Podcast Summary: "Logistics Challenges: Time to Block, Tackle, and Win"

Supply Chain Now – December 1, 2025
Host: Scott Luton
Guests: Tanner Destrup (Director of Logistics, Trove Brands) and Shannon Valencourt (Founder & CEO, RateLinx)

Overview of Episode Theme

This episode is a practical, in-depth exploration of modern logistics challenges faced by growing supply chain organizations. With real-world anecdotes from Trove Brands and expert commentary from RateLinx’s Shannon Valencourt, it focuses on key pain points—shipping flexibility, data and integration hurdles, automation, workflow inefficiencies, and global visibility. The conversation weaves together actionable strategies and lessons for mastering complexity while scaling operations.

1. Meet the Panel & Company Background

[02:39–05:49]

• Trove Brands: Originally known for BlenderBottle, it has grown to house several brands (Whiskware, Owala, Oath Nutrition) with a mission to simplify and improve everyday life.
• Tanner Destrup: Started at Trove in the warehouse, now leads logistics. Has hands-on experience across operational levels.
• Interesting note: BlenderBottle was invented because owner Steve Sorensen needed a better way to mix a protein shake on the go.
  • "He didn't have anything to mix that protein shake... He went home and developed the whisk... and the rest is history." – Tanner Destrup [03:59]
• RateLinx: A logistics technology solution provider focused on integrating shipping, rating, and invoice processes for growing companies.

2. Shipping Scale & Modes at Trove Brands

[06:44–07:36]

• Trove started small (mainly parcel and some LTL) and now has a high volume of full truckload, LTL, and a rapidly expanding e-commerce business.
• Growth led to major shifts in shipping profiles and carrier strategies.

3. Overcoming Limited Shipping Flexibility

[07:36–11:49]

• Past: Trove relied on rigid, rule-based carrier assignment without much flexibility or volume for negotiation.
• Present: With upgraded RateLinx systems, every order goes through "rate shopping" in real time—live pricing, transit times, surcharges considered.
  • "We can really dial in our shipping options and select the best carrier for the best price... a huge home run." – Tanner [08:07]
• Industry insight: "As they're scaling... they just have more volume... [Tech] lets them diversify, save costs, and improve service at the same time." – Shannon [10:01]
• Memorable analogy: Shannon compares the improvement to finally getting a BlenderBottle: "I couldn't think of a more awful thing than mixing protein with a spoon." [11:17]

4. Automation vs. Manual Processes in Shipping

[11:49–15:18]

• Manual headaches: Parcel and full truckload bookings involved juggling spreadsheets, emails, and manual quoting.
  • "Full truckload... send out an email to brokers, wait for quotes... log details, it was about as manual as it gets." – Tanner [12:16]
• Automation gains: Now, bids are handled in-system, audits are direct, orders can be triggered and awarded within the ERP.
  • "I think we're going to laugh a little bit... how that process was. But excited for this new system... it's automated." – Tanner [14:40]
• Industry note: Many companies still "just have the one [broker or carrier]... not even trying to find other options," leading to higher costs. – Shannon [15:18]

5. Data & Integration: The Heart of Scaling

[17:09–20:58]

• Old state: Data trapped in multiple portals, spreadsheets, and systems. Lots of manual checking and reporting.
• Solution: Seamless integration with ERP (Troves’ #1 requirement). Clicks saved per transaction compound over time for big efficiency gains.
  • "Saving a couple clicks over time and over years is huge." – Tanner [18:14]
• Central data hub: All shipment, rate, and invoice data now housed in one system, powering real-time analytics.

6. Tackling B2B LTL Rate & Carrier Visibility

[24:22–28:58]

• Old method: Sales team would email for LTL quotes, causing back-and-forth and lag, leading to inaccurate or outdated customer pricing.
• New method: Sales reps can now self-serve real-time quote directly in the ERP.
  • "Giving customers accurate costs and options has been crucial..." – Tanner [24:51]
• LTL is complex: Variables on class, density, palletizing, and transit time now handled instantly by the tech. Business rules (e.g., free shipping thresholds) built in.
  • "Spreadsheets and emails are wonderful, but we can run global supply chains... using better tools these days." – Scott [28:58]

7. Managing Dual Workflows: Warehouse & 3PL

[29:56–33:39]

