FreightWaves Names 10 Shipper of Choice Winners for Carrier Excellence

FreightWaves announced its inaugural Shipper of Choice awards, recognizing 10 companies that have invested in strong carrier relationships and operational excellence. The winners, including Schreiber Foods, Kraft Heinz, Aldi USA, Whole Foods Market, Sealed Air, Agri-Mark, North American Stainless, Henkel, Nestlé USA, and Univar Solutions, were selected based on data connectivity, ease of doing business, carrier relationships, and facility operations. The awards highlight a shift in supply chain thinking: shippers that prioritize predictable scheduling, transparent communication, fair detention policies, and efficient facility operations create competitive advantages for trucking carriers.

By reducing detention time, honoring appointment windows, and investing in operational transparency, these companies help drivers maximize productive hours and improve carrier profitability. This approach strengthens long-term partnerships and builds more resilient transportation networks. For supply chain professionals, the award winners demonstrate that best practices span multiple strategies: from annual freight bidding windows that provide market predictability (Schreiber Foods) to data-backed operational transparency (Whole Foods' transit temperature guidance for produce) to flexibility in handling operational disruptions (Sealed Air's driver accommodation).

These practices directly reduce friction in trucking operations and improve service reliability across supply chains.