Bobby Holland is a man in the know. Nearing four decades of broad-based data processing, software engineering, and consulting experience, he is now the Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics, and in charge of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Published every quarter by U.S. Bank, it has become a go-to source of information for freight shipping trends at a national and regional level. Joining Bobby on this episode of the podcast is the returning Eric Olson, Sales Support Operations Director at Total Quality Logistics (TQL), where he has spent almost 20 years working in a variety of management roles. Listen in as the conversation focuses on the U.S. Bank 2023 Q4 Freight Payment Index, based on billions of dollars worth of spend data. Bobby reveals that one region of the country saw a huge drop in shipments of more than 25% year over year. Insights such as this, underpinned by raw and unquestionable data, are why companies such as TQL and supply chain professionals like Eric turn to it for valuable insights that help to underpin their own strategies. Through the podcast, the duo talk through seven key takeaways from the 2023 Q4 report, explaining some of the trends…

The current market volatility is making disruptions commonplace, so how can you anticipate and navigate an ever changing landscape? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Allison Giddens delve deep into the turbulent waters of supply chain management with industry experts Nathan Crocker and Drew Herpich from Nolan Transportation Group (NTG). Nathan Crocker shares his decade of experience in drayage operations, offering invaluable perspectives on strategic decisions, cost understanding, and the significance of diversification in today’s shipment landscape. Drew Herpich, NTG’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlights the essentials of planning capacity and connections at ports, shedding light on how inflation and capital constraints impact shipping decisions. From discussing how to use historical data to predict shipping timelines to the challenges posed by fluctuating interest rates, this episode covers it all. Listen in and also gain insights into the importance of choosing the right partners to handle unpredictability in supply chain dynamics effectively. Prepare for actionable insights that could profoundly impact how you manage logistics and make strategic decisions.