Food Chain Digest Edition 2 2023

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FOOD CHAIN Digest

EDITION 2 • 2023

Published three times a year for:

Food Shippers of America

1144 East State Street, Suite -288A Geneva, IL 60134 847-302-1496

executivedirector@foodshippers.org

www.foodshippers.org

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Editorial Content This Edition:

Faith Boone Brian Everett Denise Rondini

Courtney Bloom Karen Kroll Tom Gresham

Conrad Winter

Advertising Sales:

Cassidy Mullins 952-442-8850 ext. 215

cassidy@mindshare.bz

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Accounting/Administration/Circulation:

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Food Shippers of America Executive Director

Paul Newbourne President

David Domencic

ARMADA

Vice President TBA

Secretary

Darica Schneider

Univar Solutions

Treasurer

Ernie Seibert

Food Shippers of America

Board Chair

Steve Stein

Danone North America

Board Members

Clyde Coleman

Performance Foods Group

Chris Domey

Ocean Spray

Lori Lammers

Dawn Foods

Rob Lyall

Simmons Foods

Board Advisors Motor Carrier: Craig Paulsen Schneider

3PL Advisor: Chris Wilkes

Uber Freight Railroad: Jonathan Tinker BNSF Railway Technology Advisor: Jim Mueller

Food Shippers of America

Media Advisor: Mary Kearney Tucker Freight Lines

FSA Media Committee

Stace Knabel Promise Delivered

Jon Pruitt Nutrabolt

All things food supply chain.

Recap: 2023 Food Shippers Conference a Huge Success

The 67th Annual Food Shippers Conference was held March 5-7 at the beautiful JW Marriott Palm Desert Springs Resort and Spa. From the snow-peaked mountains to the palm trees and sunshine, I certainly hope that everyone had a chance to enjoy a little bit of Palm Desert in addition to the incredible conference activities. Our Conference Co-Chairs Mark Purdy (Director, North America Transportation at General Mills) and Craig Paulsen (Vice President, Commercial Development and Sales Intermodal at Schneider) assembled an exciting and informative agenda which included the entertaining keynote presentation from Damon John, followed by session after session of industry-relevant content that covered topics from diversity and inclusion to the technology trends that are emerging in supply chain business today.

In addition to Mark and Craig, it is important to recognize the many volunteers that come together to help make our conference a success year after year. FSA relies on the many volunteers that donate their time and talents to help plan, set up, support, and then pack up all the conference gear once complete. Thank you for your tireless efforts

to make our conference such an enjoyable experience for our attendees!

I would also like to thank our member companies and our amazing sponsors. Your incredible generosity helps to make our annual conference a success year after year.

Lastly, FSA returns to Orlando in 2024. Following the record-breaking

attendance in Palm Desert, the 2024 Annual Food Shippers Conference undoubtedly will be in high demand. Registration details will be sent later this year so please keep your eyes out for instructions on when and how to register for FSA 2024.

Thank you to each and every one who attended. I look forward to seeing all of you again in Orlando next year.

David Domencic, President, Food Shippers of America, Director of Procurement, Armada

FSA RETURNS

TO

ORLANDO IN 2024. FOLLOWING THE RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE IN PALM DESERT, THE 2024 ANNUAL FOOD SHIPPERS CONFERENCE UNDOUBTEDLY WILL

BE IN HIGH DEMAND.

Brian Everett, Publisher Senior Partner, MindShare Strategies 952-442-8850 x201

brian@mindshare.bz

Emerging and Expanding Food Chain Technologies

There is increasing pressure on supply chain leaders in the food industry to implement technology responses to address disruptions, supply shortages, sustainability, safety and security incidents. We heard this as a common theme during the 67th Annual Food Shipper Conference in Palm Desert in March.

Throughout this edition of Food Chain Digest, you’ll read common themes for technology to deliver automation, intelligence, sustainability and resiliency in food chains worldwide. In fact, many food chain executives suggest that adapting to new technology is the most important strategic change to occur in supply chain organizations in the next few years. Food chain leaders are well-advised to take multi-disciplined approaches to identify innovative technologies and to orchestrate the right technology investments at the right place and time.

As I think about what I’ve been hearing from food supply chain executives and from my editorial team in this edition, I offer these supply chain technology trends:

Hyperautomation is a business-driven approach that food organizations are using to rapidly identify, explore and automate as many business and IT processes as possible through the orchestrated use of multiple

technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Hyperautomation 2.0 goes past this initial focus on AI and ML and integrates other technologies and tools of the technology portfolio in the food chain.

During the next few years, supply chain observers predict that hyperautomation 2.0 will be part of initiatives in warehousing, transport, production and others. Solutions will include intelligent remote fulfillment networks in warehouse or yard management domains and personalized e-commerce applications. Check out the article, Leveraging Technology to Achieve the Perfect Shipment on page 12 and the “2023 Top Food Chain Technology” list named by Food Chain Digest in this issue.

Autonomous Technologies, such as vehicles, robots and drones can augment traditional manually intensive physical tasks with greater efficiency, productivity and safety. Working independently or through networks, they also enhance a new generation of immersive work and customer experiences through enhanced service transparency and efficiency. Autonomous technologies support safer, more efficient and optimized operations and processes across food

chains. We’ve been reporting on many of these technologies in recent months in past editions of Food Chain Digest, as well as on the Food Shippers Blog at www.foodshippers.org and in FSA’s social media channels.

Enterprise-Centric Next-Generation

Robots are rapidly moving from science fiction to real-life supply chain production platforms – and as a result, transforming the food and beverage industry. These robots are more adaptive and flexible than ever - and they now can be applied to a variety of tasks. In the not-toodistant future, many predict that food companies will have heterogeneous fleets of robots where work will have to be orchestrated across different robots — meaning that robots have to interact with each other and need to communicate with other types of automated equipment like elevators and doors.

Sustainability Tools are a fast-evolving spectrum of applications, services and capabilities in supply chain that support events associated with directives for sustainability impacts and environmental mandates. They enhance levels of digitalization, collaboration and visibility - which is often critical to establish processes and disciplines needed to evolve meaningful sustainability initiatives.

DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS, SUPPLY CHAIN OBSERVERS PREDICT THAT HYPERAUTOMATION 2.0 WILL BE PART OF INITIATIVES IN WAREHOUSING, TRANSPORT, PRODUCTION AND OTHERS.

Sustainability has impacts that span supply chains worldwide — from planning and sourcing, to manufacturing, distribution and final delivery of food to consumers. Food chain leaders who don’t invest in tools that support a wide range of sustainability goals and metrics risk a significant impact on their corporate brand, company image, and consumer value perception. There’s also a risk of

stranded assets, vulnerability to carbon tax, unpreparedness for climaterelated supply chain disruptions – and accordingly shareholder value. New transportation technologies also will be powered by alternative energy sources to minimize the carbon footprint of food companies. For example, read Electric Vehicles: How Will Net Zero Net Out for Food Shippers on page 29.

Food Chain Analytics are capabilities that deliver reporting, interactive data visualization, advanced analytics and intelligence — including ML and predictive and prescriptive analytics. With fast-growing availability of data, AI can now be applied to transform data into information and deeper insights as part of a DSCT (digital supply chain twin).

FOOD CHAIN LEADERS WHO DON’T INVEST IN TOOLS THAT SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AND METRICS RISK A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR CORPORATE BRAND, COMPANY IMAGE, AND CONSUMER VALUE PERCEPTION.

SAFETY Matters: Corporate Culture, Operations, and Legal Perspectives

Most food companies with private fleets or for-hire trucking companies have safety at the top of their corporate priorities.

