Supply Chain Intelligence Brief

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TRUCKING

August Truck Freight Tonnage Highest Since December 2023

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh September 24, 2025

Analysts Warn of Leaner Times, Downside Risk Due to Uncertainty

“In manufacturing, there are also signs that disappointing sales growth has caused inventories to accumulate at an unprecedented rate, which could also further help soften inflation in the coming months,” Williamson said. “The inventory buildup of course also hints at some downside risks to future production.”

Truckload volumes cooled in August as frontloading surge wanes

Trucking Dive Alejandra Carranza September 24, 2025

A push to pull cargo forward earlier in the year to dodge tariffs is affecting typical season demand for trucks, said Ken Adamo, DAT chief of analytics.

Kodiak Robotics secures nearly $100M in new funding ahead of SPAC merger, public debut

Fleet Owner Geert De Lombaerde September 23, 2025

The autonomous trucking venture was valued at roughly $2.5 billion this spring when the companies announced their plan to join forces and bring Kodiak to the NYSE.

Related:  Kodiak Robotics Press Release Kodiak and Ares Acquisition Corporation II Announce $145 Million Investment to Support Proposed Business Combination

Autonomous Truck Startup Kodiak Set to Go Public After $2.5 Billion Deal

The Wall Street Journal Liz Young September 24, 2025 $Subscription Based

Kodiak Robotics will have a new name and a fresh opportunity to pitch its efforts to automate commercial trucking when the maker of software for self-driving vehicles makes its public-market debut.

UPS buyouts: Experts weigh impacts, risks

Supply Chain Dive Max Garland September 24, 2025

Separations were slated to start Aug. 31 for drivers and Sept. 30 for managers. The company’s aim is to match network staffing levels with an arranged reduction in volume from Amazon, a major customer.

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

Echo Global Logistics makes further inroads in Mexico, with the opening of new Monterrey location

Logistics Management Jeff Berman September 24, 2025

“By expanding our presence in Mexico, our cross-border team is better equipped to keep the supply chain moving,” said Troy Ryley, President of Echo Mexico. “As one of the few companies to earn a 3PL certification in the CTPAT program for cross-border transportation, Echo is well-equipped to keep freight safe and secure. Additionally, with integrated technology at your fingertips and cross-border experts by your side, shipping into, out of, and across Mexico is much simpler.”

Link: Echo Global Logistics Press Release Echo Global Logistics Opens New Cross-Border Office in Monterrey, Mexico

INDUSTRY

Diesel and gasoline prices rise again: Regional trends every fleet manager should know

Fleet Owner Jenna Hume September 24, 2025

After a brief reprieve last week, diesel and gasoline prices rose slightly. The national average on-highway diesel price went up a cent to $3.749, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on September 22. The price of gasoline also increased by 1 cent to $3.173.

Links: U.S. Energy Information Administration  Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update  and Weekly U.S. No 2 Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur (0-15 ppm) Retail Prices (Chart)

Tariffs torching U.S. container imports: Analyst

Freight Waves Stuart Chirls September 24, 2025

“When U.S. container volume data is compared to global data,” McCown said, “there is a noticeable and widening gap as the downtrends in U.S. lanes are being significantly mitigated by increased volume in other areas.” 

Global Ports Leader Sees Trade Shifting, Not Slowing

The Wall Street Journal Paul Berger September 24, 2025 $Subscription Based

WSJ: How are U.S. tariffs affecting global trade flows?

Bin Sulayem: Whatever cannot be absorbed or has difficulty going to the U.S. is going to other parts of the world.

To Stay Or To Go? What Speedy Supply Chain Relocation Means For Credit

S&P Global September 25, 2025

Our study focuses on the toys and sports equipment, furniture and lighting, and apparel sectors–specifically the U.S.’s imports of these goods from China and emerging Asia. Using trade data, we examine the speed of supply chain relocation in these sectors. We do this by comparing the trend and evolution in the share of U.S. imports from China versus from emerging Asia.

After “de minimis” freeze, DHL to resume parcel delivery to U.S. on Thursday

DC Velocity Ben Ames September 24, 2025

The move makes DHL among the first postal service providers to resume goods shipping to the U.S. and Puerto Rico for business customers after some 80% of global postal traffic to the U.S. halted abruptly in the first week of September.

TECHNOLOGY

Logistics technology executives differ on coding threat to incumbent products

Journal of Commerce Eric Johnson September 24, 2025 $Subscription Based

A theory in technology circles began to bubble up earlier this year as the use of artificial intelligence-based coding tools started to take hold in virtually every corner of the software world: Will these tools kill the software-as-a-service (SaaS) market?

One year of agentic AI: Six lessons from the people doing the work

McKinsey & Company Lareina Yee et al. September 2025

Agentic AI efforts that focus on fundamentally reimagining entire workflows—that is, the steps that involve people, processes, and technology—are more likely to deliver a positive outcome. Understanding how agents can help with each of these steps is the path to value. People will still be central to getting the work done, but now with different agents, tools, and automations to support them.

How LLMs Work: Top 10 Executive-Level Questions

MIT Sloan Management Review Rama Ramakrishnan September 24, 2025

Business leaders are now rethinking workflows, organizational design, and other disciplines as their companies embrace artificial intelligence and generative AI tools. To make good decisions about the use of AI, these leaders need to grasp key aspects of the capabilities and limitations of the large language models that underlie the technology. Here are 10 of the most frequently asked questions about LLMs, along with answers that clarify aspects of GenAI that are often poorly understood.

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

California Proposal Could Reduce Truck Emissions Rules Uncertainty

Heavy Duty Trucking Maureen Gorsen et al. September 24, 2025

Owners and operators of large fleets and drayage vehicles in California have been in a regulatory limbo since 2023. This uncertainty may end soon. 

DOT Seeks Industry Input on Cargo Theft Risks

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher September 24, 2025

“Cargo theft at marine terminals and during vessel-truck-rail transfers present a particular challenge due to the high volumes and values of goods moving through U.S. ports,” the Sept. 19 information request stated. “Cargo theft is a growing concern for the U.S. transportation system, costing the economy billions annually.”

NTSB Recommends Driver Monitoring, Collision Avoidance Tech

Heavy Duty Trucking Deborah Lockridge September 24, 2025

These recommendations include stronger federal guidance to states on managing traffic queues after incidents and on communications between responding agencies; performance standards for collision avoidance technology in commercial vehicles; requirements for driver monitoring systems in commercial vehicles; and more rigorous interior fire safety standards for motorcoaches.

Link: National Transportation Safety Board Fatal I-70 Collision in Ohio Prompts Safety Recommendations on Trucks, Motorcoaches and Traffic Incident Management

BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY

How Gen AI Could Transform Learning and Development

HBR Sager Goel et al. September 23, 2025

The integration of generative AI into corporate workflows is highlighting the critical importance of human skills such as problem framing, collaboration, and creativity. A recent experiment by the BCG Henderson Institute demonstrated that gen AI-powered tutoring can effectively enhance these skills, offering personalized and engaging training at scale.

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