The tools you use can either be a bottleneck or a catalyst for growth. For many companies, “off-the-shelf” software is the starting point, but as the industry evolves, those standard solutions often fall short of meeting the modern customer’s needs.

In our latest What Others Won’t video, Andy Schenck, Spot’s Co-founder, shares the origin story of Red Technologies and how a bold decision in 2014 changed the trajectory of the business.

Moving Beyond Off-the-Shelf

When the journey began in 2009, the industry was a different landscape; older technologies like fax machines were still in normal use. While Spot had basic software that worked initially, it lacked the flexibility required to customize solutions for a growing list of diverse clients.

By 2014, it became clear that to do things differently, we had to build something ourselves. This led to a multi-year development process focused on creating a comprehensive system to manage the entire lifecycle of a shipment: from customer orders and carrier dispatching to complex accounting functions.

Why We Call It “Red”

Naming a piece of proprietary technology is a major milestone, but for us, the name “Red” wasn’t chosen by a marketing firm. It was a personal tribute. Andy’s business parter and Spot’s Co-founder, Andrew Elsener, suggested naming the software after Andy’s mother. Her nickname was Red. It’s a name that carries a sense of legacy and heart, reflecting the personal commitment poured into the platform.

The Power of Real-World Development

One of the greatest advantages of building proprietary tech in-house is the proximity between the people writing the code and the people moving the freight.

With Red Technologies, developers don’t work in a vacuum. They sit right alongside the operations teams, seeing the real-world impact of every line of code. This collaboration allows us to act fast when issues arise and ensures that every update serves a functional purpose for the end-user.

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Spot has been named to the 2026 Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages List. The company secured the top ranking among Indiana-based freight brokers and achieved a national ranking of 26, rising four spots from 2025. The annual list ranks companies based on gross revenue from the preceding year.

Spot saw this growth during volatile business conditions last year, from compressed margins and a grueling freight market downturn to tariff-driven supply chain upheaval.

Established in 2009 by Andrew Elsener and Andy Schenck, Spot has evolved over nearly two decades into a premier third-party logistics (3PL) provider in North America. This growth is rooted in prioritizing high-caliber talent and developing proprietary technology such as the company’s TMS platform, MySpot.

Spot’s team of dedicated professionals remains focused on strengthening customers’ supply chains and fostering lasting professional relationships through reliable, technology-driven solutions.

Since 1935, Transport Topics has been a news leader in trucking and freight transportation. Its journalists help keep readers informed about all aspects of the trucking industry and help them stay ready for what’s to come. To learn who made the list and read more about the issues facing logistics companies, visit Transport Topics at https://www.ttnews.com/logistics/freightbrokerage/2026 Learn more at www.spotinc.com and listen to industry experts on the Company’s podcast, More Than A Broker, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.

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The freight market is sending mixed signals. Beneath flat demand headlines, a split economy is taking shape. Industrial expansion driven by AI infrastructure is offsetting softness in housing and consumer goods. At the same time, tightening capacity and rising costs are beginning to reshape rate dynamics.

Here’s what matters now.

Demand Level & Outlook 

Freight demand is stabilizing, but not yet accelerating

The latest data shows ton-mile demand essentially flat year-over-year, signaling that the worst of the freight recession is behind us, but a meaningful recovery hasn’t fully taken hold.

A clear divide is emerging:

Encouragingly, leading indicators are turning positive. Packaging and paper activity, along with pallet pricing, are both signaling increased goods movement for the first time since 2022. Historically, when these indicators align, freight volumes follow within one to two quarters.

Carrier sentiment is also improving. Class 8 truck orders surged, pointing to growing confidence in future demand.

What to watch:

Ongoing tariff risks and elevated interest rates could delay a full recovery

Q2 is shaping up to be the strongest demand window in three years, driven by produce season and early-cycle industrial activity

Q3 will depend on whether current inventory builds translate into sustained production

Supply, Capacity, and Carrier Operating Costs 

Capacity is Tightening Rapidly, and Costs Are Surging

The market is firmly in contraction mode, with transportation capacity shrinking at one of the fastest rates since the pandemic. At the same time, pricing is accelerating, creating a wide gap between supply and demand. Fuel is the biggest driver.

