The logistics industry in general, and the domestic supply chain and cold chain in particular have been seeing unprecedented demand.

From a consumer perspective, news sources like CBS and Supply Chain Dive are talking about item shortages and long delays and price increases due to logistics costs and challenges. From a shipper’s perspective, The Wall Street Journal reports the expectation that shipping issues will persist into 2022 due to labor and equipment shortages and the backlog of freight. Issues at US Ports are widely reported on, with dozens of ships caught in limbo, awaiting dock at West Coast ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach. Meanwhile East Coast ports are backing up as well, further exacerbating delays entering peak holiday shipping season.

Domestically, the trucking shortage is an acute issue, with American Trucking Associations’ Chief Economist Bob Costello reporting a shortage of approximately 80,000 truck drivers. These manpower shortages are causing challenges in virtually all regions and lanes, and for all types of good, perhaps none more so than the time sensitive food categories.

One of the most straight-forward and easiest to implement solutions to addressing peak season challenges is leveraging a provider, who is decentralized from fleet issues and labor constraints of asset-based logistics firms. An excellent way to vet a firm quickly is to look at their demonstrable multi-year track record. Capital Logistics has been a Top-100 Food Shipper as ranked by Food Logistics magazine for three years running. Capital has been an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for each of the last two years, and has won awards from publishers and clients including 914 INC Magazine and Target Corporation.