’s upcoming Command Center, a tool that gives ops teams the power to correct, route, and improve workflows without relying on engineering.   This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional…
2026
play-button-podcast
podcast-blue-microphone
Podcast
January 9, 2026

The Buzz: Supply Chain Predictions for 2026

The future of supply chain is entering a defining chapter, and today, we dig into the signals, shifts, and strategic decisions shaping what’s ahead in 2026. From ongoing trade volatility and labor disruptions to the accelerating role of AI and integrated planning, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what leaders must prepare for now. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EPG!