FreightWaves - Cold Chain & The Cold Truth
- Brian McBrayer
- Dec 16, 2025
- 3 min read
The freight industry is in a race toward efficiency, driven by new technology and AI. This push is necessary, it streamlines data and tightens the supply chain. But for specialized, high-stakes niches like cold-chain produce, technology only serves a higher purpose: it creates time for people to provide genuine, relationship-first service.
As our co-founder, Jason McArthur, recently discussed on FreightWaves, our model at Lone Cypress Logistics is designed to use the power of systems like Descartes Aljex and MacroPoint to remove manual chaos, allowing our team to focus on the deep human connection and operational discipline that protects every shipment.
We Don't Sell Technology; We Sell Experience and Know-How
Our entire team, including the partners, brings a combined 40 to 50 years of experience, often coming from the shipper side of the fresh food and produce world. This is our core advantage. We have lived and learned through the challenges, seeing the impact of errors on the shipper, carrier, and retailer sides.
This experience allows us to think proactively and understand the big picture. We know that a customer calling with an emergency isn't calling our bot; they are calling the people they trust. The core difference between a commodity broker and a true cold-chain partner is the shipper mentality:
A Sense of Urgency: We understand that time-sensitive, highly perishable goods require a relentless focus on detail.
Responsiveness: Customers need to know you will pick up the phone when they call, especially in an emergency.
Problem-Solving: We’ve seen enough problems to grow our ability to troubleshoot and think outside the box. For example, when a large restaurant customer’s freezer broke down, they called us to quickly supply pre-cooled trailers for temporary, on-site frozen storage. This demonstrated a level of trust that goes "beyond the bid".
The 7-Pillar Blueprint: Planning Before Wheels Move
To control the controllable elements of a high-value load, our team executes a structured operational process we call our "7-Pillar Blueprint". This is the codified discipline that prevents failures before they start.
Proactive Planning & Intervention: See potential problems ahead of time and call them out before the shipment starts. Our job is to offer a solution, not just state a problem.
Contingency Playbook: Have a guide built for when things go wrong. This includes resources for donation sites, resale houses, or disposal as a last resort to mitigate food waste.
Multi-Layer Carrier Vetting: Conduct extensive background checks and vetting for all carriers and partners.
Pre-Cool the Trailer: Ensure the reefer is pre-cooled to the exact product and shipper specifications.
Ensure Airflow Integrity: Verify the air chute is in good shape to ensure air will flow properly throughout the trailer.
Verify Product Temp: Require the driver or shipping manager to take and record the pulp temperature of the product to ensure it is loaded at the correct temp, on a trailer at the correct temp.
Real-Time Monitoring: Stay aware of the shipment from start to finish using real-time tracking.
How Technology Empowers Service
To manage this complex blueprint while scaling, we use an integrated suite of systems. This integrated platform, including Descartes Aljex (TMS), MacroPoint (tracking), and MyCarrierPackets (onboarding), functions as a unified platform.
Efficiency: This integrated system makes things easy, user-friendly, and highly functional, helping us be very efficient.
Transparency: Real-time monitoring and tracking are mandatory for every shipment, ensuring temperature consistency and compliance with requirements.
Longevity: This efficiency allows us to stay competitive while selling a service, know-how, and experience, rather than just the "deal of the day".
The industry will continue to push tech forward. Our strategy for the next 3 to 5 years is to allow this technology to do the work of efficiency, which in turn frees up our representatives to have more time to spend with customers, learn their needs, and solidify long-lasting relationships.
The goal is not to eliminate the human face; it is to maximize the time spent on the most valuable human activities: building trust, solving problems, and being available 100% of the time. Our customers hire Lone Cypress Logistics; they hire Jason McArthur. We are committed to using technology to make that human partnership stronger.
📧 Sales: sales@lonecypresslogistics.com
📞 Phone: (833) 317-5517
🌐 Web: LoneCypressLogistics.com
DOT: 3838804 | MC: 1395266 | SCAC: lclv
Join Our Team: bmcbrayer@lonecypresslogistics.com
About the Author
Brian McBrayer is the Director of Business Development for Lone Cypress Logistics. With a proven background in sales leadership and scaling successful businesses across multiple industries, Brian is now focused on applying those same process-driven growth principles to the company's freight solutions. Connect with Brian on LinkedIn.
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