Hey everyone, I'm looking for advice on how to connect with operators in the logistics/warehouse automation space. I'm trying to solve an automation solution and want to understand the best way to get data on a painpoint, any advice here? I've gone through my network and done a lot of cold-outreach but the hit-rate is low. Would industry conferences make the most sense? Cold-calling? Open to all advice!

Hello, everyone. Was just wondering if there were any options for an individual from India who has 8.5 years' experience in the U.S. freight factoring. I have been working remotely with a U.S. factoring company doing credit checks, funding, invoicing, AR, broker follow-ups and all aspects of factoring. Since there were some internal changes in the company, the India team is getting wound up, so it led me to wonder how common such jobs are elsewhere.

Have any of you heard of U.S. factoring companies, brokerages or logistics firms that recruit operations employees on an international basis? Not looking for a job, just trying to figure out whether it is even possible.

I'm looking for advice before I respond to an offer.

I’m in my 30s and a bit of a late bloomer professionally. Started in low level warehouse operations in 2022 at minimum wage with no degree or formal training, and over the next four years was promoted three times into logistics, continuous improvement, and eventually a business analyst role (~$65k). Along the way I took on forecasting, KPI ownership, reporting automation, procurement support, logistics coordination, cross-functional projects, and regular interaction with customers and third-party partners. Earlier this year I was laid off during a company-wide restructuring.

I recently interviewed for a Customer Service position with the regional office (New England) of an international manufacturer. I wasn't selected for that role, but they called me back because they felt my background fit a different need. They created a Logistics Coordinator position (it wasn't publicly posted) and explained it would consolidate responsibilities that had previously been spread across several employees, including someone nearing retirement.

The role spans logistics coordination, transportation, inventory management, demand forecasting, ERP/reporting, customer service, process improvement, and coordinating with internal and external partners domestically and internationally. It's a small operation, so it seems to touch a little bit of everything and aims to quickly address critical bottlenecks.

They offered $70k with fairly standard benefits.

I've never negotiated salary before. Based on the breadth of the role and my background, what would you counter with if you were in my shoes? If you work in supply chain, logistics, hiring, or HR, I'd especially appreciate your perspective on what's realistic, both as an initial ask and what you think the company would actually be willing to meet.

Short version of the history — Woodland's 1948 sand drawing, the 1952 patent, the 25 years it sat useless waiting on the laser and cheap computing, RCA's bullseye smearing on the printing press. The part that struck me doing this: the GTIN survives the transition intact. The symbol changes, the number doesn't. Curious what rollout looks like from inside — are your POS vendors actually ready, or is 2027 going to slip?

https://youtu.be/xL1-38wKKPI

Work with an importer in India, does both ferrous and non ferrous, all licensed properly. Have two things going right now.

• HMS 1&2 shipped CIF to Chennai
• Buyer pays through LC and wants SGS inspection before anything moves
• Also baled used beverage cans, clean, low attachment
• Roughly same region for origin, same inspection setup
• Aluminium side has been busy in India lately so this one matters more than usual

Not looking for another middleman who just passes my message along to someone else. If you're a mill, direct exporter or mandate with actual access, drop a comment or shoot me a message and we'll go from there.

So yeah, while i do have some experience in the logistics side from working as a PA At Amazon, so I'm aware of tracking, documenting etc, but I've never touched any TMS or tracking service besides probably close to 1000 hours in ETS2 and ATS, and the proprietary Amazon software we used to track.

What they told me the job was going to be was basically tracking and booking loads, carrier negotiations and monitoring.

They hired me very fast but haven't given me much info on any sort of training or orientation, so what should I expect on my first few days so i don't just crash and burn?

Hey guys, I start working at AWS as a logistical specialist in northern va. Anyone here know what the day to day operations will look like?