There are many ways to reduce serious injuries or fatalities by supporting comprehensive, system-wide, multimodal, data-driven, and proactive operations and procedures. Top executives experienced in minimizing risks in transportation company operations and building safety-focused cultures share their thoughts on how to ensure safe operations and procedures.

“We’ve seen an increasing number of fatality crashes now that we’re coming out of COVID,” says Donna Fielding, Director of Safety, Intermodal at JB Hunt Transport Services, a Fortune 500 company that specializes in technologydriven freight shipping for large and small businesses, including food shippers.

“Through COVID, J.B. Hunt saw a decrease in collisions decrease in fatality crashes. And, you know, the rise of nuclear verdicts is a challenge for every trucking company in the industry.”

Fielding explains a nuclear verdict as a jury award where the penalty exceeds $10 million or more. She says nuclear verdicts have risen in the last several years, and one way J.B. Hunt Transport combats that is through safety technologies and driver facing cameras.

Jill Snyder explains that technology being placed into fleets was initially met with some resistance by drivers. Snyder is Director of Safety and Compliance for Zonar Systems, a smart fleet management solutions and patented technologies provider to make roads safer.

“Drivers felt like it was a little bit of a ‘big brother’ type attitude,” Snyder says. “But what they’re finding now is that, especially with the cameras, both outward facing and inward facing, those are helping to kill a lot of those nuclear verdicts.”

Cameras are providing the evidence companies need when showing which vehicle caused the accident. The technology also can monitor driver speed. Attorney Stephanie Chesney with MG+M The Law Firm says the data that comes from using cameras helps to eliminate a “less savory legal analysis.”

Chesney says there is a visible distaste coming up, especially from jurors, for corporations that start and utilize a less safe tactic when there could be a safer option available. On the

Cameras lead to more data and enhanced transparency Dash cam use has resulted in a 60% reduction in the number of accidents and an 86% reduction in the cost of vehicle crashes*, thanks in part to:

flip side, the positive safety infrastructures are revealing more data and more transparency.

Fielding says it’s important to get operations and leadership buy-in.

“Sometimes people look at safety and compliance as a nuisance, but it’s something you have to have,” Fielding says. “In order to get loads from customers, having those good customer relationships, you got to think about your return on investment, you’ve got to think about your insurance premium–all of those things are factors that you have to consider whenever you don’t have a safety culture versus when you do have a safety culture.”

ELEMENTS OF FOOD SAFETY CULTURE

A food safety culture is the shared values, beliefs and norms that impact mindset and behavior toward food safety throughout an organization. It is the result of the commitment from leadership and focus across the organization.

Donna Fielding

Jill Snyder

GPS Tracking Asset Tracking Safety Features Driver Coaching

SUPPLY CHAIN

TRANSPARENCY

Leveraging Technology to Achieve The Perfect Shipment

TRANSPARENCY

According to Tracy Rosser, Strategic Advisor of NewRoad Capital Partners, there are potential gaps to achieving the perfect shipment in three areas: network design and planning, operational planning and execution, and financial reconciliation.

“It is really hard to accomplish perfection in how you move freight – and if you miss hitting all cylinders in your shipment, there’s waste in dollars and value in the supply chain,” says Rosser. “Technology presents an opportunity in maximizing efficiencies in your supply chain, and it’s up to us to present an ROI

for technological advancement and investments to the C-suite.” This was his mantra in his 22-year career at Walmart, including his most recent role at the megaretailer as Senior Vice President of Transportation and Supply Chain from 2012 to 2019.

“Data is king,” suggests Rosser. He says the best way to define your ROI through data driven by technology are in these benefits:

• Generates actional insights

• Manages performance of your supply chain activities

• Drives continues improvement in your operations

• Influences corporate change, as well as corporate investment in money and resources

Are You Behind in Your Food Chain Technology?

Rosser suggests there are several technology and capabilities areas in which supply chain professionals can create value and maximize dollars now. He suggests that if you do not have these capabilities in your technology mix, you are behind:

1. Network design capability. This gives you the opportunity to establish the blueprint for what your network looks like and identify tactical elements that you can address within your network.

2. Demand planning and forecast connectivity. Technology can help to predict the flow of materials and products of your

“IT IS REALLY HARD TO ACCOMPLISH PERFECTION IN HOW YOU MOVE FREIGHT – AND IF YOU MISS HITTING ALL CYLINDERS IN YOUR SHIPMENT, THERE’S WASTE IN DOLLARS AND VALUE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.” - TRACY ROSSER

Supply chain managers in the food industry are constantly striving to achieve error-free shipments every time - but is this quest realistic?

Tracy Rosser

supply chain in all areas, including procurement, manufacturing and operations – and ultimately communicate this to key stakeholders in these areas so you can plan and execute with precision.

3. Transportation management systems (TMS) platform. This technology can impact many areas of the supply

chain, according to Rosser, including order data correction; optimization by mode, channel and cost; flexible RG execution and API pricing; appointmentsetting; control tower; check call visibility; and predictive failure capabilities. “Are you getting all of the critical data elements out of your platform, whether it’s an in-house system or outsourced?” asks Rosser.

4. Integration with warehouse management systems (WMS). For example, if you are aware that a truck isn’t going to be delivering on-time you then can react and plan your labor resources on the warehousing side accordingly.

5. Integration with your financial system.

Food Shipper Perspective: The Power of Partnerships

From raw materials to conversion to warehouses to stores, supply chains driven by technology and data maximizes the likelihood that products will be on the shelf when consumers look for them. As technology evolves, food chain leaders look to ecosystem partners to keep pace with the latest advances as well as talent.

According to Bob Schug, Senior Director IT and Share Services Lead at Mondelez International, an American multinational confectionery, food and beverage company, ecosystem partners are critical to gain break-through technology fast, add expertise, pilot a new idea or fill capacity needs. He sees these needs continuing to grow as supply chains have become physical, digital and increasingly integrated and connected.

Emerging Supply Chain Technologies

Emerging technology platforms that are most efficient are integrating all components and stakeholders of the perfect load in order to facilitate proactive planning and execution, exception management, and continues improvements, according to Rosser. He suggests that these new platforms are building trust and transparency in the supply chain, they enable you to quickly pull data in near “real time” (including network and capacity disruptions and visibility), informs and facilitates action, and enables shippers to execute on the “perfect load.” A quick look at the power and capabilities of the 2023 Top Food Chain Technologies, as named by Food Chain Digest, underscores his observations.

Bob Schug

2023 Top Food Chain Technology

Technology is the backbone of the food supply chain. The “Top Food Chain Technology” program is an industry resource to identify standouts in the food transportation, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry. Managed by Food Chain Digest, this is the second year this program highlights technology platforms, applications, and innovators that help food shippers to be more aware of all the options available to them. After all qualified nominations are accepted, Food Chain Digest then sends out a ballot for professionals in the food supply chain industry to vote – which helps to validate the most relevant technologies in the industry. In March of this year, nearly 2,000 votes were received. For complete details on Food Chain Digest’s Top Food Chain Technology program, visit foodshippers.org and click “Top Lists” under the “News & Trends” tab. Here is a brief summary of the technologies named to this year’s list.

ALC Logistics

Provides a web-based Transportation Management System (TMS). Backed by 43 years of freight transportation industry expertise, this software helps address challenges by simplifying the processes involved in managing transportation and supply chain networks. alclogistics.com

Recent success story: A food shipper lost key members of their operations and asked ALC Logistics to provide a “managed services” solution to keep their operations on track and to highlight areas for improvement. ALC provided customized applications on their TMS to support their operations and after a four-month assignment they provided recommendations to improve their operations.