Diesel prices have spiked significantly year-over-year, now accounting for up to 30–40% of operating costs for many carriers. This has forced widespread behavioral shifts:

Fuel surcharges have jumped sharply across all modes, increasing as much as 50% compared to 2025 averages.

The result: fewer trucks available and higher costs to operate them.

Spot & Contract Market Trends 

Rates Are Rising, but the Story is More Nuanced Beneath the Surface

Across all modes, spot rates are significantly higher than last year, driven by a combination of tighter capacity and fuel cost pass-through. However, when fuel is removed, underlying linehaul trends vary by mode.

Produce season is adding further pressure, particularly in reefer markets, where capacity is tightening quickly and key regions are seeing sharp rate increases.

Contract rates are also moving higher as shippers and carriers renegotiate in a volatile cost environment.

Key takeaways:

Mode-specific dynamics matter more than ever

Capacity tightening is real and accelerating

Fuel volatility is distorting rate signals

Market Update.

spotinc.com

More Than a Broker

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The freight market is tightening, but not evenly. March brings a mix of modest demand recovery, continued capacity contraction, and growing pressure on rates, with regional and modal shifts driving new pockets of volatility. From truckload to LTL, this month’s update breaks down where the market is moving, what’s driving change, and how to stay ahead as conditions continue to evolve.

Demand Level & Outlook 

Where Demand Stands Today

According to trucking ton-mile data, freight demand reached a seasonally adjusted low point in Q2 2024 and has been slowly improving since.

That modest demand recovery, combined with significant carrier exits throughout 2024 and early 2025, helps explain why capacity has tightened even though freight volumes remain historically soft.

To put growth into perspective:

Those past cycles saw rapid demand expansion for 18 months or more. There is currently no evidence of that kind of acceleration heading into 2026.

Supply, Capacity, and Carrier Operating Costs 

Capacity & Costs: Tight, But Under Strain

Transportation capacity tightened sharply at year-end. The Logistics Managers’ Index shows capacity fell to a four-year low in December:

At the same time:

Spot & Contract Market Trends 

Contract Rates: Stable, For Now

Contract pricing has been far less reactive than spot markets. Retailers and shippers entered peak season with:

Post-holiday inventory drawdowns are normal seasonal behavior, not a signal of a Q1 demand surge. With sales largely flat on a price-adjusted basis, there is little incentive for shippers to lock in higher contract rates early in 2026.

Market Update.

spotinc.com

More Than a Broker

Spot has been recognized by FourKites®, a leader in AI-driven supply chain transformation, on its Premier Carrier List for the first half of 2025, identifying carriers and brokers that have shown outstanding tracking performance across all modes of transport globally.

The Premier Carrier List spotlights carriers and brokers who consistently provide exceptional visibility and service quality to their customers. These carriers reduce manual check calls, minimize dwell time, streamline carrier-shipper workflows, and help shippers respond quickly to operational changes and disruptions.

As a leader in AI-driven supply chain transformation, FourKites pioneered the Intelligent Control Tower™ powered by the world’s largest real-time visibility network. Their platform creates comprehensive digital twins of your supply chain with AI-powered digital workers to automate resolution, improve collaboration, and drive outcomes across all stakeholders.

View The Full List >> https://www.fourkites.com/premier-carriers/

More Than a Broker

In the logistics industry, we are used to high-stakes deadlines and urgent requests. It could be a production line shut down or a retail shelf that needs restocking. But one Tuesday night, Brian Jobe, a Senior National Account Director at Spot, received a call from a longtime customer that changed his perspective on what “urgent” really means.

The Request: Two Cases, One Huge Problem

The call came in late. Jobe’s customer, a baby formula manufacturer, needed a shipment moved from Indianapolis to Kentucky immediately.

