Trucking and Logistics Firms Outline 2026 Supply Chain Plans

Published: 02/04/2026
Logistics Trends Supply Chain Management Transportation Market
The CSCMP EDGE conference highlighted the current state of ground transportation. The trucking industry faces overcapacity and regulatory hurdles. The parcel delivery market is undergoing reshuffling, while the LTL sector urgently needs digital transformation. Shippers should closely monitor market dynamics, adapt strategies accordingly, and build long-term partnerships with reliable carriers to remain competitive in the future supply chain landscape. They need to be agile and proactive in navigating these changes to ensure resilience and efficiency in their operations.
Trucking and Logistics Firms Outline 2026 Supply Chain Plans

At the recent CSCMP EDGE conference, industry leaders from trucking, parcel delivery, and less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation gathered to analyze current market conditions and provide strategic insights for shippers navigating the complex logistics landscape through 2026 and beyond. The "State of Ground Transportation" panel, moderated by Mike Levans of Peerless Media LLC, featured perspectives from Jeff Tucker of Tucker Company Worldwide, Robert Persuit of ShipMatrix, and Al Webb of PITT OHIO.

Trucking: Between Recession and Regulatory Uncertainty

Jeff Tucker presented a sobering assessment of the trucking industry's ongoing freight recession. Comparative data revealed a 30% increase in active carriers (325,000) and 22% growth in truck drivers (3.2 million) since May 2019, while freight volumes remain essentially flat with pre-pandemic levels according to FRED index data.

"Many expected recovery signs by late last year, but pharmaceutical stockpiling ahead of tariffs and deferred energy sector projects have maintained downward pressure on rates," Tucker observed. "When a $100 million capital project faces 50% material cost increases, budgets collapse—leaving only maintenance work moving forward."

Tucker highlighted several regulatory threats that could remove 200,000-700,000 drivers from the workforce, including proposed $100,000 H1B visa fees, CDL license reviews for visa holders, and English proficiency mandates. "The critical question is whether state enforcement agencies will implement these federal mandates," he cautioned.

Parcel Delivery: Market Fragmentation Accelerates

Robert Persuit characterized the parcel sector as "crazy," detailing seismic shifts since January. Key developments include the dissolution of the UPS-USPS last-mile partnership, FedEx's DRIVE program targeting $4 billion in cost reductions, and Amazon surpassing UPS/FedEx in daily parcel volume while failing to advance its third-party logistics ambitions.

"The big three's market share plummeted from 86% in 2019 to 64% today," Persuit noted. "Amazon now leads in daily volume, while Walmart delivers billions of same-day packages through crowdsourced drivers. Regional players like LSO and OnTrac continue gaining ground as shippers gain negotiating leverage—evidenced by carriers introducing new monthly surcharges."

USPS faces particular turbulence, with package revenue growth stalling at 0.5% amid 6.6% volume declines, privatization discussions, and leadership transition from DeJoy to Steiner.

LTL: Digital Transformation or Consolidation?

Al Webb described an exhausted LTL market awaiting cyclical recovery. "This prolonged freight recession will eventually end," he said. "Strategic buyers will emerge stronger, while others risk being stranded when demand returns."

The sector's technological lag—many carriers still use AS/400 systems—creates both vulnerability and opportunity. "We'll see massive tech investments to automate operations and reduce overhead," Webb predicted. "Expect consolidation: 20 carriers currently control 90% of the market, but that will shrink to 15 within five years. The strong will grow stronger."

2026: An Inflection Point for Supply Chains

The panel painted a complex outlook for ground transportation: trucking contends with overcapacity and regulatory risks; parcel delivery undergoes radical fragmentation; and LTL faces digital disruption. For shippers, success will require agile strategy adjustments and deeper carrier partnerships to navigate the coming transformation.

Tucker emphasized that regulatory enforcement—particularly at state levels—could dramatically impact pricing. "When premium service providers align with relationship-focused shippers in true partnerships, that's where reliable capacity will be found," he concluded. "The best carriers and best services are converging."

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