The Bridge Newsletter - June 2024

THE BRIDGE

Trailer Bridge Awarded Multi-Million Dollar USTRANSCOM PORTS Contract

This month, Trailer Bridge was awarded the Port Operations & Related Transportation Services (PORTS) Contract by the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). Under the $710-million-dollar contract TB will provide commercial port operations and transportation services in locations outside the continental U.S.

Trailer Bridge is one of 29 global businesses to be included in the multi-award contract and only one of 12 based in the U.S.

Under the leadership of Chris Goss, the Government Division has grown its support of the government’s global shipping needs including the ongoing support of the Universal Services Contract-9 (USC9).

“This award is a testament to Trailer Bridge’s commitment to be a trusted partner to our U.S. military and its allies,” said Chris. “We will leverage our trusted global partners to deliver reliable and innovative logistics solutions to all corners of the world.”

Read more on our blog.

Government Moves Highlight

U.S. Coast Guard Multi-Mode Move

SDDC Sub Maintenance Structure Move

Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command awarded TB a contract to handle the movement of an over-sized nuclear sub maintenance structure from North Carolina to the UK. Due to the weight of this structure, it required barge transport from North Carolina to Virgina before being loaded onto a steamship for transport to the UK. Proof that our team of experts can find the right solution for any logistical challenge.

The team managed the ocean and over-the-road transport of 90+ pieces of freight from Puerto Rico to the U.S. in support of a Coast Guard training exercise. The customer shipped the freight to Puerto Rico with another Jones Act carrier after receiving poor customer service chose to ship with TB for the return shipment.

Spotlight on Produce Season

Produce season has officially started and will continue through November in some parts of the country. Use these tips to make this your most successful produce season yet.

1. Target the Right Shippers: Pursue small to mid-size produce operations. Their freight is time-sensitive, and they may not have a large transportation pool to rely on.

2. Do Your Research: Before approaching a potential customer, do research on the commodities that they ship. 85% of produce freight runs on reefers but the temperature and packaging requirements can differ. Produce Blue Book has a Know Your Commodity app which provides details on a wide range of produce including seasonality, packaging, storage, and more.

3. Be Flexible: In addition to produce, customers may have packaging, storage, and equipment they need to move. Be open to providing rates and transport for more than just the produce.

4. Keep An Eye on Rates: If you must increase your customer’s rates during produce season, make sure to adjust them when the rates go back down.

Resource Corner

Stay informed with more cold chain resources from Trailer Bridge:

• 4 Things Every Shipper Should Know About Packing Refrigerated Freight

• Your Guide to Shipping Produce

• Shipping Produce: 5 Ways to Avoid Costly Mistakes

• Farm to Table - Navigating Produce Peak Season

Trailer Bridge Receives 2024 Healthiest Companies Platinum Award

This month, Trailer Bridge celebrated the company’s 5th year being named a Healthiest Company and its first Platinum level recognition.

Reserved for organizations who have established wellness as an integral part of their culture, the Platinum award is the highest Healthiest Companies honor that can be received. Several initiatives in 2023 contributed to this achievement including TBWell’s approach to holistic wellness through healthy eating challenges, yoga classes, biometric screenings, and more.

These results reflect the company’s core belief that investing in its employees’ health is an investment in the business. “It’s a proud moment for us all,

as it highlights our collective commitment to fostering a culture of health and vitality,” said Kacy Swanson, Vice President of Employee Services.

Read more on our blog.

Massive shoutout to Becca Sutton, CWPC, our Benefits Specialist and TBWell Committee guru, for helping secure this win. Your passion for promoting employee health and happiness is infectious. Thank you for your efforts in making Trailer Bridge a great place to work!

- Kacy Swanson, VP of Employee Services

Breakbulk & Project Cargo: Conquering Complex Moves

Like wrapping a gift, shipping freight gets a little more complicated when the contents aren’t in a box – especially if it’s oversized. There are multiple factors that contribute to the complexity of a breakbulk shipment, such as:

• Cost

• Specialized Equipment Needed

• Planning & Coordination

• Risk Management

Learn more about each of these and an example of oversized shipment handled by TB in our latest blog. Read the full post here.

