Category: Uncategorized

Jul 30, 2025

Why Communication Is the Backbone of Logistics

Timing is everything, and good communication is what keeps that timing on track. From dispatch to delivery, every load, route, and schedule relies on clear, consistent, and accurate communication. When the right people have the right information at the right time, freight moves more smoothly, customers stay informed, and problems get solved before they grow. Let’s break down why communication isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. 1...

Midweek Momentum: Keeping Freight and Focus Moving Forward

Wednesdays hit differently in logistics. It’s that middle ground where the early week rush meets the urgency of what’s still ahead. We use it as a gauge Why Midweek Matters By Wednesday, freight is in motion. The phones are ringing, the warehouse floor is humming, and the next wave of pickups and deliveries is already underway. There’s no time to coast. This is the day when: Routes are optimized for peak efficiency. ...

Why Memphis and Atlanta are Freight Powerhouses

In logistics, location isn’t just strategy, it’s leverage. When your freight moves through the right hubs, your business benefits from faster delivery times, lower costs, and better reliability. At Easley Transportation, we’ve built our operations around two of the most vital freight centers in the U.S.: Memphis, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. But what exactly makes these cities so essential to the freight economy, and how can your...

What Your Freight Says About Your Business (And Why It Matters)

When most companies think about logistics, they focus on cost, timing, and delivery. But there's another side to freight that's just as important: what it communicates about your business. Whether it's arriving early, late, damaged, or perfectly intact, your freight is telling a story. And your customers are paying attention. Your Freight Is Your Brand Ambassador Every shipment you send represents your business. It...

5 Ways a Proactive Logistics Partner Can Save You Time, Money, and Headaches

Delays, miscommunication, and disorganization don’t just cost money, they cost trust. That’s why businesses are turning to logistics partners who don’t just respond to problems but anticipate and prevent them. Here are five ways a proactive logistics partner can make a measurable difference in your operations: Proactive Planning That Prevents Problems Before They Happen In logistics, surprises aren’t...

Navigating the Storm: The Red Sea Crisis

The global logistics industry has faced numerous challenges over the past few years, but few have been as persistent and far-reaching as the ongoing Red Sea shipping crisis. What began in November 2023 as targeted attacks on commercial vessels have evolved into one of the most significant disruptions to international trade since the COVID-19 pandemic, fundamentally altering shipping routes and supply chain strategies worldwide. The...

5 Logistics Trends That Will Define 2025: And How to Prepare Your Business

The logistics landscape is evolving faster than ever. The first quarter of 2025 has already shown us that what worked even last year may not be enough to stay competitive today. As we analyze the patterns emerging from Q1 data and client experiences, successful logistics companies aren't just adapting to change, they're anticipating it and positioning themselves ahead of the curve. After analyzing Q1 industry data and working with...

Bonded Storage: Secure, Compliant, and Ready for Your Freight

Bonded Storage: Secure, Compliant, and Ready for Your Freight In logistics, timing and compliance are everything — especially when it comes to international shipments. That’s why Easley Transportation is proud to offer bonded warehouse storage in both Memphis and Atlanta, two of the Southeast’s most strategic freight hubs. Whether you’re importing goods, waiting on customs clearance, or managing complex supply chains, our bonded...

The Linguistics of Logistics: 20 Shipping Terms to Know

In today's fast-paced global marketplace, logistics play a crucial role in ensuring goods reach their destinations efficiently and on time. Whether you're a seasoned logistics professional or just entering the field, understanding the lingo is essential for smooth operations, better decision-making, and improved communication with partners and clients. Navigating the world of logistics can be overwhelming with its vast array of terms...

Freight Brokers vs Freight Forwarders

In the world of international shipping, two key players often get confused: freight forwarders and freight brokers. While they may sound similar, these professionals play distinctly different roles in the global transportation ecosystem. Freight Brokers: The Matchmakers of Shipping Freight brokers act as intermediaries, connecting shippers with carriers. Think of them as transportation matchmakers who negotiate rates and arrange...

Navigating the Complex World of International Trade

In today's global economy, international trade is more complicated than ever. Recently, We sat down with a seasoned customs and logistics expert to unpack the intricate world of importing, tariffs, and international shipping. The Changing Landscape of Global Trade Trade regulations are constantly evolving, especially with recent political shifts. The current administration's approach to trade deficits has created a dynamic and...

How a Supply Chain Works: The Journey of Products from Start to Finish

In today’s interconnected world, we often don’t stop to think about how products end up in our hands. From the food we eat to the gadgets we use, everything we buy comes from a complex network of businesses, activities, and processes known as a supply chain. Whether it’s a local business or a multinational corporation, the flow of goods from raw materials to final consumers relies on an efficient and well-organized supply chain. But...

How to Pick a Memphis or Atlanta Warehousing Company: Part 1 of 5 (Overview)

How to Pick a Memphis or Atlanta Warehousing Company (Part 1 of 5) With freight volumes fluctuating more than ever and retailers needing to make vital inventory decisions, warehousing has become a vital component to manage in your supply chain. There are 3 factors which need to be considered when selecting your warehouse provider. The team with the right experience, location and value will always be the right choice for you...

What Trucking Job Connects The Logistics Dots? PuD Trucking Does!

In our driver jobs series, we have looked at different types of driving jobs. When doing hot shot runs, drivers are typically only moving small amounts of freight over long distances as owner operators. Linehaul drivers move FTLs ( full-truckloads) of freight over two set terminals between partnering companies. Dedicated drivers usually only move freight between a couple locations for the same company. There’s one type of driver that...

The Blood that Keeps North America Alive: Linehaul Trucking is the Backbone of Trucking Jobs

There are many types of trucking jobs, but did you know that one of them is what holds our national economy together more than any other? Linehaul trucking is what connects cities across the continent in ground logistics. This type of trucking is not as flashy as the spot market and hot shot trucking. Nor is it as personally flexible as dedicated trucking is to its drivers. Yet, linehaul trucking is one of the most important logistics...

