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Showing posts from June, 2025

Logistics at a Crossroads: Vol 33: 🌐 Copper’s Comeback: A Barometer for the Global Economy

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Copper used to be a quiet workhorse of the industrial world—essential but rarely in the spotlight. That’s changed. Over the past two years, copper has surged from a basic building material into a strategic resource shaping the clean energy transition, fueling the tech boom, and driving a scramble among miners, manufacturers, and investors. Today, prices are approaching what some analysts call peak altitude . The question isn’t just why copper is rallying—it’s whether this market is about to explode further or finally correct. 1. Why Copper Demand Is Exploding Copper is the backbone of electrification. Each electric vehicle uses up to four times more copper than a gas-powered car. Solar farms and wind turbines need miles of copper wiring. Grid upgrades in the U.S., China, and Europe are copper-hungry projects. Quote: “Copper is the metal of electrification—it’s simply irreplaceable at scale.” — Daniel Yergin New growth engines are adding fuel. AI-powered hyperscale data centers—esp...

When the Mic Stalls and the Grief Speaks First

I’ve tried to record Episode 28 of Logistics at a Crossroads . Over and over again. But the words stumble. My voice falters. And honestly, my heart is somewhere else entirely. Grief has been showing up in waves. It’s not neat. It’s not organized. It doesn’t take turns. It just arrives and piles up. It started with the loss of my friend Kelly "Bee" on February 8th.  Then came emergency surgery on May 15th, when my body demanded I slow down whether I wanted to or not. May 31st brought the news that Alfred, a friend from high school, had passed. June 13th reopened the wound of losing my cowboy, Todd. June 18th, I remembered my grandfather—his voice, his steadiness, the quiet wisdom he carried. And woven through it all is the painful, national memory of the Mother Emanuel 9  sacred space turned into a site of mourning, and of the Charleston 9, Firefighters lost in a fire...  And just this morning… Kelly’s mama passed away. I knew it was coming. We all did. But knowing never m...

Logistics at a Crossroads: Vol 32 Navigating the Jargon: Understanding Shipping & Logistics Terms

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  Navigating the Jargon: Understanding Shipping & Logistics Terms In the fast-paced world of logistics, understanding the terminology can make all the difference. Whether you’re new to the industry or just curious about how things move from point A to point B, certain terms can seem like a foreign language. Today, we’re breaking down some of the most important yet often confusing terms in shipping and logistics. 1. ETA vs ETD – What’s the Difference? When we talk about shipping, ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) and ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) are crucial for managing expectations. The ETA is when a shipment is expected to arrive at its destination, while ETD refers to when it will leave the point of origin. These estimates help companies plan their logistics around the movement of goods, from port arrivals to final delivery. 2. LCL vs FCL – What’s Best for Your Shipment? In shipping, LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) are key terms that affe...

Logistics at Crossroads Vol:31 The Future of Work in Logistics: Embracing Flexibility and Equity

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The logistics industry is currently navigating a transformative period. With the rise of automation, AI, and evolving global trade dynamics, the industry is already undergoing massive changes. However, amidst these technological advancements, there's another shift that needs to take center stage: flexibility and equity in the workplace. For too long, the logistics industry has been associated with rigid structures and unrelenting schedules. Whether it’s truck drivers, warehouse workers, or planners, the demands of the job often leave little room for personal flexibility. Add in the growing pressure from global disruptions and economic uncertainty, and it becomes evident that the logistics workforce needs a new approach—one that values both flexibility and equity. The Case for Flexibility Flexibility in the logistics industry can take many forms, from adjusting work schedules to offering remote opportunities for administrative roles. Here are a few ways flexibility can be integrat...

#GallbladderRecovery – Day 31

So here we are — Day 31 post-surgery — and let me just say, this new phase is for the birds. The good news? I’m no longer stuck sleeping flat on my back like a board. The bad news? Now, I get these sudden, localized stings when I roll over in my sleep or even just stand up too fast. The doctor said it could take 4 to 8 weeks for everything inside to settle back into place — but nobody warned me about the Freddy Krueger-with-a-TENS-unit moments. It’s not constant. But when it hits? Whew. It’s that sharp, sneaky zap that makes you hiss out loud, and next thing you know people are turning around like, “Ma’am, are you okay?” And I’m just there smiling like, “Oh, it’s nothing,” while my insides are staging a mini protest. Recovery isn’t linear. It’s weird. And sometimes it’s loud. But hey — we’re getting there, one zap at a time. So just know when the Doc says- your body needs time to heal.. I now understand that it's not the big recovery, it's the little nuances that happen.