Mark Your Calendars! LIVE Webinar: Global Supply Chain Exposed

Join us for an insightful exploration into the dynamic landscape that is today’s global supply chain.

Our very own Chris Goss, Vice President of Government & Projects, and Zach Monger, Director of NVOCC & Compliance, will explore emerging trends, navigate through prevalent challenges being seen in the industry, and uncover effective strategies for success.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of supply chain management.

REGISTER NOW!

Don’t forget! Share this free webinar with your prospects and customers; it is a great way to highlight TB’s full-service suite of transportation solutions.

Benefits Minute

NEW! Perks at Work

The Employee Services team rolled out a new benefit for all employees this past month! Perks at Work gives you access to 100+ free live and on-demand classes through Community Online Academy covering everything from wellness to personal development.

This program also offers discounts for a variety of things like appliances, tickets to shows, meal prep services and more.

Click here to learn more and sign up.

Let’s Get Creative!

Our first month of Trailer Bridge’s S.E.E.D. training initiative is behind us with lessons learned around Managing Time, Email and Negotiations. These core skills can help you avoid administrative setbacks in your day-to-day and prioritize your time appropriately to thrive in today’s industry.

This month’s S.E.E.D. focus is all about using our creative skills to relax, solve problems and understand and navigate conflict in the office.

June Courses:

1. Understanding Conflict in the Workplace

2. Reducing Stress – Tips to Relax

3. Creative Problem Solving

Find these classes and more in your PayCor portal under the People tab on your left-hand search bar. In this section, you’ll see ‘Learning Management System’ which unlocks these benefits for you.

If you have trouble accessing your learning, contact Becky Simon (bsimon@trailerbridge.com).

TB Well Highlight

No, we aren’t talking about skittles. As we enter the summer months (hello produce season!), TBWell is challenging you to add more color to your diet! A variety of colorful fruits and veggies not only makes for a beautiful plate- it also supplies essential nutrients and phytonutrients, which help prevent health issues like cancer and heart disease.

Here’s a few easy tips to get you started:

1. Consider Frozen: Tired of buying fresh produce only for it to go bad? Frozen produce contains the same nutrients as fresh and are often easier to store and more convenient to make (steam-in-microwave, anyone?).

TB Well Photo Round Up

First Coast Games Update

The team is having fun and kicking butt in the First Coast Games! The team recently made it to the championship round in the Soccer challenge with many competitors asking if they practiced. Way to go!

KC Corporate Challenge

Our colleagues in Kansas City are near the top of the leaderboard in the KC Corporate Games sitting in second place overall out of 26 teams. The boys of summer were guns out for the recent flag football challenge. The competition will end in mid-July – stay tuned for the final results! Eat the Rainbow!

2. Smart Smoothies: If you are struggling to get multiple types of fruits and veggies daily, make a smoothie. You can combine multiple types of produce and reap the nutrition benefits all at once.

Throughout the month of June, be on the lookout for more tips and healthy recipes to help you eat the rainbow!

Are

You Prepared for a Hurricane?

Build an Emergency Kit

Have at least 10 days worth of food, water, sanitation products, first aid products, different kinds of batteries and power banks/rechargable batteries.

Learn Community Hurricane Evacuations Routes

Have a list of emergency resources such as FEMA, CDC, Food Safety, etc.

Compile Contact Info for Family Members

Have phone numbers, email, addresses, and don’t forget to have updated information on pet’s nametags.

Create an Inventory of Your Home’s Contents and Documents

Store it in a waterproof container plastic sleeve. Include insurance paperwork, certificates, social security, etc.

Prepare your home for flying debris

Securely board up windows and put away outside objects that can damage you home.

Test generators to ensure they’re working

Fill gas containers ahead of time and secure propane tanks

TB Gives Spotlight

Do you enjoy running? A glass of wine? Serving a great cause?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, TB Gives needs you! On June 15, TB Gives is sponsoring the Chemo Noir 1 Mile & Tasting event to raise money to provide financial assistance to families, friends, and fighters in their battle with cancer.

We are looking for volunteers and runners for this upcoming event. To get involved, email the TB Gives Committee: tbgives@trailerbridge.com.

