The Uberization of Trucking Part 4: Solutions & Conclusions

Timothy Dooner • January 3, 2018

Does the uberization of trucking mean the end of an era for both regional carriers and 3PLs? While some doomsayers may think so, new technology can create a whole host of new opportunities for companies that are willing to embrace change. As the big carriers get bigger, small regional truckers are going to have to tap into new revenue streams to remain competitive. 3PLs are going to have to adapt to new service models and embrace them by offering data/freight management solutions instead of transactional rate negotiations.

Regional Carriers

The biggest threat to regional carriers isn't and likely won't be app based technology. It's eroding market share as national carriers buy up their locally based competitors. As we covered in part 3 of this blog series, there are a number of inherent problems that limit the types of freight that can be uberized. High volume and high compliance shipments are simply not practical uses for the technology.

That doesn't mean that regional carriers can't use this technology to their benefit. During low capacity periods, opening up space in their trailers can build route density dynamically, maximizing loads, and taking full advantage of their driver's time behind the wheel. Strategic use of the app could help create new lanes and new opportunities for their core customers that didn't exist prior to opening themselves to an uberized marketplace.

As reported by the American Journal of Transportation , The American Trucking Associations recently published a forecast, which predicts the industry will enjoy a 29% increase in freight volumes by 2026. The short-haul LTL business has revenues of about $77-billion-a-year, on journeys of 200 miles or less.

Shippers

The uberization of trucking can shift how shippers service their customers. Low cost on-demand trucking could ultimately lower shipper's margins and increase the speed with which they can fulfill orders.

"I thought I was getting a great volume rate from my local carrier," said Mike Taranto, president of Solar Shade USA. "ShipX found me multiple carriers with lower prices and we have saved 80% over our contracted LTL rates."

Instead of waiting for LTL consolidations to build, shippers would have the agility to get product on the road whenever necessary. These are powerful tools that tech enabled shippers can use to gain a competitive advantage and capture revenue they'd have lost using traditional means.

3PLs

While uberized trucking may look to cut out the middleman, i.e. Third Party Logistics providers, 3PLs should be looking at ways to integrate this new tech into their service offerings. Focus on making inbound and outbound transactions simpler and more transparent. Get ahead of the curve by creating apps that will integrate these new solutions with their TMS (transportation management systems). Advise clients on when to use trucking apps and when to stick with more traditional contracted lanes.

Relationships are key to getting vital shipments moving. When capacity is crunched, 3PLs can leverage their volume to keep your shipments moving in ways that an app based market may never be able to service. Shippers will still need to maintain strategic partnerships, and 3PLs will need to leverage data and opportunity.

Conclusion

It doesn't matter if it's Uber, Amazon, CargoX , or any of the dozens of startups vying to win the war on freight matching, the fact is that the Uberization of Trucking is inevitable. Beyond simply matching freight, there may be a lot more at play here as multiple technologies converge and overlap.

Tesla with their fleet of electric trucks. Google and its autonomous vehicles. Uber's former CEO, Travis Kalanick, had this to say after purchasing Otto:

" More and more the world of atoms is interacting with bits. In order to provide digital services in the physical world, we must build sophisticated logistics, artificial intelligence, and robotics systems that serve and elevate humanity."

If the rapidity of disruption Silicon Valley has brought to other industries is any indication, the world Kalanick talk's about may not be far off. How the traditionally slow world of logistics and trucking adapts to it could define the shape of things to come. But as we've seen elsewhere, it may not have to.

Read the previous entries in this blog series:

The Uberiztion of Trucking Part 1: An Overview

The Uberiztion of Trucking Part 2: The Players

The Uberiztion of Trucking Part 3: Problems

How prepared are you for the digital marketplace? Contact Aborn & Co. today!

