Camden, N.J., August 12, 2026 – NFI, a leading North American supply chain solutions provider, has been recognized with FreightWaves’ AI Excellence in Supply Chain Award for Operational AI Integration.
The recognition highlights NFI Transportation Management’s deliberate approach to AI, guided by a build-versus-buy framework that prioritizes speed, return on investment (ROI), and customer value. Rather than pursuing AI for its own sake, NFI has adopted a three-pillar approach where the technology creates the most leverage: Operational Support, Back Office Support, and Customer Value Add.
“AI delivers the greatest value when it’s applied with purpose. Transportation networks don’t stand still, and the technology to manage them shouldn’t either,” said Chuck Papa, President of Transportation Management at NFI. “We’re focused on solving real operational challenges and delivering measurable results for our customers. This recognition reflects our commitment to putting AI to work where it can make a meaningful difference.”
That purposeful approach is reflected across the three pillars, where NFI is applying AI to solve specific challenges and deliver measurable results.
Operational Support removes manual work from transportation management. NFI’s agentic AI automates load tracking across portal logins, emails, and phone, saving more than 160 hours per week. Additionally, a natural-language chatbot provides quick access to SOPs and reporting and reduces training and routine support needs.
Back Office Support leverages Agentic AI to eliminate repetitive workflows, including automatic freight bill correspondence, freight bill-to-load match exceptions, and carrier aging reports. Together, these applications save more than 100 hours of weekly back-office work, enabling personnel to focus on higher-value tasks.
Customer Value Add is driven by NFI’s control tower, which powers its Digital Twin. This provides customers with a dynamic view of their transportation network and identifies opportunities to boost network performance and decision-making. The technology has uncovered average transportation savings of 5% to 10% per customer and has resulted in more than $600,000 annually for one customer. Automated appointment scheduling also produced a 75% reduction in dwell time.
NFI’s practical approach to AI is grounded in solving real challenges and delivering measurable results. The FreightWaves AI Excellence recognition validates that strategy and the progress NFI is making in putting the technology to work across its transportation operations and customer solutions.
Visit NFI to learn more about its Transportation Management solutions.
NFI is a fully integrated North American supply chain solutions provider headquartered in Camden, New Jersey. Privately held by the Brown family since 1932, the company generates more than $3.8 billion in annual revenue and employs 17,000 associates. NFI owns and operates over 70 million square feet of warehouse space alongside a fleet of more than 5,100 tractors and 13,000 trailers. NFI’s relentless innovation and unparalleled service deliver logistics solutions that transform the way business gets done. The company’s business lines include dedicated transportation, warehousing and distribution, eCommerce fulfillment, brokerage, transportation management, port drayage, intermodal, global logistics, and industrial real estate. Through NFI Ventures, the company also invests in early-stage companies driving innovation in the supply chain industry. For more information about NFI, visit www.nfiindustries.com or call 1-877-NFI-3777.
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