What Makes a Dedicated Trucker?

Trucking is often high intensity, sporadic, and time-sensitive in nature. This is especially true in the spot market where owner-operators and hotshot truckers are constantly on the go moving freight. However, not all trucking jobs are the same. In fact, one of the most steady or predictable trucking jobs is Dedicated Trucking. Set Hours, Routes, and Rates Dedicated Trucking is as challenging as other trucking jobs, but...

What it Takes: Hot Shot Trucking

When you think about trucking, you might think only one thing is involved in getting the job done: driving. If that is your assumption, then you aren't wrong. For many people outside of the logistics industry, not much thought is given to what it takes to be a truck driver. Most people that don't work directly with the supply chain might not realize that trucking jobs can be as varied as the different types of office work jobs. Today...

The Dangerous Reality of Driver Fatigue

Overview of Trucker Fatigue It is incredibly unsafe to drive while fatigued. According to the CDC, "After 17 consecutive hours awake, impairment is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05." If you are sleepy, your ability to think sharply and react to your surrounding is impaired. Quality sleep is the primary factor that determines your energy. However, other factors such as diet, exercise, and the use of...

3 Reasons Why Memphis is a Great City for Truck Drivers

What makes a city a great place to work as a driver? In our series highlighting what makes a great city for truck drivers, we are trying to answer that very question. In the last installment of this series, we looked at the city of Atlanta, GA. There's no doubt that Atlanta is a great city for truck drivers, but we'd be very wrong if we were to say that Atlanta is the only great city for this profession. Today, we want you to consider...

3 Reasons Why Atlanta Is A Great City for Truck Drivers

The supply chain is running fast and furious as we move into the new year and there's one position that every logistics company is looking to fill: Truck Drivers. Now more than ever, if you hold a CDL and you're looking for work, your skills are in high demand. If you live in the Southeast United States or you're looking to move to warmer weather, then there are a lot of places to choose to kick off your shoes after a long haul. Cities...

A Truck Driver’s Guide to Safely Navigating Railroad Crossings

We’ve all seen the videos. An 18-wheeler gets stuck at a railroad crossing as an oncoming train races towards it, with no hope of stopping in time. Helpless bystanders look on with terror as the driver abandons the vehicle and runs for cover. The results? They’re never pretty. In 2020, Operation Lifesaver reported 1,901 highway-rail grade crossing collisions. These accidents resulted in 688 injuries and 198 deaths. How do these...

Easley Update: 3 New Linehaul Locations to Help You Reach More Destinations

For years, we have provided extensive linehaul services out of Memphis, TN, and Atlanta, GA. Once again, we are excited to announce that our linehaul network is expanding. We have recently added 3 serviceable areas to our map: Greenville, SC (GSP) Greensboro, NC (GSO) Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) With these additions to our service area map, Easley is more capable than ever to meet your transportation needs in...

How to Back a Tractor-Trailer

Of all the maneuvers that truck drivers must perform, backing a tractor-trailer is one of the most difficult. Although backing only accounts for a small portion of your time behind the wheel, it has the potential to cause serious problems if you aren’t careful. But with the right approach, commercial vehicle operators can safely back their big rigs with confidence. There are multiple factors to consider when backing a...

3 Ways Cross-Docking Services Will Transform Your Supply Chain

Many people are missing out on serious savings and supply chain optimization because they’re not utilizing cross-dock services. If you’re not familiar with cross-docking, it’s the distribution technique of receiving an inbound shipment, unloading & sorting it, and reloading the sorted goods onto multiple outbound trucks. All of this is generally done in a matter of minutes or hours, meaning that minimal warehouse storage is...

4 Ways Truck Drivers Can Be Safer at Intersections

Intersections present some of the greatest safety challenges for commercial vehicle operators and passenger drivers alike. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that around 40% of accidents involved an intersection. Whether it’s a 4-way stop or a complex traffic light, truck drivers have to be on high alert. And while every instance is unique, there are several ways that truckers can best equip themselves for...

5 Free Smartphone Apps Every Trucker Can Benefit From

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “There’s an app for that.” While it’s cliché, it’s true. Believe it or not, there’s even an app for proposing marriage called “Will You Marry Me?” Ridiculous apps aside, smartphones have become essential parts of our lives, both personally and at work. And you, truck driver, are no exception. One survey found that a staggering 95% of truckers have smartphones! Fortunately for Road Warriors, there are...

Why Our Mission Statement Matters to Customers

As far as mission statements go, it’s hard to beat that of the USS Enterprise: “To explore strange, new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before.” Our mission at Easley Transportation is notably less ambitious than the one pursued by Captain Kirk and Commander Spock. However, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t excited by what we do. Though it lacks in extraterrestrial adventures...

The Do’s & Don’ts of Reacting to an Accident

No truck driver ever wants to be in an accident. That’s why we do everything we can to equip our company drivers -and all truck drivers, for that matter- with the knowledge and resources that they need to be as safe as possible. Accordingly, the primary goal is always to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. That being said, a prudent CDL driver will be mentally prepared for what to do in case of an emergency. No two...

5 Ways Truckers Can Stay Hydrated This Summer

Over the last 10 years, the daily high temperature in Memphis during the month of July has averaged 92 degrees. So, what better time to emphasize hydration? It’s no secret that staying adequately hydrated is crucial for a healthy lifestyle, regardless of your occupation. However, hydration isn’t just a matter of personal health for CDL drivers; it’s also a matter of safety. A study found that driving with moderate dehydration had...

Fueling for Success: 4 Healthy Eating Habits for Busy Truckers

Eating healthy is not often the first thing most truck drivers are thinking about, and they are suffering as a result. Driving a truck is a rigorous job that requires a high level of physical and mental fortitude. And, it rarely leaves extra time in the day to focus on healthy eating. Yet, nutrition is a key factor that influences a trucker’s performance and quality of life. A driver’s eating habits tremendously affect his/her...

