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MD United Cargo & Freight, Transportation Services, Trucking Company, CDL Class A Drivers, Dispatch & Safety Team https://mdunited.com/

Gearing up for Summer Travel

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May 26, 2023 Today is #NationalRoadTripDay, the kick off to the summer travel season in the U.S. According to a study by thevactioner.com this season is looking to be busier than last. Their survey indicates that more Americans intend on... Read More

The post Gearing up for Summer Travel appeared first on AGT Global Logistics.

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West Michigan Company Prepares for Bright Future in Logistics

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Best and Brightest revealed its list of honorees recognizing West Michigan’s 2023 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®. This award provides distinction to companies that strive for exceptional culture through dedication to their team members. Organizational best practices and employee benefits are all areas in which the companies are assessed. Fifth Wheel Freight was selected for this prestigious award along with 11 other West Michigan companies.

The acquisition of this award is due to FWF’s continued dedication to positioning itself as a top employer in the West Michigan area, along with recent additions to the leadership team. Zach Ramirez was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer, a role where he will closely collaborate with other dedicated members of FWF’s leadership team. “Zach’s dedication to our team is astounding,” says CEO of FWF Reese Van Heck. “He has ample experience leading throughout his years of executive experience and has mastered methods of accountability, catered to each team, which will lead FWF into the next phase of growth and refinement.”

The team sees this accolade as confirmation of their culture and strategy. They plan to continue focusing their efforts on developing an effective company strategy and growing their benefits. FWF has announced that they will take on the Buy/Sell business model, more widely known as the Chicago model, a framework familiar to the logistics and transportation industry. The growth and change are heavily supported by all members of FWF’s executive team. As the company is transitioning to a more effective business model, FWF is confident that its team is ready for high-level growth and development.

“This shift will generate success for our team,” says Ramirez. “FWF will continue to grow in its current values, all while fully supporting future growth through this new model. This rapid growth we have experienced will be fully supported by this model and by leadership. We are excited to retain top talent and open up the doors for more opportunities for future team members.”

About FWF

FWF is a third-party logistics and transportation provider (3PL) that offers full-service logistics solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As a 3PL, FWF has the unique ability to deliver less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (TL) shipping, intermodal, drayage, domestic, and international ground/air freight services. For more information about FWF, visit fwf.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.

The post West Michigan Company Prepares for Bright Future in Logistics appeared first on Fifth Wheel Freight.

MD United Cargo & Freight, Transportation Services, Trucking Company, CDL Class A Drivers, Dispatch & Safety Team https://mdunited.com/

FWF Ranks 83 on the Transport Topics 2023 Top 100 Logistics Companies List

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – On April 24, 2023 Transport Topics released its annual Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America based on gross revenue for the most recent 12-month period. Fifth Wheel Freight (FWF) has been recognized as ranking 83 among all third-party logistics providers competing in this market. The list features the industry’s top freight brokerage firms, air and ocean freight forwarders, dry storage and refrigerated warehouse operators, and dedicated contract carriers.

“We are proud of the growth we have experienced,” says Zach Ramirez, Chief Revenue Officer at FWF. “In the past year, we have expanded our over-dimensional and carrier relations departments, as well as founding our intermodal department. These departments have been integral in our development because they have opened the doors for more opportunities for our team and our customers.”

FWF’s common goal is to provide holistic pathways to success for its team members and customers. Stellar customer service and training will affect industry impact moving forward which is the long-term goal, exemplified by FWF appearing on this list with some of the largest logistics companies in North America.

“With the historic supply chain disruptions of the last few years receding into the past, third-party logistics providers have been adjusting to normalizing freight market conditions while working to build more efficient and resilient supply chains for the future,” said Seth Clevenger, Transport Topics’ managing editor of features. “The Transport Topics Top 100 Logistics Companies list offers an updated look at how the industry’s largest 3PLs are adapting to this shifting business landscape.”

View the complete 2023 Top 100 Logistics Companies list.

