While traditional forward logistics gets most of the attention, reverse logistics (in essence, returns) is a significant part of business as well. And our guest on this episode of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast explains how doing it right means a circular approach.

Rich Bulger is the Founder of All Things Circular and author of "Going Circular: The Evolution of Reverse Logistics Into a Competitive Weapon." Rich explains how an early job at Verizon involving used phones got him into the reverse approach, and how experiences with Cisco and other companies - along with others in the industry - helped him triangulate the circular approach.

Rich tells us what goes into reverse logistics and how businesses can win with an approach that looks not only at the first, but the second customer. He also goes over how younger generations make purchases expecting to return or resell, how sustainability factors in, and how the Trump Administration's tariff policy actually encourages resale over new product purchases.

Find Rich on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/rich-bulger-43b02112 and visit All Things Circular at allthingscircular.com, where you can find more about the company, Rich's podcast of the same name, and his book.

As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

On this edition of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast, we cover a variety of bases with Port X Logistics Founder and CEO Brian Kempisty - joining us from his home in Montana.

We start by learning about his background and the founding of Port X in 2017, then we get into the company itself - the areas it covers and services it provides.

Next, we bounce around a few key issues, as Brian explains the situation with drayage (and trucking in general) in California - why regulatory enforcement has led to drivers leaving the profession (and how cargo theft ties in). He also points out how market conditions have forced out a number of smaller carriers.

Brian then takes us through his thoughts on the market this year and next, port activity, a surprisingly strong product of late, the housing market, and the advantages of transloading.

Learn more about Port X Logistics at www.portxlogistics.com.

As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.

Almost all the way through year one of the second Trump administration, it's possible to assess the effects of some major policies on freight. On this edition of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast, we welcome Arizona State University Professor Dr. Dale Rogers to discuss three key initiatives that relate to supply chains:

• The English language requirement for truck drivers
• Ramped up immigration enforcement
• Tariffs

Dr. Rogers talks about how, particularly in areas like California and other states that border Mexico, a number of drivers may not be English-proficient. He tells us how the combination of the English policy - as well as worries about being targeted by immigration enforcement - are causing many to leave the field.

But he points out that the industry is already dealing with a shortage of new truck drivers (without a lot of signs that younger Americans are interested in trucking- much like other jobs immigrants traditionally take on), so such an exodus will slow freight activity in these areas.

We also pivot to tariff policy, and how this year's decisions on trade have reshaped global supply chains. Dr. Rogers and co-host, InTek Logistics CEO Rick LaGore, go over how this year and next year could shape up like 2018-19, when the previous Trump administration levied more targeted tariffs (they even go further back to Smoot-Hawley around 1930). But they share optimism that trade policy could evolve and lead to brighter days ahead for freight.

See the paper Dr. Rogers co-authored on tariffs just last year, providing valuable historical context: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1478409224000037. And find out more about ASU's Supply Chain program: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/supply-chain-management-degrees.

As for our podcast, subscribe or follow now to catch new episodes as soon as they're out, and please do rate and review us. Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.