Preventing Truck Driver Slips, Trips, & Falls

“Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” Oftentimes, we associate slips, trips, and falls with the elderly or our clumsy cousin. But, did you know that these are among the most common types of accidents in the workplace? Further, slips, trips, and falls can result in serious injuries with lasting consequences - especially for truck drivers and logistics workers. Even the most youthful and athletic drivers are not exempt from these...

Protect Yourself With These 5 Defensive Driving Techniques

Sometimes, even when you do everything that you’re supposed to, other drivers put you in potentially dangerous situations. By driving with a defensive mindset, you decrease your chances of being involved in an accident. Whether you are a CMV operator or a driver-in-training, you can benefit greatly from defensive driving. Here are 5 practical techniques that you can start practicing today to enhance your safety from behind the...

The Logistics of Motherhood

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, hopefully, you’re planning to take some time to honor and celebrate your mom. Mothers take on a lot of roles for their children - cook, teacher, and peacemaker, to name a few. But, have you ever considered that moms are also logistics experts? You read that right. Mothers around the world are supply chain masterminds, yet they rarely get credit for it. Let’s unpack a few ways that moms...

Truck Drivers: Finding the Right Company

Truck driving is a tough career, especially if you aren’t with the right company. Whether you drive over-the-road or specialize in local pickup and delivery, you know the hard work and dedication that is required of you. With so many different types of trucking career opportunities, you may find yourself wondering if you are at the right company. Or, perhaps you’re questioning if you’re in a role that’s best suited for you. Lay your...

Digging to the Core (Values): Excellence

We don’t think you deserve a lousy customer experience. That’s why Easley Transportation is guided by five core values: Responsibility, Integrity, Intensity, Safety, and Excellence. Throughout the last couple of months, we’ve been digging deep and analyzing each of these attributes at a closer level. Last, but most certainly not least, comes excellence. There’s a reason why we generally list this value after the others, and it’s not...

From Brew to You: National Beer Day

Eighty-eight years ago, Prohibition was ended in the United States thanks to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of the Cullen-Harrison Act. Now, many Americans recognize April 7 as National Beer Day to commemorate this historical amendment. The Repeal of Prohibition - 1933 Brewing quality beer is no small task. At the simplest level, it requires four ingredients: water, hops, malted barley, and yeast. From there, brewers...

Easley to Implement Self-driving Trucks by 2022

In our 35+ years of business, this is our biggest announcement yet. By this time next year, we will have replaced our entire fleet with fully electric self-driving trucks! This monumental transition will ensure that we and our customers are ready for whatever the future holds. However, our mission remains the same: to create transportation solutions by implementing the right technology to ensure that customers’ time-critical...

Digging to the Core (Values): Safety

For a transportation company, safety should be more than a topic covered in meetings. It’s more than a catchphrase, and it’s certainly more than a trendy hashtag. It’s a mindset. Safety holds an incredibly important place among our company’s core values. And while we do hold safety meetings and emphasize #safetyfirst, it goes much deeper. We genuinely strive to put safety at the forefront of every decision we make. We will...

Digging to the Core (Values): Intensity

The transportation industry in the Southeast is energetic and volatile, much like the Incredible Hulk. Problems like delays and miscommunication unfold for our customers every day, and it can quickly become overwhelming. To match this chaotic energy, we lean on our core value of Intensity. However, unlike Bruce Banner’s raging counterpart, our power is controlled and calculated. We will focus our energy on proactively solving our...

Why We Only Hire the Best – 6 Characteristics of an Easley Driver

At Easley, we like to refer to our drivers as Road Warriors. And as a transportation and logistics company, commercial drivers are the lifeblood of our daily operations. We strive to deliver a high level of service to our customers, and it wouldn’t be possible without exceptional truck drivers. Here are 6 characteristics of a true Easley Road Warrior: Protector Truckers aren’t just moving freight from point A to point B - they are the...

Digging to the Core (Values): Integrity

At Easley Transportation, we are guided by five core values: Responsibility, Integrity, Intensity, Safety, and Excellence. In our last post, we took a deeper look at Responsibility and explored how we take ownership of the freight we move and the choices we make. Now, let’s examine the principle of Integrity and how it pertains to the relationships we make with our customers. We will act with consistency in our character, with...

Digging to the Core (Values): Responsibility

At Easley Transportation, there are five core values that we focus on every single day: Responsibility, Integrity, Intensity, Safety, and Excellence. To help you better understand who we are as a company, allow us to guide you into a deeper understanding of these principles. First, let’s look at responsibility. We will take ownership of the freight that we transport and the decisions that we make to ensure our customers’ success...

Driving Into 2021 With Hope

By: Kevin Wilkins, CEO So, who would have guessed the wild swings in 2020? We certainly experienced one of the most challenging times in the history of our country. At Easley, our people responded with courage and determination to serve on the frontlines. As the pandemic swept across our country, they helped with the distribution of medical equipment and supplies. Our professional team of drivers, distribution personnel, and...

What Does Chinese New Year Mean for the Logistics Industry?

About Chinese New Year Chinese New Year (CNY), or the Spring Festival, is a traditional holiday that marks the beginning of the new year on the Chinese lunar calendar. Unlike western holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, CNY is not limited to one day. Officially, the holiday lasts one week, starting on Chinese New Year’s Eve. Realistically, however, the celebrations will be observed for up to a month. Because Chinese New Year...

How Truck Drivers (And You) Can Fight Human Trafficking

Did you know that January has been designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month? Human trafficking is a horrific crime that ruins lives and exploits the most vulnerable – and unfortunately, it’s happening in all 50 states. Further, this form of modern-day slavery utilizes every form of transportation, including roads, railways, waterways, and airways. As professionals in the transportation and logistics industry, it’s our...

