🎣 Freight's New Deals

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Good Friday Morning. In today's feature, we get more details about Fura's acquisition of Pinwheel Logistics and what it will take for companies to swim instead of sink in 2025.

Plus:

• 💪 Roadrunner's Comeback Trail

• ⚓ Port Negotiations to Resume

• 📄 Broker Rule Delayed Again

• ...& More

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🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

📄 FMCSA Extends Broker Rule Compliance. FMCSA has postponed key provisions of the Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility rule to January 2026, citing registration system updates. The rule, designed to protect truckers from unpaid claims, is supported by groups like the National Owner Operators Association (NOOA), but the delay has drawn criticism. NOOA CEO Michael Boston argues it undermines “transparency and accountability,” leaving truckers exposed to financial risks. FMCSA counters that the rule will affect fewer than 0.5% of brokers and claims the delay’s impact is minimal.

💪 Roadrunner Revival: From "Dumpster Fire" to Recovery. Roadrunner Transport is back on track after an ownership overhaul. CEO Chris Jamroz took over Roadrunner after 2019’s accounting scandal and extinguished the "dumpster fire" of 37 failed acquisitions and CFOs into an operational LTL carrier. Now owned by Prospero Staff Capital, the asset-light company focused on metro-to-metro freight is eyeing a major stock exchange relisting. With $450 million in annual revenue and plans for growth through acquisitions, Jamroz predicts one of the company’s best years in a decade. “It is my job to take this business on the road and show the power of the financial turnaround, and then the investors can make their own decisions," he stated.

⚓ Dock Drama: Strikes, Automation, and a Race Against Time. Dockworker and employer negotiations are to resume Jan. 7, aiming to avert a mid-January strike that could halt half of US container traffic across East and Gulf Coast ports. Automation remains the sticking point, with dockworkers opposing semi-automated cranes they see as a job threat. A tentative October deal provided a 62% wage increase but left this issue unresolved. Talks stalled in December, deepening fears of disruption when the temporary contract extension expires Jan. 15. While employers argue automation is crucial for competitiveness, union resistance grows, leaving importers, exporters, and policymakers anxiously awaiting a resolution. “Let’s hope the parties can actually get a deal. If not, they must do another extension to avoid a strike,” Jonathon Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy, posted on his X Jan 1.

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Digital Broker Fura Acquires Pinwheel Logistics

How Fura is Rolling in the Next Generation of Logistics Companies

Fura, a digital freight broker quietly making strategic moves, has acquired Pinwheel Logistics, a Chicago-based brokerage specializing in food and beverage freight. Fura’s approach to growth reflects the bold vision of its Co-Founder and CEO, Jeff Dangelo.

Jeff brings decades of logistics experience that shape his current strategies:

• Early TQL Days: Joined as the 25th employee, helping grow the company to $700 million in revenue.

• Megacorp Logistics: VP of Sales for the company, scaling it to $150 million in four years.

• Turvo: Built the tech platform from the ground up and ended up selling to Lineage Logistics.

“This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to growth and innovation, even in a down market,” said Jeff Dangelo, Fura’s CEO.

Fura’s strategy, driven by Jeff’s blend of logistics and tech expertise, is setting the stage for transformative change in how mid-sized brokerages grow and evolve.

Flipping the Script on Acquisitions

We sat down with Jeff to discuss Fura's unique approach to acquisitions and the strategy behind it. “We look for brokers that haven’t invested much in tech but have strong margins and customer relationships,” Jeff explained.

Pinwheel checked all the boxes. Its foothold in expedited, air, and food and beverage logistics complements Fura’s growing presence in niche markets like renewable energy. “Specialization is key for us—it’s where we can create the most value,” Jeff added.

This move marks Fura’s third acquisition, following Chaos Logistics and AOK Freight. With its eyes on more opportunities, Fura is leveraging technology and innovation to thrive in a market that’s seeing increased consolidation.

Four Keys to Logistics Innovation

Jeff broke down the pillars of innovative companies for 2025 in a recent LinkedIn post. He says that for your business to have staying power in today's market, you're going to need these four things:

1. Bleeding Edge Tech That Works: Fura builds and integrates cutting-edge tools to automate operations and add value for customers and carriers. 

2. Speed of  Implementation: “If we can implement tech in 30 days instead of six months, we create scale with speed,” Jeff emphasized.

3. Business Model Innovation: Solving real problems for customers, not just competing on price.

4. Global Talent: Tapping into offshore talent in Serbia, Abu Dhabi, and Portugal for the best minds in the industry.

The Vision Ahead

Jeff is clear about Fura’s mission: transforming traditional brokers into tech-powered organizations. “Our mission is to get to a zero-waste supply chain.  Transforming traditional brokers into tech-powered organizations helps us get there,” he explained.

With three acquisitions already under its belt and plans for more, Fura is setting the stage for a major shift in freight brokerage —quietly but confidently.

“We just want to impact the industry in a really cool way,” Jeff concluded.

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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

📊 Stock Market Trends. Chief Market Strategist Charlie Bilello shared a chart to X showing that Walmart, Amazon, and Costco currently make up 17% of total retail sales in the US, up from 11% ten years ago.

🚛 Kroger Chaos. A murder at a Kroger facility in Memphis, TN halted operations during the Xmas/NY holiday period. The delays left truckers stranded in their trucks for 72 hours due to the investigation.

📉 More Layoffs. Over 900 workers across various freight-related companies are facing layoffs. This is the fourth wave of layoffs across the US’s supply chain industry since October, according to WARN Act notices.

🚓 Marijuana Bust. Authorities uncovered $6 million worth of marijuana concealed within semi-trucks at the World Trade Bridge, disguised as shipments of roof sealant buckets.

📦 2025 Freight Market Updates. The Top 10 freight market rulemakings for 2025 include major regulatory changes expected to shape safety, emissions, and operations. The “Significant” rulemakings are estimated to have an annual $200 million effect on the economy.

🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER

• Conferences: Join 350+ top speakers across 150+ sessions and start planning your ultimate Manifest experience - the future of supply chain & logistics is waiting! Save $200 on the current registration rate ($600 off on-site) here.

• Podcast: In the latest FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Cameron Ramsdell, CEO of Armstrong Transport Group. Cameron discusses how the company achieved 60% growth in 2024 and more. Catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

• Find Shippers Fast: Looking for customers? Check out Shipper CRM, the world's largest shipper database, and apply for access here.

FREIGHT MEME OF THE DAY