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Brendan Lawler Joins FreightPlus as Senior Manager, Strategic Planning and Customer Service

October 4, 2022

Innovative managed transportation provider continues to invest in hiring and developing the best talent within the logistics space QUINCY, Mass — FreightPlus, a data-driven managed transportation solutions provider, announced Brendan Lawler has joined as Senior Manager of Strategic Planning and Customer Service. Lawler brings in over seven years of experience leading diverse, cross-functional teams in challenging, chaotic, and ambiguous environments. In his new role, Lawler will own all aspects of planning, optimizing, appointing, tracking and servicing customers’ freight. He looks forward to standardizing the planning and customer service functions within the department and incrementally improving the throughput of the team through process improvement and technology integration. “I am energized by the opportunity to help continue FreightPlus’s growth as a data-driven transportation management solutions provider,” says Lawler. “I’m eager to use my experience in leading teams toward operational excellence to enhance the customized service for our clients. FreightPlus's mission to ‘simplify complex logistics together’ embodies the people-driven culture that I value so deeply. I look forward to joining a company that is team-focused and has a proven track record of transforming ideas into innovative solutions that create sustainable impact.” Lawler previously served as a Captain in the Marine Corps and as Senior Operations Manager within Amazon Transportation Services, where he focused on driving operational excellence and utilizing new technology to drive process improvements. In his tenure, he was responsible for developing and implementing new network-level process improvements for both under-the-roof (UTR) and over-the-road (OTR) operations, as well as spearheading the effort of optimizing the synchronization of warehouse and transportation operations. With revenue and employee count quadrupling over the past five years, FreightPlus was listed no. 184 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America in 2022. Chief Operating Officer Ben Graeff comments, “I am so excited to welcome Brendan to FreightPlus. Brendan brings a deep background in operational excellence from his time in the Marine Corps and Amazon Transportation. He is a quiet leader that leads by example, lives in the day-to-day details, and is the exact right person to help us scale our operation and customer service teams through our continued growth.” About FreightPlus FreightPlus is an industry provider of data-driven transportation management, offering businesses customized and fully tailored managed transportation solutions in a boutique environment where clients get the individual attention they deserve. FreightPlus combines first class customer service with innovative technology and industry best practices to help mid-size and growing companies work efficiently in the $800B domestic transportation market. Visit FreightPlus.io for more information. ### Media Contact: Courtney Conyers Marketing & Communications cconyers@freightplus.io

FreightPlus Ranks #184 on the Inc. 5000 List

August 16, 2022

For the 2nd Time, FreightPlus Appears on the Inc. 5000, Ranking No. 184 on the List of Fastest-growing Privately Held Companies in America FreightPlus recognizes a three-year revenue growth rate of 2,846% NEW YORK, August 16, 2022 – Today, Inc. revealed that FreightPlus is No. 184 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. “We are honored to be featured on the annual Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row,” said Stephen Aborn, FreightPlus Chief Executive Officer. “This award and our ranking reflect the continuous dedication from our team to providing our customers with the people, technology and processes to build best-in-class logistics programs. We are thrilled to be recognized as we strive to bring customer-centric and innovative solutions to the world of logistics.” The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144 percent. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000 . The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on August 23. “The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today.” About FreightPlus FreightPlus is an industry provider of data-driven transportation management offering businesses customized and fully tailored managed transportation solutions in a boutique environment where clients get the individual attention they deserve. FreightPlus combines first class customer service with innovative technology and industry practices to help mid-size and growing companies work efficiently in the $800B domestic transportation market. Visit https://www.freightplus.io/ for more information. Media Contact: Courtney Conyers cconyers@freightplus.io