How to Combat the Hazards of Truck Driving in Winter Weather

Earlier this week, Memphis experienced a somewhat rare occurrence: snow! It wasn't much, but it was snow nonetheless. While this means snowball fights and hot chocolate for the kiddos, the same can’t be said for truckers. Snow, ice, and other wintery conditions present a handful of challenges for drivers, and for the logistics industry as a whole. In this article, we’ll dive into some common truck driving hazards caused by winter...

Can Trucks Stop as Quickly as Passenger Vehicles?

Travel Safety: Stopping Distance Newton's first law of motion states that an object in motion remains in motion. Thankfully, automobiles have braking systems in place to combat this physics phenomenon. But, do all vehicles stop alike? (SPOILER ALERT: they don't!) While our stop-motion animation is not able to fully capture the scale of cars' and trucks' stopping distances, it does give you a general idea of the difference. According...

Facilities Overview: Memphis & Atlanta

In a year with so many challenges, one of the toughest adjustments for us has been the inability to meet face-to-face with our customers and prospective customers. Under normal circumstances, we love the opportunity to build relationships and get to know the people who are seeking our services. But, 2020 has dealt us all a different set of cards, and we've done our best to adapt. A huge part of choosing a service provider in the...

Will Your E-Commerce Order Make it in Time?

Christmas is rapidly approaching, which means that many of us will soon be scrambling to find last-minute gifts for friends and loved ones. In years past, procrastinators have mostly been able to get away with delaying their holiday shopping. However, 2020 is no ordinary year. For a multitude of reasons, we recommended that your take care of your Christmas shopping (especially online orders) as soon as possible. Here’s why... Demand...

The Eye-Opening Reality of Blind Spots

As is the case with many holidays, Thanksgiving comes along with road trips and busy highways. According to The Bureau of Transportation Statistics, long-distance travel in the U.S. increases by 54% in the days surrounding Thanksgiving. And, with this uptick in road travel comes in increase in motor vehicle accidents. Sadly, the National Safety Council projects upwards of 480 auto-related fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday...

The Future is Now: Omni-Channel Fulfillment

The Rise of Omni-Channel Fulfillment Life before the internet was simple. To communicate with someone, you either spoke in person, wrote a letter, or talked on the phone. Much like human interaction, logistics were a lot simpler in the pre-internet days. To buy goods, consumers just went to the store, and as long as the shelves were stocked, everyone was happy. Fast forward to the present, and that just isn’t the case. Not only has...

How it Works: First & Final Mile

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and e-commerce has never been more relevant. Much due to the social-distancing measures resulting from the coronavirus, many consumers have resorted to online shopping as their primary method of obtaining goods. And, one aspect of e-commerce that often gets overlooked is first/final mile logistics. What is it, and how does it work? You could simply define first mile logistics as the...

Revenues Soar as Capacity Remains Low: Air Freight in Q3

Market Update The first half of 2020 was a wild ride for the air freight industry. Due to passenger flight cancellations and capacity restraints, volumes fell harshly. However, industry-wide revenue was actually up because rates skyrocketed when capacity became so scarce. But, how did things turn out in the third quarter? Situationally, not much changed. Capacity remained in a crunch, as did volumes. Due to the lingering...

Picking Up the Slack: Ocean Freight in Q3

Market UPDATE As we reported earlier this year, ocean freight volumes experienced a delayed impact from the pandemic because of the 30-40 days required to move cargo across the ocean. Air freight, on the other hand, felt the consequences of government shutdowns and quarantine measures almost instantly. In the second quarter, the ocean freight industry got a taste of COVID-19 and was victim to some fluctuations in volumes because of...

Freight Update: Consumer Demand on the Rise

Market Update 2020 has been anything but a typical year in transportation (and in every regard, for that matter). Our market updates throughout the summer followed the bizarre happenings amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Freight volumes plummeted in the Spring when international passenger flights halted. However, the second quarter proved a shocking one when import volumes increased, as did consumer demand for goods. Now with the fourth...

The Advantages of Air Freight Linehaul Services

WHY USE AIR FREIGHT LINEHAUL SERVICES INSTEAD OF LTL? A linehaul, as we’ve previously established, is the long-distance transport of a shipment between two cities. In this context, linehauls are moved via truck and often involve air freight. If you’re not familiar with linehaul services, check out this post to learn the basics. If you have a firm understanding of what a linehaul is and how it works, you may still be wondering why...

How It Works: Air Freight Linehaul

HOW DO LINEHAULS WORK? Air freight linehaul services have become a staple in the transportation industry. Every night, truckers across the country drive linehaul routes so we can enjoy the convenience of expedited shipping and next day delivery. But what is an air freight linehaul, and how does it work? In essence, a linehaul is the long-distance movement of a shipment between two cities. Generally speaking, a linehaul involves a...

The Upcoming Crisis in Cold Chain Logistics

Icy Outlook In a year in which the transportation industry has been radically impacted by the pandemic, it now appears that yet another supply chain crisis is on the way, once again courtesy of COVID-19. And it’s all got to do with cold chain logistics. Cold chain logistics, the transportation and storage of cargo that must be refrigerated or frozen at certain temperatures, is most often associated with food. Consider dairy...

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sBeY38zp9s Road Warriors: More than a truck driver Every day, 3.5 million Americans wake up in the early hours of the morning ready for work. However, these men and women don’t clock in at an office. They don’t spend their day looking at a computer screen, and they certainly don’t kill time at the water cooler. Rather, they spend their hours on the road, transporting the goods that we so often take for...

Logistics in Action: Responding to Hurricane Laura

Last week, Hurricane Laura made landfall in the United States and wreaked havoc in Texas and Louisiana. Thousands of families are displaced and in desperate need of food and shelter. As always, the National Guard and other response teams rapidly deployed to the affected areas with much-needed resources such as food and water. So, where does the transportation industry fit in? The Unsung Heroes Ultimately, logistics can always be...

