Reporting

Transport execs confront high-stakes decision: remote, office or hybrid work?

By Shefali Kapadia USA Truck, like many businesses, went fully remote for office operations last spring when the pandemic prompted large-scale shutdowns. The decision was straightforward for most companies, as they put staff safety above all else. “When the pandemic hit … you have that ‘fight or flight’ button in your brain and say, ‘OK,… Read more
9 charts show the highs and lows of supply chains in Q1

By Shefali Kapadia and Matt Leonard The growth spurt in consumer spending that began last summer carried over into 2021, with knock-on effects to supply chains. Freight demand led to hikes in transportation prices and warehouse rents, alongside dips in capacity. And near the end of the quarter, a global disruption occurred: The Ever Given… Read more
The US has a new trade chief. What supply chains can expect on tariffs and China.

By Shefali Kapadia Trade didn’t make it into the Biden administration’s seven immediate priorities. It’s not a subject where analysts and former trade representatives expect to see big moves or a flurry of activity. But that hasn’t deterred newly-confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. “I don’t expect, if confirmed, to be put on the back burner… Read more
Dole, Amazon settle in as logistics infrastructure in Wilmington, Delaware, builds up and out

By Shefali Kapadia Interstate 495 is in clear view from the berths at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware. One traffic light and one turn is all it takes for trucks departing the port to reach the highway and haul their containers to dense population centers along the East Coast. And running parallel to the interstate,… Read more
Inside the financial health of trucking’s largest players

By Shefali Kapadia Part of 2020 and 2021 so far have proved to be blockbuster for trucking. Consumer demand kept shippers busy and pleading for space, while the supply of tractors, trailers and drivers remained tight. But not all trucking firms benefit equally from the continuing freight boom. As in every industry, some transport firms… Read more
How to navigate the 90-day tariff ‘cease-fire’

Higher tariffs, lower tariffs. More tariffs, fewer tariffs. Steel tariffs, auto tariffs. The ongoing saga of the U.S.-China trade war feels like Dr. Seuss book meets roller coaster. Throughout 2018, only one thing has been consistent for business managers when it comes to trade policy and regulation — uncertainty. “This is no way for retailers… Read more