In a recent conversation with Let’s Talk Supply Chain, Dennis Lane, Travis Barnier, and Mark Picarello delved into the key trends and solutions shaping intermodal trucking and container drayage. Here are some of our takeaways from the session. You can watch the entire conversation below or on Let’s Talk Supply Chain’s YouTube channel here.

The State of Drayage Today

The traditional perception of drayage as a mere logistical step in the supply chain is evolving. Organizations now recognize drayage as a key element of the entire intermodal shipment lifecycle, so innovators and technology providers are stepping up to revolutionize the capabilities of drayage operations. From enhancing visibility and workflow efficiency to tackling compliance issues and cost reduction, new drayage technologies are driving transformative change in the industry.

Collaboration emerges as a pivotal force driving progress in both the drayage and supply chain sectors. It encompasses cooperation among internal stakeholders, external partnerships, clients, and even competitors. By fostering collaboration, organizations can navigate challenges more effectively and capitalize on opportunities for growth and innovation.

Trend 1: Digitization Revolutionizes Operations

Digitization in drayage involves the transition from manual processes to automated, digital solutions across all aspects of operations. This includes internal operations, customer interactions, and connectivity with external partners.

The key effect of digitizing is removing manual touchpoints. Processed manually, the average drayage move can require over 20 manual touchpoints. With the right system and digital processes, that can be reduced to just 3 or 4 touchpoints. When scaled across thousands of orders, the efficiency gains are tremendous.

When a company undergoes digitization, it helps the business overcome taxing operational challenges and begin to reap the benefits of streamlining the quoting and booking processes, improving invoicing accuracy, enhancing communication and collaboration among stakeholders, and optimizing resource utilization.

Organizations should approach digitization strategically, considering factors such as budget, time frames, and staffing capabilities. Prioritizing key areas of improvement and adopting a phased approach can facilitate smooth implementation and maximize returns on investment.

Trend 2: Collaboration Enhances Industry Dynamics

Collaboration in both drayage and supply chain management involves synergistic efforts among various stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners such as marine terminals, railroads, trucking associations, clients, customers, and even competitors within the industry.

As the critical link between maritime and inland transportation, intermodal trucking is collaborative by nature. Sitting at the intersection of multiple modes of transportation, it is important for drayage operators to play a role in facilitating collaboration. Often, collaboration emerges when transparency, trust, and communication are demonstrated from the moment a business relationship starts.

3 ways carriers can promote collaboration are:

• Execute operations digitally in software developed specifically for container drayage and intermodal moves. When the lifecycle of an intermodal shipment is managed digitally, carriers have access to every piece of information in one place, which makes it significantly easier and faster to communicate shipment information with customers. Keeping sensitive information secure digitally instills trust.
• Reduce manual communication during the quoting process. Give customers 24/7 access to your rates through a secure online system, display capacity upfront, and maintain standard quotes that are clear and accurate for all charges and accessorials.
• Use digital tools to maintain visibility on intermodal equipment when it is parked and stored. Opt to use an online marketplace to book storage space, and work with supplier yards that have the level of security needed.

Collaboration between stakeholders and carriers improves operational efficiency and productivity, enhances problem-solving capabilities and innovation, increases industry resilience, facilitates greater adaptability to change, and strengthens client and partner relationships.

Trend 3: Interconnectivity Fuels Innovation

Interconnectivity is both a facilitator and byproduct of collaboration. System interconnectivity with up-stream and down-stream supply chain partners allows for more fluidity in data flow, thus enabling collaboration in a technical capacity. It is also a byproduct of collaboration, as new solutions are often developed due to existing collaborative business relationships that innovate together.

Currently, customers are more likely to scrutinize drayage companies on the quality and accuracy of their shipment data, than on their on-time performance of container deliveries. This is indicative of a broader emphasis on data-driven decisions within the supply chain. Therefore, there is a pressure on drayage companies to maintain clean, constant, and accurate data that they can easily share with customers.

Beyond having company data digitized, this involves interconnectivity with other systems and data sources. To be flexible and meet the needs of their customers, draymen need to invest in technology that is capable of interconnecting with a variety of systems to provide the level of visibility that customers require.

The Impact of Digitization, Collaboration, and Interconnectivity on Drayage in 2024

The future of many drayage companies hinges on enhanced collaboration among stakeholders and the strategic integration of technology. From leveraging transportation management systems (TMS) to real-time tracking capabilities, companies can offer their customers a better overall experience while optimizing their own processes.

Transparency and visibility within the supply chain are key drivers of collaboration. By sharing data and leveraging interconnected systems, stakeholders can adapt more effectively to market fluctuations and operational challenges, improving operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and retention.

Technology adoption is not exclusive to large enterprises. Smaller carriers can also benefit from cost-effective solutions such as TMS platforms offered via software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, driver mobile apps, rate management and quoting software, online truck and container parking and storage, and more. These solutions offer an immense ROI and enable small businesses to streamline operations and compete more effectively.

