Astrid Aubert

It’s a supply chain summer! Check out all the latest conversations, interviews, and episodes we released this week here at Supply Chain Now. On Monday, we released 3 new episodes! On this episode of Supply Chain Now, Ratelinx’s Nate Endicott, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Alliances, and Andrew Hooser, Vice President of Customer Solutions, discuss their company’s journey with Co-hosts Greg White and Scott Luton. On This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton picks up on the story of 3 legendary pioneers: Marie Curie, Alan Turing and Ed Bradley. On Supply Chain Now en Espanol, host Enrique Alvarez welcomes special guest Demos Perez to the podcast to get an update on supply chain and logistics in Panama and the rest of Latin America. On Tuesday, Mike Griswold, Vice President of Research at Gartner, joined our hosts Scott Luton and Greg White on the Supply Chain Now podcast to talk about the latest in retail supply chains from an analyst’s perspective. On Wednesday, Gifts for Good’s Chief Impact Officer Jenise Steverding joined our Logistics with Purpose podcast to share how she melded a knack for logistics with a propensity for giving back with hosts Enrique Alvarez and…

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…