AutoScheduler

Creates dynamic warehouse plans directly injected into the WMS to optimize activities based on constraints, ensuring sites run optimally at peak performance. Provides dynamic dock scheduling, labor level-loading, inventory balancing, proactive crossdocking, and redundant workforce elimination. autoscheduler.ai

Recent success story: Drove savings of over $4M annually for a major consumer packaged goods company. AutoScheduler was deployed at one plant in Lima, OH,

that used seven nearby satellite warehouses for storage with over 250 outbound full-vehicle shipments per day. This CPG company dramatically improved productivity when direct dockfrom-plant moves went from 57% to 83.4%, and bring-backs were reduced from 16% to 8.7%.

Breakthrough

Empowers shippers with data, technology, and market knowledge to reduce cost, create fair partnerships, and improve transportation network efficiency and sustainability. breakthroughfuel.com

Recent success story: Network Intelligence and the support of the Breakthrough team enabled a frozen goods and desserts company to maintain budget in their RFP by offering market guidance and recommending best-fit in-network carriers. Breakthrough recommended 60+ new carriers to their network, and those awarded contracts resulted in a savings of $1.03 million compared to prior RFP events.

BrillDog

Shippers benefit from the affordable, real-time, cloud-based supply chain functionality, analysis, and tactical/strategic supply chain advice. brilldog.com

Recent success story: Small- and mid-sized food shippers must get off their Excel spreadsheets and automate supply chain processes. BrillDog helped one food producer obtain rate quotes on transportation, create a bill of lading for shipments, dispatch, track shipments, and file claims for damage and lost shipments. This ultimately enabled the shipper to completely manage and track their LTL and TL shipments.

DAT Freight & Analytics

Operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Shippers rely on DAT for market trends and data insights based upon 500 million freight matches and a database of $137 billion in annual market transactions. dat.com

Recent success story: Using DAT iQ, a large food shipper gained actionable market insightsallowing them to better forecast allowances for freight costs, negotiate with confidence, reduce exposure to market shifts, and increase profitability. In turn, they showed to company leadership efficiencies and gained consensus around several long-term initiatives to further improve efficiency and carrier/broker partnerships.

Edge Logistics

Providing freight technology solutions, Edge Logistics’ CAPACITY platform and app offers food shippers cuttingedge algorithms to match the right carriers to the right loads. edgelogistics.com

Recent success story: A savvy food shipper needed a strategy to combat recent volatile market conditions – and built a tech stack including CAPACITY as a solution to find and secure more capacity.

Emerge

Revolutionizing the freight procurement process through a dynamic RFP application that eliminates manual work to procure freight. Food shippers use the tool to meet their parameters and easily complete bid events in a weeka task that once took months.

emergemarket.com

Recent success story: A large privately-held manufacturer and distributor of recognized beverage brands needed to streamline their freight procurement process to access more carriers, reduce time spent on their RFPs, and be more nimble. The company went from having very few standard procedures around freight procurement. The company reports that they have saved time and been able to gain more rate options by using Emerge solutions.

Emerson

Its core technologies help food shippers to mitigate food waste while ensuring only the freshest, safest products reach consumers. Cold chain solutions provide visibility into in-transit cargo shipments. emerson.com

Recent success story: A fleet needed to ensure proper temperatures within its refrigerated trailers and for both LTL and full truckload scenarios the GO realtime tracker solution has become a “first line of defense” for protecting these refrigerated shipments.

Everstream Analytics

Sophisticated technology that improves accuracy and speed of logistics predictions by combining billions of supply chain data points with power AI, advanced analytics and graph technology. everstream.ai

Recent success story: Many soup products of a major food manufacturer are susceptible to freezing during transit and because factors like weather conditions can change, risk management was a big challenge. This shipper received a daily overview of global risks that might disrupt their shipments –and this digitized supply chain risk system alerted them to potentially impactful risks.

FourKites

A supply chain visibility platform that extends visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, and stores. Combining real-time data and machine learning, FourKites tracks more than 2.5 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier, and reaches 185+ countries. fourkites.com

Recent success story: A multinational drink and brewing company automated realtime shipment tracking and leveraged analytics to save time, improve customers’ experience, and monitor and manage the performance of carriers and facilities. Through FourKites, this food shipper improved brewery

operations with shipping ETAs that are 96% accurate, an 80-90% reduction in time spent on manual track-and-trace tasks, and improved carrier relationships and performance management.

FreightSmith

Premier pathway for digital payment processing and inbound operational agility through a suite of digital solutions. freightsmith.net

Recent success story: A retail distributor reduced the dwell between driver check-in and unload start by expediting door assignment process. The visibility of checked-in and available drivers instantly removed the timely process of continually checking the staging area, improving the dwell by an average of 12 minutes. The IMS solution also created an exception management task list allowing the dock supervisor to prioritize vehicles to reduce detention exposure by 16% and execute against the planned inbound schedule. Additionally, the distribution manager leverages the analytics daily as part of company continuous improvement initiatives.

Leaf Logistics

This platform connects shippers, providers and partners to gain network efficiencies and unlock a forward view of tomorrow’s transportation market and build their most resilient transportation plan. leaflogistics.com

Recent success story: Leaf Logistics used machine learning to identify hidden capacity for a leading CPG company – including planned and scheduled loads using digital contracts, and coordinated what would have been three separate shipments into a daily continuous move. The first continuous move reduced CO2

emissions from empty deadhead miles by 80%. This food shipper is expanding its work with Leaf across a broader transportation portfolio, targeting a similar 80% reduction in empty miles across $60M in annual transportation spend - reducing CO2 emissions by the equivalent to removing 665 cars off the road.

LoadSmart

Leverages technology and logistics data to build efficiency around how freight is priced, books and shipped. loadsmart.com

Recent success story: A large publicly-traded, multinational food shipper was finding difficulty in quickly onboarding carriers due to the rigor around EDI connectivity (cost, business fit, timing). They were looking to more easily and quickly add capacity to their network. Through a custom, bespoke integration, Loadsmart reduced their technical onboarding process so that carriers are able to receive and accept tenders in hours rather than weeks, allowing them to more effectively pivot and execute in near real-time.

Lytx

A provider of machine vision- and artificial intelligence-powered video telematics, analytics, safety, and productivity solutions for commercial, public sector, and field service fleets. lytx.com

Recent success story: A commercial bakery uses machine vision and artificial intelligence and Lytx all-in-one solutions to manage growth and reduce risk. As a result, it has experience 58% reduction in speeding, 54% reduction in overall risk, 50% reduction in cell-phone use, 46% reduction in drivers unbelted, and 44% reduction in instances of unsafe following distance. The bakery uses Lytx’s

open API system architecture to connect the Driver Safety Program and Fleet Tracking Service with its proprietary driver application, and now can see how long drivers are in and out of delivery locations and access real-time video. The company also taps into Lytx’s driver smoking detection algorithm to reduce contamination of its baked goods. Fleet managers can also use the live-tracking feature to combat theft and leverage video footage as evidence.

NuVizz

An Atlanta-based delivery and transportation orchestration SaaS platform with a transportation visibility platform that quickly and easily empowers a transparent and fully optimized delivery and fulfillment lifecycle. nuvizz.com

Recent success story: The supply chain and transportation wing of an American fast-food restaurant chain implemented NuVizz across its entire outbound supply chain in distributing products from 10+ DCs to more than 10,000 store locations. The platform provides real-time visibility for the deliveries taking into account all the realtime events, which helps stores to plan for labor when needed. The solution also eliminates paperwork and manual handling of overages, shortages and damages (OS&Ds), and the scanning of each item ensures accuracy of deliveries and establishes clear chain of custody.