Future Trends and Challenges

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, several trends are expected to shape both the intermodal trucking and supply chain landscape. These include the continued digitization of processes, the adoption of AI-driven automation, the emergence of dynamic pricing models, and challenges such as driver classification issues and regulatory changes.

As drayage and the global supply chain landscape continues to evolve, embracing digitization and fostering collaboration emerge as critical strategies for success. By harnessing the power of technology and collaborative efforts, organizations can overcome challenges, drive innovation, and build a more resilient and efficient intermodal trucking ecosystem. In the ever-evolving world of supply chain logistics, staying ahead requires a commitment to embracing change and leveraging collaborative solutions for a brighter future.

Beyond Drayage TMS Live with Let’s Talk Supply Chain

Our very own Dennis Lane, Travis Barnier, and Mark Picarello were featured on a Let’s Talk Supply Chain LinkedIn Live with Sarah Barnes Humphrey to talk about these topics in depth. To listen to the full conversation, watch here!

In today’s highly competitive freight market, drayage companies are competing for both freight loads and the drivers needed to carry it. With freight volumes showing signs of increasing, drivers remain in short supply. Retention is also a concern, with over 60% of drivers leaving a company before the end of their second year and 30% of them departing before the end of their first. To win business, intermodal trucking carriers need to operate as lean and efficient as possible. They need to pick up and deliver loads on time with transparency to maintain customer relationships. To attract and retain drivers, operations should be as driver friendly as possible.

The constant communications between dispatchers and drivers are a steady source of frustration for both. As a result, many carriers are forced to maintain a high ratio of dispatchers to drivers that increases the effort and cost for each move, which raises operational costs. Poor communication between dispatch and drivers can lead to a wasted day when a driver is turned away because of a missed or incorrect appointment. In addition, a driver needing to bring in shipment paperwork to the office is a significant, often un-paid, time commitment. It can also delay invoicing which can mean a delay for both the driver and the carrier getting paid.

As drivers become more tech savvy, over 95% of truck drivers have a smart phone, more drayage companies are turning to mobile driver apps to streamline the dispatch to driver communications that are mission critical for scheduling and completing every freight move, as well as, meeting high customer expectations for timing and traceability. They are leveraging the technology to increase shipment efficiency, improve in-transit visibility, speed up documentation, and expedite invoicing.

Two real-world examples of drayage carriers that use a driver mobile app

Small intermodal carrier using Profit Tools TMS: Twenty owner-operator drivers on a mobile app and currently completing nearly 750 mostly intermodal moves per month. With the app, dispatchers were able to reduce the number of calls to and from drivers, and drivers no longer had to check in at the office for delivery instructions – they can just pick-up and go.

Mid-sized carrier using Compcare VI: Operating in multiple terminals with over 3/4 of their 80+ owner operators using a mobile driver app to complete more than 4,000 shuttle moves per month. They have reduced manual work, and daily server uploads that require additional sorting. Now they have greater visibility on order completion, documentation upload is easier, and time-to-invoice is 80% faster.

How intermodal carriers are bridging the gap between dispatchers and drivers

Key processes of the shipment are executed with simplified, guided workflows that prompt drivers for their input. These include scheduling, load status updates, POD generation, and document capture. The workflows standardize operations with consistent steps for every move and ensure the collection of required information at each stage. Much of this communication and coordination would have been performed with manual, printed documents, and back-and-forth phone conversations. Office visits for document drop off to complete a delivery are eliminated.

All driver communication and documentation are done in the same place. When integrated to the company drayage TMS, all information is “pushed” to a single source of truth for the shipment where it can be accessed by dispatch to determine load status, by operations to respond to customer service requests, and by business leadership to maintain a pulse on daily shipment performance.

Because these driver activities are all performed without manual typing and keying, phone calls, and paperwork gathering, they are less prone to human errors and more time efficient. Drivers spend more time moving goods and less time going back and forth with dispatch – alleviating a constant source of frustration for both.

Improve driver and dispatch job satisfaction and intermodal trucking operations

Our own internal surveying of users of our mobile driver app shows that around 2/3^rd of drivers say it helps them do their job more effectively. According to one of the drivers surveyed, “This is how the job wants me to conduct my duties. When the app is working great. I’m having a great day and so is the job.” Another driver added “I love the paperless approach. Helps me do my job more efficient(ly).” More effective and efficient drivers are happier drivers. Happier drivers are less likely to move to another trucking company. A positive driver experience also makes is easier to attract drivers.

In addition, more efficient and effective coordination between dispatch and driver means dispatchers can better manage more drivers and shipments, allowing intermodal carriers to reduce overhead or scale business without adding operational resources.

Finally, shipments are made on time with better visibility, improving customer satisfaction with faster invoicing and quicker payment processing. This means carriers can keep the customers they do win and maintain healthier margins, stronger cash flow, and better bottom lines.

Envase Mobile has several features that improve dispatcher to driver communications and shipment documentation. These include: 

• Standardized workflows for the most common processes of a shipment that use step-by-step actions and simple prompts for driver input.
• In-app messaging that eliminates the need to go outside of the app to handle exceptions and stores all communications with the shipment for better auditing. 
• Digital documentation management for black & white and color documents, with low bandwidth support.
• Geo-fencing can trigger pickup and departure milestones with only driver confirmation.
• Finally, it connects seamlessly with Compare VI, Profit Tools, and GTG TMS, with more on the way for integrating transportation management with driver management.

