Supply Chain Intelligence Brief

Click here to view this email in your browser.

The Supply Chain Intelligence Brief is a SMC³ member benefit that provides a snapshot of the day’s key industry news. Stay informed and connected with the SMC³ Supply Chain Intelligence Brief. Opt out at any time, with no impact to other SMC³ communications you may receive. If you would like to add any coworkers to the distribution list for this publication, please reply to this message with their names and email addresses.

TRUCKING

Tighter inventories could boost trucking demand

Freight Waves Zach Strickland November 8, 2025

The October release of the Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) shows that, for the first time since July 2024, shippers reduced inventories rather than expanding them. Inventory costs continue to rise at near pandemic-era levels, pushing shippers toward leaner supply chains — and potentially ones that require greater responsiveness from transportation providers.

Link: CSCMP/Colorado State University October 2025 Logistics Managers’ Index

Forward Air Q3 Revenue Slips as Overhaul Continues

“Over the past several quarters, as we work to transform the operations of our U.S. and Canadian businesses, we have focused on a clear and strategic goal, which was to unify our operations under a new regional structure and harmonizing our blueprint” Forward Air CEO Shawn Stewart

Oklahoma, ICE Launch Second I-40 CDL Crackdown

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher November 7, 2025

In total, 70 individuals were detained. Of those, 34 were CDL holders — just below half — and the remainder were drivers of passenger vehicles.

The 15-hour sting, called “Operation Guardian,” was conducted near the state’s border with Arkansas and included 209 inspections of commercial motor vehicles.

Volvo Autonomous Solutions moves closer to driverless truck operations

Trucking Dive David Taube November 7, 2025

Volvo Autonomous Solutions is potentially quarters away, as opposed to years, from removing safety drivers in the U.S., Head of On-Road Solutions Sasko Cuklev said Oct. 26 at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition.

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

Retailers expect container import decline to accelerate in ’26

Freight Waves Stuart Chirls November 7, 2025

Stores and warehouses are full of holiday merchandise after tariff anxiety led shippers to bring in goods earlier than usual, a retail trade group said, but warned declining container imports through U.S. ports are expected to accelerate in 2026.

Link: National Retail Federation Press Release With Shelves Stocked, Imports Should See Slowdown in November and December

US retailers throttle back on imports amid uncertain consumer sentiment

Journal of Commerce Mark Szakonyi November 7, 2025 $Subscription Based

US retailers are throttling back post-winter holiday restocking despite anticipating strong sales for the upcoming holiday season, planning to import less than 2 million TEUs monthly through March.

RXO Navigates Choppy Market Toward Q3 Revenue Gain

Transport Topics Connor D. Wolf November 7, 2025

“If the regulatory changes hold and enforcement continues, we believe a significant amount of truckload capacity will permanently exit the market,” Wilkerson said.

Link: RXO Third Quarter 2025 Results

INDUSTRY

Top 50 Global Freight Companies Persevere Amid Trade Shift

Transport Topics Seth Clevenger November 10, 2025

This annual ranking, produced in cooperation with SJ Consulting Group, provides an overview of the largest freight transportation providers across all geographies and all modes of transportation, including truck, parcel, rail, ocean and air, as well as non-asset-based third-party logistics.

Borderlands Mexico: Tariffs forcing nearshoring, regional sourcing, experts say

Freight Waves Noi Mahoney November 9, 2025

Christopher Smith, who leads customs and trade advisory efforts for IKEA North America, said legacy systems are not built to manage layered tariffs — driving dependence on brokers to manually apply additional duties to tens of thousands of entries each year.

“When you’re doing close to 80,000 entries a year, that’s a big reliance on your broker,” Smith said

Trump support likely to get UP-NS deal approved: ex-STB chairman

Journal of Commerce Ari Ashe November 7, 2025 $Subscription Based

A former chairman of the US Surface Transportation Board (STB) said the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) is likely to win regulatory approval, citing President Donald Trump’s influence and the political alignment of the current board.

UPS, FedEx ground dozens of aircraft at Boeing’s recommendation

Supply Chain Dive Max Garland November 8, 2025

MD-11s represent about 9% of UPS’ air fleet. The company had 29 MD-11s in its fleet at the end of 2024. UPS retired two of the aircraft from service this year as of Sept. 30, according to a securities filing.

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes see declines, for week ending November 1, reports AAR

Logistics Management November 7, 2025

Intermodal containers and trailers, at 269,719 units, fell 6.4% annually, trailing the weeks ending October 25 and October 18, at 272,940 and 273,610, respectively.

North America’s Busiest Sea, Airports in 2024

Transport Topics Mike Senatore November 10, 2025

Transport Topics’ updated lists of the busiest container ports and cargo airports in North America provide a fresh look at the continent’s most important hubs for ocean and air cargo.

TECHNOLOGY

Quantum logistics unleashed

Supply Chain Management Review Gilles Paché November 7, 2025

Unlike classical systems that process data sequentially, quantum computing explores countless scenarios simultaneously. Its ability to model real-world complexity opens a new frontier: logistics that not only respond to events but anticipate them.

Workers Don’t Trust AI. Here’s How Companies Can Change That

HBR Ashley Reichheld et al. November 7, 2025 $Subscription Based

AI has a trust problem among frontline workers—and it’s getting worse. Deloitte’s TrustID Index, a daily pulse of customer and employee sentiment, shows that trust in company-provided generative AI—tools that are supposed to lighten workloads and boost creativity—fell 31% between May and July of 2025, the latest results available, reflecting growing skepticism about its reliability and value.

Link: Deloitte The real barrier to AI adoption isn’t technology—it’s trust

The Boss Has a Message: Use AI or You’re Fired

The Wall Street Journal Lindsay Ellis November 7, 2025 $Subscription Based

At enterprise-software company IgniteTech, leaders required staff last year to devote 20% of their workweek to experimenting with AI. On one such “AI Monday,” staff brainstormed ways to speed up processes like automating responding to customer-service tickets.

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

Tesla’s updated Semi design breaks cover before 2026 production start

Clean Trucking Jay Traugott November 7, 2025

Tesla has revealed design updates for its upcoming fully electric Class 8 truck, the Semi, featuring a redesigned chassis, new headlights, and several performance improvements.

Fleets Grow More Confident About RNG Powertrains

Transport Topics Keiron Greenhalgh November 7, 2025

J.B. Hunt trucks are fueled 8,000 times a day. The carrier buys the equivalent of 200 million gallons a year of diesel. But biodiesel, renewable diesel and RNG now account for 22% of J.B. Hunt’s total fuel by volume, said Mounce.

Groups press states to leverage public funds to lower electric truck prices

CCJ Jason Cannon November 8, 2025

A study conducted this year by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) showed the cost of electric Class 8 heavy trucks in the U.S. jumped by 27% ($87,100) between 2020 and 2025, while the cost of a similar truck in Europe fell by 23%.

Link: ICCT Zero Emissions Bus and Truck Market In The United States (January – March 2025)

15% of Trucks Put Out of Service During 2025 Brake Safety Week

Heavy Duty Trucking November 6, 2025

During the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week, August 24-30, inspectors throughout North America conducted 15,175 commercial motor vehicle inspections with a focus on brake systems and components.

Inspectors placed 2,296 vehicles out of service (OOS) due to brake-related violations overall across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

SMC³

Jumpstart 2026

January 26-28

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly

The Definitive Supply Chain Intelligence Gathering