NAVIGATING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN TRANSPORTATION AND COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS By Bryan Nickerson, Commodity and Supply Chain Services Director, in collaboration with C.H. Robinson
The transportation market is undergoing significant disruption, primarily due to a persistent freight recession in the aftermath of COVID-19. Lingering inflation, fluctuating fuel prices and ongoing supply chain turbulence exacerbate these challenges. Despite this, the industry is showing resilience through innovation, such as optimizing routes, investing in fuel-efficient technologies and leveraging data analytics to boost operational efficiency. Meeting today’s transportation demands requires advanced expertise and capabilities. The Western Growers Transportation Program offers Western Growers members tailored supply chain partnerships, ensuring reliable and efficient service. With deep roots in the produce industry, we connect supply chain providers from farm to consumer, uniquely equipping us to help growers thrive despite market challenges. “The prolonged transportation recession has unfortunately led to a sense of complacency in addressing supply chain costs, efficiency and innovation. It’s easy to fall into this mindset when market engagement seems straightforward,” said Hunter Winton, Regional Sales Director for C.H. Robinson. “However, the underlying conditions for instability in the marketplace are still present, such as driver shortages, aging concerns, old equipment and high interest rates. These factors will continue to be significant. When demand does return, we can expect markets to react quickly. We must all recognize this tendency and strive to overcome it to ensure resilient and forward-thinking supply chains that are agile and continuously improving.” The Evolving Landscape for Produce Shippers Produce shippers face mounting pressures, including market fluctuations, labor shortages and heightened consumer demand for sustainability. Shifting to environmentally friendly practices often demands substantial investments in technology to optimize production and resource management. Regulative changes, geopolitical uncertainties and competition for market access compound these challenges. Together, these factors increase costs and disrupt shippers’ ability to produce and distribute efficiently. To overcome these obstacles, shippers must enhance operational efficiency through advanced agricultural technologies, improved resource management and streamlined logistics processes. Addressing Rising OTIF Standards Retailers’ stringent on-time, in-full (OTIF) standards present another layer of complexity. They require near- perfect delivery performance to maintain relationships and access new markets. These demands often create
operational bottlenecks, particularly for suppliers navigating intricate retail shipping requirements. C.H. Robinson has deep expertise in retail logistics, serving 70 of the top 75 U.S. retailers. With a network of more than 25,000 temperature-controlled carriers, they offer unparalleled coverage to meet OTIF demands while simplifying suppliers’ logistics challenges. Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility Supply chain visibility is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Real-time item-level tracking allows suppliers to identify and address potential issues promptly, improving customer service and reducing waste. Through the Western Growers Transportation Program, members gain access to C.H. Robinson’s proprietary Navisphere® technology platform. As the world’s most connected logistics platform, Navisphere® supports nearly 200,000 companies, offering detailed visibility and seamless supply chain integration. Maintaining Product Quality in Transit Optimized transportation services, including the largest temperature-controlled network in North America, are key to maintaining product quality. C.H. Robinson’s vetted contract carriers are Sanitary Transportation of Food (STF) compliant, ensuring proper temperature management throughout each journey. Whether shipping truckload or less-than-truckload, C.H. Robinson’s services are designed to safeguard product integrity and meet increasing consumer expectations for quality. Integrated Supply Chain Solutions for Efficiency Disconnected supply chain services can lead to costly disruptions. Integrated solutions are critical to overcoming inefficiencies and improving demand planning. C.H. Robinson and Western Growers utilize 2.3 billion digital market transactions annually to optimize supply chains for members. By consolidating orders at the point of origin, there are reduced costs and improved truckload utilization by an average of 10 percent annually. This ensures efficient use of resources while maintaining the highest standards for product safety during transit. Western Growers Transportation Program: Your Solution C.H. Robinson has been a trusted partner to growers for more than a century, delivering fresh produce to retail grocers nationwide. The Western Growers Transportation Program, exclusive to members, leverages C.H. Robinson’s expertise to offer personalized solutions for the most complex supply chain challenges. From mitigating logistical pressures to enhancing operational efficiency, this program is designed to help shippers succeed in today’s demanding market conditions.
10 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com January | February 2025
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