InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast

It all starts at the ports - especially when moving intermodal across North America. And one of the busiest of those, is the Port of Long Beach in Southern California. Hosts Kevin Baxter and Shelli Austin are joined by POLB COO Dr. Noel Hacegaba as he discusses how the port operates, just how busy it is this year in terms of container shipping, how it handled the pandemic-related peak, port strike impacts, how it's prioritized infrastructure to improve service, and more.
We dive into sustainability, including measures the port has taken to reduce its environmental impact, the progress of electric trucks, the ability of on-dock rail to help with emissions and freight movement simultaneously, and how the port is tackling sea level rise. Additionally, we discuss the Intermodal Association of North America (whose board both Shelli and Noel serve on), the importance of creating an educational pipeline for future supply chain pros, and, a band called the TEUs - for which Noel and some fellow POLB employees play.
Learn more about the Port of Long Beach at www.polb.com, and find a performance by the TEUs in a video of the recent POLB State of the Port 2024.
Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at [email protected]. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Shipping cross-border with Mexico involves considerations beyond moving freight within the U.S. - with customs being what many consider a primary obstacle. However, the right partner makes things much less daunting. Joining us on this episode of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast to discuss the customs process between or across the borders is Antonio Luna, Managing Director of Vitti Logistics.
Antonio tells us how ensuring the proper I's are dotted and T's crossed makes things smoother, which types of freight require special considerations, why some shipments get held while others don't and the growing advantages of intermodal both for smooth customs processes and more reliable capacity.
Learn more about Vitti Logistics at www.vittilog.com or by contacting us here at InTek -www.intekfreight-logistics.com/contact-us - as we partner with Antonio on a variety of crossborder solutions. And learn more about Mexico freight shipping at www.intekfreight-logistics.com/mexico-freight-shipping.
Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at [email protected]. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

The traditional vision of intermodal transportation involves what are known as intermodal containers - of the 53 foot variety. But another option is out there in the form of ocean containers. It's known as ocean container repositioning.
Joining us to discuss what the process involves and how its beneficial to carriers and shippers alike is returning guest Jeff Brashares, CMA CGM Director of Intermodal. Jeff talks about why ocean carriers prefer to have their empty containers filled when returning them to port, how many types of cargo - both traditional and non-traditional - are a fit, how blocking and bracing can be easier, and why it's good for the environment as well.
Speaking of other types of cargo, Jeff also discusses agriculture - cottonseed specifically - and steel as other loads that are beginning to use these international boxes. And on a completely unrelated note, he shares some roller coaster updates, including a new Snoopy coaster at Kings Island.
For more about CMA CGM, visit www.cma-cgm.com. To learn more about ocean container repositioning, visit intekfreight-logistics.com/ocean-intermodal-equipment-specs.
Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at [email protected]. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Machine learning - a subset of AI - is a tool that many in the supply chain management field already use for inventory forecasting. But using optimal machine learning - a technique developed by our guest Dr. Naren Agrawal and his co-authors - can unlock a whole new world of decision-making ability for businesses.
Dr. Agrawal, the Benjamin and Mae Swig Professor of OMIS at Santa Clara University, shares what OML is, how it improves upon other uses of machine learning that focus only on the forecast and why getting to the decision is often the problem for companies that feature teams with competing perspectives, data & interests.
He talks us through two different types of companies with before and after scenarios for each, the need for agility and resilience in supply chain planning, and more. Plus, we discuss a commonality successful businesses he's worked with share, and his outlook for students and future supply chain managers.
Read How Machine Learning Will Transform Supply Chain Management via the Harvard Business Review, and find more from Dr. Agrawal here: www.scu.edu/execed/custom/universitypartnerships/faculty/naren-agrawal-phd.
Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at [email protected]. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.

Basketball is on the minds of many this month, and InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast is no exception. As we’re based in Indiana and we deal in logistics, what better way to celebrate NCAA tournament time than an interview about both, with Indiana University legend Chuck Crabb. Chuck, who retired last year, is probably best known as the public address announcer for Hoosier basketball for more than four decades, but he also worked a day job as IU's senior assistant athletic director for facilities. And in that role, he handled plenty of logistical challenges in March and beyond. We go over a couple in particular, a 1978 Final Four hardwood emergency in St. Louis (https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/news-publications/inside-supply-management-magazine/october-2017-issue/managing-the-madness/), and, much more recently, the 2021 NCAA “bubble“ Tournament (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NCAA_Division_I_men%27s_basketball_tournament), which saw all games played in Indiana due to the pandemic - from the first four to the Final Four. Arenas included IU’s Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, Purdue’s Mackey Arena, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. Chuck talks with Rick and Kevin about what went into both of these unusual circumstances, the importance of team effort, shares a few anecdotes about longtime Hoosiers Coach Bob Knight, and even drops a sample of his signature announcing style. Plus, get an update on what he’s up to now – hint, he’s not sitting still.

Subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes of InTek Freight & Logistics: The Podcast every week, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at [email protected]. And visit our website, www.intekfreight-logistics.com to learn more about InTek.