For a consultation on how Envase Mobile can work with your TMS, please email david.hashimoto@wisetechglobal.com. 

Intense competition within the drayage industry is causing trucking companies and 3PL providers to lower their price resulting in more stress on their business and slower growth. They often don’t account for all the additional costs in their quoted price, leading to extra post-shipment charges that upset customers and slow payments. In addition, they struggle to quote consistently across their organization and between customers impacting lane profitability.

In a recent podcast, Let’s Talk Supply Chain’s host Sarah Barnes-Humphrey sat down with Travis Barnier, DrayMaster’s Business Lead to discuss the challenges drayage carriers face maintaining healthy margins, high customer service levels, and a strong bottom line – and how effective rate management helps build a successful drayage business. Below are some highlights from the podcast.  You can watch the entire episode here or on your favorite podcasting platform.

On how drayage trucking companies and 3PL providers can stay competitive.

“It’s a competitive market, and everyone’s fighting over what freight crumbs are out there! From a trucker’s perspective, we’ve seen an influx of smaller carriers since COVID… so truckers have to be running lean, agile, and responsive.”

Travis Barnier

In a competitive, post-pandemic market saturated with carriers and 3PLs vying for every load, the only road to success is giving customers a reason to choose you over others. Organizations that streamline operations, enhance agility, and respond effectively to market and customer demands demonstrate better business practices and stand to win more freight shipments. For truckers, this means becoming as lean, agile, and responsive as possible. For 3PLs, competitive strength comes from being accurate, informative, and organized.

In drayage operations, one of the biggest opportunities for optimization for both truckers and 3PLs is effective rate management. It is also one of the most complicated and challenging components of drayage management, as every quote is unique and time-bound based on fuel, accessorials, and surcharges that can change daily. When managed manually, drayage rates require a deep understanding of rate structures, attention to detail, constant updating and supervision, along with hours spent each quoting, back-and-forth phone and email communication, and manual comparison of rate history across various partners.

It is not uncommon for truckers and 3PLs to face challenges in comprehending their own rates and comparing them across partners. With large volumes of data from various sources, using disparate systems and manual spreadsheet tracking is not enough to integrate and manage this critical data effectively. Often this results in errors, inconsistencies, and confusion in rate calculations and quotes. Given the essential nature of a quote before securing any business, and the daily, weekly, and monthly frequency of quoting, drayage companies must have a thorough grasp on rate structures to succeed in negotiations and enhance their marketability. If your business can master this aspect of your operations, not only will you be ahead of the curve operationally, but leading the pack when it comes to your competitors.

On the capability of digital rate management platforms

Digital rate management transforms the way truckers and 3PLs navigate the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of freight transport, both increasing efficiency and saving time from quoting through to invoicing and collecting. It puts accurate and consistent pricing at the fingertips of salespeople across the organization, streamlines prospective customer communications without the back and forth clarifying accessorial charges and capacity to speed up approvals and scheduling.

For truckers, digitally managing rates means:

• A single source of truth for your tariffs and consistency across the whole organization.
• Storing and maintain drayage rates for all your services and service territories. 
• Clean and organized rates that improve record-keeping and allow for easy maintenance.
• Automated rates, available to customers 24/7, without a live person responding to emails or phone calls.
• More professional quotes generated with the click of a button that are customizable.
• Accurate quotes rate that don’t miss additional charges.
• Responding to RFPs in hours instead of days or weeks.
• Displaying capacity to partners upfront eliminate availability queries prior to quoting.

For 3PLs, it means:

• One centralized location for all drayage partners and their associated rates.
• Easy rate comparisons between partners with all known charges upfront.
• Standardized quote formats for clear communication and understanding of charges.
• 24/7 access to rates with one search, rather than emails and phone calls and waiting for a response.
• Minimized invoice discrepancies through working with carriers that provide timely and accurate quotes with all known charges upfront.

In a fast-paced industry like drayage, timely decisions are critical. Streamlining processes and reducing administrative burdens can be a significant competitive advantage. Digital rate management enhances visibility and transparency of the drayage quoting process, provides real-time lane availability and capacity, and gives stakeholders clear insights into the current needs of their partner network.

How DrayMaster helps businesses meet drayage demands today and down the road

DrayMaster has been assisting trucking companies and 3PLs overcome rate discrepancies, inaccuracies, and inefficiencies for close to 10 years. The platform equips drayage businesses with essential tools to navigate complex quoting challenges, mitigate rate reduction requests, and realize significant cost and time savings. Empowering drayage enterprises with data-driven insights so they can make well-informed decisions, pinpoint areas of improvement, and optimize overall operational performance. Enabling them to expand their operations, whether on a regional or global scale, by efficiently managing increased volumes and increasing supply chain complexities.

Listen to Episode 379: Use Effective Rate Management to Boost Your Business, with DrayMaster for the full conversation.