PCS Software

An AI transportation management platform leader fielding disruptive innovation for food shippers, carriers, and brokers. Could-based, API-integrated PCS automates the entire logistics operation via a single, comprehensive solution. pcssoft.com

Recent success story: A U.S.-based food and agriculture company now uses PCS to deliver a new AI dispatch planning feature to maximize driver utilization. The system calculates optimal driverload plans for the private fleet and finds the most affordable drivers. Initial results show that the optimization capability allows the customer to dispatch one additional load per week per company driver – creating a savings of millions of dollars annually. In addition, the system automates driver dispatching, saving time for dispatchers and reducing staffing needs as the fleet grows. Automation also helps meet this shipper’s goal of more sustainable operations by reducing deadhead miles.

PLM TrustLink™

A comprehensive, cloud-based IoT management solution for automated, touchless, supply chain ecosystems driving efficiencies at the product level. plmfleet.com

Recent success story: A premium beef processor needed to share critical tracking events and exchange key data for enhanced visibility and improved efficiencies that included temperature. TrustLink™ allowed them to digitize its entire ecosystem, making collaboration with trading partners easier and delivering mutual benefits.

project44

Operates an end-to-end visibility platform that tracks more than 1 billion unique shipments each year for 1,200+ of the worlds leading brands. This platform drives greater predictability, resiliency and sustainability. project44.com

Recent success story: A major brewery is using project44’s platform to improve data quality,

trackability, and predictiveness across their Western European Road shipments. project44’s truckload tracking solutions proactively track all truck types, including refrigerated freight, across North America and Europe with direct API (Application Programming Interface) carrier integrations and 800+ telematics/ ELD device integrations. Customers can continuously track shipment ETAs down to the purchase order or SKU to improve inventory management, seamlessly collaborate on transportation data across stakeholders, and track the temperature and condition of shipments to prevent costly spoilages and delays.

ShipWell

Empowers supply chains with increased efficiency and service effectiveness at scale. shipwell.com

Recent success story: A shelfstable food product partner needed to pivot operations during a period of high demand and saw order volume double. Using ShipWell, they increased efficiencies and saved time by eliminating manual processes and streamlining communications in order to ensure consistent on-time delivery, despite the increase in volume. This food shipper now can view and manage their entire shipping operation through one connected interface. Communication and order management are automated and streamlined, so teams can focus on high-priority tasks, enhancing the customer experience. They are now able to track 100% of shipments within our platform — from quote management to shipment tracking to payment processing — regardless of what brokerage they are using.

The Raymond Corp.

Provides intralogistics solutions that drive fulfillment and effectiveness through the optimization of people and processes. raymondcorp.com

Recent success story: A food pantry in Dallas County, Texas turned to Raymond Corp. to learn best practices of receiving/ shipping, to maximize efficient use of additional warehouse space and inventory control, and to safely and fully utilize all the benefits of a new distribution facility. By leveraging Raymond Lean Management (RLM) principles, this organization optimized its order picking process, donation center methods and shopping experience, as well as increased capacity in its new warehouse facility.

Tive

Provides real-time supply chain visibility insights to help logistics professionals actively manage in-transit shipments’ location and condition to ensure shipments arrive OTIF. tive.com

Recent success story: A major food company that grows, packs and ships fresh fruits and vegetables, was in search of a realtime tracker that was free of lithium batteries because one of their major customers was not allowing batteries with lithium in their facilities. The food shipper turned to Tive and within two weeks the company was up and running on the Tive platform and using Tive’s Solo 5G non-lithium that measures hyper-accurate location, temperature, humidity, shock, and light exposure of shipments and capture and transmit data in real time.

TransLoop

A battle-tested, technology-driven logistics company with cuttingedge technology, AI systems, and white-glove customer service for food shippers. transloop.io

Recent success story: A large food shipper needed to move 1,000-plus shipments in just four months with the support of TransLoop Sprint, which allowed this enterprise food shipper to see the carrier reuse data and live tracking when they had questions.

TruckStop

Empowers the freight community through a platform of innovative solutions for the entire freight lifecycle to increase efficiency, automate processes, and accelerate growth. truckstop.com

Recent success story: This past fall, Truckstop CEO Kendra Tucker took part in a ride-along with a driver and long-standing carrier customer. Tucker and this drive hauled 14,000 pounds of bread along the East Coast while discussing the growing needs of the trucking industry. During the drive, the two extensively discussed how the advancing technologies and offerings of Truckstop have provided drivers invaluable load opportunities and an improved business. Says this driver: “The freedom of driving a truck and the Truckstop Load Board give me the flexibility to set my own hours, choose the loads that fit my criteria and stay close to home.”

Uber Freight

A logistics platform with a mission to reshape global logistics and deliver reliable, flexible, and transparent solutions to food shippers. uberfreight.com

Recent success stories: A global food company moved from manual warehouse operations and shipping processes to Uber Freight’s Control Tower and Network Services – providing a single source of visibility, spurring over $30 million in savings and reducing GHG emissions by 12,000 metric tons. Leveraging 400+ driver reviews from Uber Freight’s Facility Ratings, another leading beverage shipper was able to make improvements and keep their goods moving. In fact, the beverage maker named Uber Freight in its top 5 transportation service providers. Armed with Uber Freight’s Warehouse Consulting recommendations, a distilled beverages distributor was able to redesign its facility – cutting costs by 47% and achieving $10 million in annualized cost savings.

UChain Group

Develops trend-setting services and cutting-edge technology that benefits our Distribution Center and transportation partners across the U.S. uchaininc.com

Recent success story: Customers gain a new level of control over their entire supply chain process, and find value in the following ways: improve carrier and vendor behavior by nearly 5%, save hundreds of man-hours between staff and on-site vendors, increase focus on uncovering efficiencies that trim active door times by 20%, and eliminate collusion 100% by removing any need for cash on docks.

•

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE GREATS

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE GREATS (ON THE FIELD AND IN THE SHARK TANK)

At the 67th Annual Food Shippers Conference in March, keynote speakers Daymond John, a fashion executive and TV star, and Andrew Whitworth, a Super Bowl champion, shared illuminating and inspiring wisdom based on lessons that they have learned in their highly successful careers.

John is the Founder, President and CEO of global fashion brand FUBU and an investor on the popular ABC reality television series, Shark Tank. At the conference, he detailed his five-point SHARK system for success, noting its importance to his own life and career. “Every single time I’ve been successful, every one of these points is in place and every single time that I have failed, just one of those points is missing,” said John.

1. Set a goal.

John told the audience that “the most valuable thing that I can tell you that I have ever done in my life is set goals.” In fact, setting and chasing goals is so central to

John’s approach to life that each night before he goes to sleep, he reviews his 10 ongoing goals.

John said setting goals is about taking control. “If you aren’t in charge of the goals that you set, you will let others set goals for you,” he said.

2. Do your homework.

John emphasized that no ideas are truly new –something that he sees first-hand with contestants on Shark Tank. However, there are fresh ways to execute ideas that have come before, he said. That requires doing your research and appreciating the history of your idea, your market and your competition.

Daymond John, President & CEO of global fashion brand FUBU and an investor on the popular ABC reality television series, Shark Tank, addresses food shippers at the annual conference.

