Gert Sylvest

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…

Step up your supply chain strategy by checking out 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 Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott and Greg welcome Nicci Scott with Commercial Transport Academy and Jenny Froome with SAPICS for the next installment of the Supply Chain Across Africa series. On This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton sheds light on 3 historical milestones that enabled us to move faster: cars, coasters, & computers. On Tuesday, we released 2 new episodes! On this episode of TEK TOK, host Karin Bursa takes us through 6 strategies to boost resilience, agility, and response in your organization’s supply chain. On TECHquila Sunrise, we’re looking back on a “Sunrise Special” episode where host Greg White shares how venture capitalists decide which companies to invest in (and how much!). On Wednesday, host Scott Luton welcomed Deborah Dull, Supply Chain Product Management at GE Digital, and Mucai Kunyiha, Chairman of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Group Chief Executive Officer of Kzanaka Ltd, to the podcast. On Thursday, we released a replay of our Manufacturing Monday edition of…