“The Craziest Half Year Ever” – Air Freight in the First Half of 2020

https://youtu.be/zOQUGu5Q-MA "Craziest Half Year in Air Cargo" It goes without saying that the first half of 2020 was an interesting time. It’s hard to make a blanket statement about what happened because different places around the world were affected so differently. Perhaps only one word properly conveys the universal effects of the pandemic: crazy. No matter where you are from, January – June was a chaotic period of...

How It Works: Air Freight

https://youtu.be/GhsCX3vynAA What is Air Freight? We throw around the term “air freight” all the time. As a transportation company, air freight is the backbone of our operations. But what exactly is air freight and how does it work? Further, why does it matter? The answer is simple, though it might not work exactly how you think. As most would guess, air freight is cargo that moves on an airplane. But, digging a little deeper...

Slowly But Surely – June Air Freight Volumes | Q2, Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQUeWNKB4CM EASLEY ANSWERS – INTERNATIONAL AIR FREIGHT VOLUMES As the old saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Similarly, the air cargo market will take some time to recover. Air freight volumes dropped 17% year-on-year in June 2020, compared to a 20% year-on-year decline in May. This marked the second consecutive month of improvement. But, just because the market gradually recovered in June...

A Glimmer of Hope – May Air Freight Volumes | Q2, Part 2

https://youtu.be/PflLIhnqD5s Easley Answers - International Air Freight Volumes By the month of May, the world seemed to have somewhat adjusted to the “new normal.” Though things were far from the way they used to be, people and businesses adapted to the situation. Restaurants emphasized curbside pickup, schools wrapped up remote classes, and the workforce became proficient with Zoom. But, where did that leave the air cargo market? ...

Sailing Through the Pandemic – Ocean Freight in Q1

https://youtu.be/-ayCc2LmaYw ocean freight, Q1 2020 - Easley answers We've all heard the phrase "on the slow boat to China." While this quip is often used comedically, it can have a very literal meaning in the transportation industry. When compared to air cargo, ocean freight simply moves slower. Just as ocean freighters move slowly, so did the impact of COVID-19 on the ocean freight industry. The industry as a whole experienced a...

In the Eye of the Storm – April Air Freight Volumes | Q2, Part 1

https://youtu.be/HbiYXsLGQkM Easley answers - International Air Freight Volumes Full lockdown. Working from home. Remote learning. These are just a few of the many lifestyle changes that society had to embrace in April. As the first quarter neared its end, businesses panicked while attempting to survive the fallout. Along with the rest of the world, the air cargo industry was rapidly adapting to this new reality. April...

Easley Answers – Air Freight Volume, Q1, Part 2 (March)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LIxIJjLQg March 2020 In the third month of the year, the coronavirus became a harsh reality in the United States. As COVID-19 began sweeping through the country, the government introduced restrictions, businesses scaled back and schools prepared for remote learning. Belly Capacity & Passenger Flights Concerning the air cargo industry, the challenging times continued...

Easley Answers- Air Freight Volume Q1, Part 1 (January & February)

https://youtu.be/1TyfAvKXyFI International Air Freight The transportation industry experienced some unprecedented statistics during the first quarter of 2020. The coronavirus outbreak, among other things, caused several heavy hits to the air freight industry, including travel limitations, manufacturing disruptions and supply chain disorientation. January – Trouble in China According to the IATA Air Cargo Market...

Easley Answers: Back on Track (Part 2 of 2)

Welcome back to Easley Answers Easley Answers is a new series where we have Kevin, our logistics expert at Easley, share his wisdom and knowledge. Here we get to ask him all the hard questions, and he has to answer them! This episode covers the question that is on all of our minds... Now that the COVID pandemic has hit, when will the international freight industry go back to normal. Hear Kevin’s answer and tell us if...

Easley Answers: Back on Track (Part 1 of 2)

Welcome to Easley Answers Easley Answers is a new series where we have Kevin, our logistics expert at Easley, share his wisdom and knowledge. Here we get to ask him all the hard questions, and he has to answer them! If you would like to ask Kevin some crazy hard question, please submit it to [email protected]! This episode covers the question that is on all of our minds... Now that the COVID pandemic has...

HOW TO PICK A MEMPHIS OR ATLANTA WAREHOUSING COMPANY: PART 5 OF 5 (Final Words)

Here we are at the end of our 5 part series on picking a Memphis or Atlanta warehousing company. In this series, we analyzed the location, value, and team components when making a decision to outsource warehousing or distribution services. Let's review these key value drivers, so we can learn how to make better supply chain choices. Location is Crucial Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of where you...

HOW TO PICK A MEMPHIS OR ATLANTA WAREHOUSING COMPANY: PART 4 OF 5 (Gauging Warehousing Expertise)

Your supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Choosing the wrong warehouse provider is a detrimental mistake. In this series, we have identified 2 of the 3 factors needed to find your perfect warehouse provider; the right location and the right value. In this article we will discuss how to identify the warehouse with the right people. Two Factors you Must Assess when Choosing a Warehouse Provider ...

HOW TO PICK A MEMPHIS OR ATLANTA WAREHOUSING COMPANY: PART 3 OF 5 (To Value, or Not to Value)

Value is one of the primary factors to consider when choosing a 3rd party warehousing company. At Easley, we use the term value to distinguish from relationships based on pricing. When making a change to pick a warehousing provider, a company needs a long term relationship that is a value based partnership. The pricing and service levels are the primary driving components of value-based partnerships. These service levels are...

How to Pick a Memphis or Atlanta Warehousing Company: Part 2 of 5 (Location Location Location)

Welcome back to our 5 part series written to help you understand how to choose the best warehouse for your company. Last week we gave an overview of the 3 key factors in selecting the perfect warehouse. When a company starts the search for a third party warehousing company, the first consideration needs to be centered around the best location in the country. The best location is sometimes a very difficult question when you start...