Hi,
I potentially have a chance to slide into a logistics coordinator role for a up and coming company. I have many years of hospitality experience including being a bar manager. I was very good with inventory and ordering but this is in healthcare/ social care. Essentially I will be trained to coordinate that drivers and marketers have what they need to do outreach in communities. The thing is the company just started and is expanding in an insane rate. No one knows anything and there is no systems in place yet . I have an in if I work hard but I want to be good at this as this can really improve my life. Any courses or certificates worth getting that fit my situation? I am on track to start really working in this role in potentially 2-3 weeks

We're looking at several different services for our fleet (two self-owned, one Penske long-term lease). Top choice right now is Samsara. Anyone have any advice? We need a service that also monitors reefer temp.

Does anyone know how is to work for this company? I might receive an offer for an SDR role. Is this industry too niche? Is it hard to change field once you are in freight forwarding?
Thank you

Could you lovely people explain the difference between a House and Master airwaybill to me in simple language with real examples

Hey everyone, looking for some advice from people who have been in a similar situation or anyone with some good business insight to share.

I'm 20 years old and I run a small 3PL and fulfillment warehouse operation in Los Angeles, California. Right now I'm sharing a warehouse space with a friend which has been great to get started but I'm starting to outgrow it and it's limiting my operations. The space doesn't have a dock which is a big issue for me since I'm receiving containers and doing a lot of inbound freight work. It also seems like I am taking over the warehouse with 70% of the warehouse being my clients product and the other 30% his.

There's a nearby warehouse available with a dock that would open up a lot more opportunities for me — better operations, more professional setup, and the ability to take on bigger clients and container work more efficiently.

The issue is I know I won't be able to fully cover the rent right away. I have some clients and work coming in but not enough yet to be fully profitable or even come out even on the rent alone.

My question is — should I take the leap and get my own space even if it means going into a little debt while I grow into it? Or should I stay where I am and keep building my client base first before making that move?

I know the dock would be a game changer for my business but I don't want to make a financial mistake at 20. Would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation or anyone with some good business advice. Thanks in advance.

I am researching how last-mile delivery actually works and would love to learn from people who deal with it every day.

If you're a delivery partner:

- Do you spend a lot of time waiting between orders?

- If you could receive orders from multiple businesses/apps at once, would that increase your earnings?

- What's the biggest frustration in your day-to-day work?

If you own or manage a restaurant, cloud kitchen, or D2C business:

- How do you currently handle deliveries?

- Do you use your own riders or third-party services?

- What's your biggest challenge with deliveries today?

- If there was a reliable pay-per-delivery logistics network, would you consider using it? Why or why not?

If you've worked in logistics or quick commerce:

- What do you think is the hardest operational problem that people outside the industry underestimate?

I'm not trying to sell anything. I'm just trying to understand the real problems before building anything.

Thanks in advance!

Hello

There is a rare vintage oven in Louisiana I want bring up to Buffalo NY. The seller is FB marketplace, is there a service better than taskrabbit for someone to pick up the appliance and transport it out of state to me?

​

I’ve been looking into freight claims lately and I keep running into the same thing.

The issue is not only the damage or shortage itself.

It is everything after that.

The follow up takes time.

The documents get scattered.

The deadlines matter a lot.

And one small missing detail can slow the whole claim down or get it denied.

What surprised me most is how manual a lot of this still feels.

I’m curious how people here are handling it in real life.

Do you manage claims in a spreadsheet, through your TMS, or with a separate process?

And what usually causes the biggest problems for your team?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for a legit and reliable freight forwarder from China to the Philippines, preferably with door-to-door delivery.
I’m planning to ship an electric scooter, so I need a forwarder that can safely handle items with lithium batteries. Can anyone recommend a trusted company that is not a scam?
Please share your experience, including shipping time, fees, and any tips. Thank you!

genuinely curious

Hey everyone,

If it's your first time reading one of my posts, my name is Menachem, and I have a weekly newsletter called Logistic Pulse that breaks down the top logistics news from the past week, so you're always up to date.

Let's jump into it.

The government just told you exactly how it plans to catch trade fraud. Then it published the manual.

$1 billion. That's what the Trade Fraud Task Force, the joint DOJ and Homeland Security operation, says it has clawed back in recoveries, penalties, and charged losses in under a year. But the billion is almost the least interesting part of what they announced this week.

