Click here to view this email in your browser.

The Supply Chain Intelligence Brief is a SMC³ member benefit that provides a snapshot of the day's key industry news. Stay informed and connected with the SMC³ Supply Chain Intelligence Brief. Opt out at any time, with no impact to other SMC³ communications you may receive. If you would like to add any coworkers to the distribution list for this publication, please reply to this message with their names and email addresses.

TRUCKING

Cost management drives Q4 beat at J.B. Hunt

Freight Waves Todd Maiden January 16, 2026

J.B. Hunt Transport Services stated during a call with analysts on Thursday evening that “demand is solid” and that the company is actively taking market share. However, these gains may be specific to J.B. Hunt, as it is aligned with customers that are also winning share in their respective industries.

Link: J.B. Hunt Press Release J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Reports U.S. GAAP Revenues, Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share for Both the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2025

‘Imperative’ that truckload carriers watch for any slowing in data center activity

Journal of Commerce Jason Miller January 15, 2026 $Subscription Based

The 2025 US freight market, especially the domestic truckload sector, underperformed expectations held at this time last year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) truckload producer price index (PPI), an estimate of the prices long-haul general freight carriers receive for trucking services, was down 1.8% year over year as of September, despite diesel prices rising 5.4% in the same period.

Saia Inc. rebranding its logistics arm

CCJ January 15, 2026

LinkEx has been a part of the Saia organization for more than 10 years. According to the company, the rebranding simply formalizes the close collaboration between Saia’s Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) network and its growing logistics capabilities.

Link: Saia Press Release Saia Announces Brand Alignment

‘Bigger benefits’: Schneider National, Cowan set sights on growth

Trucking Dive Larry Avila January 15, 2026

Just over a year has passed since Schneider National’s $390 million acquisition of Baltimore-based Cowan Systems.

The combination has benefited both businesses, according to company executives. When discussing its Q3 results with analysts, Schneider credited a 17% year-over-year revenue growth primarily due to dedicated freight volume gains from Cowan.

SHIPPERS / 3PLs

C.H. Robinson urges Supreme Court to uphold federal preemption in case that could redefine freight broker liability

Logistics Management Jeff Berman January 15, 2026

Earlier this week, Eden Prairie, Minn.-based global third-party logistics (3PL) services provider and freight forwarder C.H. Robinson filed a merits brief in a United States Supreme Court case, Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, which it said “will determine whether freight brokers may be held liable under varying state laws for accidents involving federally licensed motor carriers.”

Amazon Targets Walmart With Massive Retail Store Near Chicago

Supply Chain 24/7 January 15, 2026

Amazon spokespersons have described the concept as bringing together elements of Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and the company’s digital shopping strengths under one roof, though the company has not yet disclosed an official name for the format.

Drone delivery isn’t just an experiment anymore

Modern Retail Mitchell Parton January 16, 2026

Alphabet-owned Wing and Walmart are bringing drone delivery to an additional 150 Walmart stores over the next year, the companies announced earlier this week. That will make the service available to an estimated 40 million-plus people in cities including Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Miami.

Link: Walmart Be on the lookout for drone delivery near you

INDUSTRY

Trade Policy and Tariffs Fuel Nearshoring Momentum

Transport Topics Stephen Bennett January 16, 2026

The ongoing push by businesses and policymakers to bring manufacturing back to the United States — “reshoring” — or move it closer to U.S. borders — “nearshoring” — has the potential to spur trucking activity in North America in the coming years, freight industry experts said.

In fact, transportation companies such as third-party logistics giant C.H. Robinson and less-than-truckload carrier XPO have already added services and warehouse space to support customers in Mexico that are shipping or are planning to ship to the U.S.

From chaos to coordination: Rethinking inbound logistics

Supply Chain Management Review Josué C. Velázquez Martínez et al. January 15, 2026

How data-driven inbound coordination can replace fragmented freight movements with fewer trucks, fuller loads, and a more resilient logistics network

TECHNOLOGY

Walmart: This year, AI tinkering ‘becomes transformation’

Retail Dive Cara Salpini January 15, 2026

A year from now, customers will look back and realize just how much has changed about the shopping experience, Walmart’s Daniel Danker predicts.

McLeod Completes Autonomous Truck Integration With Aurora

Transport Topics January 15, 2026

The collaboration between McLeod and Aurora, first announced Aug. 28, enables trucking businesses to book and manage autonomous truck capacity using their existing McLeod transportation management systems.

SUSTAINABILITY / SAFETY / SECURITY

Long Beach considering development of ‘conventional, zero-emissions' terminal: CEO

Journal of Commerce Bill Mongelluzzo January 15, 2026 $Subscription Based

The Port of Long Beach is exploring the possibility of developing what its new CEO said Thursday would be the “first conventional, zero-emissions container terminal in the world.”

Noel Hacegaba made the announcement during his first State of the Port presentation since taking over as CEO on Jan. 1 following the retirement of Mario Cordero.

Microsoft signs record soil carbon removal deal to cut emissions

ESG Dive Lamar Johnson January 15, 2026

The agreement with Indigo Ag will remove 2.85 million metric tons of carbon dioxide for the tech giant, which is the largest soil carbon removal by tonnage to date, the agricultural tech company said.

Related: ESG Today Google Buys 1.2 GW of Carbon-free Energy to Power Data Centers Across U.S.

Click here to unsubscribe or to change your Subscription Preferences.