The Intermodal Logistics Podcast

The Logistics Managers Index (LMI) tracks the freight market through thick and thin. Until recently, it's been thin, but head author Zac Rogers, Assistant Professor of Operations & Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University, tells us indications squarely point to a healthy recovery. Zac tells us about his background, the origins of the Index, how it surveys logistics pros (and w...

Drayage is a vital part of intermodal transportation, but many of its processes are stuck in the past. Enter ModalView, an app that marks a collaboration between Norfolk Southern and DrayNow aimed at modernizing and streamlining those first and final mile processes. To discuss, hosts Kevin and Shelli welcome Senior Director of Product Meghan Nesta, President and General Manager Mike Albert and for...

Intermodal is traditionally associated with long-haul shipping, but a few Sunshine State - and Mexico - solutions show it can shine with short-haul, too. On the latest InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, Luis Hernandez, VP of Intermodal with Florida East Coast Railway (a member of Grupo Mexico - which also owns Ferromex) to discuss those Florida options, from intra-Miami to all the way up...

It all starts at the ports - especially when moving intermodal across North America. And one of the busiest of those, is the Port of Long Beach in Southern California. Hosts Kevin Baxter and Shelli Austin are joined by POLB COO Dr. Noel Hacegaba as he discusses how the port operates, just how busy it is this year in terms of container shipping, how it handled the pandemic-related peak, port strike...

Intermodal transportation offers a variety of benefits over other shipping modes, including lower rates, greater capacity, consistency of service, and a reduced environmental impact. But with the vast majority - nearly three-quarters in fact - of domestic freight traveling via truck, shippers may feel a barrier to entry to this combination of road for short-haul and rail for the long-haul. On this...

When one thinks of an international container port, it conjures the image of a city along the ocean. But Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock tells us why a Midwest state 500 miles away from the nearest one can still handle ocean cargo. On our latest episode, Jody explains the Indiana Container Initiative, which involves plans to make the Ports of Indiana a potential origin and destination for ocean...

Moving pharmaceutical cargo is a specialized process, requiring experienced, careful handling every step of the way. To learn more about what it takes to transport vital medicine across the cold chain , we welcome Joel Wayment, VP/GM at Cardinal Health Third-Party Logistics Services and Packaging Solutions to our latest edition of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast. Under Joel - who's...

Every career has its own unique story, and our guest on Episode 42 of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, has had quite a journey to executive leadership. Nathan Sanders is a longtime logistics pro, beginning at the freight docks, then working up through warehousing and transportation, to where he is now, a recent CEO and private equity consultant. Nathan tells us his story in his own word...

On this episode, we take a deep dive into warehousing, with our guest John Bollman, Senior VP of Industrial Services with Cresa. John tells us about the warehouse and distribution center space complete with 3PL and logistics updates, how eCommerce has changed things, the continued evolution of automation and AI, and how the market is doing compared to freight overall. Plus, he discusses how Cresa...

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) is nearing its annual milestone event known as EXPO - taking place September 9-11 at the Long Beach Convention Center in California. To discuss what to expect from this year's edition - including attendee counts, programming, highlights, registration costs and more, we welcome longtime IANA President Joni Casey to this episode of InTek Freigh...

It's long been the backbone of construction, but lumber goes beyond its practical uses. It also serves as a key market indicator and an important one for freight particularly. Joining us on the latest InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast to discuss its vital role is Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber. Kyle shares why lumber reflects economic conditions, where its pricing stands today a...

As we reach the halfway point of 2024, the latest edition of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast welcomes an expert on the freight market and all the indicators that tell us about its health - or (spoiler alert) lack thereof as summer heats up. Dr. Jason Miller is a tenured Associate Professor of Logistics at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University who teaches supply...

Shipping cross-border with Mexico involves considerations beyond moving freight within the U.S. - with customs being what many consider a primary obstacle. However, the right partner makes things much less daunting. Joining us on this episode of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast to discuss the customs process between or across the borders is Antonio Luna, Managing Director of Vitti Logist...