“EVERY SINGLE TIME I’VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, EVERY ONE OF THESE POINTS IS IN PLACE AND EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT I HAVE FAILED, JUST ONE OF THOSE POINTS IS MISSING.”

- DAYMOND JOHN

3. Amore: Love what you are doing.

Success requires passion. He noted that FUBU, the company he founded, was born out of his love of fashion. Other successes are similarly conceived, he said.

4. Remember, you personally are the brand.

To build a business or a career, John said you should be able to define yourself for others or you will risk allowing them to define you.

“Can you walk into a room and not leave it up to us to interpret who you are?” asked John.

5. Keep swimming.

As is often noted, sharks are always swimming, even when they are asleep. For John, that means we should be relentless and always moving forward no matter the

challenges. To keep swimming, we need to take care of ourselves so that we can be in position to excel when the opportunity arises, he said.

Whitworth shared a similar message of perseverance at the conference. Noting his time with the Cincinnati Bengals during a time when wins were scarce, Whitworth said he learned to emphasize the importance of consistency and pursuing excellence daily, even when success seems hard to come by.

“I’m going to make mistakes,” Whitworth said. “I’m not going to win the game I wanted to win. I’m not going to win in life on certain days, I’m not going to be my best all the time. But I’m going to wake up the next day, I’m going to get back up, and I’m going to keep moving

forward.”

During his NFL career, Whitworth was recognized for his work both on and off the field – making four Pro Bowls and being recognized as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2022 for his work in the community. A 14-time team captain, Whitworth said leadership is not about commanding other people but being someone that others want to face challenges alongside.

“To me, the greatest form of leadership is that if we need to walk out a door and we don’t know what’s on the other side, I’m the person you want to walk through that door with,” Whitworth said. “To me, that’s what real leadership is.”

Andrew Whitworth, a Super Bowl champion and NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2022, stresses that perseverance is key in your career – and in life.

“I’M NOT GOING TO BE MY BEST ALL THE TIME. BUT I’M GOING TO WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY, I’M GOING TO GET BACK UP, AND I’M GOING TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.”

- ANDREW WHITWORTH

Pandemi cs.

Vari ants.

Labor shortages.

Hurri canes.

A steroi ds.

We've seen a l ot i n the l ast

80 -pl us years, ex cept for maybe the asteroi ds, but w e'l l

keep on trucki ng.

It's i n our bl ood.

WHAT’S COOKING: Food Warehousing Trends

Like businesses across all sectors of the economy, many food companies are trying to determine “the new normal,” says Rob Doyle, President of The Shippers Group (TSG). Even as supply chain disruptions moderate, business leaders are concerned about inflation, a potential recession, and economic uncertainty, he adds. Many companies are struggling to find workers, and are striving to meet their customers’ interest in more sustainable operations.

To meet these challenges, food warehousing and distribution companies are implementing technology and adjusting processes. At the top of many priority lists are tools and processes that enhance visibility, automation, and efficiency.

Visibility solutions can facilitate automation and reduce non-value add work, like manual data entry. In addition to streamlining operations, cutting manual tasks can help companies attract employees. Nearly half of respondents to the recent Food Shipper Supply Chain Visibility Report, published by Food Chain Digest and sponsored by FourKites, identified labor and talent management as a top challenge.

TSG works hard to attract and retain workers, Doyle says. Along with wage adjustments and incentive programs, Doyle and his team increased the frequency of town hall meetings, gaining a better idea of the challenges workers are facing.

At TSG, another workforce change has been a shift to more flexible work arrangements, Doyle says. Like many companies, the typical TSG employee works about 40 hours each week. While many still do, the company has more part-time employees, or employees that work certain hours. “Trying to have a more flexible workforce has helped us fill spots,” he says

TSG also has added technology, including a warehouse operations system and a new packaging solution.

It’s also looking at material handling equipment and automation. “We’re trying to find ways to increase productivity and augment our personnel,” Doyle says, adding that the return on many of these types of investments continues to increase.

For example, end-to-end visibility solutions allow supply chain professionals to more accurately track materials, goods, and other products. With this information, many can cut their levels of safety stock. That’s significant, given that inventory carrying costs rose by nearly 26 percent in 2021, according to the 2022 State of Logistics Report by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Focus On Sustainability

Nearly 40 percent of business leaders rank environmental sustainability as a top priority, according to recent research by IBM. Technology can help food companies reduce waste and operate more efficiently and sustainably.

For example, the QFR Zone® blast freezing solution from Tippmann Group saves energy by emphasizing more efficient air movement. It’s also more laborefficient than a traditional blast cell, while improved fans provide more control over airflow and power consumption. “It’s revolutionized how we think of blasting,” says John Tippmann III, Vice President of Sales Strategy with the company, which provides cold storage expertise and solutions. More than 20,000 QFR Zone® pallet positions of blast freezing capacity have been installed nationwide, the company says. “It’s been exciting and we’ve seen a lot of growth,” Tippmann says.

Effective Processes Remain Key

Even as technology solutions become increasingly important to effective food supply chain operations, strong processes remain essential. Tippmann provides an example: some distributors are working with manufacturers to ensure that the cases the distributors receive are organized in full, rather than half or mixed, layers, boosting picking efficiency. “This can help remove a lot of errors and require less of the person actually picking the product.” he adds.

As food shippers and their providers look at solutions to address their labor pains and corporate performance in times of economic uncertainty, they should continue to explore ways to connect effectively with their workforce, and to create more efficiencies and processes automation through technology. Visit FoodShippers.org to see more educational content, case studies and best practices in these areas.

Tippmann Group’s QFR Zone provides an energy and labor efficient way to blast freeze palletized product, and is customizable to each customer’s specific needs.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: How Will Net Zero Net Out for Food Shippers?

There’s no better time for the planet to have fleets to convert net zero, which means greenhouse gases from fleets going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. But how about for America’s food shippers? A panel of experts recently discussed the options and issues for an all-electric or hybrid fleet.

Today, private and for-hire fleets have a number of alternatives to diesel—ranging from battery electric and catenary electric (powered by overhead or underground wires) to hybrid electric and alternative fuels. These experts specifically explore electric vehicles (EV) powered by battery electric and the growing reasons to consider them.

Soaring diesel prices are a main cause of today’s high food prices. Not surprisingly, expensive fuel is one of the biggest cost factors for fleets out there, says Ann Mary Myers, Director of Special Projects at Peterbilt, a leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of premium mediumand heavy-duty commercial vehicles. “I call the electric vehicle an expensive truck that utilizes a cheaper fuel.”

Myers says Peterbilt plans to bring EV prices down in the next few years. That will lower total cost of ownership – a huge factor in why EVs are attractive to fleets today, she adds.

Food shippers running reefers with diesel-powered refrigeration units will especially benefit.

Fuel savings aren’t the only highlight. There’s less maintenance with EVs, adds Charlotte Argue, Senior Manager of Sustainable Mobility at Geotab, a telematics provider that advances security, connects commercial vehicles to the Internet, and provides webbased analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Moreover, Argue sees momentum for electrification of fleets coming from three new market forces: companies’ emissions commitments, government incentives, and technological advances.

