manufacturing growth News

US Freight Volume Reaches Record High Despite Economic Challenges

The U.S. Freight Transportation Services Index (Freight TSI) reached a record high of 142.4 in June, surpassing the previous peak in August 2019. Despite mixed economic indicators, the increase in freight volume reflects economic resilience. Growth was observed across trucking, rail, air, and water transportation, while rail intermodal and pipeline transportation declined. Businesses should pay close attention to macroeconomic conditions, consumer demand, supply chain dynamics, and regulatory changes to adapt their strategies accordingly.

02/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

For the week ending August 23rd, US rail freight showed mixed results: carload traffic edged up 0.6%, driven by gains in grain and automotive shipments, while petroleum and coal declined. Intermodal traffic decreased by 1.9%, impacted by highway competition and cooling consumer demand. Year-to-date figures remain positive but growth is slowing. Rail companies need to improve services, reduce costs, and expand business, embracing digital transformation to navigate the evolving landscape.

02/04/2026 Logistics

US Rail Freight Declines As Economic Conditions Shift

U.S. rail freight and intermodal volumes decreased year-over-year, but cumulative volumes for the year remained higher. Declines were seen in carloads of commodities such as automobiles and coal. The railway industry needs to improve efficiency to address these challenges and maintain growth. While facing headwinds, the overall positive year-to-date performance suggests underlying strength in the rail freight sector despite specific commodity weaknesses and the need for operational improvements.

02/04/2026 Logistics

Autostore Boosts Cutter Bucks Order Picking Efficiency

Cutter & Buck significantly improved order picking efficiency, optimized inventory management, and reduced reliance on manual labor by implementing the AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. This solution helped the company address the challenges posed by the e-commerce surge and enhanced customer service levels, laying a solid foundation for future business growth. The automation streamlines operations and allows for faster order fulfillment, particularly crucial for apparel customization and handling increased order volumes.

02/04/2026 Warehousing

Drone Firms Tackle Support Hurdles for North American Expansion

Overseas drone companies face technical support challenges, including difficulty in hiring skilled technical support staff, uncontrolled outsourcing, and fragmented after-sales data. Callnovo provides a solution for BT Drone by offering professional screening, training, and data analysis to build a reliable technical support system. This significantly improves customer satisfaction and first-call resolution rates, transforming customer service into a manageable, reviewable, and optimizable system. This foundation supports the long-term growth of overseas drone brands.