We Make It Happen

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to all the 2024 Graduates from our TB Family

Autumn Stansberry COLLEGE

Fabiola Latorre HIGH SCHOOL

Sophie Mangan PRE-SCHOOL

Alexis Coopers HIGH SCHOOL

Oliver Wilson HIGH SCHOOL

Colin O’Sullivan KINDERGARTEN

Manny Escalante COLLEGE

Mariana Sánchez 8TH GRADE

Mason Sheridan KINDERGARTEN

Daviel Ari Sarmiento HIGH SCHOOL

Giolanies Andrea 5TH GRADE

Joahry 5TH GRADE Joahreyliz KINDERGARTEN

Madi Luciano COLLEGE

KINDERGARTEN

Lex Gurliaccio COLLEGE

Eli Daragjatis

Driver of the Month

Mr. Howard “Deacon” Hamilton

This is what the Truck Ops and Safety Team had to say about TB’s Driver of the Month:

Our Driver of the Month for May is Mr. Howard “Deacon” Hamilton! Howard has been driving for Trailer Bridge since 2012 and is always a pleasure to work with. He always does a great job at advising his dispatchers in a timely manner about situations that may arise at a pickup or delivery and submitting his daily load details. His dedication, dependability, and exceptional personality have made him a shining star among our team of drivers. His kindness and professionalism does not go unnoticed, and it is an honor to have him represent Trailer Bridge. Howard’s positive attitude and willingness to go the extra miles makes a lasting impression on everyone he encounters.

TB12 of the Month: Be Kind & Fair

“In life, you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load.”

– Emanuel Swedenborg

Glossary Term of the Month: Cross-border

Definition: When freight travels across an international border while being transported from shipper to receiver. In North America, this means freight going between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Find out more on our blog.

‘In The Chicken Lights’ is a monthly feature that profiles standout performers in carrier management.

Last month, Godrick Grand from the TB Raleigh office was in the spotlight for his positive energy and willingness to ‘Embrace Change’ when it comes to the Open Booking and Carrier Management program.

Mike Davis, Carrier Relationship Manager, highlighted Godrick’s results since adopting the program’s teachings in the recent email. Here are a few of the stats:

• 21% - Percentage of Loads Booked on Managed Carriers

• Only 9% of his loads booked are on 1st time Carriers

• A 20+% jump in the number of loads booked interoffice since February

Not to mention this past month, Godrick received 4 DAT reviews in one day all at 5 stars!

He is definitely ‘Making it Happen’ for our customers and you can too. Have questions about Open Booking or Carrier Management? Reach out to Mike Davis to set up a call today.

New Hires

Jason Thomas VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Noah Wilson LOGISTICS SALES AND OPERATIONS

Annette Maldonado COORDINATOR, EEI FILING

Jason Trubenbach DIRECTOR, TB EUROPE

Michel Normil LOGISTICS SALES AND OPERATIONS

Promotions

Candice Cooper SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES COORDINATOR

June 2024

June 13th

LIVE WEBINAR

Global Supply Chain Exposed; Trends, Challenges and Strategies.

June 20th

MICRO-MEETING

Using the Mastery Form on the Intranet with Maya King

June 25th

Town Hall

Upcoming Birthdays

JUNE 1

George Mangan

Annette Maldonado

Amber Wyatt

JUNE 3

Vincent Addison

JUNE 4

Ann Phelps Brandi Venson

JUNE 5

Scott Douthitt

JUNE 6

Joseph Linton

JUNE 8

Robert Hill

JUNE 9

George Moore

JUNE 15

Joe Montalvo

JUNE 17

Jacqueline Alvarez

JUNE 21

Laura Pedersen

Seleatha Carter

JUNE 22

Alejandro Rodríguez

JUNE 23

Alec Noble

Work Anniversaries

Wildia Cruz Lopez

Loraine Labarca Dávila

Maccollum

Allen

Baltzell

JUNE 24

Daniel McMillan

JUNE 25

Blake Hornbrook

JUNE 26

Godrick Grand

JUNE 27

Tracy Maccollum

JUNE 28

Devin Jenness

JUNE 30

Kalifa Davis

Matthew Gray

Connor McGarity