Lance D. Roberts

Another great week here at Supply Chain Now! Have you listened to all the episodes this week? If not, we’ve got it covered! Check them all out here: We took Monday off in observation of Memorial Day, and on Tuesday we welcomed Ward Richmond with SupplyChainRealEstate.com back to Supply Chain Now, and he gave Scott and Greg a supply chain real estate industry update.   Supply Chain Now · “Industry Real Estate Update: Ward Richmond & SupplyChainRealEstate.com”   On Wednesday, Mike Wasson and Aubree Duncan with Tosca joined Scott and Greg on Wednesday to talk about food safety and a supply chain update   Supply Chain Now · “Food Safety & Supply Chain Update: Mike Wasson & Aubree Duncan with Tosca”   On Thursday we published our popular Supply Chain Buzz, and Scott and Greg welcomed Jon Davis, Chief Meteorologist with Riskpulse to the podcast, who shared a weather update and how it affects the global supply chain.   Supply Chain Now · “The Supply Chain Buzz for May 26th with Special Guest Jon Davis with Riskpulse”   And on Friday, we welcomed MIchael Darden with DFM Data Corp to Supply Chain Now.   Supply Chain Now · “Michael Darden:…

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…