“Ten years ago, we wouldn’t really be talking about electric trucks

• Technology immature

• Technology immature

• Many unknowns & challenges

• Many unknowns & challenges

• Legacy Diesels

• Legacy Diesels

• Natural Gas

• Natural Gas

the Messy middle: a time for

the Messy middle: a time for action

the Messy middle: a time for

• Many optimization solutions

• Many optimization solutions

• Growing infrastructure

• Growing infrastructure

• Multi-fuel choices

• Multi-fuel choices

• Innovation & maturation

• Innovation & maturation

• Facts replacing estimates

• Facts replacing estimates

• Learning curves

• Learning curves

• Fast charging

• Fast charging

• Hydrogen everywhere

• Hydrogen everywhere

• Long-life, low-cost batteries

• Long-life, low-cost batteries

Acceptable weights & costs

Acceptable weights & costs

• Diesel Advancements

• Diesel Advancements

• Natural Gas

• Natural Gas

• Hybrids

• Hybrids

• Hydrogen ICE

• Hydrogen ICE

• Battery Electric

• Battery Electric

• Hydrogen Fuel Cells

• Hydrogen Fuel Cells

• Renewable Natural Gas & Diesel

• Renewable Natural Gas & Diesel

• More

• More

• CBEV & HFCEV from Clean Energy

• CBEV & HFCEV from Clean Energy

Ann Mary Myers

for a lot of these duty cycles and vocations,” Argue says.

Jessica Savage is Vice President of Service and Distribution at Xos Trucks, a manufacturer of stateof-the-art electric commercial vehicles. She says that starting in mid-2024 Xos Trucks will roll out a full line of Class 5-8 trucks to address a variety of customers’ applications. “We have some really in-depth energy calculations that we can dive into with them to make sure that we are going to be able to meet their needs,” she says. Vehicle choice isn’t the only consideration for food shippers with private fleets or their forhire trucking providers. Both Xos and Peterbilt have networks in place to aid with infrastructure and the full electrification journey.

A key consideration is electricity availability. When a utility company has to increase the power grid to accommodate a fleet’s needs, it can add years to implementation. That doesn’t necessarily mean food shippers should rush. Savage says sometimes Xos will counsel customers to wait six months to a year for technology to advance that’s a better fit for their duty cycle, vocation and performance requirements.

For fleets that don’t want to wait and aren’t ready to buy, Fluid Truck offers the opportunity to rent EVs. Fluid Trucks is a peer-to-peer truck sharing platform that offers 24/7 mobile access to a wide array of trucks. Jenifer Snyder, Co-Founder and General Counsel of Fluid Truck explains, “We work with a lot of

small and medium businesses who just can’t afford to buy an EV.”

By renting or buying, carbonreducing commercial vehicles are coming. Rick Mihelic, Director of Emerging Technologies at the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) is hopeful about green trucks and fleets taking root. NACFE works to drive the development and adoption of efficiency enhancing, environmentally beneficial, and cost-effective technologies, services and methodologies in the North American freight industry.

“Somewhere around 2040 you’ll see about a 50-50 mix in the populations,” says Mihelic. And that’s good news for food shippers – and the planet they feed.

End-to-end solutions win, food supply chain problems lose.

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FSA Members Now Have Access to FTR Transportation Market Intelligence

Food Shippers of America (FSA) and FTR, a leading transportation intelligence company, recently announced a new partnership aimed at advancing sharing of relevant transportation industry information among FSA members.

The partnership will focus on providing valuable insights and resources to help FSA members optimize their supply chains, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

“We are thrilled to partner with FTR and bring their deep expertise and data-driven information to our members,” says Paul Newbourne, Executive Director of Food Shippers of America. “As an organization that represents the interests of the food shipping industry, we are constantly looking for ways to help our members improve their operations and improve their supply chains. This partnership with FTR is a natural fit, as both organizations share a commitment to innovation and excellence.”

The partnership will include FSA member access to FTR’s transportation intelligence tools and resources, as well as regular updates on market trends and regulatory changes that impact the industry. FSA members will also have the opportunity to participate in webinars and other educational events that provide insights into

best practices and emerging trends in transportation.

“Partnering with Food Shippers of America is an exciting opportunity for FTR to expand our reach and provide valuable insights to a critical sector of the transportation industry,” says Jonathan Starks, CEO of FTR. “We look forward to

working with FSA members to help them optimize their operations and navigate the complex landscape of transportation.”

For more information and for members to access this member benefit, visit FoodShippers.org, click “Industry Forecasts” under the “News & Trends” tab.

“PARTNERING WITH FOOD SHIPPERS OF AMERICA IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR FTR TO EXPAND OUR REACH AND PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHTS TO A CRITICAL SECTOR OF THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY.” - JONATHAN STARKS

Q1 Freight Patterns Help Predict Trucking

Economy

Review Q1 Trucking Economy to Shape Your Supply Chain Strategy in Next Months

“The trucking industry is cyclical, which means you can count on history to repeat itself,” according to Felipe Capella, CEO of Loadsmart, a cutting-edge technology company with strategic partners to help food shippers and carriers move freight. “This makes understanding where the market has been essential to predicting where the market is going,” he continues. Looking at Q1 2023 freight data, Capella’s team of data engineering experts have compiled several key predictions and industry observations that food shippers need to know.

Key Marketplace Takeaways

A slowdown in manufacturing suggested further declines in freight volumes. Industrial production has been declining since September 2022, potentially due to weaker consumer demand.

The Contract & Spot spread narrowed in early 2023, but has since widened back to Q4 2022 levels. Shippers took advantage of the excess capacity, pushing contract rates down to follow spot levels. Contract rates are always about 1-2 quarters behind spot, so as spot rates hit new bottoms in March, the gap between the two increased.

March marked the beginning of an unprecedented banking crisis. What does this mean? Credit-driven consumption may slow down in the coming months, potentially impacting the full truckload market with reduced volumes.

2023 Truckload Market Outlook

“As noted in previous updates, our spot market forecast predicted a Q4’23 spot rate rebound which would put Q4’23 around 10-15% up from today’s lows (+0-5% YoY),” says Capella. “We’re currently refreshing this forecast with some more bearish assumptions that will likely push this rebound back to Q1’24.” Here’s why:

• Demand indicators and the overall economic backdrop have worsened slightly. Most notably, Industrial Production for Q1’23 is likely to turn deflationary (YoY) for the first time in 3+ years and we expect consumption to remain flat or even decline amidst the continued high-interest rate environment.

• The reduction in capacity is continuing to take longer than expected and we expect nothing different over the coming months due to excess carrier profits stemming from the historic bull market; lower diesel rates YTD’23 (though this may reverse); and simply the vast amount of excess trucks in the market today (we estimate 250k+).

• Contract rates are now down -15% YoY and we expect this number to get to -20-25% over the next two quarters based on our internal RFP pricing data (and as we all know contract inevitably follows spot).

Download the Quarterly Freight Data Report: Insights and Predictions for the Shipping Economy

Volumes for food and beverage shippers have been in a shallow downtrend since February. Based on last year, we expect food & beverage volumes to rise over the next 1-2 months as it seems that produce season impact has likely already begun.

As depicted by the lighter line in the chart above, produce season’s impact seemed to clearly take hold beginning May 2022. Each year, produce season’s impact hits the market at different times, and based on our indices current trends, we think produce season could already be in action.

To download this FREE report, use this QR code or enter: https://bit.ly/shipperdata

67th Annual Food Shippers Conference

On March 5-7, nearly 1,400 professionals with responsibilities or interests in the food supply chain gathered in Palm Desert, Calif. for the 67th Annual Food Shippers Conference. The event, hosted at the JW Marriott Palm Desert Resort, included networking, education, significant discussions around opportunities and challenges facing the industry. “The 2023 conference was a sellout crowd with record attendance by our member companies,” says Paul Newbourne, Executive Director of Food Shippers of America. “Based on the feedback we have received, the educational and networking programs were a positive experience and deemed effective by all attendees. Overall,

Food Shippers of America is pleased that our members and their suppliers continue to find our annual conference a great investment.”