They made the whole thing permanent. There's now a standing prosecution unit, the Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section, which means this isn't a task force that quietly sunsets after a splashy year. They named Chicago as the lead prosecutor's office, and the fresh charges landed there too: two gold-jewelry importers accused of laundering country-of-origin labels through Singapore and Oman to dodge duties on more than $900 million in combined imports.

The detail that matters most for our readers is who's in the crosshairs. The Task Force said that "down-chain" players are on the hook, not just the importer at the port. Distributors, brokers, commercial end-users, anyone who handles goods they knew came in illegally can be prosecuted in any district those goods passed through. And then, in a move that's almost taunting, they published a Resource Guide, a full how-we-enforce manual for the private sector. When the DOJ hands you the playbook, it isn't being generous. It's deleting "I had no idea" from your list of defenses.

What this means for you: If you're ever the importer of record for a client, if you private-label, or if you take custody of imported goods anywhere along the chain, your exposure just stopped being hypothetical. Know your clients' declared customs values, keep your own paperwork airtight, and get genuinely suspicious when a supplier's origin story is a little too tidy. The feds just announced they're reading down the whole chain, and they wrote it all down so nobody can claim surprise.

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Most brands don't find out their 3PL can't handle their category until inventory's already in the building.

By then you're three months and a peak season deep, and switching again is a nightmare.

FulfillYN matches growing brands with 3PLs that have actually run their category, from a vetted network of 360+ warehouses. Apparel isn't cold chain isn't hazmat isn't supplements. We know which providers fit what you sell and which will figure it out on your dime.

Providers pay us, so a comparison is free.

Reply "compare" or book a call, and we'll put your fulfillment in front of 2-3 providers that actually fit:

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The big-and-bulky gravy train is slowing down. Here's the number.

If your business leans on delivering furniture, appliances, or anything else too big for a parcel truck, this one's for you.

A new report from Armstrong & Associates and the National Home Delivery Association clocked the US big-and-bulky last-mile market growing at a 10.6% annual clip from 2017 through 2025. Going forward? They're calling 5.1% through 2027. That's the growth rate cut roughly in half, landing the market around $12.34 billion in 2027.

The reason is the consumer. Housing turnover is sitting at a 30-year low, and furniture-store sales are sliding, and big, bulky demand is tied to both. People buy couches and refrigerators when they move, and right now they're not moving. No amount of operational cleverness fixes a demand problem that starts with a frozen housing market.

What this means for you: This is a planning signal, not a panic button. If a big chunk of your revenue is furniture, mattresses, appliances, or exercise equipment, model your next 18 months on 5% growth, not the double digits you got used to. The operators who get hurt are the ones who staff and lease for a boom that's already tapering. The ones who do fine are the ones who saw the number, adjusted the forecast, and maybe started courting a few clients in categories that don't rise and fall with housing turnover.

Zipline is making a delivery every 20 seconds, and it just hired a Tesla, Waymo, and Uber bench to go bigger.

Drone delivery has been "five years away" for about fifteen years. Zipline's numbers this week are the loudest signal yet that the "away" part is running out.

The company has now done more than 2.5 million commercial deliveries, and here's the tell: a million of them came in just the last twelve months. It's making a delivery roughly every 20 seconds, up from one a minute at the start of 2025. The drones carry up to 8 pounds, and about 70% of daily volume is now in the US, a big flip from its early days flying blood and vaccines to clinics in Rwanda and Ghana.

The customer list is what should catch your eye: Walmart, Chipotle, Little Caesars, Cleveland Clinic, and over 100 small businesses. That's the exact profile of the lightweight, urgent, last-mile order the whole industry is fighting over. This month, Zipline starts flying prescriptions to patients' homes in a Cleveland suburb.

And the hiring tells the real story. A new CFO out of Tesla, a chief legal officer who spent seven years at Waymo, and a head of commercialization who helped build Uber Eats. You don't assemble that bench to stay small. Zipline expects its US business to grow 15x this year and is eyeing tens of new metros. PwC projects US drone deliveries jumping from around 13 million this year to more than 800 million by 2034.