#KeepTruckin through the Covid Cloud

#KeepTruckin through the Covid Cloud There seems to be an ominous darkness sweeping over our country. We appear to have lost our way as a society and we are stumbling through this cloud of uncertainty trying to find a safe place. Yes, most of us have had to drastically change our daily routines as we work from home, practice social distancing and adjust to a much slower pace of life. Baseball seasons have been cancelled. My...

We’re Sorry Annie (the alpaca)…

We've done a terrible disservice to Annie the Alpaca... It has recently come to our attention that the picture of the "alpaca" that we have so lovingly embraced by placing her likeness on all of our emails, newsletters, koozies, and stickers is actually a picture of her cousin: Lucy the Llama (Talk about a face-palm). Of course, Annie is so happy and non-confrontational that she never told us that we were representing her...

Paving the Way With Linehaul

We recently posted an update to our website talking about our Expanding Linehaul Network. The map below shows our recently expanded footprint. How Does Linehaul Expansion Help You? Don’t you love it when a new highway is built that allows you to move between two points much faster than you used to? The opening of Interstate 269 in the Memphis-area about a year ago was a life changer. For instance, it cuts about half an hour off...

Keeping Your Customers Happy

There's no doubt about it, poor customer service in the information age kills businesses very quickly. Just look at a popular Airline carrier in 2017 after their less-than appropriate handling of a customer on a flight. Social media exploded in outrage and just two days later, this passenger carrier's stock dropped by $1.4 Billion. Customer service is front and center in today's consumer market, and that is just as true in B2B...

Generating Customer Loyalty… Behind the Wheel!

I’ve been involved in some level of customer service, including leading customer service teams, for most of my career. I’ve read numerous books, dozens of articles, and listened to some well-respected speakers on the subject. I’m not an expert in any way, but I tend to think that I know a thing or two about generating customer loyalty. Perhaps the greatest lesson I’ve had on this subject came just the other day, and it came from a...

The Top Five Considerations When Looking for a Logistics Provider

The logistics industry in the United States is massive. Last year, U.S. Core Transportation Sector Revenues totaled over 1.2 Trillion USD. Looking more closely at the data, over 5.7 trillion tons of freight were moved in the US alone. In an industry with such a massive impact on the economy, it's no wonder that there are thousands of logistics providers to choose from. We can agree that finding the best logistics provider for your...

Making Music with Trucking and Warehouses

Memphis is abuzz this time of the year because May is only a day away. It's not because of the May flowers that are beginning to bloom, nor is it because Summer is right around the corner. Those of you that live in and around the area know that Memphis in May is one of the most entertaining events in Memphis for the entire year. For those of you who don't live in the Memphis area, Memphis in May is a culmination of multiple events in...

Transportation Saves Lives

As consumers in the modern world, we place a lot of value on fast service. We can find fast food chains on nearly every street corner, we use two-day shipping with Amazon Prime, and we demand the fastest internet speeds we can get. We are fully immersed in an on-demand economy that is driven by our desire for convenience. However, we rarely think about the inputs that go into this extremely fast service. The inputs that go into this...

Restoring the Power: The Chinese New Year

It’s that time of year again that all of us in the logistics industry have planned for (hopefully) months in advance. No, not Black Friday. We’re talking about the Chinese New Year (CNY). Few know that the Chinese New Year is the largest annual mass migration on the planet. Approximately 80 million Chinese workers migrate from urban work centers along the coast to their rural hometowns creating between two to four weeks of...

2019 Freight Forecast

The year in review has been a little hectic, seemingly unpredictable, and laden with threats and opportunities. We have done our best to keep our finger on the pulse of this wild year, and have come up with a few predictions for 2019. Amidst trade wars, government regulations, capacity shortage, and increasingly volatile markets, the logistics industry has changed faces many times and when accounting for more technological revolutions...

Van On Demand

A lot of services offered in the shipping industry have evolved alongside the purchasing preferences of businesses and individuals. Important aspects like visibility and communication have become more efficient, and that is what customers seem to want in an "On-Demand Economy." However, much of the LTL shipping characteristics have stayed in the past, which tends to cause headaches for shippers. Some of these specific headaches...

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: Dedicated Trucking Services

With more and more demand for products but less drivers to move those products from point A to point B, what is a company to do? According to analysts, the shipping market is growing and doesn't show any signs of slowing down due to increased global access. This increase in shipping is a symptom of increased consumer and business demand. While the market is trending upwards, the number of drivers to move this demand is trending...

Modern Day Slavery

Many of us in the United States have the privilege to live fairly comfortable, conflict-free lives. We rarely have to think about the worries and hardships that our ancestors had to face. We know of the atrocities of slavery up until the end of the 19th century, but slavery was abolished and we have progressed as a society, right? In fact, slavery still exists today, and it is the world's fastest-growing crime. Did you know that this...

Cross-Dock vs. Transload

Reinforcing the Chains

What if you discovered a path to optimize and accelerate the flow of physical goods, as well as the complex flow of information and financial transactions for your business? A route that would facilitate greater efficiency, provides superior transparency, and produces unquestioned traceability in the supply chain? A road that would greatly reduce costs and errors, even if it is less traveled by, might indeed make all the difference...

Switching Gears and Changing Lanes

The first half of this year has been a whirlwind in our industry. Like we have mentioned in previous posts, the market conditions have been crazy, and it's presented both challenges and opportunities for us. New government regulations have contributed to tight capacity within the market, and rates across the board have increased. To adapt and take advantage of these conditions, we've had to shift gears regarding our overall...

Dedicated Heroes

We have real life heroes on our team, and it's official. Here's the story: What makes a hero? We use this title all of the time to honor someone who has done something exceptional. It tends to get over-used, which often dilutes the meaning. Merriam-Webster defines a hero as: "A person admired for achievements and noble qualities," or "one who shows great courage." We like to define our heroes as those who sacrifice their time...

