DrayTech 2023 took place last week in San Pedro at a new venue, The Double Tree Hotel, which offered the ability to host more folks and end with a bang.   

This year, three big things stood out to the group of folks we had in attendance (four, if you count the contortionists).

Drayage is a Community

Even though many attendees were competitors, either as providers of capacity or TMS solutions, there is a tremendous sense of us all “being in this together.” This is true, regardless of whether the market is booming or bombing, and it is fantastic to see how many conversations at DrayTech start with some version of “How can we work together?”

For Envase, this meant highlighting the breadth and depth of our services, from TMS to Yard Support and Rate Intelligence to Automated Gates. Nearly all of our conversations focused on identifying hidden value, which is a key reason we’re always looking to expand our marketplace. We even delved into how the data we secure and retain for carriers can be used to lower insurance rates. We have many follow-up discussions coming but are excited about the partnership opportunities that came out of the event.  

The Freight Rebound… ?

About that freight rebound — We’ve all heard how a rising tide lifts all boats. But currently, the market is awaiting any sign of flooding.

On the main stage, many of the presentations and discussions focused on how carriers can remain viable as businesses due to the low rates and minimal volumes. Freight is cyclical; there will be a rebound. But it sure looks like it will be a longer cycle than is normal (one of the sheets we shared at the show was about how we can help carriers navigate the current environment. You can download it here). 

5-Ways-Envase-Helps-You-Manage-Your-Top-and-Bottom-Line-PDFDownload

Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)

ZEVs are coming, whether truckers want them or not.

The ride-and-drive portion of the event was terrific, with zero-emission vehicles from a host of manufacturers on site and available to be tested. In LA/Long Beach (and really, California all around), the mandate for Zero Emission vehicles is coming rapidly; we’re about seven months away from when new registrations will be limited to ZEVs.

The infrastructure isn’t quite ready yet. The vehicles are still being developed. But we’re at the point where you can see the finish line as more than some interesting concept.  

It isn’t a stretch to say this was the biggest and best DrayTech yet. Karla Sanchez and Melissa Summers from the Harbor Trucker’s Association truly outdid themselves this year. As for Envase, we’re already counting down the days until DrayTech 2024.  

Hope to see you there.   

DrayTECH 2023 Photo Gallery

Thank you to Marc Harris for the incredible work of documenting DrayTECH23 with stunning photography. All credits to Marc Harris for the photographs in this piece.

Charlotte, NC September 12, 2022 – Nascent Technology, a global leader in Automated Gate Systems (AGS) for the container supply chain and Buckeye Mountain, Inc., an innovator in intermodal IT solutions,  announce the formalization of their partnership and the release of a new joint product offering that optimizes inland container depots, warehouses, distribution centers and rail yards.

The RapidGate solution takes 26 years and over 1200 lanes of gate automation expertise from Nascent and integrates components and software from that solution into a wholly new Buckeye Mountain RapidDeploy power and communications device proven at hundreds of container facilities in North America. The new offering empowers facility operators to transition away from manually operated entry and exit checkpoints and into more automated, secure, and environmentally friendly gate operations. The fully integrated system is 100% self-contained in a solar powered 20’ shipping container that is fast and easy to deploy and requires no costly physical infrastructure or permits. The future of gates is green!

“Nascent, and our sister company Envase, which provides drayage TMS platforms for over 30% of the intermodal market in North America, is committed to optimizing the supply chain ecosystem,” said Larry Cuddy, CEO of Envase. “RapidGate is tailor made for small, typically leased container depots that historically have been unable to afford a traditional AGS due to all the  site preparation costs.”

RapidGate enables any facility to:

• Automatically identify and process 100% of gate traffic, enabling real-time billing and inventory accuracy
• Remove paper and people from the lanes
• Maintain high-security access control even during 24/7 operations
• Reduce congestion while lowering overhead costs
• Manage errors and exceptions remotely via software

RapidGate is installed quickly and without invasive trenching and underground conduit and without involving any local resources to provide AC power or remote internet connections needed for monitoring, support and exception handling. The net result is an entirely self-sustaining AGS outfitted with a solar powered battery array and redundant 5G remote internet communications that can be dropped onto any facility and be operational in a matter of days.  Best of all, this affordable, easy-to-install solution has flexible lease purchase options that eliminates upfront costs.

About Nascent

NASCENT Technology (www.nascent.com) is the worldwide leader and pioneer in the development, manufacture, installation, and service of fully integrated, scalable hardware and software for gates, kiosks, safety, and security monitoring equipment. As one of the pioneers of Automated Gate Systems (AGS) to the industry, NASCENT has consistently led the way in new technology-based solutions, providing several innovations and industry firsts. Backed by unrivaled engineering, assembly, software development, QA, and support organizations, NASCENT continues to draw on its vast industry experience and keen focus on supply chain operations to provide unparalleled solutions.

