When you think about how your everyday goods get from one place to another, you might think of factories, warehouses, conveyor belts, trucks, planes, trains, shipping containers, or store shelves. While these are all critical components, they share one essential driving force: people. On National Supply Chain Day, we’re celebrating the hardworking professionals who keep goods moving and supply chains running smoothly around the globe.
In the U.S. alone, millions of professionals play a role in keeping supply chains running. Within the transportation and logistics industry, it takes a coordinated effort from many teams to keep freight moving efficiently and safely. We're proud to recognize a few of the dedicated individuals at Ruan who directly impact our loads day in and day out.
Jason W., Senior Logistics Engineering Analyst, and our Solution Engineering team work closely with Ruan’s sales and operations leaders to design the most cost-effective and efficient transportation plans for our partners before a single load is ever hauled. Each load is strategically placed on a route to reach its destination as smoothly as possible. Even after the route is running, Jason’s team continues to support our valued customers through Continuous Improvement initiatives and ongoing network optimization.
There’s plenty more foundational planning that comes into play before freight leaves its starting point. Information Technology Business Analyst, Meredith K., and her team are the critical link between our customers and our development team. By gathering and interpreting requirements from business stakeholders and end users, Meredith helps guide the development of customized web applications that provide greater visibility into freight movements and key performance metrics. These solutions also address current challenges within our customers’ supply chain models. Meredith continues to monitor load performance and works to enhance application functionality to meet evolving needs until it gets to its endpoint.
These efforts help prepare our operations teams to closely manage each unique supply chain. Lucy E., Dedicated Transportation Manager, supports one of our dairy customers by coordinating and ensuring that loads are dispatched seamlessly from the dairy farm to the cheese plant. Like Lucy, operations teams across the U.S. work diligently to ensure product is ready so that drivers have a load waiting when they arrive, keeping everything moving smoothly and on time.
While our teams strive for flawless freight movement, unexpected challenges—like mechanical issues—can arise. That’s where Lead Technician, Aaron B., and the rest of our skilled maintenance teams step in. He performs the critical work of keeping our equipment in top condition to ensure the safety of both our drivers and the motoring public. It takes advanced technology, sharp diagnostic skills, and deep mechanical knowledge to repair and maintain our tractors, and this team is dedicated to keeping the wheels turning safely and reliably so freight gets where it needs to go.
As freight becomes readily available to ship, our dispatch teams play a vital role in keeping it moving across our operations. Travis S., Dispatch Support Coordinator, provides support across our multiple business lines and customers. He pushes for fluid communication between carriers, shippers and receivers, tracks loads in real-time, and tackles unexpected challenges—such as delays, rejected loads, or last-minute changes—to get them quickly resolved. A dispatcher’s responsiveness and problem-solving abilities help prevent costly disruptions, support our partner’s operational success, and allow other team members to focus on their roles with greater balance.
None of the planning, coordination, or support would matter without our reliable truck drivers like Charles W. Jr., who play one of the most visible and essential roles in the supply chain. Charles works hard over the road to deliver freight safely and on time, often assisting with unloading product, staying in close contact with stores to provide accurate arrival times, and returning product when needed. Our drivers maintain professionalism and safety to help every delivery meet the quality standards our customers rely on.
Without these incredible individuals and teams, our supply chains couldn’t move effectively. On National Supply Chain Day, we thank everyone who helps make our supply chain stronger, safer, and more efficient every day.