About FWF

FWF is a third-party logistics and transportation provider that offers full-service logistics solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As a 3PL, FWF has the ability to offer less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (TL) shipping, intermodal, drayage, domestic, and international ground/air freight services. For more information about FWF, visit fwf.com or connect with us on LinkedInInstagram, or Facebook.

Methodology

Since 1935, Transport Topics has been the news leader in trucking and freight transportation. When it comes to major issues, industry events, and new developments, TT journalists get the story first and get it right, keeping readers informed about all aspects of the trucking industry and helping them stay ready for what’s to come. Explore the latest at https://www.ttnews.com.

The post FWF Ranks 83 on the Transport Topics 2023 Top 100 Logistics Companies List appeared first on Fifth Wheel Freight.

MD United Cargo & Freight, Transportation Services, Trucking Company, CDL Class A Drivers, Dispatch & Safety Team https://mdunited.com/

Where Are the Best Places to Store Products?

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Do you have products and need to store them somewhere? What are some things to think about when it comes to the best places to store your products? Location, Location, Location First, where are the majority of your customers located? It makes sense that the storage warehouse for your products would be nearby– so if... Read more »

The post Where Are the Best Places to Store Products? appeared first on Affiliated Warehouse Companies.

MD United Cargo & Freight, Transportation Services, Trucking Company, CDL Class A Drivers, Dispatch & Safety Team https://mdunited.com/

How to Reduce the Temperature of Warehouses in the Summer

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It’s that time of year when the weather starts warming up, and as summer approaches you can expect hotter temperatures daily. With that in mind, how can you cool down a warehouse in the summer? There are numerous ways. Since workers don’t love to work in extreme heat, and products shouldn’t be melting (right?), it’s... Read more »

The post How to Reduce the Temperature of Warehouses in the Summer appeared first on Affiliated Warehouse Companies.

MD United Cargo & Freight, Transportation Services, Trucking Company, CDL Class A Drivers, Dispatch & Safety Team https://mdunited.com/

An Overview of Voice Picking Technology in Warehouses

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Voice picking is something warehouses can benefit from, since voice picking systems connect to the warehouse management system and can convert orders into voice commands for workers to hear in their headphones. Then, the worker can verbally confirm their movements. Info gets recorded in the system– automatically. This is very convenient and helpful. It allows... Read more »

The post An Overview of Voice Picking Technology in Warehouses appeared first on Affiliated Warehouse Companies.

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As the World Becomes More Connected, Warehousing Has Never Been More Important

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The world is becoming more and more connected, and warehousing has never been more important, especially because of the rise of e-commerce. Technology In order to succeed and thrive, today’s warehouses should be using technology that allows real-time data management while also optimizing their supply chain(s). Warehousing involves storing, finding and distributing physical goods. Smart... Read more »

The post As the World Becomes More Connected, Warehousing Has Never Been More Important appeared first on Affiliated Warehouse Companies.

MD United Cargo & Freight, Transportation Services, Trucking Company, CDL Class A Drivers, Dispatch & Safety Team https://mdunited.com/

FWF Honored on the Inc. 5000 2023 Regionals: Midwest List

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NEW YORK – Inc. magazine released its annual Inc. 5000 Regionals 2023: Midwest list, the most prestigious compilation of 203 of the fastest-growing private companies based in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Fifth Wheel Freight was one of the 80 repeat honorees with a two-year growth rate of 160%, ranking No. 120 on the list.

FWF CEO Reese Van Heck says, “To be honored on this list speaks to the trust and resilience we have as a team at FWF. Reflecting back on the past 10 years, we have learned to lean on each other as we continue to grow. We always say that we do it for the people beside us and the people we have not met yet, and this mentality will continue to propel us forward into the years to come.” 

