Logistics is a fast-paced, high stakes industry with direct, downstream effect on every area of the economy. In other words, everything that happens (or doesn’t happen) in the freight industry is felt at the grocery store, auto shop, clothing store… event the doctor’s office and the football field.
In 2023, the TL/OTR sector alone ran nearly 15 million loads. This doesn’t include IMDL, LTL, or other smaller, regional loads. These 15 million loads result in hundreds of millions of transactions (financial or data); each requiring varying levels of hands-on precision every step of the way.
Any experienced logistics professional will tell you that effectively navigating this industry requires a tremendous amount of knowledge, solid partnerships, and outstanding communication dynamics to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the partnership and communication pieces to not exist. This is especially true when it comes to the freight broker / motor carrier relationship. This dynamic has always been been rife with challenges, but with the exaggerated market swings in the Covid/Post Covid environment has led to increasing levels of hostility, dishonesty, and bad faith. The last 3 years have shown a big, bright spotlight on some of the ugliest parts of the industry.
For carriers:
· Devastatingly low rates
· Rising operating costs (sp. fuel and insurance premiums)
· Devastatingly low rates
· Rising operating costs (sp. fuel and insurance premiums)
· Identity theft,/fraud
And herein lies the problem. Instead of joining forces and tackling these issues together, both sides have contented themselves with vilifying the other side. Brokers have increasingly commoditized carriers in an attempt to grab whatever margin they can while carriers have doubled down on their hostility toward brokers. Instead of solving the problems both sides face, the problems have remained… even gotten worse.
At the heart of any business relationship; especially ones as transaction heavy as logistics, trust and communication are central to success. That is why we exist: To create an environment that fosters and facilitates communication between carriers and brokers while restoring trust.
Our semi-annual gatherings allow for carriers and brokers to delve into each others’ roles and engage in “real talk” about real issues.
Our vision is for each Summit to be a place where relationships are formed, lessons are learned, strategies are formed, and better stronger partnerships are created.
Join the movement!
