E2open and Allen Lund Company partner to keep produce moving in a shifting world
When it comes to freight, few jobs are as unforgiving as hauling fresh produce, where a single delay or refrigeration hiccup can mean rejected loads and spoiled inventory.
The unceasing demands of agri-freight are well understood by the Allen Lund Company (ALC), a leading national freight broker for perishable, dry, and flatbed shipping for almost five decades. ALC partnered with e2open, blending the company’s human insight and carrier know-how with e2open’s suite of real-time data tools—so shippers get smarter, faster service.
A partnership that doesn’t just plug in tools but solves problems
“We’re not automating just to check a box. We’re tackling the tough stuff like rate swings, visibility blackouts, and rising fraud,” says ALC’s Senior Director of Sales, Ryan Stephenson, of their partnership with e2open.
The freight world isn’t short on software. What it’s short on are tools that actually solve the problems brokers face every day. The partnership between ALC and e2open allows the company’s logistics to thrive by integrating e2open’s tools – GPS tracking, side-by-side carrier rate comparison, mobile check-ins, and digital document exchange – into shipping workflows. The results? Shipping teams cut down on phone calls, accelerated updates, and boosted their ability to handle exceptions before they become problems.
Rate shopping made simple
ALC leveraged e2open’s Real-Time Rating (RTR), which allows shippers to procure rates from multiple integrated carriers. The tool provides a real-time side by side view of contract and spot rates, so their logistics teams can instantly compare options and book with confidence. The dynamic pricing tool doesn’t replace the human touch of ALC’s logistics teams, but complements them instead.
“It works well for contract freight or repeatable lanes where speed and precision matter. But when the load is complex or the risk is higher, human strategy still leads,” says Ryan.
Faster rates, smarter calls, fewer surprises
While dynamic pricing may be the new norm for many, due to the additional nuances that come with hauling produce, very few transportation providers have begun offering it. Carriers and brokers need to find capacity fast, especially for perishable freight. But in transportation, using dynamic pricing without context can backfire. That’s why simply picking the lowest rate on a screen doesn’t always get the job done—or get the shipment there on time.
With dynamic pricing integrated into tools like e2open’s Real-Time Rating, brokers can instantly compare spot and contract rates, select the best-fit carrier, and tender the load, all without phone calls or guesswork. That speed is crucial when every hour on the dock eats into shelf life.
With e2open’s Real-Time Rating Tool doing the heavy lifting, ALC teams no longer have to chase rate quotes over emails or dig through spreadsheets. Plus, faster carrier responses mean tenders go out smoothly, without the usual back-and-forth. The best part? Everything from quoting to billing can be automated. For ALC’s agri-freight teams managing high volumes or juggling multiple carriers, RTR brings speed, clarity, and control over today’s volatile logistics demands.
When freshness has a deadline, visibility matters more than ever
With perishable freight, you don’t just need to know where your load is, you need to know if it’s on time, on temp, and on track to stay profitable. Unlike durable goods, commodities like fresh produce don’t have time to spare. If a shipment gets delayed, even by just hours, it can mean spoilage, rejected loads, and lost revenue. Real-time visibility lets ALC’s network of shippers track every mile and respond instantly when something goes off-course.
Customers see it all with e2open. ALC’s teams use GPS tracking, mobile check-ins, and digital docs to keep freight visible and moving. That means fewer calls, faster updates, and smoother recoveries. But for ALC, visibility isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting point.
Total visibility over moving and paused shipments allows ALC teams to turn data into action, spotting issues early and solving them before they hit the dock. The logistics relationships that ALC has nurtured over nearly a half-century of operations still matter. With newfound visibility, ALC can give shippers more transparency over carriers who are often stretched thin, helping them to strengthen logistics partnerships.
As ALC sees it, their brokerage operations are built on people. Tech just helps them move faster, scale smarter, and stay consistent, when it’s used with intention. That’s what makes this partnership work. ALC doesn’t chase every new tool. And e2open doesn’t sell cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, the produce logistics giant tests what works, skips what doesn’t, and deploys only what adds real value. The result? A more resilient, efficient, human way to move freight.
Staying fresh depends on making fast decisions
ALC knows that in perishable logistics, timing isn’t just important, it’s everything. With 49 years of experience, the company has built trusted relationships and earned accolades that make ALC a recognized leader in perishable logistics. Trusted by growers, shippers, and retailers across North America. ALC has been named a Top Food Chain Provider by Food Chain Digest, a reflection of its commitment to service, integrity, and innovation in the global trade of produce.
The company is also a regular presence at key industry events, including Food Shippers of America, International Fresh Produce Association meetings, and The Washington Conference, where it helps shape the future of fresh supply chains. From seasonal surges to regulatory shifts, ALC brings steady hands and proven expertise to every load.
In the fast-moving world of produce logistics, trust still does the heavy lifting. Shippers rely on brokers who understand timing, temperature, and urgency—especially when margins are thin and freshness is on the line. But today, even the strongest relationships are better supported by the right tech tools.
With end-to-end visibility, brokers and shippers can spot issues before they escalate. Whether it’s a weather delay, a missed check-in, or a temp deviation, real-time tracking helps everyone stay ahead of problems. Not just react to them. That kind of transparency builds confidence on both sides of the transaction.
Pricing support matters too. With tools like RTR, brokers can respond to market shifts instantly, offering shippers fast, competitive quotes without sacrificing service or accuracy. When speed meets insight, decision-making gets sharper—and relationships get stronger.
At the end of the day, produce logistics is still a people business. But with the right digital tools, those people can move faster and see farther.
“We’re just moving with more speed and fewer surprises,” says Ryan.
Guest blog written by the Allen Lund Company
