Can “going green” save your supply chain company money?
Good morning! National Junk Food Day - but we might skip out on this one. Do you, though. 😎
There is a new reality, folks. Customers are becoming more and more interested in the environmental credentials a company can boast before they decide whether or not to partake in any form of business. How can supply chain leaders make these changes to their operations while still maintaining a profit? It may be more simple than you think.
Check out today’s featured article from Inbound Logistics to read about how it may be possible to actually save money in the supply chain by choosing more environmentally-friendly approaches to business. ☕️
Happy Money GIF By Couponmoto via GIPHY
Featured Article:
Saving Green While Going Green - Inbound Logistics
“Commercial operators around the globe—not just those in the supply chain—are currently grappling with a new reality.”
Water Cooler Topics
🌙 The California labor law AB% has owner-operators protesting at ports up and down the California coast, and the Port of Oakland shut its night gates due to the crowds. The protests are likely to create a rise in import container dwell times a the ports. Approximately 70,000 truckers in California are at risk of losing their independent contractor status, as AB5 requires them to now be classified as employees to move loads for California carriers. The protesting owner-operators are hoping to get the attention of California lawmakers who have largely ignored the opposition to the bill.
🤳 Keeping younger generations of drivers satisfied and effective in their positions will require digitizing their job’s tasks in an increasingly digitized world. Many fleets in the trucking industry are losing potential drivers to different professions - this may be due to the minimum age to obtain an Interstate CDL being 2 or 3 years after the potential hires enter the workforce. In order to attract a younger generation, there are certain expectations. An industry can no longer rely on doing everything “on paper.”
🤜🤛 Diversity in trucking consists of many facets: thought, race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, ability, experience, and background. There’s a lot of ground to cover, but it’s necessary and certainly possible. Companies that build a diverse workforce benefit from major growth, a plethora of ideas, and inspire creativity. Keeping employees content also requires helping them feel heard and seen, says industry experts. A culture with no tolerance for discrimination is an inviting place to work.
Federal infrastructure aid being used by cities to improve roads and bridges
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $550 billion in new cost-shared federal funds to U.S. cities and with federal infrastructure aid being dolled out, most are focusing on improving their roads and bridges. A total of 56% of 153 localities surveyed claim they are prioritizing road safety, and an additional 60% said they will be working on water projects.
The spending comes on the heels of the American Society of Civil Engineers announcing that they will need $2.6 trillion over the next decade in order to bring the nation’s infrastructure into good shape.
Network Association 🤝
Yellen Touts ‘Friend-Shoring’ as Global Supply Chain Fix | SupplyChainBrain
“U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on “trusted” U.S. allies to strengthen trade relationships to shore up global supply chains disrupted by the pandemic, worsened by Russia’s war in Ukraine and threatened longer term by a reliance on China.”
The Mating Game: Maintaining strong, long-lasting tractor-trailer connections | Fleet Maintenance
“Tractors and trailers were built to stay a happy couple, but even simple relationships can turn messy if not given enough attention.”
Industry Forecast 📊
“The company’s struggles and those of newer startups in the space to quickly turn a profit have investors wary.”
ATA June Truck Tonnage Index sees gains - Logistics Management
“The ATA’s advanced Seasonally Adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, for June, came in at 120.1 (2015=100), rising 2.7%, following a 0.3% (downwardly revised from 0.5%) May increase.”
Supply Chain News: 3PLs had Blowout Financial Year in 2021 - SC Digest
“The third-party logistics market analysts at Armstrong & Associates are out with their annual report on 3PL sector financial performance in 2021, and finds it was a very good year indeed for logistics service providers.”
Third Party Logistics Market to Grow Substantially at 8.2%
“Vantage Market Research’s recent analysis of the Global Third Party Logistics Market finds that the increasing trading activities are expediting the market growth.”
The average length of haul is changing - Back The Truck Up
“Since late February of this year, the average length of haul has been changing in a dramatic way.”
Small truckers are going out of business at record rate - FreightWaves
“It shouldn't surprise anyone, but it will hurt.”
Regulations ⚖️
House-Passed Crew Mandate Bill Seen as ‘Gut Punch’ to Offshore Wind - G Captain
“The House passed legislation last Thursday that offshore wind developers say poses an existential threat to the nascent industry in the US.”
Leadership 🏆
Ryder Named 2022 Top Green Supply Chain Partner by Inbound Logistics | Business Wire
“Recognized for 14 consecutive years, the distinction underscores Ryder’s commitment to efficiency and sustainability.”
What Main Street and the economy need from Congress: Goldman Sachs CEO
“The pandemic created challenges for small businesses that federal programs aren’t well-equipped to handle.”