The event kicked off with preconference activities on Sunday, March 5 that included a golf graband-go breakfast, a golf tournament shotgun start, a welcome luncheon, an interactive workshop, member networking, an autonomous trucking presentation, the 7th Annual Sisters within the Supply Chain Afternoon Tea, the first-time attendee reception, and a welcome reception and buffet dinner.

David Domencic, Director Transportation Procurement for ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions and President of Food Shippers

of America (FSA), opened the 67th annual conference and thanked the 2023 conference Co-Chairs Mark Purdy, Director, North America Transportation at General Mills, and Craig Paulsen, Vice President Commercial Development and Sales Intermodal at Schneider, for their hard work in putting together a relevant conference agenda. Steve Stein, Senior Manager Transportation of Danone North America also announced the recipients of the 2023 John J. Murphy Scholarships.

Keynote Speaker Daymond

John, a businessman, investor, television personality, author, and motivational speaker, started the conference Monday morning. John is well-known as the Founder,

President, CEO of FUBU and star from ABC’s Shark Tank reality television show. He shared his philosophy and business practices that helped him achieve personal and professional success.

Attendees heard from multiple industry experts on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the supply chain, traditional versus digital brokerage, supply chain technology, and making sense of an uncertain future. The first day of the conference wrapped up with a cocktail reception, annual banquet event, and a dessert reception.

Purdy and Paulsen started Tuesday with a recap of the opening day’s key takeaway points followed by Domencic presenting the

organization’s annual “Give Back” acknowledgments to Feeding America, FIND Food Bank, and American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN).

Tuesday’s Keynote Speaker was NFL Player and Super Bowl Champion Andrew Whitworth, who talked about his success in the NFL, and his milestones of being the oldest tackle in NFL history and oldest offensive lineman to win a Super Bowl. He also was named the 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. He highlighted how the principles that guided him can be used every day in business and personal success, and underscored the importance of giving back to the community.

Another session highlighted the unlikely journey of Stephanie Stuckey who stepped away from her career as a lawyer, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, and Director of Sustainability for Southface, and Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Atlanta to buy back her family’s old company and rebrand the roadside oasis, Stuckey’s. The day closed with an annual economic update with Bob Costello, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the American Trucking Association (ATA).

Thank you to all sponsors, speakers, and attendees for their participation and support of our 67th Annual Food Shippers of America Conference.

FSA Golf Tournament Winners Announced

On Sunday, March 5, the 67th Annual Food Shippers of America Conference kicked off with preconference activities that included a golf grab-and-go breakfast (sponsored by Burns Logistics and TraiLiner) and a golf tournament shotgun start. This year’s major golf sponsors included 4D Farm Product Sales, Inc., Emerge, Hoosier Logistics, Integrity Express Logistics (IEL), LiVe Logistics, and MoLo.

Justin Allen, Sales Vice President of Andrus Transportation and Chair of the golf tournament, announced the winners:

Palm Course:

First Place: 61 –

Team 31 16A – Jason Ickert, Rochele Ickert, Mike Kandas and Aaron Pohle

Second Place: 63 –

Team 4 2B – Stephan Mathis, Esteban Guijarro, Blake McLimans and Clyde Coleman

Third Place: 63 –

Team 26 13B – Stephen Spires, Chris DeLeon, Marchant DeVilliers and Nate Wilson

Long Drive Hole #1 –Jeff Paul

Valley Course:

First Place: 58 –

Team 24 12B – Chris Cnossen, Rob Cunningham, Aaron Galer and Lee Gallenstein

Second Place: 59 –

Team 29 15A – Miles Villanuvea, Justin Pretzer, Chris Rager and Robert Moss

Third Place: 60 –

Team 3 2A – Ed Burns, Brad Wright, Rick Lockwood and Zach Schuchart

Long Drive Hole # 10 –Brad Wright

FSA Highlights Leadership Team

The Food Shippers of America (FSA) leadership team is comprised of professionals who are experienced in the industry and passionate about the role FSA plays in the industry. These individuals, many of whom have been involved in FSA for a considerable period of time, were recognized in March at the annual Food Shippers Conference in Palm Desert, Calif. Current officers for FSA through 2024 are: President David Domencic (Director Transportation Procurement with ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions), Secretary Darica Schneider (Director of Transportation with Univar Solutions), Treasurer Earnie Seibert, and Chairman Steve Stein (Senior Manager Transportation Productivity with Danone North America). Board members are Chris Domey (Director, Customer Operations & Logistics, Ocean Spray), Clyde Coleman (Director of Corporate Logistics, Performance Food Groups), and Lori Lammers (Senior Director of Transportation with Dawn Foods) who also is the 2024 Conference Chair. Paul Newbourne continues to serve as FSA’s Executive Director.

Newly appointed board advisors for FSA through 2025 are: Craig Paulsen (Vice President Commercial Development and Sales Intermodal with Schneider) representing motor carriers; Jonathan Tinker (Director of Sales, Temperature Controlled Intermodal with BNSF Railway) representing railroads; Chris Wilkes (Director of Sales with Uber Freight) representing 3rd party logistics providers; Mary Kearney (Director of Business Development with Tucker Freight Lines) as media advisor; and Jim Mueller as technology advisor. In addition, next year’s Golf Chair is Justin Allen

(Vice President of Sales & Marketing with Andrus Transportation) and Volunteer Chairs are Crystal Cheney (National Accounts Manager with H&M Bay), John

Gaudet (Vice President, Business Development with RLS Logistics), and Lee Neal (Vice President, Business Development with Plains Dedicated).

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Storage

• FoodShippers.org offers relevant, up-to-the-minute content.

• Food Chain Digest leverages an editorial team with more than 100 years combined experience in transportation, logistics and supply chain.

• Food For Thought features more relevant information, more often.

• Social media channels provide comprehensive information designed specifically for and about food shippers. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn (corporate page and discussion group), Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

FSA Names Winners of 2023 John J. Murphy Scholarship

John Murphy was one of the longstanding members of FSA both as a food manufacturer and FSA staff member. He spent more than 40 years in the transportation, of which the last half was at The Borden Food Co. Most importantly, he understood and progressed the values of FSA to be an educational and networking resource that could be influential in driving change in the industry.

For years, the Food Shippers of America (FSA) has sponsored a scholarship program in Murphy’s name. Eligible applicants are children or dependents (including

spouses) of a supply chain or logistics employee whose is a member of the association. This year, FSA awarded scholarships to four applicants.

1st Place: Nathan Ferrel (Parent: Hector Ferrel, McLane Food Service/Vantix Logistics)

Nathan Ferrel is majoring in Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas where he also is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Ferrel intends to finish his degree this year with a 4.0 GPA and aims to secure his name on the Chancellor’s list.

Farrel plans to obtain an internship with a supply chain company that is involved with FSA and has a mission based on excellent customer service and care. His long-term goals include working for a major logistics company as a sales representative, and working overseas to assist in the production of materials from sources outside of the country.

“To have the ability to devise strategies on how to execute new initiatives and evaluate different opportunities is fascinating and an extreme challenge I want to conquer,” says Ferrel.

Nathan Ferrel, 1st Place John J. Murphy Scholarship Winner

“TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEVISE STRATEGIES ON HOW TO EXECUTE NEW INITIATIVES AND EVALUATE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES IS FASCINATING AND AN EXTREME CHALLENGE I WANT TO CONQUER.”

- NATHAN FERREL

2nd Place: Stephen Venable

(Parent: Brett Venable, Burris Logistics)

When Stephen Venable began college at Cedarville University, he was uncertain of his intended field of study. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize his real passion was in the computer science field.

