Editor's note: this Spotlight was first sent to members on August 20, 2026. We're republishing it on acwi.org so the full archive is in one place.
WELCOME TO AUGUST
Dear Members,
Welcome August. July was a great month for the team at ACWI. Our Technology and AI Consultant Bailey Simrell got married, our publisher of the Spotlight, Rosemarie Allen got married, and my daughter Mariana got married.
On August 4, we had our quarterly members call where we outlined our year to date progress and our plans for the rest of the year.
With the addition of Jose Larenas and his AI technology we are delivering more business opportunities and leads to our members. Zach is continuing with his mailing campaigns to targeted clients. I am continuing my networking efforts gaining opportunities from Logistics companies and real estate agents.
These efforts are also helping us to add new members when we present them an opportunity for a location where we don't have a member, they join ACWI.
We expect a busy rest of the year and appreciate everyone's support. We are planning some member Podcasts and will be reaching out soon. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
Best regards,
Chris
BUILDING STRONGER SIBLING PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH SUCCESSION
Successful family business succession requires more than transferring ownership—it requires siblings to align on how they will work together. Clear conversations around roles and decision-making, leadership, and ownership can help establish expectations, reduce conflict, and create a stronger foundation for the next generation of the family enterprise.
VOLATILITY BECOMES THE NEW REALITY FOR SUPPLY CHAINS
Ongoing disruption is reshaping how companies approach supply chain strategy, making adaptability and resilience essential rather than optional. As economic uncertainty, labor shortages, shifting trade flows, and energy costs continue to create challenges, organizations are investing in AI, predictive analytics, automation, and greater end-to-end visibility. The focus is shifting from simply recovering from disruption to building supply chains designed to continuously adapt.
Source: FreightWaves — 2026 State of Logistics Report: Volatility is the new normal
BEYOND STRUCTURE: BUILDING STRONGER SIBLING PARTNERSHIPS
Successful sibling partnerships in family businesses depend on more than choosing the right leadership or ownership structure. Long-term success comes from setting clear expectations, maintaining open communication, and developing strong decision-making habits together. When siblings intentionally build these skills, they can navigate leadership transitions while protecting both the business and their family relationships.
FREIGHT BROKERS FACE A NEW ERA OF LIABILITY AND RISK
Freight brokers and logistics providers are facing increased legal and financial exposure as carrier-selection practices come under greater scrutiny. With nuclear verdicts and litigation risks rising, documented carrier vetting, continuous monitoring, strong insurance practices, and consistent risk-management processes are becoming increasingly important. The focus is shifting from simply meeting compliance requirements to being able to demonstrate and defend how transportation partners are selected.
Source: FreightWaves — Broker Liability: $604M Judgment Signals New Era of Risk in Trucking
THE GROWING ROLE OF SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATING NETWORKS
As supply chains become more connected and dependent on external partners, Supply Chain Operating Networks are becoming increasingly important for collaboration and execution. New research shows that connectivity alone is no longer enough—data quality, interoperability, onboarding, network participation, and AI capabilities are key factors in determining long-term value and performance.
WAREHOUSE PACKAGING AUTOMATION SHIFTS TOWARD SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
As automated packaging becomes a larger part of warehouse operations, the focus is shifting from machine performance alone to how easily new technology integrates with existing systems. Modular designs, plug-and-play deployment, and compatibility with broader warehouse workflows are becoming key priorities, especially as integration complexity remains a major barrier to automation adoption.
Source: Interact Analysis — Automated packaging in warehousing shifts to ease of integration
BUILDING E-COMMERCE RESILIENCE IN A VOLATILE WORLD
Global shipping disruptions, rising costs, and unpredictable delivery times are forcing e-commerce businesses to rethink how they manage fulfillment. Building resilience means understanding true landed costs, diversifying carrier options, improving inventory visibility, and communicating proactively with customers. Companies that build flexibility across their operations will be better positioned to adapt quickly as market conditions change.
Source: Under Pressure: The E-Commerce Playbook for a Volatile World
ROBOTICS TAKE ON WAREHOUSING'S TOUGHEST TASKS
As warehouses face growing labor challenges, companies are turning to robotics to handle some of the most physically demanding and difficult-to-staff jobs. Major logistics players are expanding automation for tasks like trailer loading, picking, and order consolidation, helping improve speed, reliability, and worker safety. With warehouse automation projected to grow significantly in the coming years, purpose-built robotics are becoming an increasingly important part of logistics operations.
Source: Inbound Logistics — Robots Take On Warehousing's Hardest Jobs
BIG AND BULKY LAST-MILE MARKET POISED FOR CONTINUED GROWTH
The U.S. third-party logistics market for big and bulky last-mile deliveries is projected to reach $12.3 billion by 2027, even as the pace of growth begins to moderate. Demand for specialized delivery of furniture, appliances, and other oversized goods continues to support the sector, highlighting the ongoing importance of efficient final-mile capabilities and value-added services for 3PL providers.
SPOTLIGHT MEMBER: VALLEY DISTRIBUTING & STORAGE
Our member Valley Distributing & Storage, located in the heart of the Northeast, was founded by John Passan in 1954. The company is owned and led today by Carol Keup, President, with Kyle Dickerson heading up sales.
Valley provides end-to-end supply chain services including public and contract warehousing, order fulfillment, and nationwide transportation management. The company operates a rail-served campus of millions of square feet of food-grade, FDA-registered, customs-bonded space serving industries including consumer packaged goods, health and beauty, and forest products.
Core services:
- Warehousing & fulfillment — flexible space, lot control, shelf-life monitoring, and FIFO inventory systems.
- Value-added packaging — contract packaging, bundle wrapping for club stores, variety pack building, and floor-ready displays.
- Transportation management — an asset-based truckload fleet, CDS Transportation, for Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regional freight, alongside a national freight brokerage service.
- Specialized facilities — rail-served access, comprehensive sprinkler coverage, and customs-bonded warehousing.
Visit valleydist.com or the Valley member profile.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SPOTLIGHT
Prefer the original layout? Download the August 2026 Spotlight PDF.