Great Lakes Shipping and Michigan's Natural Resources with Rust Belt Kid

Join Grace Sharkey and Blythe for the latest installment of Freight Friends, where they unpack the current state of the freight market and its economic drivers. Discover cutting-edge business ideas like using drones to streamline warehouse inventory, leveraging digital twin technology for optimizing manufacturing, and implementing AI-driven phone systems for smoother logistics operations. Plus, don't miss their exploration of the logistics behind the diverse flavors in the booming snack industry and the hype surrounding themed movie theater popcorn buckets.LINKS:Grace’s LinktreeJB Hunt Q1 ReportGatherAIFreightwaves Future of Supply ChainTMSA’s ELEVATE Conference (Use code Blythe24)QUOTES:"A lot of brokers have been telling me produce season hasn't been picking up like it should. Again, I always like to kind of look at those around me whenever I want to kind of make a prediction of what's happening with the freight market or even more so what's happening possibly down the line." - Grace Sharkey"We have a broker that I inherited, and I swear each week, I get another email or call from a different rep. They're DMs, we are already a customer and he says it's very annoying." - Matt (quoted by Blythe)"What I think is really cool is this is a company that uses drones, computer vision from those drones to offer inventory management solutions for warehouses. So again, taking a giant warehouse and being able to send a drone out to read every item, take inventory, take all that data, bring it back to managers and figure out where they only want that they can." - Grace Sharkey (on Gather AI)"If you're buying a specialty flavor, Lay's chips it likely came from a factory that's two hours away and has been in business for 50 years with a local supply chain." - Ryan Harlan (quoted by Blythe)"Companies like Nestle think that this model of novelty is the future as they come back things like Ozempic Taking over where people are eating less." - Blythe Brumleve"Last summer AMC chief Adam Aaron predicted that 25,000 Special Edition Barbie Corvettes would sell out by the end of opening weekend at $35 a pop he was right that means nearly 1 million in revenue or about $875,000." - (Quote from Hollywood Reporter)WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, Justin Cramer, co-founder of ProShip, and Blythe discuss what it's like managing thousands of parcel shipments daily. He explains his transition from the Navy to logistics software, handling peak seasons across industries, and integrating carrier compliance updates. The episode also explores separating systems of record, the onboarding process for enterprise shippers, and how AI could enhance predictive transit time estimates based on weather, events, and other data.LINKS:Justin's LinkedInProShip's WebsiteWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, Blythe speaks with Pablo Palafox, CEO of Happyrobot, about using AI-powered voice assistants to automate repetitive tasks in freight operations. They discuss Pablo's background in industrial engineering and computer science, and how Happy Robot's technology can free up logistics teams to focus on higher-value work, improving efficiency and customer service.LINKS:Pablo's LinkedInHappyrobot's websiteEmail HappyrobotWATCH THE FULL EPISODE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, Blythe speaks with Jack Zwart, the shipping manager at GatorBar, a manufacturer of composite rebar in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He shares information on the history and importance of the Rust Belt, the role of the Great Lakes in raw material shipping, and the value of building personal relationships with carriers. Jack also explains how he stumbled into his manufacturing role, the unique transportation challenges faced by rural Midwest shippers, and insights into the future of American manufacturing.LINKS:Jack's LinkedInThe Great Lakes aggregate industry is rather quiet but massively importantGatorBar WebsiteHeartland Revival Podcast by JackWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

Grace Sharkey and Blythe are back with another episode of Freight Friends! This time the duo addresses the evolving retail landscape, including Shein's supply chain services and Amazon's "Just Walk Out" technology halt. They also discuss the Baltimore bridge collapse and the rise of online misinformation, covering a range of timely logistics and supply chain topics.LINKS:Grace's Linktree FightingForTruckers.comHow to reverse image searchFormula1 chief appalled to find his team manages 20k parts via ExcelKyla Scanlon's Shein post on XERP Failure Case Study - Hershey’sWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, Blythe speaks with Greenscreens CEO and Chief Product Officer Dawn Salvucci-Favier about her transition from administrative assistant to freight tech innovator. Dawn discusses the evolution of freight brokerages, TMS systems, and the power of predictive pricing using AI and machine learning. She also shares insights into the changing freight landscape and strategies driving successful freight tech companies.LINKS: Dawn's Email: [email protected] Dawn's LinkedInGreenscreens' WebsiteKevin Hill's LinkedIn PostWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, we're going to examine the maritime sector's impact on global trade after the Baltimore Bridge collapse. In this roundup, we're featuring conversations with a TikTok-famous merchant mariner Gabby Salazar, who defies industry norms; Chris Cook, who uses data to track grain shipments through Ukraine; maritime attorney Lauren Beagan, explaining the complexities of maritime law; and Nick Chubb, showcasing how technology streamlines ancient shipping practices.Whether you're intrigued by the legalities, the data, the technology, or the human stories behind the scenes, this maritime-focused episode is for you.GUEST TIME STAMPS: Gabby Salazar- 03:44Chris Cook- 21:18Lauren Beagen - 01:15:52Nick Chubb- 02:08:07QUOTABLES: Lauren Beagen: "90% of all goods are shipped via the big cargo ships, there are many issues that pop up all the time.  Navigating through the legal straits that every cargo ship must cross underscores the monumental stakes of maritime law." Gabby Salazar: "Working in a male-dominated field, it's like just another day in the office... our office just floats and is 1,000 feet long." Chris Cook: "The invasion of Ukraine... opened up a series of enormously important stories."Nick Chubb: "Streamlining this ancient industry is about more than just integrating new technology; it's about changing the way we think about shipping and logistics."LISTEN NEXT: How War Affects Shipping with Sal MercoglianoMore podcast episodes from Maritime Means by Spire---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, Blythe and Sean McGillicuddy, Chief Revenue Officer at Tai Software, explore how inefficient processes can hold back freight brokerages. Sean shares valuable advice on optimizing operations, leveraging data and analytics, and developing a strong brand identity to attract and retain customers. He also discusses auditing processes, utilizing TMS analytics, balancing marketing/sales efforts, implementing AI/automation, and understanding modern buyers' needs - all aimed at helping brokerages improve efficiency and drive growth.LINKS:Sean's LinkedInTai Software's websiteWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, Blythe discusses the world of AI in freight with Garrett Allen, the co-founder of LoadPartner. Garrett discusses the current state of AI and how businesses can prepare for AI adoption. He also explains how AI can enhance logistics operations, addresses concerns about job displacement, and discusses the future of AI across the industry. LINKS:Podcast: Will LoadPartner AI Replace Trucking Industry Check Calls? w/ Garrett AllenGarrett on XGarrett's LinkedInLoardPartner LinkedInWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.

In this episode, Blythe speaks with Jake Battles, VP of Business Development and Sales at REPOWR, about how his company has built a digital marketplace for renting trailers and equipment. Jake explains the challenges of trailer utilization, REPOWR's innovative solution, and how it benefits carriers and shippers alike. He also highlights pioneering approaches that increase supply chain flexibility and efficiency through intelligent trailer-sharing.LINKS: Jake's LinkedInREPOWR LinkedInREPOWR FacebookREPOWR InstagramWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Maximize your website’s performance as a sales tool with Digital Dispatch’s website management.