Supply Chain Intelligence Brief

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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

ArcBest Sees Bright Spots Amid Down Q4 Freight Market

Transport Topics Connor D. Wolf  February 2, 2026

“In the fourth quarter, asset-based LTL shipments increased 2% year over year, averaging about 20,000 shipments per day, while seasonal softness and an unusually weak October across the industry impacted volumes,” Runser said. “This year-over-year improvement demonstrates the effectiveness of our refined go-to-market strategy, and our intentional focus on expanding our core LTL business.”

Link: ArcBest Earnings Presentation 4Q ’25

Florida Eyes $50,000 Carrier Fine for Undocumented Drivers

Transport Topics Noël Fletcher February 2, 2026

A bill is moving through both legislative chambers in Florida that would allow impoundment of a commercial vehicle with a $50,000 fine if the owner has an undocumented driver operating it.

FedEx launches AI-powered tracking and returns tools

Digital Commerce 360 Mark Brohan February 2, 2026

FedEx Corp. is expanding its role in ecommerce beyond transportation with the launch of two AI-powered digital tools designed to help retailers and brands manage tracking, returns and customer communication within their own websites and apps.

Link: FedEx Press Release FedEx to Offer Access to AI-Powered Post-Purchase Solutions for Enterprises

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

Q&A: Mark Albrecht, VP–Artificial Intelligence and Enterprise Strategy, at C.H. Robinson

Logistics Management Jeff Berman February 2, 2026

Logistics Management Group News Editor recently interviewed Mark Albrecht, VP – Artificial Intelligence and Enterprise Strategy, at C.H. Robinson, in a session at last week’s SMC³ Jump Start conference. Albrecht provided a detailed overview of the many ways in which increased AI implementation and usage is impacting, and augmenting, logistics operations. 

Manufacturing returns to growth, for the first time in nearly a year, reports ISM

Logistics Management Jeff Berman February 2, 2026

“These numbers are good if they hold [at the same level],” said Spence. “But there are questions about why inventories are at these lower levels."  

Link: Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI® Report

PMI expands in January, reaching highest point in four years

Manufacturing Dive Sara Samora February 2, 2026

The five subindexes that make up the PMI — new orders, production, employment, supplier deliveries and inventories — all saw improvement, Susan Spence, chair of the ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, said in the report.

U.S. Manufacturing Is in Retreat and Trump’s Tariffs Aren’t Helping

The Wall Street Journal David Uberti February 2, 2026 $Subscription Based

An index of factory activity tracked by the Institute for Supply Management shrunk in 26 straight months through December, but showed a January uptick in new orders and production that surprised analysts.

The Expensive Decision Walmart’s CEO Made That Changed Everything (Video 7m)

The Wall Street Journal Jaclyn Skurie February 2, 2026 $Subscription Based

Doug McMillon has been CEO of Walmart for 12 years. He sat down with WSJ ahead of his last day.

INDUSTRY

Leaner inventories weaken ocean demand, a harbinger for higher tender rejections, increased truck rates

Freight Waves Stuart Chirls February 2, 2026

Robust consumer spending fueled an aggressive drawdown in inventories in December, creating a lean, just-in-time approach by shippers in the New Year that has weakened ocean shipping demand but fueled expectations for even greater increases in trucking tender rejections and rates in the near term. 

US Container Imports Ended 2025 in 4-Month Skid on Tariffs

Transport Topics/Bloomberg News Brendan Murray February 2, 2026

Inbound volumes in December dropped 6.4% from a year earlier to 1.9 million 20-foot-container units, after a 5.7% slide the previous month, according to John McCown, who publishes a monthly report that captures flows through America’s biggest gateways for seaborne cargo.

TECHNOLOGY

Waymo raises $16B to scale robotaxi fleet internationally

TechCrunch Kirsten Korosec February 2, 2026

The geographic expansion has translated to 400,000 rides provided every week across six major U.S. metropolitan areas. The company said that in 2025 alone, it more than tripled its annual volume to 15 million rides, surpassing 20 million lifetime rides to date.

Link: Waymo Press Release Accelerating our global growth: Waymo raises $16 billion investment round

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

Tech vendor GenLogs lands $60 million to target shippers, banks

Journal of Commerce Eric Johnson February 2, 2026 $Subscription Based

The investment will be used to extend GenLogs’ reach to shippers, insurers and customers in the government and financial sectors, the Virginia-based company said in a statement.

Link: GenLogs Press Release GenLogs Announces $60M in Series B Funding

GenLogs raises $60M Series B to enhance supply chain intelligence and security

Freight Waves John Paul Hampstead February 2, 2026

“The trucking sector is the backbone of our economy, yet it’s fragmented and largely analog,” Joyce said in a statement. “We’re applying intelligence community strategies to achieve total visibility, driving efficiency, better pricing, and protection against fraud and the $35 billion annual scourge of cargo theft.”

Pilot expands electric semi-truck charging plans

Trucking Dive Jessica Loder February 2, 2026

The travel center company plans to add Tesla chargers at around 20 locations across California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.

WattEV doubles San Bernardino depot capacity, adds Megawatt chargers

Clean Trucking Jay Traugott January 29, 2026

The San Bernardino site, located off Interstate 215, can now support charging for up to 200 electric trucks daily and includes megawatt-level charging for vehicles equipped to use the MCS standard, a throughput comparable to a conventional diesel truck stop.

EPA blocks California from enforcing truck emissions rule on out-of-state vehicles

Clean Trucking Jay Traugott February 2, 2026

The regulation mandates emissions testing and annual fees for trucks operating in California. While the EPA rejected the rule’s application to out-of-state vehicles, California will continue to enforce those requirements under state law.

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