Easley’s Higher Purpose: A Tribal Love

By: Kevin Wilkins, CEO Several years ago, Simon Sinek did this very enlightening Ted Talk about how great leaders inspire action, and according to Mr. Sinek, it starts with the question: “Why?” Since we are a service based company, the core of what we do is serving others’ transportation needs. Tying our purpose to a little bit of Alpaca thinking (When kept with other livestock like sheep, they will actively chase, scream at, or...

Has the Logistics Industry Changed Forever?

What do you think of when you hear the words sleek, innovative, and disruptive? You may be thinking of Silicon Valley and the internet technology industry. We were thinking of the near-future of the logistics industry. The logistics industry has been described as "boring" and "slow to adapt to change." Well, these descriptors will soon be outdated in light of Tesla's most recent unveiling. The Tesla Truck might just cause an industry...

March Madness & the Mighty Mississippi: Memphis Intermodal, ELDs, and the Transportation Market

Do we have any real control over the mighty Mississippi, and what happens if it floods? To a significant degree, you can only react to the Forces of Nature. In a very similar manner, the ELD mandate in December of last year has created a very unique chain reaction in the transportation market. Some market forces are almost like an act of God. You can't control the Memphis Intermodal market, and we sure can't stop the mighty Mississippi...

Caring for the Least of These

We recently had the opportunity to come across an organization that simultaneously broke our hearts and gave us hope. We are so excited about what they are doing, and we knew that you would be glad to see it as well. It is incredibly hard for an adult to find the encouragement and stability to claw themselves out of poverty. It's nearly impossible for a child that was born into it. Compassion International is a not-for-profit...

ELD Mandate Problems: Dedicated to a Solution

Cheap puns aside, carriers are running out of time to comply with the ELD mandate criteria. Although the mandate was officially put into effect on December 18th, 2017, the industry in its entirety will be effected for those who have not been prepared for this change. As of April 1, 2018, any driver, carrier or equipment that violates the rules specified in the ELD mandate will be put out of service via the OOSC...

Great People: Yesterday and Tomorrow

It's 2018 and as a human race, we have advanced beyond the wildest dreams of our ancestors. Self-driving cars, computers that can reason with an intelligence that we manufactured, and even conquering the countless diseases that would take someone's life just decades ago are just a few of the accomplishments that prove to show that we are living in the future. Although we have many victories to be proud of, we would be foolish not to...

EASLEY’S MAN OF STEEL

Did you know that the Superman of Transportation works at Easley? Like Clark Kent, this tall, dark, handsome man is soft spoken and mild mannered. But, don’t let this kind, shy veneer fool you. There is a Man of Steel hidden underneath. By the way, his name is Robbie Jennings. Let me tell you one of his heroic stories. On a hot, humid Memphis afternoon, Robbie was running an errand for Easley when he happened upon a stranded mom...

We Ship It Wednesday

What if we told you that we recently shipped a bicycle beer cart with 14 seats? Chances are, you wouldn’t believe us unless you saw a picture. Well, here’s the picture. You might be wondering, “How did this shipment come about?” Evidently, this cart was manufactured overseas. It arrived to us in an ocean shipping container. We unloaded it at our warehouse and assembled it. We then loaded it onto a flatbed trailer for final...

Easley’s Core Values Explained

Mission Statement: Easley Transportation creates transportation solutions by placing the right people in the right place to ensure that customers’ time-critical shipments arrive at the right time. Responsibility – We will take ownership of the freight that we transport and the decisions that we make to ensure our customers’ success. How is it possible for us to take ownership of the freight and the decisions that we...

Solar Eclipse and the Supply Chain

By now, you all know about the Solar Eclipse and we're sure you're just as excited to witness the celestial movement as we are. It seems that social media, local governments, and many businesses have talked about nothing else for the past month. Indeed, it will be a sight to behold. But, did you know that this event means more than just eclipse glasses and darkness at lunchtime? In fact, the solar eclipse has meant big...

How it Ships: Pencils

It's that time of year again. Back to Walmart for those school supplies for the kiddos. Load up your cart with binders, notebooks and lots of pencils. We use pencils every day, but where do these things even come from? Pencils are just one other tool that we encounter almost on a daily basis, whether you are a student, a teacher, a business person, a draftsman, an artist, etc. However, we rarely give a second thought to these wooden...

Alpaca That For You

By: Kevin Wilkins, CEO Alpacas look a lot like their close cousin, the llama, but in reality alpacas and llamas are very different animals. Easley Transportation might look like a trucking company with a warehouse, but just like the alpaca, we are a very different transportation company compared to most of our competitors. Let me take the next few minutes and help you understand what makes alpacas so special and Easley so unique...

Reflecting on “The Why”

It's an inevitable question that we all ponder. That is, "Why do we really do what we do (as a company)?" There are many good answers to this, no doubt. Making money is certainly at the top of the list. Is that really why we run a transportation company? Not entirely... This past month we heard the story of one of our very own. Her name is Lindsay, and she is a wife, mother, and a committed team member. Her lovely...

Easley: Delivering Hope

Easley Transportation likes to be a fun-loving and creative environment that provides an exciting place of work for our employees. Every year around the first week of May, we hold a company-wide Spirit Week! This year, one of our themes was to dress up as your favorite charity. When we asked our employees why they chose to represent certain charities during our Spirit Week, here's what they said: Hope International: "I support...

Memphis Crossdocking, Haircuts, and Cancer Donations

Last week we ran an internal sales contest. The idea was to generate more sales leads for services like Memphis crossdocking, national hotshots, cold chain solutions, etc. We wanted to come up with a fun way to build momentum around this challenge. One of our customer service/sales reps, Caleb, stepped-up in a big way. He agreed to shave his head if we collectively reached our weekly goal. The before and after pictures below tell the...