Watch or Listen Now

Let’s Talk Supply Chain Blog

Apple

Spotify

YouTube

In this webinar, we delved into the world of Request for Proposals (RFPs) in the trucking industry and explored how to leverage DrayMaster’s bid tool to respond quickly and effectively to RFPs. As we navigated through this process, we also explored various features of the DrayMaster Rate Management Platform that help trucking companies grow their business.

Read on for a recap of the webinar, and watch the full recording below.

ICYMI: RFP Season is Having a Late Peak in 2023

We’re predicting a wave of shipper RFPs. Why? Here’s our reasoning:

1. The labor situation on the West Coast in the US has seemingly settled down, but the absence of signed paperwork leaves room for potential disruptions, making shippers cautious.
2. The ongoing strikes in Canada add to the uncertainty, prompting shippers who had been moving goods from Asia to the East Coast to consider rerouting their shipments back west.
3. The drought in the Panama Canal is causing additional concerns, with increased fees and potential ship turnaways, further motivating shippers to explore alternative routes.
4. However, even if shippers are looking to move goods through the West Coast, they may face challenges due to the scarcity of warehousing and distribution space.
5. The overall uncertain environment is likely to drive shippers to issue RFPs as they seek viable and reliable transportation solutions to mitigate potential risks and maintain efficient supply chains.

With this prediction, we’ve been urging carriers to be prepared for responding with bid packages quickly and accurately, for a chance to secure new business that will reap benefits long-term. However, even the thought of responding to a 2000 lane RFP can make you want to call in sick — which none of us can afford. So we brought in our DrayMaster team to show us a better way. Herein lies the purpose of this webinar.

Understanding DrayMaster and Its Purpose

DrayMaster is a rate management platform designed specifically for the drayage space. It was conceived in 2012 by Tom Burke and Travis Barnier, who recognized the need for a more efficient way to handle quoting intermodal rates as a drayage carrier. DrayMaster aims to eliminate uncertainties associated with quoting rates, ensuring a smooth and reliable process for trucking companies.

The Power of the RFP Bid Tool

Responding to RFPs can be a time-consuming and complex process. However, with DrayMaster’s RFP bid tool, this arduous task becomes a breeze. Here’s how it works:

1. Creating a Bid: Start by creating a bid and naming it for easy tracking.
2. Rate Profile Selection: Select the appropriate rate profile for the customer you are bidding for. This ensures that the most accurate rates for that customer are provided.
3. Uploading RFP Data: You can either upload the RFP data provided by the customer by mapping column headings, or use DrayMaster’s template to enter the required information, such as city and state combinations, steamship lines, and hazard details.
4. Quick Rate Calculation: DrayMaster’s bid tool analyzes the RFP data against your rate tariff and quickly calculates line haul charges, fuel surcharges, chassis-related fees, tolls, and total amounts for each lane.
5. Customization and Finalization: You can fine-tune the rates based on customer preferences or your own, and complete the comprehensive bid package with all the pertinent information.

When we asked webinar attendees how long it would take one person on their team to respond to an RFP with 1500 lanes, the average answer was one week. With DrayMaster, this can be done in just a few hours (simply accounting for processing time, not manual entry).

By leveraging the RFP bid tool, trucking companies can drastically reduce the time spent on responding to RFPs, providing a competitive advantage in the market.

DrayMaster’s Tools for Rate Management and Growth

DrayMaster offers a comprehensive set of tools to assist trucking companies in managing rates and growing their business. Some of the features we explored during the live webinar were:

1. Rate Analyzer: The rate analyzer cleans up rate tariffs, identifies errors, and fills in missing information to create a fully digitized and accurate rate tariff for efficient operations.
2. Rate Profiles: Customizable rate profiles enable truckers to cater to specific customer requirements, ensuring accurate and relevant rates for various customers.
3. Community Rates: Trucking companies can post community rates to attract more business opportunities for specific lanes, enhancing their visibility and reach.
4. Unlimited Professional Quotes: Your team can generate unlimited customizable quotes from your tariff, to send to any customer, or even just for internal use.
5. Capacity Calendar: The capacity calendar feature allows truckers to display their available capacity on a weekly or monthly basis, simplifying communication with customers and enabling efficient scheduling.
6. My Directory Listing: A professional business profile that your prospective customers can find in the DrayMaster directory.
7. Web-Connect Customer Portal: The customer portal allows your customers to log in and generate a quote for any of your lanes, without making a single call. This personalized portal can live on your website, and you can link to it in your email signature, making the process more accessible and streamlined.

These are a few of the key features for growth within DrayMaster, and to learn more about each watch through the webinar, or schedule a personalized demo with Travis here

RFPs Shouldn’t be Really Freakin Painful

In our industry, responding swiftly to RFPs is crucial to securing rewarding future partnerships. DrayMaster’s RFP bid tool provides a powerful solution to expedite the bidding process and increase the likelihood of winning business. Furthermore, DrayMaster’s rate management platform offers a range of features that empower trucking companies to grow their business, attract new customers, and streamline their operations. By utilizing these tools, trucking companies can navigate the uncertainties of the drayage rates with confidence, optimizing their performance and profitability.