The traditional vision of intermodal transportation involves what are known as intermodal containers - of the 53 foot variety. But another option is out there in the form of ocean containers. It's known as ocean container repositioning. Joining us to discuss what the process involves and how its beneficial to carriers and shippers alike is returning guest Jeff Brashares, CMA CGM Director of I...

Machine learning - a subset of AI - is a tool that many in the supply chain management field already use for inventory forecasting. But using optimal machine learning - a technique developed by our guest Dr. Naren Agrawal and his co-authors - can unlock a whole new world of decision-making ability for businesses. Dr. Agrawal, the Benjamin and Mae Swig Professor of OMIS at Santa Clara University, s...

Olives can be a popular snack, drink garnish and ingredient, but as with any product, there's plenty of work that goes into getting them on store shelves and eventually into kitchens. On this edition of the podcast, we explore the process from farm to plate (or glass) with Musco Family Olive Company Senior Director of Supply Chain Michael Lin. California-based Musco is the U.S. leader in prov...

Supply chain pros come in many forms, with career opportunities spanning just about any skill one can think of. But how does one get started in a freight or logistics job? And has the situation improved for women and diverse populations? For those answers - and more - we welcome Michelle Livingstone, a decorated supply chain leader who has worked in high-level positions with Home Depot, Kraft, JC...

With shipping between the U.S. and Mexico continuing to be a hot topic, we turn to an authority on how to move freight via rail between the two countries - Union Pacific. On this episode of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast, we're joined by Beto Vargas, UP Vice President of Sales & Marketing - Mexico. He discusses Union Pacific's 30-year history in Mexico, its flagship Falco...

Intermodal transportation offers a consistent advantage in savings over its over-the-road trucking counterpart mode, but a lingering question for many shippers is intermodal service. As in, how consistent is both the rail service and the service a company can expect from an IMC - intermodal marketing company? Ari Ashe with the Journal of Commerce joins us to discuss how he tracks both the savings...

A TMS - transportation management system - is a key part of modern logistics operations, and the right one can help a business succeed. On this episode, we talk with Rexing Companies Director of Operations Rachel Johnson about their TMS, and how it has streamlined and optimized many of PFL Logistics' (a Rexing Company) shipping and coordination processes. Rachel shares how PFL chose the Mercu...

Artificial intelligence - better known and faster said as AI - is a tool that has applications across every day life. And one area that both already uses it and can use it more is the supply chain space. Joining us to discuss AI in supply chain & logistics is supply chain expert and strategic advisor Bart De Muynck. We discuss Bart's recent article for Forbes, appropriately titled "T...

As the year begins, join us in first looking back at how the freight market behaved in 2023, then offering a freight outlook for 2024. Kevin and Rick discuss a variety of areas, including the recovery that wasn't last year, why this year probably won't be gangbusters either, where the supply and demand balance stands in shipping, and when a bounceback becomes more realistic. Plus, they t...

California's AB5 (Assembly Bill 5) has been in effect for some time now, but appeals persist and enforcement continues to be cloudy. That cloud is hanging over independent truck drivers and the freight industry as a whole. Joining us to discuss the law, its implications both in California and across the country, and the latest on the legal appeals process is Paul Torlina, Government Affairs C...

When it comes to intermodal and rail in general, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Analyst Tony Hatch - co-founder of the RailTrends conference,  past president of the Motor Carrier Analysts Association, 2019 North American Rail Shippers Association Person of the Year and independent consultant - tells us many of the issues facing the industry are similar to those he encounter...

Sustainability is - or at least should be - a focus of modern businesses, and a new technology platform called The Eighth Notch aims at reducing the carbon footprint of final-mile delivery by reducing stops without reducing products reaching homes. Mike Robinson, Head of Retail Solutions and Founding Member of The Eighth Notch joins us to discuss the solution, how the pandemic-related ecommerce bo...