Transportation TIP List: Week of May 27th, 2018

For the fourth straight year, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers will compete in the NBA Finals. And just as it’s a thrilling time in the basketball world, it’s also an exciting time in the supply chain industry, with a number of game-changing trends playing out – including the official beginnings of the Blockchain in Supply Chain Alliance and improvements in the U.S. consumer comfort index. Read on for the full playbook in this week’s TIP List!

• BiSCA Formed to Focus on Supply Chain Participants: The minds behind BiTA recently announced a new endeavor focused on supply chain participants called the Blockchain in Supply Chain Alliance (BiSCA). The new organization is designed to meet the needs of supply chain participants and will feature a community side and a standards organization.

• Consumer Comfort Snaps Four-Week Skid on Views of Finances: Americans’ views of their finances strengthened, supported by stock markets that have recouped some losses in recent weeks, along with tax cuts that are putting more money in people’s pockets.

• Delivery is the Product: Takeaways from Transplace Shipper Symposium 2018: This year more than 300 people attended Transplace’s Shipper Symposium to learn about the trends shaping the industry and to discuss how to rewrite the rules for success moving forward. Adrian Gonzalez of Talking Logistics shares his takeaways from the event.

• Finding a Spot for Truck Parking Can Be a Battle All its Own: With ELDs now keeping tabs on all drivers’ HOS, there is an even greater need for more truck parking. The large commercial truck stop is the most important building block of the national rest stop location system.

• Fuel Price Keep Pressure on Van Rates: The average price for a gallon of diesel hit its highest mark of the year, during the week of May 13th, at $3.28, which is 74¢ higher than a year ago. The higher fuel cost has kept the pressure on the spot market rates to remain elevated, despite the recent extra competition for loads in the Midwest and Northeast.

What industry trends are having an important impact on your supply chain?