At first glance, it didn’t sound like much—just two small cases. But the backstory was more serious. A mother in Kentucky was down to her last scoops of specialized formula for her son. Because of his severe dietary restrictions, this wasn’t something she could just pick up at a local grocery store. Her original shipment had been delayed for days, and she was in a state of pure panic.

The situation had escalated all the way to the manufacturer’s CEO. That’s when they called us.

Going the Extra Mile (Literally)

Jobe knew we couldn’t just treat this like any other load.

Why We Do What We Do

The next morning, Jobe’s phone was full of text messages, and he received phone calls from his customer. The mother even called him, calling the team “lifesavers.” His customer reached out to say that this was exactly why they trusted Spot—they knew that when things got dire, Jobe’s team and Spot wouldn’t just provide a truck; we would provide a solution.

In logistics, we often get caught up in the numbers, the ETAs, and the bottom line. But that night, it wasn’t about a “shipment.” It was about an infant who needed to eat and a mother who needed peace of mind.

At Spot, we understand that behind every pallet—or in this case, every small box—there is a person counting on us.

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At Spot, we understand the vital role that up-to-date information plays in navigating the dynamic logistics market. Each month, we bring you a comprehensive logistics market update. We dive into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the logistics sector. Join us as we empower you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions in this fast-paced industry. Market Update.

Demand Level & Outlook 

Where Demand Stands Today

According to trucking ton-mile data, freight demand reached a seasonally adjusted low point in Q2 2024 and has been slowly improving since.

That modest demand recovery, combined with significant carrier exits throughout 2024 and early 2025, helps explain why capacity has tightened even though freight volumes remain historically soft.

To put growth into perspective:

Those past cycles saw rapid demand expansion for 18 months or more. There is currently no evidence of that kind of acceleration heading into 2026.

Supply, Capacity, and Carrier Operating Costs 

Capacity & Costs: Tight, But Under Strain

Transportation capacity tightened sharply at year-end. The Logistics Managers’ Index shows capacity fell to a four-year low in December:

At the same time:

Spot & Contract Market Trends 

Contract Rates: Stable, For Now

Contract pricing has been far less reactive than spot markets. Retailers and shippers entered peak season with:

Post-holiday inventory drawdowns are normal seasonal behavior, not a signal of a Q1 demand surge. With sales largely flat on a price-adjusted basis, there is little incentive for shippers to lock in higher contract rates early in 2026.

Market Update.

spotinc.com

More Than a Broker

When freight stops moving, every shipper knows the ticking clock becomes a countdown to a service failure, a claim, or a lost customer relationship. For high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable goods, reliability isn’t a perk; it’s non-negotiable. That’s where The Spot Experience comes in.

This is the story of how one of Spot’s National Account Directors, Nathan Lanhart, who manages some of Spot’s most critical lanes for key accounts, defines “commitment” not by contracts, but by showing up when everyone else says no.

The 2 AM Litmus Test: The Difference Between Carriers

The scene: 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday. One of Nathan’s drivers, carrying a crucial, perishable, and high-touch load running into Tampa, is stranded at a weigh station. The problem? A flat trailer tire. The truck is tagged “Out of Service.”

For most carriers, this is a textbook problem solved by a single phone call: roadside assistance.

But for Nathan’s customer, the news was grim: roadside estimated a two-and-a-half to three-hour minimum wait, with no guarantee. For a sensitive shipment with a tight delivery window, that delay was already a potential claim. The typical, institutional response was failing.

Solving the Problem (Not Just Escalating It)

The next standard steps for a logistics professional would be to initiate expensive contingency measures:

  1. Transload: Hire two additional box trucks and movers to manually shift the product. Costly, time-consuming, and risky.
  2. Repower: Send a fresh tractor to swap out the trailer. Difficult if the disabled truck’s brakes are locked without air.

Nathan chose none of the above. He knew the carrier was close to the receiver—about eight miles. He also knew that the trailer tire wasn’t damaged; it had simply fallen off the bead (the rim seat), leaking air and rendering the vehicle non-compliant.

Instead of escalating the problem up the cost chain, Nathan grabbed his personal truck and drove to the weigh station.