The companies on this list demonstrate rapid growth across all industries in the Midwest region. Between 2019 and 2021, these private companies had an average growth rate of 535% and, in 2021 alone, they added 22,750 jobs and nearly $13.9 billion to the Midwest region’s economy. The list includes companies such as Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Jamba Juice, Timberland, Clif Bar, Pandora, Patagonia, Oracle, and other notable alumni.

“This year’s Inc. 5000 Regional winners represent one of the most exceptional and exciting lists of America’s off-the-charts growth companies. They’re disrupters and job creators, and all delivered an outsize impact on the economy. Remember their names and follow their lead. These are the companies you’ll be hearing about for years to come,” says Scott Omelianuk, Editor-in-Chief of Inc.

About FWF

FWF is a third-party logistics and transportation provider (3PL) that offers full-service logistics solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As a 3PL, FWF has the unique ability to deliver less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (TL) shipping, intermodal, drayage, domestic, and international ground/air freight services. For more information about FWF, visit fwf.com or connect with us on LinkedInInstagram, or Facebook.

Methodology

The 2023 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2019 and 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31,2019. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2021. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.

View the complete Midwest list.

The post FWF Honored on the Inc. 5000 2023 Regionals: Midwest List appeared first on Fifth Wheel Freight.

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Avoid These Warehousing Mishaps

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Have you ever seen the magnet that says, “Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine?” Well, with warehousing, poor planning is one of the major mistakes made that results in major problems for workers and the place where they work! Besides poor planning, what are some common warehousing mistakes? In-House... Read more »

The post Avoid These Warehousing Mishaps appeared first on Affiliated Warehouse Companies.

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FWF Market Insights: Q4 2022 Analysis

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Why FWF Market Insights?

Stay up-to-date on industry trends with FWF’s market analysis. The logistics and transportation industry is constantly moving. Understanding the fundamentals of how rates are affected and staying relevant to trends begins with understanding supply and demand. It is vital for your business planning and market knowledge.  

If you want to learn more, check out FWF’s Basic Breakdown of Supply and Demand. 

Truckload Rates

Using spot and contract data from DAT, FWF aggregated the monthly and quarterly linehaul rate-per-mile for reefers, flatbeds, and dry vans to determine the average for all three trailer types combined.

Quarterly Contract RPM Excluding Fuel

 

Quarterly Spot RPM Excluding Fuel 

Quarter Average 

RPM 

% Change 

 

Quarter Average 

RPM 

% Change 

Q4 2021 Average

$2.68

+2.3%  

Q4 2021 Average

$2.70 

+2.7%

Q1 2022 Average

$2.75

+2.6%

 

Q1 2022 Average

$2.74

+1.4%

Q2 2022 Average

$2.79

+1.4%

 

Q2 2022 Average

$2.31

-15.8%

Q3 2022 Average

$2.70

-3.2%

 

Q3 2022 Average

$2.12

-8.2%

Q4 2022 Average

$2.62

-3.0%

 

Q4 2022 Average

$1.97

-7.1%

You can find the most up-to-date RPM data by trailer type on DAT.  

Typically, contract rates lag behind spot rates by a few months, as contracts are given at the beginning of every quarter or year, though this year contract rates have barely inched towards spot rates. According to DAT Freight & Analytics, spot rates quickly decreased 15.8% in the second quarter of this year, followed by two more steep declines in the third and fourth quarters as they deflate from record highs recorded during the pandemic.

While we typically see contract rates follow a similar pattern at a later date, they declined just 3.2% in the third quarter, followed by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. The trajectory of both contract and spot rates suggests that contract rates will continue to decline in the coming months as they continue to operate ~25% above the spot market.

This chart was created by FWF using aggregated RPM data from DAT.

Peak holiday shipping season provided a small boost in spot rates in December, increasing 4.1% m/m according to DAT. FreightWaves reports their National Trucking Index, which measures average dry van spot rates, jumped almost 10% in the last two weeks of December, reaching its highest levels since summer. While an increase in rates did occur this year, it was much smaller than what is typically observed during peak season. A large contributor to the muted seasonal spike in spot rates is related to the over supply of trucks, as DAT reports equipment posts on their load board hold at six-year highs.  

