66% of logistics pros say talent quality — not cost — is the #1 factor in choosing a nearshore partner. Rapido's integration model explains why that's the right question to be asking.
Plus, a carrier pleading guilty to mob money laundering while still FMCSA-active, Iran's first post-ceasefire attack and what it means for diesel surcharges, FedEx Freight's first earnings as a standalone company, and more in today's newsletter.
Freight brokers are measuring their inboxes wrong. Most inbound email is monitoring, not work. And the longtail categories that look like noise are costing real margin. Here's how to audit what's actually in your inbox, and why it matters in 2026's margin-first market.
We sat down with Ryan Rogers, Founder of TextLocate, to talk about how Chattanooga’s history shaped its role in freight, his path through the industry, and why simplicity still matters in logistics
In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Ryan Rogers, Founder of TextLocate. He took us behind the scenes of his start in the industry, the impact it’s had on the city, and much more.
Plus, check out this week's Carrier of the Week.
Today's Newsletter is Brought to You By OTR Solutions.
Chattanooga: A City Shaped by Freight
Nestled along the foothills of the scenic Appalachian Mountains lies a city steeped in rich history, through which approximately 80% of the nation’s freight passes on its way to its final destination.
Over the years, Chattanooga has remained a logistics hub and home to families who’ve driven the freight industry for generations. Ryan Rogers took us on a journey through its past, as well as his own story, how he helped grow U.S. Xpress, and why he decided to start his own business in 2021.
He also revealed what inspired him to create a platform that lets freight brokers and dispatchers locate drivers with a simple text.
"I had noticed a need in the market for better ease of communication for both the freight broker and the truck driver. Drivers were overwhelmed with a bunch of apps everywhere. So I said, 'Let's step back in time and make it a little less cool but easy for them to use.'"
In this episode:
The impact of logistics on the city.
Learn about the rich history of Chattanooga.
How Ryan grew U.S. Xpress from $30 million to $200 million in just three and a half years.
What led him to start TextLocate, his own app-less platform.
Max Carriers Inc. MC: 772274 · Summit, IL · 708-483-4888
Years in business: 14
Equipment: Dry van, reefer
Fleet: 150 trucks · 160 drivers
Primary lanes: Midwest ↔ West / Northwest
Phone Number: 708-483-4888
What makes a broker worth working with again?
“Transparency and communication. Being trustworthy, paying fairly and on time, and treating carriers with respect. When issues come up, the best brokers work with us to solve them.”
Interested in being featured as a future Carrier of the Week? Submit the short form here.
Plus, a carrier pleading guilty to mob money laundering while still FMCSA-active, Iran's first post-ceasefire attack and what it means for diesel surcharges, FedEx Freight's first earnings as a standalone company, and more in today's newsletter.
Bad carriers are gaming the weigh station system. Plus, C.H. Robinson's own engineer goes scorched earth on Reddit, the Ghost Truck Act gets roasted, and more in today's newsletter.
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