SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
INLAND EXPANSION SPOTLIGHT
Averitt truckload , dedicated , integrated and distribution / fulfillment .
Q : What are you currently noticing regarding e-commerce and consumer trends ? What ’ s on the horizon for 2024 ? A : As for e-commerce , consumer purchasing rose by 7.5 % on Black Friday 2023 when compared with Black Friday 2022 , leading to an all-time record . Consumer purchasing also increased by over 9 % on Cyber Monday 2023 compared with Cyber Monday 2022 . Needless to say , e-commerce is here to stay , and it ’ s steadily growing .
With this in mind , Averitt is poised to handle customers ’ ever-increasing e-commerce needs by providing end-to-end supply chain solutions , including final-mile delivery . So far , 2024 is turning out to be much like we expected it to .
In particular , we have seen the firstquarter ’ s inbound container volumes grow to the point in which they ’ re near 2019 numbers . Purchase orders are also up , and we ’ re looking forward to a busy summer , as we ’ ll likely have a more normal peak season heading into the fourth quarter .
Averitt currently has the capacity to handle any and all surges in volume . As a result , the company will offer customers the most competitive advantage possible so they can achieve their sales goals and deliver products in a timely manner .
Q : There ’ s a lot of disruption in the current landscape . What are your thoughts on supply chain normalization ? A : I ’ m not sure if we will see normalization for quite some time , unfortunately . Perhaps certain aspects of the supply chain will become easier to predict . However , the supply chain can be impacted in various ways , as we all know . For example , enduring droughts , pirates , labor negotiations and an election this year .
Despite these challenges , Averitt ’ s customers can withstand each of them due to the company ’ s nimbleness , a direct result of the five verticals that enable us to handle all customer needs . In addition , Averitt can control each facet of the supply chain — from origin to final-mile delivery — allowing customers to confidently encounter a variety of challenges .
Q : The need for real-time data and prompt notifications in the supply chain has never been greater . What types of advancements have you seen ? A : Whether it ’ s a BCO , a forwarder or an endconsumer , they require accurate information in order to be considered a full solutions provider . At Averitt , we provide our customers access to a wide range of cutting-edge technologies , including programs developed in-house and co-developed with partners .
For example , our distribution and fulfillment customers have access to our WMS , which offers them real-time inventory visibility and management . Additionally , we provide unique shipping tools , such as Averitt Connect , our transportation management system , and Averitt ExactRate , our new dynamic pricing system . On the international side of the supply chain , we can also offer shippers real-time visibility and tracking . Visibility and transparency are always key , and we provide shippers those connections at every point in their supply chains .
Q : Accurate information is key to customer success , as you noted . How has information exchange impacted Averitt ’ s relationships with its customers ? A : We have multiple ways to exchange information beginning with our customer website , which offers customers the ability to track all shipments . From there , it continues with our WMS platform , which can either be accessed via login and password or connected through electronic data interchange / application programming interface as real-time updates are provided directly to their platforms .
Based on each customer ’ s specific needs , the options are endless . Customers tell us that information is paramount , and sometimes it sets them apart from competitors . Averitt is being seen as more of a partner rather than just a transactional carrier . We are also being considered more of a consultant in our customers ’ entire supply chains , as we are helping them www . joc . com May 6 , 2024 | Journal of Commerce 39