DrayMaster: Turn RFPs into Rewarding Future Partnerships | Full Webinar

Thank you to everyone who joined live, participated in our polls, and asked questions! It was wonderful to spend time with you, and we hope you had fun and learned a thing or two.

Please reach out to Travis Barnier at travis.barnier@wisetechglobal.com with any questions or comments. If you’d like to schedule a personalized demo, book a time with Travis here.

Smaller fleets often lack access to locations-based tracking for their assets. At companies where this is an option, many drivers don’t like to feel like Big Brother is watching over them.  

Late last week, the Envase team published our latest State of Dray segment on the Let’s Talk Supply Chain Network. In the piece, we discussed track and trace technology from the standpoint of why shippers appreciate location data. The gist was that shippers aren’t asking carriers to share their whereabouts because they want to be creepy. Instead, today’s most progressive shippers and receivers are looking to optimize their working hours; it’s possible to have warehouse teams ready to receive the moment a truck arrives. There are also some shippers whose legal teams are asking for location data to limit their liability in the event of an accident.   

But the value of track and trace isn’t limited to shipper requirements.

Why Track and Trace is Beneficial for Carriers

Trucking companies today can gain tremendous benefits from implementing track and trace location data into their operation, including:  

Improved utilization of your office staff

How much time is your team spending on check calls? How often does someone in your office need to stop something productive (like responding to an RFP to increase business) to find out where a driver is? Leveraging track and trace eliminates a huge portion of this issue, helping office staff focus on the most important activities to the business.   

Better understanding of your operating expenses

Even though fuel costs have dropped a bit over the last few months, they’re still quite high, meaning drivers should be trying their best to maximize their miles per gallon (you could easily argue this is always true, but it’s more important when rates are low and costs are high).

Carriers that utilize track and trace across their fleet gain a rapid understanding of which drivers are proceeding in ways that cut costs, and which drivers are consistently hammer-down. Knowing this allows fleet leaders to address the issue and put drivers in a position to help the company succeed financially. Additionally, the drivers increasing the company’s costs are more likely to earn a speeding ticket or other moving violations. There’s a little bit of a “big brother is watching” component to this point, but the reality is pretty simple: drivers are less likely to bend the rules if they believe they’re in a position to get caught. Track & trace technology allows for safer driving, extended MPG, and less chance of a moving violation.   

Lower insurance premiums

This may be outside the box, and it goes beyond the note above (we agree that fewer moving violations will generally mean less costly insurance). At the Harbor Trucking Association’s annual DrayTech event, many insurance companies exhibiting and in attendance acknowledged that a carrier’s ability to produce a digital log of their movements could be considered in the underwriting process. Generally speaking, these insurance folks said they’d prefer data from an ELD solution, but as you may know, ELD requirements can vary by carrier type and state. Track and trace logs can suffice for these carriers to show their drivers’ safety.   

Track and Trace Technology Benefits You and Your Customers

Track & trace technologies can be the difference between winning and losing a bid with a premium shipper. But the benefits can go even further for carriers that make the data these solutions provide actionable — improving efficiency, cutting costs, and maximizing the value of each dollar they spend.  

Women in Supply Chain blog series

In an industry that continues to face ongoing talent and labor shortages, addressing the diversity gap in logistics and supply chain becomes even more critical. Research has shown that organizations that prioritize gender inclusion and promote the advancement of female professionals reap significant benefits. They lead their industries in customer satisfaction scores, report higher levels of innovation, enjoy greater revenue growth, and achieve higher profits. By creating meaningful dialogues and providing visibility to newcomers, especially women, the Women in Supply Chain blog series plays a pivotal role in shaping supply chain into a more equitable and dynamic industry.

At Envase, we know first-hand the impact that Chelsey has on our team and in the supply chain community. She is truly a champion for women in transportation, and was recently named one of Women in Trucking’s Top Women to Watch for 2023. Chelsey is an incredible leader, and always thinks outside of the box to find new ways to positively impact our team, our customers, our company, and our community. One example being #SheDrays, Envase’s DEI initiative that she spearheaded and brought to life. Created to bring visibility, community, and recognition to women in drayage, #SheDrays is propelled by a partnership between Envase and the Harbor Trucking Association that works to drive meaningful change and empower women.

We are thrilled that Let’s Talk Supply Chain chose to highlight Chelsey in their blog series this month. She shared her experiences, highlighted the significance of mentors, discussed her growth as a female leader in a male-dominated field, and provided advice for women advocating for themselves and others in supply chain. Here we’ll dive into some of the highlights from the feature, and we encourage everyone to read Chelsey’s full story on the Women in Supply Chain blog and join us in celebrating her achievements as she paves the way for a more diverse and vibrant supply chain community.

