b'JANUARY 2026WAREHOUSING PROVIDERS 19(TRENDScontinued from page 12) Bridge, reached Europe via the Arc- (EXPLODEcontinued from page 18) AJOT: How does ColdTrack com-and import restrictions.ticsNortheastPassageforthefirstAJOT:Theresbeensomebuzzpete with the cold chain giants?Accordingly, Wood advises import- timeinOctober2025,cuttingjour- aroundColdTracks100%Pick Accu- Vaccaro:Manyofthelargest ers and logistics-intensive businessesney time by at least 50%a poten- racy Guarantee and Ive seen inter- playersincoldchainlogisticswere totreattariffsasacorecompliancetialgamechanger.Consequently,Iviewswhereyoutalkaboutthebuilttomanagefull-pallet,busi-risk, not just a finance issue, and heexpect to see changing port-reportedcompanysgoaltobeperfect.Isness-to-businessdistribution.While believes tariffs are likely to becomemetricsduetoareconfigurationofperfect even a possibility in the com- somearenowattemptingtoadapt aboard-levelreferencepoint.Iroutes, says Wood. plexities of the global cold chain?those facilities and systems for DTC thinkthatsgoingtobeaheadlineContinuing with the arctic theme,Vaccaro:Wechoseperfectionfulfillment, they were never designed issuethrough2027.Organizationsthe Greenland controversy may alsoas our benchmark because thats theforhigh-velocity,unit-levelfulfill-will move duties and tariffs from anhave an effect on port performance.standard consumers expect. If I placementandtheflexibilityrequiredto accountingafterthoughttoamoreThe rhetoric around potential tariffsanorderonline,Iexpecttoreceivefulfillforhundredsofbrands,each proactiveanddata-drivenmodeltoon countries that dont support the USeverythingIpurchasedanythingwith their own unique mix of SKUs, answerquestionslike:Howquicklybid to take control of Greenland couldless is a failure of the experience. Ourpackingprocess,coolanttype(i.e. canwedolandedcostsimulationsput the entire trade deal negotiatedgoal is to operate at 100% in termsdryiceand/orfrozengelpacks), based on changing tariff figures? Howbetween US and EU at risk, Woodof pick accuracy, inventory accuracy,andtime-in-transitshippinglogic. quicklyareweabletomodelalter- speculates. If Europe takes a heavy- and on-time shipping. Weve built ourColdTrack was built from the ground nativesources?Canwetakebetterhanded retaliatory approach, it wouldprocesses,technology,andcontrolsup for direct-to-consumer fulfillment. advantage of free trade agreements? likely be a significant negative head- around achieving that standard everyOurstrategicallylocatedfacilities wind for ports on the East Coast of theday.Our guarantee reflects that. inNJ,IN,andCA,plustechnol-c onFlictS oFi ntereStS US and even in the Gulf. AJOT:How is technology drivingogypurpose-builtforperishable The Descartes report also expectsWood adds, I dont think we willthe future of tracking and traceability? logistics, and our nimble operating geopoliticalinstabilityandcon- see Greenland fade from being a topicVaccaro: Tracking a single boxmodel were engineered specifically flictin regions near the Red Sea,ofconversationaswethinkaboutinasinglelocationcanbedonefor that complexity. Thats why our Ukraine, Israel, Iran and even Ven- geopoliticalpositioningandtrademanually.Butwhenyouintroduceexecutionspeed,orderaccuracy, ezuelato continue to disrupt theimplicationsgoingforwardforthemultipleSKUs,boxsizes,facili- andnationalperformanceprofile supply chain.foreseeable future. ties, temperature zones, and serviceareimpossibletoreplicateinside Forexample,issuessurround- levels,thecomplexityincreasesretrofitted networks.ingUSactioninVenezuelamayP reParinG For2026 exponentially.Itallstartswitha indirectlyaffectgloballogisticsTakentogether,thesedynam- proper inbound process that digitally conditionsthroughenergymarketicspointtoacautiousglobaltradelogs each pallet and records the Lot(COMPLEXcontinued from volatility, sanctions compliance chal- environmententeringearly2026,Number, Expiration Date, and otherpage 18)lenges, and heightened regional riskshapedmorebyriskmanagementunique identifiers to ensure safe andWithoutdefinitiveagreements premiums, which can influence fuelthanbycleargrowthmomentum,accurate inventory management. Weinplaceconcerningtariffs,thenext costs,insurancerates,andbroaderthe Descartes Global Shipping ReportutilizeDeposco,atop-tierWare- 6 months will likely remain volatile supply chain planning, even if directobserves,recommendingthatorga- house Management System (WMS),intheindustrialrealestatemarket. impactsonUSimportvolumesnizationsmonitordevelopmentsinwhichisintegratedintoourownAdecreaseinthecostofcapitalis remain limited at this time. Venezuela, Ukraine and Middle EastproprietaryperishableOrderMan- anticipated, and this could provide a WestCoastportsexpandedconflicts; model the effects of the US agement System (OMS), putting thejump start to the stagnant residential theshareofUSimportswhileEastChina trade framework; and track portdatadirectlyintoourplatformandreal estate market. A strong residen-andGulfCoastvolumeslostshare,volumes and delays to avoid disrup- machine-readableworkflowsthattial market lifts the industrial market according to the Descartes report. Itions caused by stressed U.S. maritimeallowustooperatewithprecisionthrough increased activity in remod-think well continue to see Southeastlogisticsinfrastructure.Meanwhile,and speed. Combined with our stan- els, expansions and improvements that Asia be a large source of imports intolong-term evaluation of supplier anddard operating procedures, this givesdrive the need for textiles, appliances, the US and that augurs well for thefactory location density is advised, toourclientsaleveloftransparencycabinetry, flooring, etc.A combina-West Coast ports, Wood notes. mitigate reliance on over-taxed tradeand control that removes guessworktion of an improved residential market However,Woodsuggeststhatlanesandregionswithcurrentorfrominventoryplanning,procure- and the end to tariff uncertainty would portvolumescouldchangein2026potential conflict. ment,commercialdecision-making,be the best path forward for the indus-because a cargo vessel, theIstanbul(TRENDScontinued on page 22) and food safety. trial real estate market.Your Just-In-Time turnkey facility in Savannah, GA! Trucking / Heavy Haul / OOG Drayage Warehousing / Rail / Import / Export Project Cargo / Crane / [email protected] / 912-201-0050 / 866-522-2200'