Thank you, Drivers!
This is just a shout-out from me, and on behalf of Sleek, to all the drivers out there. It may not be driver appreciation week but you deserve a round of applause daily. Thank you for your efforts, your patience, your drive, literally and figuratively. It’s not easy out there. Sure, we get some flexible shippers that get you in/out and it’s a breeze, but from time to time, not everything goes according to plan. We want our shippers to load on time as they requested but sometimes they get delayed, and believe me, we do everything we can to move things along. I just had a driver the other week do every single thing requested; bid & book his own load, dispatch on the app, arrive pre-cooled ahead of schedule and he still had to wait because the product wasn’t staged. He was stuck sitting in his cab for several hours while it was 100 degrees outside and all the while, he was calm and cool…he’s actually my inspiration for writing this so thank you to Andrew at DRU Transport LLC (MC004259). We were both incredibly frustrated and I felt terrible, but our hands were tied, as were his, and all he wanted to do was get back home to his family. It will happen, and how we handle it is on all of us because at the end of the day, there’s only so much we can control. Andrew was calm and collected, and I just assured him detention. Drivers, you put in long hours ensuring the rest of us get what we need and want, while working...
Trucking & Cell Signal Infrastructure in the Rural U.S.
Mobile Communication is Critical for the US Supply Chain It may or may not be common knowledge, but parts of the United States’ countryside are in great need of better cell coverage & technology options. The reasons are vast, but there’s even more at stake than the quality of life and communications for rural residents. While that should already be enough to get on board with infrastructural updating, I’m going to offer another reason: Trucking. It’s easy to take trucking for granted, but supply chains impact everyone. We trust that we can find the products we seek at the retailers that sell them. The reality is that transportation logistics is a complicated, detailed world, and there’s no doubt that technology brings new efficiencies to that world every day. Technology aims to streamline logistical processes: scheduling & planning, load tendering, shipment tracking, facility/dock management, and many other aspects. Trucks move through some of the most disconnected regions of this country, and often enough, shipping and receiving facilities are found in these areas as well. The Impact of Unreliable Communication Trucks and manufacturers count on technology to keep everything connected and running smoothly. Information and speed are required to efficiently move products. The greater the demand for products, the greater the need for fast & accurate data. Data flow is compromised in “dead zones”. This often puts the burden on drivers, using devices with low-or-no signal, to report mechanical problems, work around delays, receive appointment & dock updates, and book their next loads. One driver, frustratingly having to fight against a spotty signal, can prevent entire shipments from reaching their destination in...
Sleek Technologies Named “Procurement Solution Of The Year” From SupplyTech Breakthrough For Second Year In A Row
Annual Awards Program Recognizes Sleek Technologies for Innovation in the Global Supply Chain Technology and Logistics Industry CHICAGO - June 22, 2023 – Sleek Technologies, a technology data company, and leader in AI-driven autonomous procurement, today announced that for the second year in a row, it has been selected as “Procurement Solution Of The Year” in the annual SupplyTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by SupplyTech Breakthrough, a leading independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout technology companies, products, and services in the supply chain technology and logistics industry around the globe. Advanced freight procurement data from Sleek Technologies helps shippers optimize their existing carrier network, as the AI-powered software instantly finds, vets, and transacts with any qualified truck across North America. The company provides both data visibility and automation, helping shippers understand truckload activity, optimize their entire carrier network and comprehend factors that may impact load cost. Sleek’s technology is able to match loads to compliant, asset-based capacity at the right time, location, and price. As a load becomes available, capacity is expanded. The platform implements over 80 configured shipper attributes, predictive AI algorithms, and a system of measures considering the likelihood of a driver’s interest in a particular load. Carriers who best match the criteria are the only ones granted access to bid on the load. This eliminates the middleman from the process and allows carriers to set market pricing. Sleek helps full truckload shippers across multiple verticals including Building Materials, Paper & Pulp, Plastics & Chemicals, Food & Beverage, Retail, and more. “A short-sighted approach to freight procurement will lead to temporary gains at the expense of long-term losses....
Revolutionizing Full Truckload Shipping: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing the Power of Autonomous Procurement
The logistics landscape is brimming with complexities and challenges, especially for large shippers who transport goods via full truckload (FTL). Their pain points are diverse and significant, with each capable of causing considerable disruptions in their operations. Therefore, understanding these pain points and how to overcome them is crucial to maintain a smooth and efficient supply chain. FTL Challenges: #1 Capacity: One of the major challenges is securing enough truck capacity to meet shipping needs, especially during peak seasons. The availability of trucks and drivers fluctuates based on numerous factors such as economic conditions, regulatory changes, and seasonal demands. #2 Cost: The costs of FTL shipping is unpredictable. Fuel costs, labor costs, insurance, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and changes in supply and demand can all contribute to the total cost of transportation. And when shippers work with brokers, there is no visibility into what the broker makes versus what the truck is paid. #3 Service: Delays can occur due to numerous reasons including mechanical failures, weather conditions, traffic, or other unforeseen events. These delays can affect the entire supply chain, leading to increased costs and unsatisfied customers. #4 Compliance: Adhering to a myriad of transportation regulations can be a complex process. Regulations may differ based on the type of goods being transported, the regions they're transported through, and they can change over time, creating a need for constant vigilance and adjustment. #5 Sustainability: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, many shippers are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. However, moving towards more sustainable practices can be challenging due to the nature of the trucking industry and existing infrastructure. #6 Integration: While...