Chelsey Reynolds: Atomic Habits and Jumping into Supply Chain

Finding Her Path

Chelsey’s professional career began with a series of diverse experiences in various industries. Through trial and error, she began her supply chain journey by discovering her passion and skill in sales, and joining a startup focused on solving the truck parking crisis. If you’re familiar with SecurSpace, then you know how the story goes *wink* — SecurSpace was acquired by Envase — which is where Chelsey’s story meets ours. Jumping into drayage and our rapidly growing company headfirst, she helped transform Envase from 9 companies into one powerful brand, and carved out a unique role within our organization, overseeing Marketing, New Business Sales, and Customer Success.

“Over the last two and a half years, I gave myself some grace and learned as I went. My passion for growth helped me design the role I am in today.”

– Chelsey Reynolds

The Power of Mentors

Mentors played a crucial role in Chelsey’s career growth. Through programs like SCORE Mentors, she sought guidance from experienced professionals who helped her navigate the challenges she faced. By actively seeking male mentors, she aimed to overcome any gender-related complexities and enhance her communication and leadership skills.

“I learned how to present ideas and strategies (to bosses who weren’t expecting them) in a variety of ways. That was tremendously instrumental as I started working across multiple departments.”

Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry

Despite many experiences in male-dominated environments, like being the only woman on a team in past jobs, and wrestling on the boys team in high school, Chelsey still struggled when she first stepped into supply chain. However, she emphasized the importance of personal growth and challenging the negative narratives in her mind. By embracing Don Miguel Ruiz’s four agreements of being impeccable with her word, not taking things personally, avoiding assumptions, and always doing her best, she gradually reshaped her mindset.

Discovering Her Voice and Personal Growth

For Chelsey, finding her voice in supply chain is an ongoing process. It’s about moving through struggles and self-doubt to a place of confidence and self-assurance. By implementing atomic habits and practicing self-kindness, she takes an active effort to reframe what used to be negative thought patterns into positive and healthier ones, and continues to become a better friend to herself.

Admiration for Industry Leaders

Chelsey expressed admiration for individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and care in their work. She commended Danny from Harbor Division for his hard work, dedication to his team and customers, and genuine care. At Envase, Chelsey pointed to Jessica Whitehouse as a rising star for her extensive industry knowledge, energy, and commitment to motivating her team and helping others grow by sharing her expertise openly.

Chelsey’s Advice for Women in Supply Chain

When it comes to advocating for yourself and others, Chelsey emphasized the importance of kindness, curiosity, and continuous growth. The sentiment of her advice — the oxygen mask principle. You must take care of yourself first before you can take care of others. She also noted the importance of taking initiative to work things out, rather than giving up. If the situation isn’t right, before calling it quits, see what you can do to change the situation into one that works for you.

“Be kind. To yourself first, then others. Be curious and ask questions. It’s OK not to have everything figured out now, or ever. We all keep growing and changing.”

Learn, Grow, and Create Positive Impact

Reflecting on her journey, Chelsey emphasized the value of hustle, genuine investment in one’s work, and the ability to say no to tasks that don’t align with personal goals. She shared her enthusiasm for continuous learning, building processes, and tools, and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Her future goals include making a positive impact on the industry, fostering valuable relationships, and playing a role in attracting more individuals to supply chain and mentoring them on their journey.

Closing Thoughts

Chelsey’s journey in supply chain exemplifies the power of resilience, mentorship, and self-growth. We, as her team, know first-hand that her experiences and advice serve as a guiding light for women aspiring to excel in male-dominated fields. We’re a proud bunch, and seeing Chelsey recognized as a trailblazer in our industry has us bursting at the seams.

Thank you again to Let’s Talk Supply Chain and Naomi Sylvian for your powerful work with Women in Supply Chain and for this feature.

And thank you to Chelsey, for being as absolutely phenomenal leader, teammate, and friend to all of us. Envase wouldn’t be the same without ya

Need a secure parking or storage space? There’s a nationwide network of available yards on SecurSpace calling your name.

In this webinar, Marina, Envase’s Digital Marketing Project Manager, and Bobby Strenk, the Senior Director of the SecurSpace marketplace, discussed the ins and outs of SecurSpace, an on-demand marketplace for secure yard storage. Whether you’re already a SecurSpace partner or customer or looking to discover its value, this webinar covered everything you need to know:

• What is SecurSpace?
• How to book yard space on-demand
• How to list yard space and become a SecurSpace Partner Yard
• What we do to help ensure the safety of your equipment
• What’s coming for SecurSpace
• Live Audience Q&A

SecurSpace 101: Key Takeaways

Let’s dive into the key points discussed during the webinar.

Introducing SecurSpace: A Digital Marketplace for Flexible Container Storage

SecurSpace was founded in 2018 with the mission to address the storage needs of carriers who were facing challenges finding suitable storage spaces for their equipment. The founder, while leasing chassis, discovered the demand for storage among carriers but realized there was a lack of visibility regarding available storage facilities.

