MCCLAIN & INDUSTRY NEWS

Midwest businesses face real supply chain pressures in 2026. Here's what's driving disruption and how supply chain management services can help you stay ahead.

Midwest manufacturers in St. Louis, Chicago, and Detroit are leaving money on the table with every shipment. Here are the six freight spend leaks to fix first.

LTL freight can save Missouri businesses significant money on shipping — if you use it correctly. Here's what St. Louis shippers need to know about less-than-truckload freight.

Choosing the wrong 3PL costs more than you think. Here's what Midwest shippers in St. Louis, Chicago, and Kansas City should look for before signing a contract.

Choosing a 3PL in St. Louis? Learn what to look for in a logistics partner, questions to ask, and red flags to avoid before you sign anything.

St. Louis sits at the center of the U.S. freight network. Discover why businesses across the Midwest rely on STL logistics companies to move goods efficiently.

If you've been shopping for logistics solutions, you've likely seen TMS mentioned alongside 3PLs, ERPs, and WMS systems. The terminology can get thick

The “PL” model proliferated over the last two decades — 2PL, 3PL, 4PL, and some consultants now argue for a 5PL. For a mid-market shipper trying to decide how

If you’ve started shopping for logistics help, you’ve probably seen both terms: freight broker and 3PL. They sound related, and they are, but they’re

Some of the most critical cargo moving through the American economy is also the most challenging to transport: industrial generators that power hospitals,

How many times have you gotten a call from a customer asking where their shipment is, and had to put them on hold while you chased down the carrier? Or

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. It’s a principle that applies in manufacturing, finance, and marketing, and it’s equally true in freight logistics.

When a freight shipment is damaged or lost in transit, most shippers assume they'll be made whole. After all, the carrier is responsible for the cargo while

Most people picture a classic enclosed semi-trailer when they think of freight shipping. Walk through any industrial corridor in the St. Louis metro, past the

In 2026, the value of the Midwest has moved beyond simple transit times—it has become a strategic "buffer zone" for the entire North American network.

Every morning when we log in at our Maryland Heights headquarters, we aren’t just looking at a screen of load numbers. We’re thinking about the people on the

In our recent look at Agents of Change and the rise of Agentic AI, we explored how autonomous systems are redefining how supply chains respond to disruption.

Visibility isn't enough in 2026. Top supply chains have shifted from just sensing disruptions to responding autonomously.

Choosing a logistics partner is one of the most significant decisions an operations manager or business owner can make. It’s not just about handing over

At McClain, we specialize in the complex. Our specialized freight services provide the heavy-lift capabilities and over-dimensional expertise that industrial