Memphis Logistics By Hand and Foot

As a part of our "We Ship It Wednesday" series, we want to share a crazy story of what we shipped recently. We say that we'll provide some "outside of the box" shipping solutions. That's not just talk. Here's an example of a wacky and fun Memphis logistics solution that we recently provided a customer. A member of our sales team received a call a couple weeks ago at 2pm on a weekday. The customer needed one box picked-up at a...

We Ship It Wednesday

We get asked frequently, "What all do you ship?" In an effort to answer this question, we've started a campaign on social media called "We Ship It Wednesday." So, each Wednesday we've begun sharing with the world the various types of freight that we ship. We'll do it in the form of this blog post as well...because the world is asking. People need answers. So what do we ship? The short answer is that we'll ship just about anything on...

Spreading Routes

We announced earlier this year about our expansion into Atlanta. Our new location there has been operating for over a month now. Our Atlanta team has hit the ground running! Several folks have asked us questions like, "How's Atlanta going?", "What kind of operation is it?", and "What services are you offering at this point?" As we've stated previously, our intention all along has been to open an office in Atlanta, which would...

Heavy Cross Dock: Outside the Box Solutions

A critical part of our mission as a company is to "create transportation solutions" for our customers. Not all solutions are the same. We often find ourselves thinking outside the box in order to offer the right solution. It's second-nature to us, and this practice has generated some really cool opportunities. A prime example of this relates to heavy cross-dock (aka heavy trans-load) projects. Let's consider a real life example. We...

Warehouse Safety

The warehouse of a company that handles moving the freight that Easley does can come with some inherent dangers. We put safety at the top of our priority list and meet quarterly to discuss and reinforce basic safety principles. Some of the potential risks of working in a warehouse include product falling onto employees’ head, feet, arms or legs; Lifting dock plates and constantly adjusting them; and forklift or pallet jacks rolling...

The Future of Distribution

Where does the future of industrial distribution lie? The established order has featured a diverse base of regional and national distributors that vary in products and services provided. Distributors have been successful in reaching their customers through direct sales forces and product catalogs. But the old way of being successful has come to a crossroads. New business models are needed in industrial distribution. While many...

Expedited Trucking: What you need to know

Who could better understand expedited expedited trucking than an air freight company? Easley Transportation understands the urgency in expedited shipping. Our people have learned to respond at a minutes notice to those obstacles that can delay a shipment, and we can also anticipate those unforeseen disturbances that can be avoided with the proper planning and expertise. Since we've learned so much in the business, we thought you...

Employee Spotlight: Chris L.

Question: How long have you worked here at Easley? Chris: Since September so... I'm at or around 9 months working here now. Q: What is your job here? C: I work directly with accounts payable. Q: What feature of your job do you enjoy most? C: As an accounting major, I really enjoy all the relevant experience I get here. Q: What about your job to you least enjoy? C: Tracking down paperwork for bill payments can get difficult...

Memphis: The Mecca of Distribution

The city of Memphis was founded on May 22, 1819 and was named it after the ancient capital of Egypt on the Nile River. Memphis developed as a trade and transportation center in the 19th century because of its flood-free location high above the Mississippi River. Located in the delta region along the river, most of the surrounding areas were developed as cotton plantations, and the city became a major cotton market and brokerage center...

The Drivers

As a transportation and logistics company, there are many valuable pieces that must be in place before any business can be done. One piece of this (and arguably the most valuable) is the team of drivers hauling the freight. What makes drivers so valuable? These men and women provide an essential service to everybody in society by carrying goods, raw materials, etc. to, from...

Count on Easley

"The Easley team has always exceeded my expectations. Easley is my one stop shop for local, truckload, LTL, and hotshot needs. If I need something moved, I make one call and it is done. I would highly recommend Easley Transport to anyone." ---- Ron Monmaney, Co-Owner/Exec. Vice...

Easley Ride Along Series: Episode 1 with Reggie

watch here!

Time-Definite Delivery Defined

Consider the following scenario: You have been shopping online for over a month for a new set of golf clubs. You finally make the purchase, and you can't wait to have the new clubs in hand. When it comes to shipping the clubs, you take into account that you will be playing golf on the weekend. In your mind, it's critically important to receive the clubs by the end of the day on Friday. You decide to pay a slightly higher shipping...

How to Choose a Logistics Partner

Tips of the Trade: How to Choose a Logistics Partner Looking for a partner in logistics is like shopping for any other service that is created to meet your needs, but comes with a bit of homework as well. Sometimes you do not have the time or resources to devote to your shipping needs, and Easley Transportation knows that all too well. When choosing a partner in logistics, the decision ultimately comes down to three important...

Heavy Cross Dock

Efficiency has become an imperative factor as far as the growth of an organisation is concerned. One strategy that is consistently applied to achieve this growth is Cross-docking. Put into effect appropriately, cross-docking provides significant improvements in terms of speed and productivity. Some of the main reasons cross docking is employed is to: Provide a site for products to be sorted and similar products combined to be...

Easley Goes Over The Edge

Blake Weaver & The Easley Team jumped off a building for Orphanos, check it out!

Your Comprehensive Guide to Intermodal Containers

Intermodal containers are used frequently in shipping, due to their standardized design. This design allows the containers to be transported from ship to rail to truck without stopping to unload and reload the enclosed freight. Intermodal containers, as you can see, are sometimes referred to as Ocean containers and exist in many types and a number of standardized sizes. Easley mostly deals with High Cube and Dry Freight...

Blood Red: Saving Lives Through Transportation and Logistics

Easley Transportation is a trucking and logistics company. We move freight. On the surface, that sounds rather boring, but when you stop and think about what we really do, it's much more significant. In fact, it's comparable to what blood means to your body. That's a bold claim, but it's true. Blood transports nutrients throughout your body. Without blood, your body shuts down, making it critical to the overall...

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