562: Navigating Today's Transportation Landscape to Deliver in Peak Season, with Infios

Steve Blough of Infios talks about 2026 peak season - the state of the market, from challenges to rates; the capacity crunch; & the role of AI and new tech.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.33] Steve's career background, his key areas of focus in supply chain, and the challenges he currently hears from shippers and carriers.

"Capacity is tight, rates are high, and shippers are taking a hard look at how they're moving freight."

[06.41] The state of the market in 2026 and why capacity is a big challenge.

"Capacity has contracted so much faster than anyone thought it would… So, when you look at the market, it's a demand story not a supply story."

[08.41] What rates look like now, and where Steve expects them to go through the remainder of 2026.

"Spot rates are climbing and as they climb… some of the carriers guaranteed capacity has evaporated."

[13.49] 2026 peak season and why it's arriving earlier than usual, from tariff fear to changes on the Panama Canal.

[16.47] How current challenges and technologies are changing the way shippers operate, communicate, and seek out partners.

"That communication backbone, and the need to get data back and forth quickly, has become critical."

[18.37] Why the capacity crunch is a network problem, not a rate problem, and an example of an Infios client leveraging the capacity in their network to move more goods at lower rates.

"Everyone can win by looking broadly."