Why Every Freight Broker Should Reevaluate Their Tech Stack in Today’s Market

How Tariffs and Uncertainty Are Impacting the Supply Chain

Across the industry, uncertainty is hitting hard. Freight volumes are down, margins are tight, and everyone from shippers to carriers is feeling the squeeze. Several factors are converging at once:

• Economic uncertainty. With inflation pressures, cautious consumer spending, and interest rate fluctuations, demand for goods has softened. This translates directly into fewer shipments moving through the system.

• Tariff headwinds. Ongoing and proposed tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China, Mexico, and parts of Europe, are increasing landed costs for shippers. Many importers are pulling back or reshuffling sourcing to avoid steep duties. That means longer lead times, disrupted lanes, and unpredictable freight demand.

• Global trade shifts. Companies are rethinking supply chains in response to geopolitical pressures. Nearshoring and reshoring efforts are ramping up, but that transition is messy and creates short-term inefficiencies.

• Carrier capacity dynamics. With freight slowing, more carriers are chasing fewer loads, which drives down rates but creates new challenges for brokers trying to maintain relationships and margins.
  

The net result is volatility, thinner profits, and more time spent juggling complexity.

What This Means for Freight Brokers

In down markets, brokers often feel the pain first. Reduced volumes mean every inefficiency in your workflow hurts more. When the phones are not ringing off the hook, it is easy to fall into wait-and-see mode. The truth is this is the perfect time to take action.

Here is where smart brokers are focusing:

• Audit your tech stack. Are you fighting your TMS instead of letting it work for you? Look for clicks that add up, missing integrations, or workflows that do not scale.

• Streamline processes. Map out your day-to-day: quoting, booking, dispatch, tracking, invoicing. Where are you duplicating effort? Where do you lose time when things are busy?

• Position for the rebound. When markets heat back up, and they always do, you do not want to be scrambling with broken systems. Brokers who upgrade during slow times are the ones who sprint ahead when freight returns.
  

How Sunnybrook Helps Brokers Win

Sunnybrook TMS was built by brokers for brokers with one guiding principle: make every action as fast and seamless as possible. In a market where every second counts, our platform keeps you moving:

• One screen workflow. Book, track, and manage shipments without bouncing between tabs or modules.

• Quick tools built in. Mileage calculator, lane search, carrier map, and QuoteIQ are all right at your fingertips.

• Designed for agility. Whether you are a five-person shop or scaling into new regions, Sunnybrook helps small and mid-size brokers access the same tech advantages as enterprise players.
  

Slow markets are challenging, but they also create opportunity. The brokers who use this time to get organized and modernize their tech stack will be the ones ready to thrive when the economy stabilizes and freight volumes rise again. If you want a no-pressure peek at Sunnybrook TMS, reach out and book a demo today.

Catch you on the road,

The Sunnybrook TMS Squad

www.sunnybrooksoftware.com