VORTO, the world's only autonomous supply chain platform, today announced former Walmart executive Ramesh Chikkala and former Procter & Gamble executive Andy Walter as the inaugural appointments to its Commercial Advisory Board. The newly constituted advisory board brings years of leadership and experience in consumer product manufacturing, retail and distribution to VORTO as the company accelerates development and adoption of its AI-powered freight platform.

What California’s new zero-emission requirements mean for smaller fleets
On March 31, California received waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency that allow the state to require half of heavy trucks sold in the state to be zero emission by 2035. On last week’s 10-44, we heard from CALSTART on the air quality benefits of the rules and why California wants to self-regulate to a higher standard than the EPA.
Joining Jason and Matt this week is Priyesh Ranjan, CEO of AI-enabled supply chain platform Vorto, who talks about how the regulations impact the industry, particularly when it comes to small fleets and owner-operators, which represent the vast majority of capacity in the trucking.

Alexis Asks: The Potential for ChatGPT in Logistics
Managing editor Alexis Mizell-Pleasant asks industry experts about various topics developing in the supply chain field. Today, we explore ChatGPT and its use case for strategy and data collection in logistics.

EPA approves California plan to require electric trucks
Rule says about half the trucks sold in California must be all-electric by 2035, but industry group warns that charging stations aren’t ready for the change.

EPA approves California plan to require electric trucks
Rule says about half the trucks sold in California must be all-electric by 2035, but industry group warns that charging stations aren’t ready for the change.

Easing on down the road: interview with Melissa Williams
Melissa Williams discovered her passion in an unlikely place: the driver’s seat of her own truck.

3 Personal Insights for Women Breaking Through the Trucking Industry
The demand for drivers and the competitive pay that comes with the job make the trucking industry an untapped resource for women.

Trucking Braces for Looming Rail Strike
A strike could happen if a contract is not ratified by Dec. 9, unless Congress was to intervene. In the meantime, the supply chain is bracing for the impact of a rail shutdown and there is a short-term urgency to divert freight to the trucking sector.

The Trucking Industry Needs to Prepare for the Q4 Retail Boom
Global e-commerce sales in 2022 are expected to hit $5.4 trillion, up from $4.28 trillion in 2017. As we approach approaching the year’s busiest season, we’re still grappling with pandemic-induced supply chain challenges, inflated fuel prices and a supposed driver shortage.

Inflation Rises While Driver Salaries Stay Stagnant
The “driver shortage” is primarily a function of poor utilization resulting in inconsistent and low income, which in turn drives qualified CDL drivers out of the industry in droves.