Andrew Vaughan

Fuel is the second largest and most volatile operating expense in transportation, and traditional fuel surcharge programs expose your budget to unnecessary costs and risks. Forecasts for 2026 signal continued volatility, making it critical for transportation leaders to move beyond outdated, average-based reimbursement models. Our 2026 Fuel Outlook provides the data-driven insights you need to navigate market complexities and turn your fuel spend from a volatile cost center into a powerful strategic advantage. Key Takeaways from the Report: An emerging global supply surplus is creating downward pressure on crude oil prices, yet regional disruptions are adding significant volatility. Refinery closures on the West Coast and continued U.S. diesel exports are tightening domestic supply and creating complex pricing dynamics. Traditional fuel surcharge programs based on the weekly DOE index are inaccurate, leading to missed savings opportunities. Learn why Fuel Recovery is the definitive solution for fair and accurate fuel reimbursement. DOWNLOAD NOW

At the 2025 Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit in Denver, Scott Luton met with John Lash, who leads strategy and vision at e2open, a WiseTech Global Group company. E2open is a global platform powering the entire lifecycle of making, moving, and selling goods, with capabilities spanning planning, logistics, global trade, supply management, and procurement. The platform is designed not just for enterprise visibility but for true end-to-end coordination across extended supply chain ecosystems. Lash emphasized that disruptions rarely originate within a company’s four walls. “Your sub-tiers are where most of the risk lives,” he explained. “That’s where your day-to-day operations—and your long-term strategy—are truly shaped.” It’s a lesson sharply reinforced during the pandemic, which reminded leaders worldwide that no one does supply chain alone.   Old Challenges Intensified by New Realities When Luton asked about the biggest challenges facing planning teams today, Lash pointed immediately to constraints—supply constraints, manufacturing constraints, and now, the added layer of global trade volatility. Trade policies that once shifted every few years now change weekly, daily, or even hourly. Lash offered a striking example: Brazilian coffee duties jumped from 10% to 50% this summer—before returning to 0%. “How do you plan through that?” he asked.…