While general auto sales remain relatively strong, EV demand has continued to wane as consumers are more and more weary of the logistics behind charging, repair costs and general long-term maintenance. The pivot in type of vehicle in-demand will impact the outlook for auto manufacturers and their suppliers, from wire & cable to exterior coatings ..read more

A wide array of sectors, ranging from chemical and raw material manufacturers to downstream industries like luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and construction materials, are keenly observing the Federal Reserve’s upcoming statements regarding potential interest rate cuts. These sectors, which are intimately connected to the housing and renovation markets, stand to gain significantly from any improvement ..read more

In the wake of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the nation is in a period of mourning for the lives lost in this devastating event. In response to this tragedy, officials have outlined a tentative schedule for the reopening of the Port of Baltimore, as clean-up operations progress. They anticipate opening ..read more

The View from Jamestown | AFPM 2024 Edition Produced and distributed at the 2024 AFPM IPC conference in San Antonio ..read more

For the first time in twenty years, Mexico has surpassed China as the primary source of imports to the United States. This shift is attributed to several factors, including the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the US and China, which began with the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration in 2018. Additionally, a change in ..read more

The Federal Reserve has adopted a more cautious stance regarding the timeline for interest rate reductions, influenced by recent inflation data that has delayed expectations of cuts from March to sometime this summer. Concurrently, the stock market is experiencing robust growth, with the S&P 500 surpassing the 5,000 mark for the first time, marking a ..read more

The global ocean freight industry is currently facing significant disruptions, leading to increased costs and limited availability. These challenges are primarily due to complications in key transit routes such as the Red Sea and the Panama Canal, which have captured the attention of numerous sectors. In particular, freight rates for shipments from Asia to the ..read more

Greetings, and a Happy New Year to all! Here at TCC, we’re breathing a sigh of relief to have 2023 behind us. Reflecting on the past year, it felt like a drawn-out journey back to normalcy. We saw sale prices, volumes, and margins squeezed under the pressures of sluggish demand and bloated inventories. Moreover, with ..read more

In the continuous realm of overseeing shipments across various distances, the spotlight is on both truckload shipments and rail logistics at the start of the year. Persistent challenges in global ocean freight, coupled with prolonged lead times, have led to an increase in emergency and last-minute shipments from domestic warehouses or production sites to address ..read more

Although understanding the significance of shortening supply chains and reshoring wasn’t contingent on a global pandemic, it certainly accelerated the timeline for these initiatives. Businesses, of all shapes and sizes, have deliberated on internal reshoring strategies. This encompasses sourcing raw materials and goods closer to their final destinations, as well as the establishment of new ..read more