4 leadership lessons from 2021-22 - SmartBrief
“The school year ended a few weeks ago in the state of New York, and students, teachers and leaders are now spending time reflecting on the year that was and relaxing (hopefully) ahead of the year that will be.”
Safety 🦺
6 ways to ensure your fleet is always ready for a roadside inspection | Commercial Carrier Journal
“The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines Roadside Inspections as follows: “Examinations of commercial motor vehicles and/or drivers by Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Inspectors. ”
“A cybersecurity firm and government watchdogs are sounding the alarm about the use of a popular GPS tracking device manufactured in China.”
Fuel ⛽️
Sky-high diesel prices squeeze truckers, farmers, consumers- TheTrucker.com
“When long-haul trucker Deb LaBree sets out on the road to deliver pharmaceuticals, she has strategies to hold down costs.”
EXPLAINER: Can Europe live without Russian natural gas? | AP News
“Europe faced an energy crisis even before the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany went offline for regular maintenance.”
Business Strategy 💡
Adapting in the Face of Change - Supply Chain Shaman
“Revlon bankruptcy. McCormick stock falls on Q2 earnings miss. CEO of Bed Bath and Beyond out as sales tumble. Target earnings disappointment and restatement.”
The top technologies creating a ‘revolutionary stage’ in supply chains | Supply Chain Dive
“A look at the 11 technologies changing the way companies approach and execute warehouse and distribution operations.”
Think Like a Boss: CPOs Need to Step Up, Broaden Approach, Gartner Says | SupplyChainBrain
“Thriving in the age of disruption requires resilience, say the authors of a new report from Gartner Inc.”
Blue Diamond Almond Growers spearhead ‘Almond Express’ rail service to Ports of LA and LB | AJOT.COM
“As a result of cutbacks in sailings to the Port of Oakland, Blue Diamond Almond Growers are supporting two new rail services transporting almond exports from Central California to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.”
Preparing for the Many Peak Seasons of Supply Chains - Flexport
“Economic activity does not grow in a straight line. In addition to expansion and contraction, some industries and goods show strong seasonality.”
Trust will be key to SCM of future, says UST's Colehower | Supply Chain Digital
“Supply chain management of future will require trust, says Jonathan Colehower of UST, with Blue Yonder's Wayne Snyder agreeing data sharing will be key.”
Move to an Intelligent, Digitally Connect Supply Chain — A Simple Approach - Blog.BlueYonder
“This simple statement made by Shri Hariharan, Corporate Vice President, Industry Strategy at Blue Yonder, during a recent webcast, perfectly encapsulates the critical role of supply chains for business.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Ship Insurers Seek More Assurances on Ukraine Grain Corridor | Marine Link
“Insurers will only be willing to cover ships sailing through a proposed corridor to get Ukrainian grain out if there are arrangements for international navy escorts and a clear strategy to deal with sea mines, underwriters and brokers say.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Making Smart Warehouse Robots Smarter | Material Handling and Logistics
“RIT is developing an intelligent materials handling system for warehouses that integrates smart technologies including LiDAR sensors and artificial intelligence.”
Human Resources 🤝
UPS Healthcare heralds new features for UPS Premier offerings - Logistics Management
“Atlanta-based global transportation and logistics titan UPS recently announced key expansion initiatives for its UPS Healthcare segment, including its UPS Premier Service portfolio, which is comprised of what the company describes as three-level flexibility to meet the unique needs of its healthcare shipper customers.”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
ZF advances automated, electric technologies for commercial vehicles | FleetOwner
“Part of a new Commercial Vehicles Solution Division, ZF premieres its next-generation electric driveline for heavy-duty trucks and an AI-based digital fleet orchestration platform.”
Hours of Service ⏰
Emergency declaration raises questions about increased HOS flexibility - Land Line
“If America’s truck drivers have safely delivered relief loads under an emergency declaration waiver for more than two years, then why are strict hours-of-service regulations needed?”
Shortages 🛒
Volvo Cars CEO suggests the global chip shortage is easing - CNBC
“Volvo Cars’ semiconductor inventory is now “back at fully supply,” CEO Jim Rowan told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe.””
Opinion: The pilot shortage is about to get a lot worse - CNN
“The ongoing pilot shortage has already wreaked havoc on summer vacation travel in the United States — and it's only the beginning.”
Inflation 💸
One Year Ago, Biden Predicted Inflation Would Be ‘Temporary’ | RealClearPolitics
“A few minutes before midnight Saturday, President Biden walked through the humid summer heat back to the White House, stopping briefly to respond to shouted questions over the din of Marine One’s whirling helicopter blades and still distant thunderstorms. A reporter asked, will inflation go down?”
Quote of the Day:
“Live each day as if your life had just begun.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, German writer
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.