About Envase

Envase provides mission-critical, cloud-based transportation management systems (TMS) and mobile applications to the supply chain, with a core focus on the drayage trucking space. The software merges order entry, truck dispatch, container tracking, electronic data interchange document imaging, invoicing, and billing settlements, among other functions, into a single, streamlined system providing carrier efficiencies and container visibility over the supply chain. For more information, visit:  www.envasetechnologies.com.

About Buckeye Mountain

Buckeye Mountain (www.buckeyemountain.com) has delivered comprehensive technology solutions to the railroad and intermodal transportation industries for over 15 years. Buckeye Mountain services include wireless, rugged hardware deployment and support, asset tracking and specialized equipment maintenance software solutions, and highly specialized wireless networking design, implementation, and support. Through intelligent design, experienced hardware selection, and superior service, Buckeye Mountain maximizes the capabilities, efficiency, and up-time of technology in the field.

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Press Contact:

Chelsey Reynolds, VP Revenue

Envase

creynolds@envasetechnologies.com

508-245-9643

Take Control Over Rising Fuel Costs

Phone the Envase Fuel Team at 603-217-2119 (Option 2) or email them at fuelteam@envasetechnologies.com for discounts on fuel maintenance and tires!

What is a Freight Broker & How do they fit into shipping?

Simplistically, a freight broker is an intermediary between shippers and carriers. But like everything in shipping and trucking, freight brokering isn’t that simple…

Read the Full Blog

DM Warehouse

The complete solutions for 3rd party warehousing operation, DM Warehouse allows you to rework, repack, put away, product transfer and many other secondary warehouse operations. Request a Demo to learn more!

Request a Demo

Meet with Envase

Envase is excited to be attending TPM 2022 (Feb 27th – March 2nd) with MatchBack Systems, where you can learn more about Envase Street Turn.

Envase is also proud to be a Silver Sponsor of Georgia Logistics Summit 2022 (March 16th) this year! Email events@envasetechnologies.com to arrange a time to meet at either event. We look forward to connecting with you there!

Envase’s Latest Webinar

Interested in strategic tactics for dealing with labor shortages, employee retention and creating competitive advantages through demurrage & detention?

Check out Envase’s first webinar of the year featuring Kin Logistics: Staying Ahead of the Game in a Volatile Market.

Embrace What’s Next…

That’s all for the February edition of the Envase Newsletter. See you next month!

Trends & Applications in Drayage

“Covid-19 has accelerated digital adoption for many companies… [before] it was unfathomable that you could dispatch a truck from your kitchen” Larry Cuddy, CEO, Envase Technologies. Check out the full article from IANA’s Intermodal Insights.

Read the Article

Never Pay Retail Fuel Prices Again!

Phone the Envase Fuel Team at 603-217-2119 (Option 2) or email them at fuelteam@envasetechnologies.com for more information…

Contact the Fuel Team

 Envase and Firmament

With support from Firmament, Envase is excited to bring better and more accessible Dray-Tech to all the intermodal carriers doing their part to relieve pressure within the supply chain!

Watch the Video

Looking Back at 2021 and Ahead to 2022 in Intermodal Trucking

The global pandemic threw a spotlight on weaknesses in our global supply chains, ushered in a new era of how and where work gets done, and got North America’s aging infrastructure the attention it deserves.

Read the Full Blog

DM Maintenance

Effortlessly manage your fleet with a full-featured maintenance software solution. DM Maintenance can streamline your vehicle repair, inventory, and equipment management.

Envase Team Member Spotlight

Get to know Amanda Nott, Project Manager at Envase Technologies.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Amanda: “I was recently given the nickname of ‘superwoman’ … and would certainly enjoy having her speed. Getting to and from school events, sports, work, and Starbucks would be a breeze!’

Roads and bridges in desperate need of repair

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ report on America’s critical infrastructure, 42% of bridges are over 50 years old and 46,000 are structurally deficient. 1,720,00 miles of road (43% of the 4 million miles of road in the U.S.) are in poor or mediocre condition. If you want trucks to quickly and smoothly transverse these highways carrying goods, they have to travel on good roads.

In May, 2021 a critical bridge between Arkansas and Tennessee was closed because of cracks in the support beams. Closing the bridge added over an hour to what would have been an eight minute trip. By the time the bridge was reopened, the closure cost truckers over $200 million. This single example underscores the importance of the $550 billion in total infrastructure spending with $110 billion earmarked for roads, highways, and bridges.

“The prioritization of our nation’s fundamental transportation network will mitigate many of the supply chain challenges businesses are experiencing today,” National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay

As these monies begin to flow and projects get underway, the neglected road system will start to improve. But the law goes far beyond just roads and bridges, this infrastructure spending will bring in a raft of initiatives to revitalize the trucking industry and the economy as a whole.

“The $1 trillion infrastructure spending bill … has the potential to continue to serve not only as a backup to raise, but also extend the runway of this healthy rate environment for those [carriers] such as Daseke,” CEO Jonathan Shepko

Money for training and expanding the workforce

We know drivers are in short supply. The trucking industry is vital to the economy and global supply chains. To help encourage more young people and women to enter the industry, there are new apprenticeship programs and money to expand the workforce.