• #TruckersHelpTruckers: SecurSpace serves as a community that connects those in need of storage with facilities that have extra storage capacity. By fostering relationships and leveraging the power of connections, SecurSpace creates a mutually beneficial environment where everyone can support and assist each other. But we’re not talking only truckers, we mean carriers, shippers, brokers, freight forwarders, 3PLs, warehouses, distribution centers, container depots, any stakeholder in the supply chain.
• SecurSpace enables the commercialization and procurement of yard storage, accommodating all types of intermodal equipment — containers, chassis, trucks, trailers, reefers, refrigerated plugins, 53′ dry vans — you name it.
• Flexibility and Transparency: Book yard spaces on demand on a daily or monthly basis, the price you see is what you get. We know that one of the only constants in this industry is change, so if your needs change, your booking can change with them. You are in control.

SecurSpace’s Network and Stats

• In 2022 alone, SecurSpace parter yards generated over $150 Million in storage revenue
• The proof is in the booking: Since launching in 2018, customers have booked over 13 million spaces using SecurSpace
• SecurSpace operates throughout the United States, with over 500 active partner yards concentrated in major marine and rail intermodal hubs.
• The network continues to expand to meet the growing demand for storage in various regions. (Psst… Canada incoming. If you have yard space in Canada, we’re looking for a few partner yards to start our pilot program. Reach out to Bobby Strenk at robert.strenk@wisetechglobal.com)
• SecurSpace adapts and grows along with you, our customers. We work to diversify our offerings as your needs evolve.

Booking Space at SecurSpace: Storage Where and When You Need It

Booking a space on SecurSpace is a seamless and intuitive process. You can create a SecurSpace account easily, or simply search the network without an account by visiting secure.space. The search page allows you to select your desired location, such as Savannah, Georgia, and view a list of available locations on the map. Detailed information about each location, including security features like lights, cameras, and 24/7 access, can be found by scrolling down on the left-hand side. Within minutes, you can find the space you need based on equipment, location, security features, and price, and request space with one click.

• Its as simple as 1, 2, 3. Search, Book, Pay. For a quick demo, jump to 16:20 in the webinar recording to watch Bobby walk through it!
• Booking requests receive real-time responses from yards within a maximum of 30 minutes, eliminating the waiting time often associated with traditional storage solutions
• Reduce operating costs by booking a space through SecurSpace, instead of getting railed by detention and demurrage charges.
• The platform allows you to book yard storage on a flexible basis, accommodating changes in your operation’s needs. If circumstances change, you can easily adjust bookings without the burden of long-term leases.
• SecurSpace promotes pricing transparency by presenting a range of rates across its network of locations. You can compare prices and select a yard that best aligns with your budget and operational requirements.

Revolutionizing Storage Management for Partner Yards

SecurSpace is a groundbreaking platform that aims to redefine storage management for outdoor storage facilities in the transportation industry. Joining SecurSpace as a partner opens up opportunities to diversify revenue streams in a cost-effective manner by monetizing your underutilized storage space.

• SecurSpace acts as a sales distribution channel, ensuring that partner locations are properly marketed and exposed to a diverse audience of carriers, 3PLs, and shippers.
• By leveraging SecurSpace’s extensive network of over 5,000 customer accounts, partners can tap into a broader customer base and increase their top-line revenue.
• SecurSpace goes beyond being just a marketplace for storage. It provides partners with a comprehensive storage management solution. Through the platform, partners gain access to various tools and resources that simplify the process.
• Partners can have real-time visibility and automation in their bookings, rates, invoices, and revenue, eliminating the need for manual tracking and management. SecurSpace ensures that partner space and customer relationships are efficiently handled and protected.

Becoming a Partner Yard

To become a SecurSpace partner, the setup process is seamless and only takes a few steps:

1. Create a SecurSpace Account: The account creation process is simple and can be done entirely online. Partners need to provide detailed information about their facility, including competitive advantages, pictures, and pricing.
2. Collaborate with a SecurSpace Parking Pro: Once the account is created, you collaborate with a SecurSpace parking pro to optimize your location profile. Based on SecurSpace’s experience with over 500 locations, the parking pro provides insights and guidance on profile improvements and pricing strategies.
3. Go Live and Diversify Revenue: After optimizing the location profile, you can go live on the SecurSpace platform within an hour. Once live, your facility becomes visible on the map, allowing customers to search and submit booking requests directly. At that point you can start accepting bookings and generating revenue effortlessly!

If you are interested in listing your yard, get a more in-depth look by booking a free personalized demo with Bobby by emailing him here: robert.strenk@wisetechglobal.com

Secure is in the name

At Securspace, our goal is to redefine what it means to be a container and truck storage facility. We understand the importance of trust and security when it comes to storing valuable equipment and goods, so it is a priority for us to take measures to uphold the safety of your equipment and yard.

• To ensure the safety of equipment and personnel, we vet facilities based on minimum requirements, beginning with a fenced and gated lot, and in most cases CCTV and lights at minimum.
• Beyond that, we encourage partner yards to implement more security measures and these are displayed on every yard listing on SecurSpace.
• To provide value and minimize disruption to partner facilities, we use a prepaid reserved model. Payment from customers is collected upfront upon booking confirmation to validate the legitimacy of the customer’s booking, and eliminates the need for manual invoicing or payment collection.
• Partners always have sole discretion of approving booking requests. Not only does this help manage capacity, but it provides a layer of control, putting the power into your hands to make the ultimate decision about who enters your yard.

