Dr. Troy A. Montgomery

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…

“The term ‘influencer’ has become quite ubiquitous in the online space, especially in social media marketing. What was previously being done by celebrities is now taken over by regular people with large followings on social media platforms,” said Influencer Marketing Hub. The Denmark-based company says it “specializes in producing how-to guides, courses, and research reports in the social media and influencer marketing industry.” How far we’ve come – to the point where there’s an actual influencer marketing industry. Influencer Marketing Hub did say that industry experts and thought leaders “can also be considered influencers in their respective industries. These key opinion leaders have gained respect because of their qualifications, position, or experience in their topic of expertise.” It added that “the opinions of these influencers hold significant weight regardless of their social media follower count.” Supply Chain Media is Transforming to Fit the Needs of a Changing Industry Thankfully, it is the industry experts and thought leaders who are influencing supply chain media rather than TikTok “stars” and the Kardashians. There is now a wealth of supply chain-focused programming keeping industry professionals abreast of the latest trends and innovations. Three Supply Chain Influencers to Watch Vin Vashista, Sofia Rivas, and…