Greetings from Santa Barbara, California.
I flew out here with my bicycle to do the Santa Barbara 100 Ride tomorrow with my Logistics Leaders for T1D Cure teammate Ralph Cisneros. It’s the first time I’ve packed my bike in a case and taken it with me on a plane. I’m happy to report that despite my fears during the whole 6-hr flight, my bike did not get lost or break into pieces in transit. The worst thing that happened was me spilling tea all over myself early in the flight. Sitting in wet jeans for hours was not fun, but the plane landed safely, which is the ultimate definition of a good flight.
Tomorrow at this time, Ralph and I will be just starting the 100 mile ride. Halfway through the course, we will climb Gibraltar — a 6.1-mile mountain with an 8% grade, gaining 2,551 ft. of elevation (the total for the ride is over 9,400 feet). As always, we’re taking on this challenge to raise money for Breakthrough T1D, the leading non-profit organization dedicated to research and advocacy for type 1 diabetes. This is my final ride of the season and I’m so close to reaching my fundraising goal — just $1,207 to go!
To everyone who has donated already, thank you so much for your support! If you haven’t donated already and want to support the cause and help me reach my fundraising goal, you can make a donation here. No donation is too small; every dollar gets us closer to a cure.
Thank you for listening.
Moving on, here’s the supply chain and logistics news that caught my attention this week:
- Tariff costs to companies this year to hit $1.2 trillion, with consumers taking most of the hit, S&P says (CNBC)
- EU Exports to U.S. Drop Sharply (Morningstar)
- Flexport Launches Customs Technology Suite to Help Businesses Manage Tariffs and Reduce Costs
- To move or not to move? Manufacturers hesitant to nearshore before USMCA review (Manufacturing Dive)
- Walmart Partners with OpenAI to Create AI-First Shopping Experiences
- New C.H. Robinson drop trailer Asset Management System brings unparalleled control and visibility for shippers
- Arkestro Announces Customer Expansion With Chevron, Driving Predictive Procurement Transformation Across Global Markets
- US threatens sanctions against countries voting for UN shipping emissions tax (The Times)
- California Gov. Newsom Vetoes Bill That Would Limit Port Automation (WSJ – sub. req’d)
- Federal government to withhold $40M from California for not enforcing trucker English requirements (CNN)
- US sets 100% tariffs for China-linked ship-to-shore cranes (Supply Chain Dive)
- Prologis Raises Outlook as Warehouse Leasing Picks Up (WSJ – sub. req’d)
After more than a month on the road, my busy travel schedule comes to an end with this trip, so I’ll be back to sharing my thoughts on industry trends and news next week when I return to the office. Now it’s time to stretch my quads that are still super tight from the long flight and get myself (and bike) ready for the long, hilly ride tomorrow.
Have a meaningful weekend!
Song of the Week: “No Other Way” by SHAED