FreightPlus Names New Senior Vice President of LTL

July 26, 2022

Innovative managed transportation provider brings on LTL industry leader to continue to support rapid growth QUINCY, Mass — FreightPlus, a data-driven managed transportation solutions provider, has announced the expansion of their company with the hiring of Curtis Garrett, joining as Senior Vice President of LTL. Garrett will focus on improving carrier relationships and interactions through utilizing technology and strategic processes. With revenue and employee count quadrupling over the past five years, FreightPlus was named the second-fastest growing privately held company in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. FreightPlus was also listed as the 783 rd fastest-growing company on the 2021 Inc 5000 list. CEO Stephen Aborn commented, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Curtis. Expanding our team with his experience is a great step in the right direction for FreightPlus as we continue to look for the most innovative and ambitious thinkers in the logistics space.” Garrett brings fifteen years of LTL experience prior to joining FreightPlus, including eight with ODFL in operations, driving, pricing, yield, and W&I. Since departing from ODFL, he has spent six years on the 3PL, software and consulting side of the industry, recently serving as Vice President of Pricing and then Chief Strategy Officer at Reconex. Garrett is fascinated with technology and is truly a student of the industry. Having overseen hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue on the business profitability side, as well as pricing and carrier relationships and procurement, Garrett is more determined than ever to break down silos and get everyone on the same playing field. “I am beyond excited to join FreightPlus”, said Garrett on his new role. He continued, “from what I have witnessed, this company has all the right parts and pieces – customer obsession, innovation, and grit – to do big things in the freight industry and I could not be more excited to be a part of it.” About FreightPlus FreightPlus is an industry provider of data-driven transportation management offering businesses customized and fully tailored managed transportation solutions in a boutique environment where clients get the individual attention they deserve. FreightPlus combines first-class customer service with innovative technology and industry practices to help mid-size and growing companies work efficiently in the $800B domestic transportation market. Visit https://www.freightplus.io/ for more information. Media Contact: Courtney Conyers cconyers@freightplus.io

FreightPlus Named to Boston Business Journal's Fast 50 List

FreightPlus Named to Boston Business Journal's 2022 Fast 50 List

March 28, 2022

FreightPlus has been named to Boston Business Journal's exclusive 2022 Fast 50 list for the first time.

Ben Graeff Appointed as FreightPlus Chief Operating Officer

FreightPlus Expands C-Suite with the Appointment of Ben Graeff as Chief Operating Officer

March 7, 2022

Innovative managed transportation provider continues to invest in executive team to support the company’s rapid growth. QUINCY, Mass — FreightPlus, a data-driven managed transportation solutions provider, announced Ben Graeff has joined as Chief Operating Officer, the first in company history. Graeff will be responsible for the company’s operational, managerial, and product strategy, as well as driving day to day and quarterly results and innovation in FreightPlus’ next stage of scale and growth. With revenue and employee count quadrupling over the past five years, FreightPlus was named to The Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America in 2021. CEO Stephen Aborn commented, “I am thrilled to welcome Ben to FreightPlus. His natural ability to lead and his experience scaling large businesses at the intersection of technology and operations will be invaluable to our growth story. Every person or partner that works with Ben will be better for it.” Graeff brings over 10 years of experience building technology and businesses at Amazon. Prior to joining FreightPlus, he served as Sr. Manager, Product Management and Data Analytics within Amazon Transportation Services. During his tenure, Graeff was responsible for P&L ownership in Amazon’s consumer retail division, developing new software and customer experiences for Amazon Prime, as well as product development and business results in operations and logistics across the globe. “I am excited to join a company whose mission embodies solving complex problems in partnership with its customers,” said Graeff on his new role. He continued, “Like all great organizations , FreightPlus is powered by its people. I’m eager to join this growing team and blend my experience in building and developing organizations with delivering fast-paced results through people, process and technology. FreightPlus’ commitment to driving long-term partnerships, cost savings and strong service for our customers aligns closely to my core values. I look forward to continuing to build the products, processes, programs and technologies to drive FreightPlus’ future growth as a data-driven transportation management service.” About FreightPlus About FreightPlus FreightPlus is an industry provider of data-driven transportation management offering businesses customized and fully tailored managed transportation solutions in a boutique environment where clients get the individual attention they deserve. FreightPlus combines first-class customer service with innovative technology and industry practices to help mid-size and growing companies work efficiently in the $800B domestic transportation market. Visit https://www.freightplus.io/ for more information. Media Contact: Courtney Conyers cconyers@freightplus.io