Money electric vehicles

As part of the infrastructure bill there are provisions for improving and expanding the EV charging across the country. While not directly related to large truck hauling now, this infrastructure is expected to encourage short and medium haul trucks as the industry begins to shift away from fossil fuels.

Nothing will happen overnight, but it’s a start

While we’re all excited about the new money for infrastructure, keep in mind that some of this money will be spread out over years. For example, the public transit industry is looking at investments and grants for the next five years. Also roads and bridges can’t be built in a few months or even years.

While exciting and a once-in-a-generation level of investment, we will have to be patient as road, bridge, EV charging, training programs, even rural broadband investments take shape over the next several years.

But as President Biden said when signing the bill into law:

“This law makes the most significant investment in roads and bridges in the past 70 years,” Biden said during the bill signing at the White House. “What that means is you’re going to be safer, and you’re going to get there faster and we’re going to have a whole hell of a lot … less pollution in the air.”

We have a lot to look forward to and the chance to have great reliable transportation infrastructure for generations to come.

Consumer Reports’ findings argued that one of the major factors behind the reduced stopping distances in hybrid and electric vehicles was their use of low-rolling resistance tires. These are tires that improve fuel economy and EV range by reducing the amount of friction created between the tire and the road. This friction is also what causes a vehicle to slow down when you brake.

These findings present a potential problem for fleet operators and drivers, given the fact that current approaches in the industry focus heavily on improving fuel economy at all cost. As a result, it is the norm for fleet vehicles to use low rolling resistance tires. This can result in safety issues, particularly as fleets becoming increasingly electrified.

The following article will explain what features of tires that fleet managers should prioritize in order to achieve a healthy balance between fuel economy and safety for their drivers and other road users.

Assessing and Evaluating Tires

Tires are labeled across three criteria, these are: fuel efficiency, wet grip, and durability. For each of these criteria, tires are given a score out of 100.

Low rolling resistance tires, as typically found on fleet vehicles, generally score well for fuel efficiency, but fare relatively poorly for durability and especially poorly for wet grip. This is because one of the most effective ways to reduce rolling resistance is by reducing the amount of grip that a tire has with the road. This can either be achieved by reducing the tread depth of the tire or by reducing the width of the tire tread.

As fleet vehicles get more powerful, in part through electrification, fleet operators should place higher priority on the wet grip rating of tires. Anything under 40 out of 100 should be considered unacceptable for vehicles that will be primarily driven at high speeds (long haul freight vehicles would fall into this category). 

As tire technology gets more sophisticated, there will be a greater selection of tires available that score highly on all three metrics. This technology should only accelerate in its development as vehicles electrify and get more powerful. However, for now fleet managers need to have some caution in choosing tires purely based on their fuel efficiency.

Choosing the Right Tire for the Right Terrains

Another potential trap that fleet operators can fall into is opting for the most fuel efficient tires without realising that these types of tires are often unsuitable for imperfect terrains.

Low rolling resistance tires (the types of tires that generally offer the greatest fuel efficiency) are often thinner and have lower tread depth than standard tires. Therefore they are prone to losing traction and potentially even blowing out when being driven on gravel or dirt roads. Fleet managers should therefore avoid adopting these types of tires if their vehicles may travel on unpaved roads for any part of their route.

Vehicles that travel on a combination of different terrains are the most difficult to fit out with tires that offer both safety, durability and fuel efficiency. In these types of circumstances it’s best to just opt for all-terrain, all-season tires so all your bases are covered. 

Balancing Safety and Budget Constraints

Fleet operators should accept that when it comes to tires, you get what you pay for.

More cost effective low rolling resistance tires improve fuel economy purely through reducing either tread width or tread depth. Therefore they will invariably offer poorer grip of the road.

As tire technology has become more sophisticated, manufacturers have started incorporating silica compounds in low rolling resistance tires that allow tires to reduce friction while at the same time maintaining a high-level of traction.

These silica compounds are, however, still expensive to manufacture and incorporate into tires, and this cost will be passed onto the consumer. Fleet operators should therefore look to take an “all or nothing” approach to adopting low rolling resistance tires. Either they should be willing to invest in state of the art tires, or stick to standard tires that have both modest fuel efficiency and a decent level of grip and durability.

Opting for cheaper low rolling resistance tires due to budget constraints can put your drivers, and other road users, at risk of accidents caused by reduced stopping distances.

Route Tracking and Communication with Drivers is Key

For fleet operators to equip their vehicles with the most suitable tires, they need to be in consistent communication with their drivers, and be closely monitoring their routes and any maintenance issues that arise.

Digitizing this monitoring and communication can go a long way with helping with this, which is why utilizing a trucking software like Tailwind TMS can both help improve your fleet’s fuel efficiency, driver safety and lead to fewer maintenance issues with your vehicles.

This article was written by Mike Skoropad, the CEO of tire specialists United Tires