As we enter 2026, the transportation market continues to challenge shippers nationwide. Volatile capacity, labor constraints, and heightened customer expectations have become part of everyday operations. For companies that move frozen and refrigerated products and consumer packaged goods, these pressures can impact budgets.
At RLS Logistics, we believe resilience is built through smart network design and proactive planning. While the market may be tough, shippers who rethink how inventory is positioned, how freight is managed, and how data is leveraged can create stability and even gain a competitive edge.
In tighter markets, one of the smartest moves a brand can make is positioning inventory closer to the end user. We’re seeing more customers split inventory between East and West Coast distribution points to reduce transit risk, control freight costs, and improve service levels. At RLS, our temperature-controlled warehouses, integrated transportation management, and fulfillment capabilities enable customers to build a balanced inventory strategy, one that protects margins while strengthening on time delivery.
Storing products in RLS facilities on the East Coast places inventory closer to major population centers and retail hubs. On the West Coast, our Salt Lake City facility supports West Coast distribution and nationwide fulfillment that allows products to be moved efficiently within a two day transit to most metropolitan areas. Together, these operations create a flexible distribution model that shortens transit and improves service consistency nationwide.
This dual threat approach also plays a critical role in mitigating risk. Weather events, port congestion, and labor disruptions can all quickly ripple through a national network. Maintaining balanced stock across RLS facilities on both coasts gives shippers the agility to shift volumes and continue serving customers even when one part of the network is under strain. For temperature controlled freight in particular, proximity matters. Shorter lanes mean fewer handoffs and greater confidence that product quality is protected from dock to door.
Inventory strategy, however, is only as strong as the information and partner behind it. In a volatile market, reactive decision making can drive up costs and negatively affect service. Shippers that invest in visibility and predictive planning are better positioned to stay ahead of disruption rather than chase it. By monitoring freight in real time, through our anello customer portal, companies can avoid costly last minute transportation moves.
For our customers, flexibility is reinforced through our integrated transportation and warehousing solutions. When cold storage, cross-docking, managed transportation, and D2C fulfillment operate inside one coordinated network, the supply chain simply performs better. It moves faster, recovers quicker, and scales as demand shifts. Just as important, there’s one accountability partner. In tough moments, you don’t need finger-pointing.
The transportation market may remain unpredictable, but shippers don’t have to face it unprepared. At RLS Logistics, we’ve spent more than five decades helping food and beverage companies adapt to changing conditions with confidence. If you’re ready to rethink your distribution network and build a strategy that performs in today’s challenging market, our team is ready to help you take the next step forward.
ABOUT RLS LOGISTICS: Headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, RLS Logistics is a family-owned, third-party logistics provider specializing in value-added cold chain solutions, including LTL and FTL transportation, cold storage warehousing, and direct-to-consumer fulfillment. Founded in 1968, the company has been owned and managed by the Leo family for over 55 years and has grown into a leading integrated cold chain 3PL. For more information, visit https://www.rlslogistics.com/. Interested in joining one of the region’s leading temperature controlled logistics providers offering transportation, 3PL warehousing, packaging, and distribution services? Visit https://rlslogistics.com/logistics-careers.