Tender rejection rates also typically see a significant boost as the holiday season unfolds in December. Sonar’s Outbound Tender Rejection Index increased from its multi-year low of 3.9% to 5.8%, where it has since flattened out. The lack of increase is largely due to the fact that contract rates are still elevated far above spot rates, thus carriers are more likely to accept the loads tendered to them as they are more profitable.

Diesel Prices  

According to the EIA, the national average cost of diesel reached a record high in June of this year, providing challenges for carriers. Although the cost did deflate into the third quarter, we saw a $0.27 increase again between September and November, as the U.S. faced diesel shortages and the demand for fuel increased as it does in the winter. However, by the end of the fourth quarter, the cost reached its lowest value since February 2022.          

EIA analysts report diesel supplies and inventory levels are likely to remain limited as global supply constraints continue into the next year, though prices are forecast to decrease to a yearly average of $4.48/gallon in 2023.

This chart was created by FWF using diesel price data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Current Factors Driving the Freight Market    

Manufacturing

A majority of freight demand comes from the manufacturing industry, where activity has continued to ease. ISM’s Manufacturing PMI measured 49% in November, the first contractionary reading since May 2020 and down 1.2 percentage points from October.

This index is adjusted for seasonality, indicating that manufacturing activity slowed more than expected, and if this trend continues, freight demand will ease even further in the coming months. ISM reports that manufacturing output may be slowing as supply chain constraints continue to ease and inventories grow, working against industrial production.

Housing

The housing industry is another important indicator of freight volumes, and is also something to watch in the coming months. The single-family housing space has been an area of concern, as single-family housing starts have been on the decline for the majority of the year, decreasing 4.1% m/m in November. Total housing starts have shown more strength, nearly flat m/m in November, indicating that multi-unit homes are in higher demand as they are a more affordable option for consumers.

Despite the strength in multi-unit housing starts, total building permits dropped 11.2% m/m in November, indicating a drop in demand in both housing spaces. On a more positive note, the number of housing units under construction remains elevated far above pre-pandemic levels, leaving a backlog of homes to be built and volume to be added to the freight market.

Consumer Conditions

Consumer conditions remained shaky throughout the last quarter of the year, and is likely a large contributor to the muted holiday shipping season, as inflation leaves wallets tight. While inflation has slowed to 7.1% in November, it is still elevated and continues to provide challenges for consumers, as the savings rate for consumers is at its lowest level since 2005 while credit utilization is on the rise. This trend will continue to slow consumer spending on discretionary goods, in turn slowing the demand for freight.

Conclusion

Q4 is typically a busy season for freight, and although some boosts were provided, they were lackluster. Rates increased, but at a much smaller amount than seen in previous years, and rejection rates plateaued at just 5.8%. Looking ahead into the new year, the first quarter of the year is typically slow for freight. Assistance related to seasonality is over, and the direction of the economy leaves some uncertainty for Q1 2023 expectations for the freight market.

FWF continues to provide customers and carriers with reliable and new information to navigate the freight market with in-depth knowledge and data. Visit FWF’s resource center for more information that can improve your insights.  

The post FWF Market Insights: Q4 2022 Analysis appeared first on Fifth Wheel Freight.

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FWF Spotlight Featuring Deon Davis

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FWF’s spotlight features Deon Davis, a valued team member since 2016. In his position as Director of Training & Development, Deon provides mentorship and wisdom to the young minds of freight. We had the opportunity to learn more about his story and journey here at FWF.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are resources available to help.

Overview 

Our team members at FWF are key contributors and vital assets to our growth. At FWF, we cherish and take pride in coaching our people to advance in their roles, gain valuable skill sets, and build the foundation for long-term career success. Visit our careers page to learn more.

The post FWF Spotlight Featuring Deon Davis appeared first on Fifth Wheel Freight.

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