Wrapping it up

SecurSpace is revolutionizing the way we approach yard storage with its innovative on-demand marketplace. By connecting carriers and facility owners, SecurSpace facilitates seamless transactions and provides a secure and trustworthy environment for storage needs. With a growing network of over 500 locations across the United States and a commitment to continuous improvement, SecurSpace is poised to make a lasting impact on the industry. Whether you’re a carrier in need of storage or a facility owner with underutilized capacity, SecurSpace offers a solution that meets your requirements. Discover the immense value that SecurSpace brings to the table and unlock new possibilities for your business.

Thank you to all of our webinar attendees for joining live and asking questions. Whether you want to book space, list space, or go to space *wink*, were here to take that journey with you.

To continue the conversation, reach out to Bobby Strenk at robert.strenk@wisetechglobal.com

DrayTech 2023 took place last week in San Pedro at a new venue, The Double Tree Hotel, which offered the ability to host more folks and end with a bang.   

This year, three big things stood out to the group of folks we had in attendance (four, if you count the contortionists).

Drayage is a Community

Even though many attendees were competitors, either as providers of capacity or TMS solutions, there is a tremendous sense of us all “being in this together.” This is true, regardless of whether the market is booming or bombing, and it is fantastic to see how many conversations at DrayTech start with some version of “How can we work together?”

For Envase, this meant highlighting the breadth and depth of our services, from TMS to Yard Support and Rate Intelligence to Automated Gates. Nearly all of our conversations focused on identifying hidden value, which is a key reason we’re always looking to expand our marketplace. We even delved into how the data we secure and retain for carriers can be used to lower insurance rates. We have many follow-up discussions coming but are excited about the partnership opportunities that came out of the event.  

The Freight Rebound… ?

About that freight rebound — We’ve all heard how a rising tide lifts all boats. But currently, the market is awaiting any sign of flooding.

On the main stage, many of the presentations and discussions focused on how carriers can remain viable as businesses due to the low rates and minimal volumes. Freight is cyclical; there will be a rebound. But it sure looks like it will be a longer cycle than is normal (one of the sheets we shared at the show was about how we can help carriers navigate the current environment. You can download it here). 

5-Ways-Envase-Helps-You-Manage-Your-Top-and-Bottom-Line-PDFDownload

Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)

ZEVs are coming, whether truckers want them or not.

The ride-and-drive portion of the event was terrific, with zero-emission vehicles from a host of manufacturers on site and available to be tested. In LA/Long Beach (and really, California all around), the mandate for Zero Emission vehicles is coming rapidly; we’re about seven months away from when new registrations will be limited to ZEVs.

The infrastructure isn’t quite ready yet. The vehicles are still being developed. But we’re at the point where you can see the finish line as more than some interesting concept.  

It isn’t a stretch to say this was the biggest and best DrayTech yet. Karla Sanchez and Melissa Summers from the Harbor Trucker’s Association truly outdid themselves this year. As for Envase, we’re already counting down the days until DrayTech 2024.  

Hope to see you there.   

DrayTECH 2023 Photo Gallery

Thank you to Marc Harris for the incredible work of documenting DrayTECH23 with stunning photography. All credits to Marc Harris for the photographs in this piece.

What if — instead of jumping between windows, browsers and programs — you could trace containers from one screen? What if that screen was your TMS? 

For Profit Tools users, that is a reality.

Track & Trace is Envase’s container tracing solution that exists within Profit Tools — and allows your dispatchers to actually spend their time dispatching instead of looking for containers all day.

In our recent webinar we had the pleasure of Tony Eaton giving a high-level demo of Track & Trace in PT, and opening up the floor to an awesome rapid fire Q&A session with the webinar audience. So without further ado, the webinar!

Thank you to everyone who attended the live webinar and asked questions, it’s awesome feedback and we are looking forward to taking ideas back to our team.

If you are a Profit Tools customer interested in learning more about Track & Trace and implementing it, please reach out to your account manager and they will happily work with you to get you the information you need! And please reach out to Kevin with any outstanding questions at kevin.mccahill@wisetechglobal.com.

P.S. Be on the lookout for a more in-depth demo of Track & Trace that will dive into some of the audience questions in more detail!

Envisions was a tremendous success, blending a user conference, networking opportunities, tech demos, and an awful lot of fun. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended the event, to our sponsors, and to the teams behind the scenes who worked so hard to make sure everything went flawlessly.  

One of the trends the HTA Newsletter called out from the show was our dedication to building products and services that address the very real needs of our customers. This has always been a part of our company culture, and we understand that it’s our customers who allow Envase to be successful.  

One of the questions we heard at the event was about how this approach will translate as Envase becomes part of the WiseTech organization. In reality, this is one of the things our team is most excited about; WiseTech has the same passion for its customers. 

We’ve posted some photos below from the event and would encourage you to keep an eye out for details on upcoming get-togethers. We have many surprises coming for both our users and folks who are thinking of giving us a try.  

In the meantime, thank you again to everyone who made Envisions 2023 an event to remember.