He currently is an intern in the IT Department at Burris Logistics, where he has held positions as a data analyst, software quality assurance analyst, and most recently as a software developer where he built automated software testing applications for Burris’ proprietary supply chain portal as well as enhancements to a performance management system.

“I enjoyed my most recent internship position so much that I changed my major to computer science and hope to pursue a career with the Burris Logistics software development team,” says Venable. “Ultimately, I would like to earn a master’s degree in computer science or cybersecurity.”

3rd Place: Naomi Lin

(Parent: Michael Lin, Musco Family Olive Co.)

Due to her passion for film production, Noami Lin is a television, film, and media production major and finance minor at San Diego State University where she plans to graduate from in three years. Lin has held internship positions at Katch Media and the BRIC Foundation,

where she was able to gain an in-depth understanding of audience viewership analysis and concept development. She plans to apply for more internship opportunities in the near future. Additionally, Lin plans to travel internationally to immerse herself in other cultures and gain a more globalized perspective.

“My goal is to become a film producer and a voice actor,” says Lin. “I thrive in settings involving change and adapting to new projects. Therefore, within this industry I aim to dabble in each process of film preproduction, production, and post-production.”

4th Place: Kristen Murray (Parent: Kevin Murray, Red Gold Tomatoes)

Kristen Murray, a high school student who is passionate about children, has a dream to become a pediatric optometrist. She is president of the Westfield High School Dance Marathon, a member of the executive team for her high school’s DECA Club, and part of the National Honors Society, where she achieved above an unweighted GPA of 3.5. Her goal is to attend Purdue University for her undergraduate degree and major in health and human sciences with a preoptometry focus.

“My goals align with my passions and heart for helping others and I know they are something I can work towards and accomplish,” says Murray.

Interested in apply for the 2024 John J. Murphy Scholarship?

This Food Shippers of America (FSA) Scholarship program will again be available for a child or dependent of a supply chain or logistics department employee of an FSA member whose membership is current. The application deadline is Dec. 31, 2023. The primary award of $7,500 will be awarded to whom is determined to be the most qualified individual based on review of submitted applications by the current Officers and Board members of FSA. The top applicant will be invited to attend the Food Shippers of America annual conference for a presentation of scholarship award. Additional consideration will be given to applicants with a major in Logistics or Supply Chain Management and a total of $22,500 will be awarded.

Scholarship Guidelines

• Applicant must be a child or dependent of a Supply Chain Logistics department employee of an FSA member.

• Awards are available to all applicants enrolled in a college program; however additional consideration will be allocated to those applicants with a major concentrating in Business, Logistics or Supply Chain Management.

• Applicant must have maintained at least a 3.25 grade point average during their junior and senior years of high school and/or have maintained this average if currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses.

• Application must be completed in its entirety.

• Received applications will be reviewed and selections determined by the current sitting FSA Officers and Board members.

• Applicants can reapply as long as they have not previously received the John J. Murphy Scholarship top award.

For more details and to apply, visit FoodShippers.org

FSA Impacts Those in Need in 2023

There are many recent world events that have placed extraordinary pressures on food chains. With all these pressures, Food Shippers of America (FSA) continues to support organizations that can have a significant impact on its members operations and success. In fact, in 2023 FSA has chosen to provide financial resources to the following organizations:

American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN): Mobilizing for Emergency Response

This industry non-profit exists to provide supply chain assistance to disaster relief organizations and other non-profits. ALAN does this by bringing together the expertise and resources of the logistics industry with non-profit disaster relief organizations so that ALAN can help solve their most pressing supply chain challenges immediately after disasters strike. That way, help and op arrive sooner.

Just as important, ALAN helps humanitarian organizations make every logistics dollar count. After all, studies show that up to 80 percent of their crisis spending goes to logistics. And of that, as much as 40 percent may be wasted simply because these organizations do not have access to the right supply chain equipment, knowledge or connections.

In March, FSA renewed its ALAN Sustainer Sponsor status in 2023 – which continues a supportive

relationship FSA has maintained with ALAN for more than a decade.

“We have been a long-time supporter of the disaster relief work that ALAN does,” says Paul Newbourne, FSA Executive Director. “The distribution of food and water are priorities following any disaster and given our involvement in the food industry we feel it is important that we support organizations that provide on-theground relief to those in need.

“In the past three years alone, ALAN has enabled the delivery and distribution of millions of dollars in relief supplies for hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and the pandemic,” says ALAN Executive Director Kathy Fulton. “That’s only possible because of the support of organizations like Food Shippers of America, whose generous donation came at the start of a year already bustling with requests for disaster aid.”

Feeding America/FIND Food Bank: Working Together to End Hunger

In a country that wastes billions of pounds of food each year, it’s shocking that anyone in America can go hungry. Yet every day there are millions of children and adults who do not get the meals they need to thrive.

Feeding America is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the U.S. – and has a natural tiein to the food industry. For this reason, in 2023 FSA has made a substantial financial commitment to support Feeding America.

Thanks to the donation by FSA, as well as thousands of other businesses, government organizations, and individual Americans, the Feeding America network of food banks, pantries and meal programs serve virtually every community in the United States – 40 million people, including

12 million children and 7 million seniors. In fact, the Feeding America network has provided more than 6.6 billion meals, helping one in seven people facing hunger live more secure and stable lives.

“We have been a long-time contributor to this organization and the local food bank where we host our annual conference,” says Newbourne. “This year it was the FIND Food Bank. Our contributions here stem from our belief that giving back to the communities that our members operate in is important to the well-being of those less fortunate who could benefit from such contributions.”

THE FEEDING AMERICA NETWORK OF FOOD BANKS, PANTRIES AND MEAL PROGRAMS SERVE 40 MILLION PEOPLE, INCLUDING 12 MILLION CHILDREN AND 7 MILLION SENIORS.

optimize and grow your business

one shipment at a time!

BEVERAGE & FOOD INDUSTRY

• Beer/Wine/Spirits

• Packaging Supplies

• Refrigerated service

• Reverse Logistics

• Temp control transport

HIGH VALUE SHIPPING

• Fully vetted CTPAT compliant carrier base

• Additional contingent cargo insurance availability

• Real Time Tracking

• Pallet tracker capability in trailer

• Light sensor alarm availability

DRAYAGE

• Availability at all port terminals in the continental US

• Availability at all rail ramps in the continental US

• 20', 40', 45', 48', 53' equipment handling

• Hazmat and overweight handling

• Solo and Team Drivers

• Flatbed

• Specialized and Permit Loads Hazmat and Tanker

• Cross Border to/from USA, Canada, and Mexico

TRANSLOADING

• Presence in all major port and rail ramp areas

• In/out handling pallets, slips, loose loads

• Short-term storage

• Re-labeling

TRUCKING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES

• Hot shot/expedited/ time-definite delivery

• Trade show/advance warehouse/ show site pickup/delivery

• Inside delivery

• Store opening/closing

INTERMODAL

• Door to door service

• Cross border

• Drop and hook programs

• Multi-stop pickup and delivery

LOCAL

• Same Day and Next Day Service

• 53' Dry Van

• 26' straight trucks, sprinter vans, lift gates

• Airport pickups and deliveries

AIR FREIGHT

• Domestic

• International

• Next Flight Out (NFO) Next Day Air

• 2nd Day Service Deferred Service

With over 50 years combined experience, our people make all of the difference. We will be your one source transportation solution provider that consistently goes the extra mile. Let BWS

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