7 Exciting Companies That Are Disrupting the Shipping Industry
The shipping industry is almost as old as the human race. It is how people discovered other lands and has always been a necessary part of trade. It was born the first time we found something useful and decided to trade it away for something we needed.
With an industry that is so old, you would not expect there to be many new ways to disrupt it. However, technology has helped to disrupt most industries and shipping is no different. As a retailer, you need to be familiar with these disruptions—they can affect your supply chain as well as order fulfillment. Keeping up with these disruptions can help streamline your business and add money to your bottom line.
I spoke with Charles Anderson, CEO of Los Angeles-based equipment financing company Currency Capital, about how much the shipping industry is currently being disrupted.
Below is a list of companies that Anderson finds fascinating in this space and his assessment of each. How these shipping disruptors could benefit your own business depends on the industry you are in.
1. Holland Container Innovations
According to Anderson, “This is a really impressive company that’s actually redefining shipping containers themselves. They’re developing products such as foldable containers for ease in storage and relocation, more efficient container repositioning systems, and more. I imagine that, with their help, shipping yards will look very different and operate much more efficiently in the years to come.”
2. Matternet
“We all love to talk about drones, but Matternet is really doing something about it. They just partnered with Mercedes-Benz to further develop their drone logistics system and fleet. Their goal is to make lightweight deliveries directly to consumers a much more doable feat,” says Anderson. “What’s equally exciting is their automated cargo management system, which will pair with the drones. I’m just as concerned as anyone about fly zones and busy skies, but I have a feeling these guys are going to do it right.”
3. Convoy
“The trend of on-demand trucking is incredibly fascinating, and much needed by today’s manufacturers,” says Anderson. “Given the wild popularity of Uber and other on-demand services, it’s a wonder that on-demand trucking didn’t take off soon. How else are you supposed to serve your customers at the pace they’re starting to expect?”
4. Schlep
According to Anderson, “This one is a little different in that it’s targeting services such as moving companies, UHaul and ZipVans; going straight for the consumer. They were obviously inspired by the sharing economy, from Airbnb to Turo, and have taken on the consumer short-distance moving needs with a vengeance.”
5. Locus Robotics
“Locus Robotics is incredible—they build robots that help warehouses work much more efficiently and precisely, which is critical for servicing ecommerce websites,” says Anderson. “They’re playing a major part in helping other online businesses hold their own against Amazon and eBay by enabling them to work just as quickly.”
6. VeriTread
“VeriTread’s revolutionary online transportation marketplace is redefining the heavy-haul standard,” says Anderson. “VT provides its members with a suite of next generation decision tools designed to connect and empower a wide-ranging group of members. Already partnered with some of the largest companies in the equipment industry, expect VeriTread to continue expanding their vision of safer, easier, and more cost effective heavy-haul process.”
7. uShip
“Recognizing the struggles of exponential shipping costs for consumers, uShip has successfully created a way online to efficiently connect people’s large shipments with empty truck space so both parties win. One pillar I particularly value about uShip’s marketplace is the credibility established between shippers and carriers. It’s one of the contributing reasons the company has already found international success,” says Anderson.
Final Thoughts
Anderson has high hopes for the potential for innovation in the shipping industry: “With the combination of the changing technology affecting what’s possible, and more people having an entrepreneurial mindset towards activities that were once only done one way, we’re seeing a lot of disrupting across the entire spectrum—from government needs down to your everyday consumer.”
It’s true, the shipping industry is changing. You might say that it’s having its own quiet renaissance, while consumers everywhere are none-the-wiser. “We’re excited about all of the innovation that’s taking place in this space, and are watching as orders change over time. It’s inspiring to see more opportunities opening up for small businesses, which are critical for the success of our economy, and a group that I’ve personally been committed to advocating for my entire adult life.”
