FreightWaves NOW The Daily | Activist Investors Reshape Logistics, 2025 Peak Parcel Wins & Wireless Truck Charging
Join us for today's freight roundup as we explore the financial maneuvers and technological breakthroughs transforming the logistics landscape. This episode dives into how activist investor Ancora has carved out a niche in the transportation sector, driving leadership shakeups at major companies like Norfolk Southern and Forward Air to boost shareholder returns.
We also analyze the 2025 holiday rush, where large parcel carriers significantly improved on-time delivery rates despite facing higher volumes than the previous year. Data reveals that the U.S. Postal Service achieved the largest performance jump, while UPS maintained the highest overall reliability during the peak season.
In technology news, we discuss a major milestone in electric infrastructure where Purdue University achieved the first U.S. wireless charging of a heavy-duty truck traveling at highway speeds. This innovative system delivered 190 kilowatts of power to a moving vehicle, a breakthrough that could eventually allow for smaller batteries and increased cargo capacity.
Looking at cross-border trade, we profile a Mexican-built logistics startup, WeShip, which has set its sights on U.S. expansion after rapid growth in its home market. The company aims to compete in the concentrated American parcel sector by leveraging software designed by former e-commerce operators to solve real-world shipping pain points.
Finally, we address developing concerns in the brokerage space as the R&R Family of Companies faces uncertainty amid executive departures and reports of payment delays. Industry sources warn of potential operational disruptions across the Pittsburgh-based group's subsidiaries, including R&R Express, alongside signals of credit tightening.
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