Supply Chain Discussion: Taking Advantage of Carrier Diversification in 2026

https://vimeo.com/1165422657

In this discussion, Robert Bowman from Supply Chain Brain speaks with Cris Lauer, account executive at Enveyo.

To offset the market power wielded by parcel giants FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, shippers need to explore alternative services. Diversification mitigates risk and, in the end, provides better service.

There are plenty of players from which to choose. “There are so many regional carriers coming out of the woodwork,” says Lauer, offering lower cost as well as excellent service. Their goal is “to get their name out there and gain more market share,” he says. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Take care when selecting an alternative carrier, he says. It’s important that a carrier of choice possess the right data infrastructure. “Evaluate what they bring to the table. Run some sort of analysis. Then you’ll be able to make an informed decision.”

An automated system is crucial today to making the right evaluation when it comes to shifting volume between carriers. Lauer says shippers should develop a flexible but controlled network, with the ability to employ various checks and balances. “Keep an eye on volume thresholds and surcharges from each carrier so they you can turn on and turn off as needed.” That’s an especially valuable capability in markets with seasonal peaks.

“All parties need to be talking to each other at all times,” Lauer says.

That is what Nucleus always does. We manage, monitor and optimize a network that includes all of our customers and all of the service providers/carriers best fitting to those customer's needs. The system doesn't rely on any single carrier and can be scaled up or down depending on volumes. And it is not reliant on being force-fed volume because we don't own the fleets of trucks. It is a multiple-customer, multiple-carrier network optimized on an ongoing basis.

Source: Supply Chain Brain