Sent Items #220: SCOOP: Quiet Logistics Shuttering, Echo Buys ITS & The Mexico Boom

Welcome to the January 24th edition of Sent Items.

If you thought the "consolidation" phase of 2026 was just about mergers, think again. It’s also about exits.

We have a massive $5.4 billion merger between Echo and ITS, but we also have breaking news (confirmed by yours truly) that Quiet Logistics is shuttering its 3PL business just five years after its $350M acquisition by American Eagle.

The lesson? The "asset-heavy" game is unforgiving. Whether you are a retailer trying to be a 3PL or a broker trying to own trucks, the market is forcing everyone to pick a lane.

I also just got back from BGSA in Palm Beach, and the energy was undeniable: The "wait and see" era is over. Strategies are shifting, checkbooks are out, and near-shoring is officially a $25 billion industry.

🌴 BGSA 2026 Recap: The Vibe Shift I spent the week at the BGSA Supply Chain Conference, and the energy was distinct: "Cautious Optimism" is out; "Aggressive Execution" is in. From AI (actually working) to M&A (heating up), here are my top takeaways from the room where the biggest deals in logistics get started. 👉 Read the Post

🚁 The Future of Last Mile is Here The future of last-mile logistics is here, and it’s currently having an existential crisis at a crosswalk in Miami Beach. 🤖🏝️ I spotted 'Naked Jerry' from Serve Robotics this morning. Less 'autonomous efficiency,' more Flintstones-style struggle. We might be a few software updates away from world domination. Check out the video 🤣 👉 Read the Post

Let’s get into it.

— Matt

SCOOP: Quiet Logistics Shuttering 3PL Operations In a major development for the fulfillment landscape, I have personally confirmed with multiple active clients that Quiet Logistics is shuttering its third-party logistics business. Acquired by American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) in 2021 for $350 million, Quiet was a pioneer in robotic fulfillment and a key pillar of AEO's "supply chain as a service" strategy. This move signals a massive pivot—likely refocusing resources on AEO's internal volume—and leaves their current roster of brands looking for new homes immediately. Context: Supply Chain Dive (2021 Acquisition)

Echo Global Logistics Buys ITS Logistics Consolidation is back in a big way. Echo Global Logistics announced this week it is acquiring ITS Logistics, creating a combined entity with $5.4 billion in revenue. This isn't just a brokerage play; it gives Echo serious asset-based muscle (ITS has a massive dedicated fleet and trailer pool program) to compete with giants like RXO and C.H. Robinson. If you thought the "freight recession" would kill M&A, think again. Source: Trucking Dive 👉 Read my full take on LinkedIn

Federal Crackdown Pulls Thousands of Truckers Off Roads Capacity might get tighter faster than we thought. The Wall Street Journal reports that a renewed federal enforcement campaign is targeting foreign-domiciled truck drivers (primarily from Mexico and Canada). The crackdown, focused on "non-domiciled" CDL validations and English proficiency tests, has already pulled thousands of drivers out of service this month. For cross-border shippers, this is an immediate capacity risk you need to vet with your carriers now. Source: WSJ

USPS Opens Bidding for "Last Mile" Capacity The Postal Service is officially open for business—and they want you to bid on it. On Tuesday, the USPS launched a new portal allowing shippers to bid on last-mile capacity at over 18,000 delivery units (DDUs). This is a massive shift from the traditional "consolidator-only" model, effectively allowing retailers and 3PLs to bypass intermediaries and inject volume directly if they can meet the price and operational requirements. Service is expected to start in Q3 2026, but the land grab for capacity starts now. Source: Supply Chain Dive

The "Cubic" Surcharge Hits FedEx & UPS Invoices If your shipping bills looked heavier this week, it might be the math. As of mid-January, new rules for FedEx and UPS have taken effect that add a "cubic volume" criterion to their Additional Handling and Oversize surcharges. Max Garland notes that this change specifically targets bulky-but-light packages that used to slip under the radar. If you ship anything that isn't a perfect cube, your audit team needs to be looking at these line items immediately. Source: Supply Chain Dive

Where I'll Be (Manifest & Austin)

🥩 Austin VIP Dinner (Feb 19) Status: SOLD OUT (Waitlist Only) We are officially at capacity for the Austin dinner. I am trying to work some magic with the venue for a few extra chairs, but no promises. 👉 Join the Waitlist

🏈 Super Bowl Party @ Manifest (Feb 9) Heading to Vegas early? Come watch the game with us. No pitch decks, just wings and bad refs. 👉 RSVP Here

🍸 Operators Happy Hour @ Manifest (Feb 11) I’m co-hosting a HH specifically for Brand and 3PL Operators. If you run a warehouse or manage a supply chain, this is your tribe. 👉 RSVP Here

Have a great week!

- Matt

Share this newsletter with friends and colleagues (link). Hit reply with any feedback and add me on LinkedIn and Twitter and subscribe to us on YouTube.