Freight Morning! 👋 We’re starting the day with exciting takeaways from Day 1 of the Broker Carrier Summit, where discussions set the stage for tackling some of the most pressing issues in freight.

Key conversations focused on combating rising freight fraud and cargo theft, as well as practical strategies for landing and maintaining government contracts. More ahead 👇

💬 More in Freight:

⚫️ Canadian Trucking Company Closes Over $6.7M Dispute

⚫️ ILWU Blasts Trump Admin Over Tariffs

⚫️ Transporting Cocaine To Chicago

⚫️ SAIA Misses Q1 Earnings Mark

Canadian Trucking Company Closes Over $6.7M Dispute 💸

Kingsley Trucking, a 46-year-old Canadian company, has been placed into receivership at the request of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) over a $6.7 million debt. The Vancouver Island-based company ceased operations on April 25, 2025, following a ruling by the British Columbia Supreme Court.

Founded in 1979, Kingsley employed over 100 people and operated a fleet of 23 trucks. It was tied to the San Group, a lumber company facing financial disputes exceeding $150 million. RBC pushed to add Kingsley Trucking to the San Group’s ongoing creditor protection proceedings.

Deloitte Restructuring, the court-appointed monitor, raised concerns about unexplained payments totaling $300,000 made to Kingsley before the San Group’s CCAA filing.

ILWU Blasts Trump Administration Over Tariffs 📣

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has condemned President Trump's trade policies, calling them "reckless" and "shortsighted." The union warns that U.S. tariffs will lead to job losses and higher costs for working-class Americans.

The ILWU criticized the tariffs as a tax on consumers, accusing the policies of benefiting the wealthy while harming American workers and escalating global tensions. They highlighted the decline in containerized imports from China and the disruption to global trade, which could result in significant job losses in the supply chain.

The union also pointed out that tariffs have historically raised costs for consumers, with corporations passing the burden onto American families. With 42,000 members in the U.S. and Canada, the ILWU called for fair trade policies that prioritize workers, protect jobs, and reduce taxes, urging others to join in opposing these tariffs.

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What Else Is Moving 🚚

Broker Carrier Summit Kicks Off 📍

After a brief badge delay (shoutout to UPS), Broker Carrier Summit officially got underway, and Day 1 delivered right out of the gate.

The morning kicked off with “Freight Fraud Has No Borders,” where Rose Rocket’s Kyle Humphries emphasized the importance of broker-carrier collaboration in fighting rising cargo theft and fraud. At the same time, Melanie Patterson of Integrity Global Logistics led “Winning Government Freight,” offering a practical roadmap for landing (and keeping) government contracts.

Afternoon sessions were packed with action:

• “Dedicated Freight Lab” with Adam Wingfield and Justin Lu explored how to build long-term carrier partnerships and operational consistency.
• “Reimagining Sales & Marketing” drew a full house, as Trey Griggs and Kara Smith Brown broke down how to modernize sales strategies and drive meaningful revenue growth.
• “AI for Carriers” wrapped up the day with Channel19’s Tony Singh and Nitin Kumar showing how artificial intelligence is moving from buzzword to real-world ROI.

The evening wrapped with two high-energy networking events: the Women in Logistics Happy Hour and an Opening Reception + Speed Dating, setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be a standout week.

More to come. But if Day 1 is any indication, this year’s BCS is one for the books.

FREIGHT SNIPPETS ✂️

✂️ Trucking and Retail Forecast: Mass Layoffs | Apollo Global Management forecasts a U.S. recession driven by tariffs, causing layoffs in trucking and retail. The trucking industry is facing reduced freight volumes due to tariff disruptions, leading to underutilized fleets and layoffs by mid-May. Retailers are struggling with inventory shortages and rising costs, while declining consumer confidence reduces demand. Job cuts are expected in retail by June. Apollo also warns of stagflation, with rising prices and slow growth putting pressure on businesses and consumers. The forecast urges strategic action to navigate these economic challenges. Read more.

🧹 UPS Network Overhaul | UPS announced plans to cut 20,000 jobs and close 73 facilities by the end of June as part of a network overhaul due to reduced shipments from its largest customer, Amazon.com Inc. This move follows UPS’s decision in January to reduce the number of low-margin Amazon parcels it delivers by over 50% over the next 18 months. The company expects these changes to generate $3.5 billion in savings this year. Read more.

🚨 English Proficiency | President Trump signed an executive order requiring U.S. truck drivers to prove English proficiency, aiming to improve safety. However, this may reduce driver availability, causing short-term challenges as the industry adjusts. An insurance executive estimates 10% of drivers lack English skills, with 40% being first-generation immigrants. Read more.

📉 Volvo Q1 Slide | Volvo Group reported a 10% decline in truck sales for Q1, with North America seeing a 13% drop, mainly in the long-haul segment. U.S. buyers, uncertain about the impact of tariffs, have slowed purchases. Volvo has lowered its 2025 North America sales forecast to 275,000, down from 300,000. Global vehicle sales, including trucks and construction equipment, dropped 9%. Read more.

🇺🇸 American Investment | Amgen and Thermo Fisher Scientific are making significant investments in U.S. manufacturing. Amgen plans to invest $900 million to expand its Ohio facility, creating 350 new jobs and bringing its total investment in the state to over $1.4 billion. The expansion will bring the workforce at the site to 750. Amgen cited Ohio’s business climate, skilled workforce, and strategic location as key factors in its decision. Thermo Fisher Scientific, one of the world’s largest makers of medicines, announced a $2 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years. Read more.

🚛 Transporting Cocaine To Chicago | A California truck driver, Ronald Coleman, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for attempting to transport over 91 kilograms of cocaine from California to Chicago. He was arrested in April 2023 after a traffic stop on I-88, where Illinois State Police discovered the drugs with the help of a canine unit. Coleman admitted to transporting the cocaine for a cash exchange at a Chicago warehouse and carrying a firearm for protection. The case was investigated with help from Illinois State Police. Read more.

Pallets of News 🚛

SAIA Misses Q1 Mark 🛑

Saia Inc. reported a 4.3% revenue increase for Q1 2025, reaching $787.6 million, despite facing market challenges. Net income totaled $49.8 million, down from $90.6 million, in the same period last year. The results fell short of expectations due to flat shipments in March and disruptions caused by harsh winter weather in the southern U.S.

LTL shipments increased by 2.9% to 2.17 million, with revenue per shipment rising 1.5% to $355.48. However, LTL revenue per hundredweight dropped 5.8% to $24.97. Despite these headwinds, Saia saw a 4.6% growth in shipments for the quarter, driven by recently opened terminals. Operating income declined due to lower-than-expected revenues, weather impacts, and costs related to the company's network expansion.

MEME OF THE DAY 😂

📍 Upcoming events: Catch up with us at the Broker Carrier Summit in Indianapolis THIS WEEK and Home Delivery World in Nashville on May 21-22. Let us know if you’ll be there – we'd love to connect!