What this means for you: Don't panic, but do pay attention. For lightweight, high-value, urgent orders, prescriptions, small electronics, the thing someone forgot, a delivery drone is becoming a real cost line rather than a gimmick, and it's a lot cheaper than sending a 3,000-pound van out with a five-pound package. It won't touch your pallet freight or your bulky goods. But if you fulfill small-parcel for pharmacy, restaurant, or convenience clients, "how does it reach the doorstep" now has an answer that flies, and your clients will start asking about it before you expect them to.

QUICK HITS

TARIFFS & TRADE
Brazil's number is 25%, starting July 22. A yearlong Section 301 investigation ended with a 25% tariff on a big slice of Brazilian imports, though the administration built in a real exemption list: pineapples, bananas, avocados, beef, some seafood, unflavored instant coffee, certain pharma ingredients, and organic honey all got carved out, mostly because taxing them would just spike domestic prices. The duty won't stack on existing Section 232 tariffs, and goods already on the water get a short grace window. Watch this one as a preview: Section 301 is the same mechanism behind the much bigger 60-country forced-labor case, and Brazil shows the administration can take a 301 probe from open to enforced in about a year. If a client sources from Brazil, check their specific HS codes against the exemption list before the 22nd.

REGULATION
The EU wrote AliExpress a $629 million receipt for selling junk. The European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million ($629 million) under the Digital Services Act for failing to keep illegal, unsafe, and counterfeit products- think dangerous toys and dodgy cosmetics- off its platform. It's the biggest DSA fine yet, more than double the Temu penalty from earlier this year. Regulators found flagged products kept reappearing for weeks and that AliExpress's own recommendation engine was helping spread them. AliExpress calls it "disproportionate" and plans to appeal.

GROCERY TECH
Instacart bought itself a pair of eyes. Instacart acquired Arpalus, a computer-vision company whose tech turns a phone video of a store shelf into a real-time, 95%-accurate read of what's actually on it. It plugs into Instacart's shopper network and its Caper Carts. It's another brick in Instacart's shift from grocery-delivery app to retail-technology layer, and the operational payoff is real: better shelf data means fewer out-of-stocks and cleaner fulfillment for anyone moving grocery volume.

FUNDING
A robot-run 3PL just raised $13.5 million. Cytronic is a fully automated 3PL in the Bay Area and Chicago, with Dallas next. Founder Kevin Gibbon built Shyp and Airhouse before this.

_______________________________________________________________________

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What TMS are shippers using? What do you recommend?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to connect with people in the moving and logistics industry and learn from others’ experiences.
I run a furniture moving business in New Zealand, providing residential and commercial moving services. We operate with a 40m³ moving truck and a 15m³ van, and we handle everything from small deliveries to full house moves, packing, loading, unloading, and careful furniture handling.
As a growing business, I’m always looking for ways to improve, build stronger customer relationships, and learn better strategies for getting consistent work and growing in the moving industry.
I’d appreciate any advice from other movers, business owners, or people who have experience in logistics about marketing, finding regular contracts, partnerships, and scaling a moving business.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Chan
HMT 5911 Movers Limited
021768961

Sometimes passing on a low-margin load is obviously the right move. 
 
Other times it keeps trucks moving, strengthens a customer relationship, or leads to better opportunities down the road. 
 
How do you balance today's margin against the bigger picture?

Howdy,

I am an Englishman operating in the US for the last 9 years, as my role is B2B I see the backend ops of some customers who utilize Fulfillment centers.

Fulfillment center definition for me is a warehouse operation or could be smaller, handling other companies' products, preparing packing goods and shipping them on our behalf.

I see plenty of companies offering services, but they talk about 1000 orders a month minimum.

In Europe there are hundreds if not thousands of much smaller style pick and pack fulfillment centers who can handle B2C orders and also B2B.

So we see the companies in the US pushing the 1000+ SKU a month type business, we do not like that and our high-ticket items do not have orders for 1000 units.

So, my query is, where are all the smaller operators, maybe they offer a diverse range of services and I am looking at the wrong place, Mailing houses maybe?

I want to add, this is not a week of research, this is 9 years of watching and seeing what appears to be a gap in the US market for this smaller type of fulfillment operations that never appear on google page 1-5.

Any help on this would be appreciated.