State of the Transportation & Logistics Industry

“People are uneasy… The supply chain is so complex and so deep and long, and it takes a long time to wind it back up.” This cause for uneasiness? The coronavirus.  Bob Klunk of Project Verte addressed the elephant in the room right off the bat at the “State of the Transportation & Logistics Industry” education session in the Transportation & Logistics Theater on Monday. Fellow panelist Wendy Topp of Glideaway concurred, admitting that “we are going to be scrambling. The cononavirus is getting ready to hit us pretty hard.”

But even as they shared their thoughts, you could see the resolve on their faces as they contemplated the best solutions. Thinking of the answers before the questions were presented, calculating their next steps even before they got to the stairs. The type of mind that keeps the supply chain moving instead of stagnating.

That same level of confidence appeared on their faces when asked another question by moderator Stace Knabel, Rockfarm having to do with the top traits for choosing a transportation partner. Every one of them nodded empahtically in agreement: communication. The third panelist, Todd TeBrink of Alliance Shippers, said, “Communication is so vitally important. My customers want to be proactive and not reactive,” he said. “They want to know exactly what is going on.” Topp noted communication and word of mouth as her two most important traits and Klunk went with communication and trust. 

The communication aspect has gotten even more important with the pressures on the supply chain to be more efficient and faster.  As a manufacturer, Topp said the sales team is making too many promises, especially related to delivery times. Then, when she “makes it happen,” it becomes the expectation – and Amazon’s same-day deliveries are not making it any easier. But, Topp is constantly pushing the envelope. “If it fails, I find a way that it is not going to fail the next time,” she said. 

Plus, if everyone works together, “the ability to compete with the monolithic giants is here,” said Klunk. “That is what is going to keep Amazon from taking over the world.” 

Now, we have a supply circle instead of a supply chain, explained Klunk. It is a full circle of connection.