FreightCasts

Winter weather has been the most disruptive force of nature on transportation in the past few years. The freight market may not be as resilient as it has been. 

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This episode analyzes a massive shift in the logistics landscape as Echo Global Logistics moves to acquire ITS Logistics in a deal creating a $5.4 billion combined entity. We discuss why this merger signals a strategic pivot toward asset control as the industry anticipates a future market turn.

Attention then turns to the Southeast, where logistics leaders are bracing for Winter Storm Fern and its potential to freeze critical supply chain arteries. The forecast is drawing concern across the industry as conditions threaten to mirror the disruptions seen during the historic 2021 Texas freeze.

We also break down the latest financial results from Knight-Swift, which reported a quarterly loss but signaled optimism for margin improvement in 2026. Management believes that exiting weaker players will help correct the market balance, even as rail networks also prepare for severe weather disruptions.

On the international front, CMA CGM has reversed its course on returning to the Red Sea, choosing to divert ships around Africa due to safety risks. This decision highlights the ongoing volatility in global shipping lanes and the resulting inflationary pressures on transit times and fuel.

Finally, we explore significant regulatory updates, including the Trump administration’s support of C.H. Robinson in a Supreme Court case that could define broker liability. We also look at the FMCSA’s long-awaited rollout of the Motus registration system, designed to finally crack down on chameleon carriers and industry fraud.

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Fuel prices just jumped again — up nine cents this week — and for small carriers, that’s not a market trend, that’s a problem.

In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Zach Buckner, Senior VP of Sales at OTR Solutions, to dig into what really separates good financial partners from the ones who quietly drain your margins.

Zach shares his journey from sales executive to senior leadership, the lessons he’s learned from a decade in the factoring space, and why OTR is betting big on transparency, speed, and innovation to support small carriers when the market tightens.

This is a conversation between two people who live it — not a sales pitch. If you’re an owner-operator or small fleet trying to manage cash flow and fuel spikes at the same time, this one’s for you.

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On today’s episode, we discuss the major announcement that Echo Global Logistics is acquiring ITS Logistics to create a combined entity valued at over $5.4 billion. Leadership indicates this merger will enhance their AI capabilities and expand solutions for complex supply chains.

We also look at the forecast for Winter Storm Fern, which threatens to paralyze transportation networks across more than 30 states this weekend. Logistics experts warn that heavy ice and snow could trigger ground stops at critical hubs and cause shipment delays of up to 48 hours.

Finally, we break down why Knight-Swift's Q4 earnings missed the mark after the trucking giant reported a net loss. The company faced margin pressure across all business segments due to restructuring charges and a difficult market environment.

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The battery landscape is shifting, and the stakes for domestic manufacturing have never been higher. In this episode of Truck Tech, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Dave Rubin, Head of Policy at Proterra, to unpack the complex realities of building commercial EV batteries in the U.S. From strict "Build America, Buy America" (BABA) compliance rules to the strategic use of friendshoring with allies like Japan and South Korea, they explore how federal mandates and tax incentives are reshaping the supply chain.

Tune in as they discuss:


BABA Explained: What does "Build America, Buy America" actually require for battery manufacturers? 


Supply Chain Realities: Can the U.S. move from buying "cookies" to making them from scratch, and where do we currently stand on raw material processing? 


Strategic Friendshoring: How partnerships with allied nations are helping bridge the gap while domestic capacity ramps up. 


Policy Impacts: The role of the 45X tax credit and trade policies in driving investment toward the U.S. "Battery Belt." 


Proterra’s Latest Moves: An update on Proterra’s integration with the Volvo Group and their new H223 high-energy density battery pack. 

Whether you're tracking the EV revolution or navigating the new rules of American manufacturing, this episode offers a deep dive into the policies powering the future of commercial transportation.

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