“I was like, ‘Hey, you’re like 15 minutes from me. I’m just going to go get my truck. I’m gonna go meet you out there, see what’s going on.'”

Using his small, on-board air compressor and drawing on old mechanic shop experience, Nathan and his driver spent 20 minutes physically manipulating the massive trailer tire, which can weigh around 100 pounds fighting to get the bead to catch and seal. Finally, they succeeded in reseating the tire and inflating it to get the truck back on the road.

Result: Hours of Delay Averted. Costly Transload Eliminated. Service Maintained.

Building the Network of Trust

Nathan didn’t just save the load; he followed the truck to the receiver. This might seem like over-servicing, but it was a calculated move to reinforce service and open doors for future growth.

At the receiver, he:

Shipper Takeaway: A carrier who invests in on-the-ground relationships—not just with logistics managers, but with warehouse personnel—is gaining valuable, early insights that help you plan better. They put a face with the name on the Bill of Lading.

The Return on Radical Commitment

For shippers, the true value of a partner like Nathan isn’t just in competitive rates, but in the certainty that when an inevitable crisis hits, they won’t default to the easiest or most expensive option.

Customers now automatically entrust Nathan and his team with the hardest, most sensitive freight, often waiving standard bid processes.

The message is clear from his customers: “We’ll send it over to Nathan, and I’m not gonna worry about it.”

The difference between a good carrier and a great one is often the willingness to roll up your sleeves at 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday and do what others won’t. When selecting your next logistics partner, ask yourself who you want to answer the phone when the unexpected happens.

In Logistics, time is everything.  

It’s measured in transit windows, response times, dock appointments, and delivery confirmations. It’s tracked, optimized, and compressed, and often lost in the margins between systems, partners, and priorities.  

For many shippers, time becomes something to manage instead of something to use.  

At Spot, we believe time should be given back.  

That belief is a solid part of the foundations of The Spot Experience. The defining difference in how we serve our customers.  

It’s not just how we move freight. It’s about how we spend our time so our customers can spend theirs on what matters most.  

More Than Freight  

Plenty of providers can say they move freight. Fewer can say they move it with intention.  

We deliver more than shipments. We deliver confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. We do the things others won’t. We sweat the details others overlook. We focus on outcomes, not transactions. That means answering the phone when it rings. Solving problems before they escalate. Communicating proactively. Taking ownership when something goes wrong and making it right.  

These moments may seem small, but they carry weight. When done consistently, they remove friction from the day. They reduce stress. They create confidence. And most importantly, they build trust and give time back.  

Innovation That Works for People 

Innovation is often defined by technology alone: faster systems, smarter algorithms, more data. However, we see it differently. True innovation happens when technology and people work together seamlessly.  

We develop advanced technology designed to keep businesses moving. Our systems provide visibility, intelligence, and control across the supply chain. They help identify risks earlier, streamline decisions, and reduce friction.  

But technology is only powerful when it’s paired with human insight.  

The Spot Experience combines smart tools with smarter people: logistics experts who understand nuance, context, and urgency. People who know your business, your lanes, and your priorities. People who can translate data into action and action into results.  

That’s innovation with purpose.  

A Focus on What Matters Most  

Logistics can easily become transactional. Rates, loads, lanes, repeat.  

We choose a different approach.  

At Spot, we focus on people, not transactions. On outcomes, not activities. On long-term partnerships, not short-term wins. We dedicate ourselves to what truly matters to our customers: reliability, clarity, and confidence.  

When logistics works the way it should, it fades into the background. And when that happens, something powerful occurs when time reappears. Time to think strategically instead of reactively. Time to focus on customers instead of disruptions. Time to lead, plan, and grow.  

And with that time comes peace of mind.  

Doing Logistics Differently 

What sets Spot apart isn’t a single service, system, or solution. It’s how everything works together. Our people, our technology, and our mindset. We spend our time differently, so our customers don’t have to spend theirs worrying, checking, or reacting.  

We take on complexity so our customers can move with confidence.  

That’s how we deliver more than freight. That’s how we deliver time back. 

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