InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast InTek Freight & Logistics

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 Penney and more.

Michelle tells us about her career and her passion for cultivating more diverse leaders in the industry. She shares tips and discusses organizations to help folks at various levels, from those just starting out to mid-career professionals and leadership. We talk about the University of Denver's Transportation and Supply Chain Institute, where she teaches and serves on the board, Indiana University's Transportation Board and degree opportunities, AWESOME (https://awesomeleaders.org), WISE (https://walton.uark.edu/departments/supplychain/wise.php), the new WISE-Beyond and more.

Hear more from Michelle on Transportation Talks interview series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa2zXYrUWOA) on which she speaks to other industry leaders. Or find her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledlivingstone).

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

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 Falcon and Eagle cross-border solutions - the latter of which also connects to Canada, and his outlook on the coming nearshoring boom. He also talks about the value of having experienced, bilingual partners to deal with customs and the speed of intermodal versus over the road solutions when it comes to cross-border shipping. Spoiler alert: it can be faster than truck in many scenarios.

Learn more about Union Pacific and its crossborder solutions www.up.com/customers/mexico. For additional information about intermodal between the two countries using UP and other partnerships, visit www.intekfreight-logistics.com/mexico-freight-shipping.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

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 and service pieces of the equation, through the quarterly Intermodal Savings Index (ISI) and the newer addition to JOC's portfolio, the Intermodal Service Scorecard. He talks about what goes into each report, how he tracks the data, just how much intermodal typically saves versus truck, and which (and which types of) IMCs shippers prefer.

He also recaps last week's TPM24 conference, which focuses on international ocean container shipping but brings together key players from throughout supply chains, sharing the mood of those in attendance and the effects of the Red Sea crisis so far.

Access to the ISI and Service Scorecard requires a JOC Gold Subscription, which is available here: www.joc.com/subscription/choose-plan. Learn more about TPM and September's Inland Conference (also discussed on the podcast) at www.joc.com/events.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

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 MercuryGate TMS about four years ago, why working with a partner like InTek has helped with implementation and support, the advantages of a cloud-based software system, and how well it handles integrations customized to their needs. Also, hear how PFL has continued to grow in recent years, and listen close for a Lost reference!

For more information about PFL Logistics, visit pfllogisticsusa.com. For more on Rexing Companies, visit rexingcompanies.com. And to learn more about InTek's MercuryGate partnership, visit www.intekfreight-logistics.com/tms.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

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 "The True Role of AI in Logistics" (https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/08/17/the-true-role-of-ai-in-logistics), in which he notes warehouse and yard automation, predictive analytics, data analysis among others as areas in which AI fits into freight operations.

He notes that the best TMS (transportation management systems) and WMS (warehouse management systems) already incorporate many AI elements, and of course many warehouses already use automation both with robotics and software. Additionally, those hesitant to use it may be surprised that their smartphones (Apple and Android) and many other items use it extensively already. And Bart predicts this year will be a big one for those holding out on AI implementation, with the hesitations many have being replaced by worries of getting left behind.

Learn more about Bart at https://www.bartdemuynck.com and find more of his work at https://www.bettersupplychains.com.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

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 talk diesel prices and other potential factors that could influence the market like the Red Sea crisis, labor issues at the ports and more.

For a 2024 freight outlook in written form, read our Logistics and Supply Chain Trends.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.