Surge in Freight RFPs: Why Shippers Must Remain Vigilant
The logistics industry is witnessing a remarkable rise in the number of Request for Proposals (RFPs), marking it a record high year. It is expected that GDP will have slow growth between now and thru 2024 - 0.50%-1.00% on average. While this could potentially signal growth and expansion in the manufacturing sector, it also poses a unique set of challenges for shippers. Notably, with the freight market at a low point, rates are poised for a gradual increase. This imminent change, coupled with a diminishing number of carriers, might lead to a decline in acceptance rates. This is exactly why it is crucial for shippers to pay close attention to these market shifts to maintain efficient and cost-effective operations. Freight RFPs: An Indicator of Market Dynamics Traditionally, a high number of RFPs signify healthy market conditions, fostering robust competition among freight service providers. However, the current rise in freight RFPs coincides with the freight market's bottomed-out rates. In fact, spot for Reefer bottomed out back in April 2023. This situation can be attributed to several factors, including ongoing supply chain disruptions and varying capacity constraints that have led shippers to explore more competitive freight options. While lower rates might initially seem beneficial to shippers, they could create a precarious situation in the long term. As rates start to rebound, there is a likelihood of price instability, resulting in unexpected cost escalations. This situation calls for shippers to remain extra vigilant while negotiating contracts to ensure their operational costs remain within predictable margins. Decreasing Carrier Capacity: The Impending Challenge The logistics industry is also grappling with a concerning trend of carriers...
Accuracy and Transparency in Freight Cost Management Is An Urgent Necessity For All Shippers
Shipping is a complex and costly aspect of any supply chain, and thus, the way shippers plan and manage their freight costs is of utmost importance. Traditionally, shippers have leaned on historical 1st party data, along with market averages from 3rd party data providers, to gauge whether they were paying a fair price to transport goods. Digging into market averages on specific routes or shipping lanes that have similar distances, weight capacity, and other logistical factors, has become one of the most reliable points of comparison. Unfortunately, these approaches have limitations because they provide a snapshot in time, and assume market conditions have not changed. They do not account for things like changes in fuel prices, driver wages, seasonal fluctuations, and supply and demand shifts. Using these data sources can lead to a significant misjudgment in shipping costs, especially as new disruption occurs. Marginal Discrepancies in Transportation Management Costs Shipper Millions A 1-2% difference in truckload cost might seem small, but in reality, it can make a humongous impact. For instance, if a company spends $100 million annually on freight, a 2% discrepancy equals $2 million. This is a significant sum that could be saved or, if misjudged, unnecessarily spent. Effectively Manage FTL Budget with 100% Data Transparency The need for greater accuracy and transparency in freight cost management is pressing. Advanced analytics and actionable insights have helped many large shippers uncover resilience, sustainability & cost-reduction opportunities. “When shippers understand the “true-market cost” to ship their unique freight, they finally have actionable insights to effectively manage their freight procurement budget”, said Michael Paul, VP of Sales Sleek Technologies. Sleek Technologies...
A Methodic Approach To A Fragmented System: All Under One Umbrella
Are you thinking strategically about your transportation spending? Shipping is a complex and costly aspect of any supply chain, and thus, the way shippers consider variables like truckload cost and service levels (OTD)-- is of utmost importance. For a long time, shippers have relied on legacy transportation management processes to procure carriers. These processes are outdated, and siloed, which is why shippers have embraced technological advancements to streamline freight procurement which optimizes the entire carrier network for long-term success to effectively manage the cyclical freight market as conditions change. Introducing Autonomous Freight Procurement & Advanced Analytics AI-powered software, and 100% data transparency, provide a holistic approach to transportation management in 8 simple steps. #1: Once the software is integrated with the shipper TMS #2: Shipper configures load attributes and sets max allowable truckload price in SaaS platform. #3: AI dynamically finds and vets a pool of compliant carriers, which are usually “invisible” to the shipper or blocked by broker middlemen. #4: AI introduces the load to a VETTED network of new and existing carriers giving them the opportunity to haul for you by submitting a direct bid. The 1st carrier to bid at or below the shipper’s allowable price wins the load. #5. With 100% data transparency the shipper knows which carrier has won the bid, and what they are getting paid. With no middlemen involved the shipper understands the actual truckload cost (what the truck is paid), so they can level-set pricing across their entire carrier network. #6: Tracking is done through the carrier's native mobile application, which is all visible to the shipper. #7: Carrier invoicing and payment...
Chances are your supply chain already supports DEI and you don’t even know it!
Although CSCO’s continue to deal with unprecedented disruption, many remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] initiatives. In other words, prioritized efforts to make a more welcoming environment for employees, suppliers, and customers. The 2022 Gartner and Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) DEI survey found that 93% of the largest, global supply chain organizations have DEI goals, with a strong intent to support women and underrepresented races and ethnicities. Smaller to med-size shippers may not realize that their supply chain, specifically their transportation management efforts, may already support DEI. Big corporations include supplier or vendor diversity as part of their broader DEI efforts. A diverse supplier is a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by an individual or group that is underrepresented or underserved, such as small-business enterprises (SBEs), minority-owned enterprises (MBEs), woman-owned enterprises (WBEs), LGBQT, veterans, and proprietors with disabilities. Forward-thinking shippers have made a conscious effort to provide these diverse business partners equal opportunities within their supply chain. Why Supplier/Vendor Diversity Is Important "Aside from moral and ethical considerations, there are several benefits to launching supplier diversity programs," said Jaimie Kowalski, VP of Sleek Marketing. "An inclusive freight procurement strategy broadens the pool of carrier suppliers which promotes healthy competition, improving on-time delivery, and reducing transportation cost." When supply chains have more sourcing options, they become more resilient and agile which is a must in today’s uncertain times. One Tip To Uncover DEI Within Your Supply Chain If you are a manufacturer, retailer or distribution center you probably use carriers to haul freight. And if you use small to medium-sized carriers [with less...