• Trove’s rapid growth meant using multiple 3PLs. Manual communication (spreadsheets, sending printable labels) caused errors and delays.
• Now, 3PLs access the system directly—printing documents and pulling info themselves, with limited permissions.
  • "I think it's going to improve not only time and the process... but accuracy and make sure they're getting documentation they need in a timely manner." – Tanner [31:35]
• Analogy: Scott lauds Shannon’s Apollo 13 "sock" analogy for working with what you have but says, “we're not stuck on the moon.” [33:39]

8. Global Shipping & Container Visibility

[34:57–42:22]

• Previous setup: Shared containers' status via spreadsheets with forwarders, then manual entry into ERP—huge risk for delay, missing info, and customer chargebacks.
• Now: Automatic container updates feed into ERP. Teams can proactively update customers on delays 30 days out instead of scrambling last minute.
  • "Visibility... allows us to go to the customer ahead of time and say, hey, there’s going to be a slight delay..." – Tanner [36:01]

9. Choosing the Right Tech Partner: Lessons Learned

[43:12–46:44]

• Troves’ dealbreakers for TMS:
  • Direct integration with ERP
  • Multimode rate shopping (parcel vs. LTL at quote time)
  • Support and growth potential ("that would have been a deal breaker if it was just an out-of-the-box solution")
  • Accurate container tracking and automated invoicing (match pay)
  • Clean, centralized data repository
• Advice: "Measure twice, cut once... Make sure you’re patient in your research, have your requirements listed up front... If something doesn’t check out, then move on." – Tanner [46:44]
• Customization: RateLinx could tailor and add nearly any feature Trove needed.
  • "[Nearly] every question we asked was met with, 'yeah, we could build that.'... and I was pleasantly surprised." – Tanner [47:06]
• Shannon’s philosophy: “Solve the right problem. Diagnose, develop, deploy – and make sure the solution really works for the customer.” [48:45]

10. Key Quotes & Notable Moments

• On workflow evolution: "We're going to laugh a little bit... how that process was. But excited for this new system... it's automated." – Tanner [14:40]
• On supply chain tech: "Software is all about control. It gives you that clean, consistent control all the time. The software doesn’t ever get sick, doesn’t get tired, doesn’t get hungry..." – Shannon [41:09]
• On trust & customer communication: "We want to build trust with customers... trust is built with every single interaction and transaction you have." – Scott [26:34]
• On team experience: "Clicks, folks. If anyone’s rolling their eyes... saving a couple clicks over time and over years is huge." – Scott [20:06]
• Process focus: “The technical nuts and bolts... that’s not the hard part. It’s getting it into the process, understanding the process and making it work within there.” – Shannon [32:08]

11. Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:59] – BlenderBottle origin story
• [08:07] – Impact of carrier flexibility and tech on cost & customer experience
• [12:16, 14:40] – Full truckload manual process vs. current automation
• [18:14, 20:06] – Integration wins, “saving clicks” and new data visibility
• [24:51] – Real-time quote access for sales teams
• [31:35] – 3PL workflow automation outcomes
• [36:01] – International shipping delays and proactive customer updates
• [43:12] – Key dealbreakers for choosing a TMS system

12. Actionable Takeaways

• Carefully define your requirements before researching technology partners (“measure twice, cut once”).
• Prioritize systems that integrate directly to your existing ERP and adapt to company processes for smoother adoption.
• Insist on automation that spans bidding, quotes, rates, and invoicing.
• Centralize data and workflows for analytics and reporting—eliminate silos.
• Empower non-ops teams (like sales) with self-service rate shopping for accuracy and speed.
• Don’t sacrifice process fit for functionality. Technology must grease your wheels, not dictate your route.
• Proactive, real-time visibility—especially for global shipping—is crucial for customer trust and compliance.
• Choose partners (not just vendors) willing to diagnose, develop, and deploy tailored solutions—support for future change matters as much as current features.

Summary Tone: Engaging, encouraging, and practical, the episode guides supply chain professionals to modernize, automate, and centralize their processes—moving away from emails and spreadsheets toward integrated, data-driven solutions that truly scale.

Notable Closing Quote:
“There’s a better way. You don’t have to rely on emails and spreadsheets and masking tape and dirty socks. Go back to that Apollo 13 analogy. There’s a better way.” – Scott [50:05]

Recommended Resources:

• Case studies at RateLinx
• Episodes with global leaders sharing implementation learnings
• LinkedIn connections for further networking with the panelists

For Listeners: If you’re grappling with shipping complexity, scaling challenges, or legacy processes, this episode offers a relatable roadmap—and motivation—to find and implement the “better way.”