The logistics industry—dynamic and critically vital—is the quiet star of the global market, the lifeblood that keeps commerce pulsating, ensuring goods get from point A to B, continents apart. But like any titan of industry, it isn’t without its shadows.
Transparency issues often cloud this sector, with unethical practices lurking beneath the surface. These malpractices pose a significant risk, jeopardizing businesses and consumers alike. The lack of visibility into supply chains can lead to inefficiencies, cost increases, and damages that ripple throughout the economy.
With a background steeped in information technology, entrepreneur Lucas Grizz has stepped onto the stage of this complex industry with the goal to harness the power of digital solutions and use them to revolutionize the shipping and logistics sector.
This ambition, coupled with his inherent desire to take his financial and professional destiny into his own hands, led Grizz to leave the IT sector and dive deep into logistics, resulting in the birth of Raven Cargo, a Chicago-based freight brokerage firm with an international reach.
Founded on the principles of openness, ethics, and sustainable growth, Raven Cargo is a rare find within an industry often plagued with opacity. The mission behind the company is straightforward yet deeply inspiring: delivering exceptional services while strictly adhering to moral business practices.
“The logistics sector here in the U.S. has a fair share of challenges. It’s a low-entry barrier industry, so, unfortunately, companies that operate under highly dubious and unethical standards are a common sight,” Grizz shares.
The industry’s most pervasive issues, namely shipment consolidation and double brokering, are most evident in the dedicated freight system. This system, designed to provide reliable freight for small and mid-sized fleets, is often manipulated to the detriment of carriers.
Unethical practices such as shipment consolidation, where multiple shipments are loaded onto a single truck, can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs, eroding client satisfaction and trust.
“In dedicated freight, customers pay for the space they use while reserving the entire trailer. But some companies misuse this system, taking shipments to a separate location, adding other cargo, and potentially charging more than initially agreed, despite the customer’s exclusive rights,” Grizz explains.
Double brokering is another issue many in the industry have tried to address. This practice, where a broker subcontracts to another, creates a problematic chain of intermediaries. And a practice that leads to reduced transparency, increased costs, and potential delays.
But where others failed, Raven Cargo triumphed by introducing the groundbreaking optimization tool – RavenEye. This cutting-edge integration layer is tailored specifically for the logistics sector, effortlessly connecting disparate data systems to close software gaps, boost operational efficiency, and maintain data accuracy.
By ensuring a cohesive information flow across platforms, RavenEye not only eliminates redundancy and inconsistency but also greatly improves visibility and document exchange. As Grizz highlights, the tool has been indispensable for businesses aiming to streamline their logistics operations and achieve a unified, transparent view of their data processes.
“Many companies are increasingly outsourcing operations to countries such as Colombia to streamline their processes. This trend often involves multiple personnel handling various documents, including invoices, account statements, and carrier information,” Grizz reveals. “But with our tool, you don’t have to worry about all the complex technicalities. You can simply focus on what matters most: your business.”
As the industry continues to shift, Grizz and his team are committed to staying ahead of industry trends, continually innovating to ensure that they meet the evolving needs of their customers. Most of all, they hope to inspire others in the industry and lead to a future where fairness and morals will take precedence over profit.
As Grizz says, “We live in an age where shortcuts are tempting, but I believe ethics, sustainability, and transparency will always lead to the greatest rewards.”