Strategic partnership between NTG and Flexport focuses on supply chain visibility

Earlier today, Atlanta-based Nolan Transportation Group (NTG), a provider of non-asset, tech-enabled logistics and brokerage services, and a subsidiary of Transportation Insight, and San Francisco-based freight forwarding and customs brokerage services provider Flexport, said they are collaborating on a strategic partnership focused on integrating their respective technologies, with a focus on “greater visibility across supply chains.”

The companies said that this partnership will provide shippers with technology-enabled services across various modes, including: full truckload, less-than-truckload, expedited, drayage, and final mile.

What’s more, they explained that this partnership will mesh NTG’s and Flexport’s technology with operational expertise to offer customers visibility and control across their supply chains. NTG’s dedicated client services team will manage shipments and communicate with clients via Flexport’s all-encompassing trucking software, Transmission, providing what they described as a seamless shipping experience from end-to-end, adding that customers will be able to access more than 80,000 carriers in NTG’s network, ensuring reliable volume and capacity amid market volatility. And the companies also noted that customers will also gain access to NTG’s AI-powered technology and predictive analytics to streamline processes and make better-informed decisions as they navigate fast-changing markets.

“Global importers are dealing with historic complexity and unpredictability, and are in need of simple, efficient solutions to keep their goods moving,” said Geoff Kelley, president & COO of TI and NTG, in a statement. “This partnership creates a seamless experience for Flexport customers to manage their transportation operations. Together, we will give shippers the visibility, flexibility, and control they need to navigate these unsteady times from a single, integrated platform instead of having to use a mix of providers and solutions with different user interfaces.”

In an e-mail Q&A, Drew Herpich, Chief Commercial Officer at NTG & Transportation Insight, provided LM with additional details about this strategic partnership.

LM: What drove the need for this partnership? Did NTG and Flexport have a prior relationship (if so, what was it etc.)?

Herpich: Global importers are dealing with historic complexity and unpredictability. A shifting global economy and fluctuating consumer demand is making inventory planning seemingly impossible, and market congestion remains uneven. Shippers need simple, efficient solutions to keep their goods moving despite market volatility and uncertainty.

This partnership creates a seamless experience for Flexport customers to manage their transportation operations. Combining Flexport’s international capabilities and NTG’s domestic network and capabilities creates greater opportunity for carriers and customers. Together, NTG and Flexport will give consignees the visibility, flexibility, and control they need to navigate these unsteady times from one integrated platform.

NTG has been a longstanding Flexport partner aligning across drayage and truckload and driving value for Flexport customers. The complimentary partnership created synergies for the two highly successful companies to innovate together during a very challenging time in supply chain history. This is the next step in a long-term partnership that will expanded NTG’s and Flexport’s offerings to customers.

LM: What are the main benefits of this partnership for the companies' shipper customers?

Herpich: The partnership combines NTG’s and Flexport’s technology with operational expertise, offering customers visibility and control for global shippers, which is key to their success during such times of uncertainty. Teaming Flexport’s international freight and ocean capabilities and NTG’s domestic/trucking capabilities creates more opportunities for shippers and carriers.

Ultimately, shippers will be able to manage international and domestic truckloads all from the Flexport Platform instead of using a mix of providers and solutions with different user interfaces, providing a seamless, tech-enabled experience.

Flexport customers will now be able to access over 80,000 carriers in NTG’s network, ensuring reliable volume and capacity amid market volatility. They will also gain access to NTG’s AI-powered technology and predictive analytics to streamline processes and make better-informed decisions as they navigate fast-changing markets.

Dedicated customer service teams with deep operational expertise will provide ongoing support and flexible solutions to execute even the most complex moves and navigate the unique challenges of every market in the US.

LM: Can you please provide some basic examples of how this partnership will function?

Herpich: Flexport customers will gain access to NTG’s large carrier network and AI-powered technology and predictive analytics through the Flexport Platform. The platform will allow customers to quote, book and manage shipments, access lower rates and receive dedicated customer service support, view real-time loads and control reporting and analytics for volume and entire freight spend.

NTG’s dedicated client services team will manage shipments and communicate with clients via Flexport’s all-encompassing trucking software, Transmission, ensuring a seamless shipping experience from end-to-end.

As part of the joint product roadmap, NTG’s proprietary Beon Digital Logistics Platform will integrate directly with the Flexport Platform via API. Ultimately, clients will have a seamless shipping experience that includes rates and available capacity, load tendering and booking, load status updates, estimated delivery time, and shipper onboarding, all via the Flexport Platform.