WSI’s Warehouse Wire: April 24, 2026

Alyssa Wolfe

| April 24, 2026

Your connection to what’s happening across warehousing, transportation, and supply chain operations.

Forecasts haven’t kept up with conditions this year. Packaging costs, freight capacity, and domestic production are all moving in different directions, and not always on schedule. This month’s edition covers petrochemical supply pressure and a tightening truckload market. In the manufacturing supply chain, domestic investment is picking up with steel, paper, and food production companies reshaping where goods are produced and stored.

Check back monthly for timely headlines and practical insights on the state of warehousing and supply chain operations.

Spot Truckload Capacity Tightens as Equipment Pullback Meets Softening Demand

New data from DAT Freight & Analytics shows the spot truckload market tightening further, even as overall freight demand eased. Total load posts dropped 7% week over week to 3.31 million, while equipment availability declined 4%, indicating carriers are pulling capacity in response to softer volumes.³

Rates reflected mixed conditions by equipment type. Dry van and refrigerated segments both saw slight rate declines, influenced in part by lower diesel prices, while flatbed rates continued to climb for a fifth consecutive week. Despite fewer loads, flatbed demand remains resilient, keeping pricing elevated relative to other segments.

The tighter capacity can create ripple effects in outbound planning. As carriers reduce available equipment, securing trucks for scheduled shipments becomes less predictable, particularly for time-sensitive freight. This dynamic places greater emphasis on load planning, flexible shipping windows, and strong brokerage relationships. Facilities moving industrial or project-based freight may continue to benefit from steady flatbed demand, while those reliant on van or temperature-controlled transport could face more rate volatility and shifting service levels as the market recalibrates.

Petrochemical Shortage Drives Rising Packaging Costs Across Global Supply Chains

A growing shortage of naphtha, a key petrochemical feedstock, is beginning to disrupt global packaging supply, with ripple effects reaching warehousing, distribution, and transportation networks.⁸ The issue stems from constrained supply flows tied to instability in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which has historically supported a significant share of global naphtha production.

As availability tightens, costs are moving through the entire plastics value chain, from ethylene and propylene to finished materials like polyethylene and polypropylene. In Asia, manufacturers have already reduced production, with some suppliers issuing shipment cuts or invoking force majeure. These disruptions are pushing up prices for common logistics materials such as stretch film and pallet wrap, both essential for securing freight in transit.

For U.S. warehouse and distribution operations, the near-term impact shows up in materials like stretch film and pallet wrap — both derived from polyethylene and polypropylene. Domestic production offers a partial buffer, but global pricing pressure is moving through the system. Companies that rely on plastics-based packaging should expect higher costs and less predictability in the months ahead.

U.S. Steel Plans Gary Tin Mill Restart to Strengthen Domestic Supply

U. S. Steel announced plans to restart its Gary Tin Mill at the Gary Works facility, aiming to expand domestic production of tin mill products and reinforce U.S.-based supply chains.⁴ The move, expected to provide approximately 225 jobs, is targeted for early 2027 and remains dependent on sustained customer demand and favorable trade conditions.

The restart aligns with growing interest from manufacturers seeking consistent, domestically sourced materials, particularly for food and beverage packaging, aerosol products, and other essential goods. Company leadership noted that reliable U.S. production is becoming a priority as businesses look to reduce reliance on imports and manage supply continuity more closely. The decision also follows recent trade actions addressing imported tin mill products from countries including China, Taiwan, and Turkey.

Wisconsin food and beverage campus draws nearly $1 billion in manufacturing investment

Jefferson County’s Food and Beverage Innovation Campus has been named Project of the Year by Thrive Economic Development,¹ highlighting its role in advancing regional manufacturing capacity. The 165-acre site, strategically positioned along Highway 26 and a Union Pacific line, is designed to support large-scale food and beverage production with direct access to transportation infrastructure.

The campus is anchored by a $560 million facility from Kikkoman Foods Inc. and a planned U.S. flagship site from Onego Bio, together representing nearly $1 billion in private investment. With expedited zoning and infrastructure development, the site moved from initial interest to project approval in months, demonstrating how speed-to-market is shaping modern site selection.

For warehousing and distribution providers, rail-served access, regional highway connectivity, and purpose-built industrial zoning create opportunities for integrated storage, inbound material handling, and outbound distribution. As more manufacturers cluster in designated hubs, logistics networks must adapt to support specialized handling requirements and tighter production timelines tied to food-grade compliance standards.

Amazon Launches Shenzhen Hub to Streamline Cross-Border Inventory Flow

Amazon has introduced a new Global Warehousing & Distribution (GWD) facility in Shenzhen, China, designed to help sellers store inventory closer to origin and replenish U.S. fulfillment centers more efficiently.⁵ The program integrates with Amazon Global Logistics to manage shipping, customs clearance, and delivery through a single workflow.

The Shenzhen hub allows sellers to hold bulk inventory while improving replenishment speed by up to seven days when paired with Amazon’s logistics network. The offering also includes automated, AI-driven inventory management or manual control, giving sellers flexibility in how they manage stock levels across borders.

By staging goods closer to manufacturing hubs, companies can reduce carrying costs while maintaining responsiveness to U.S. demand. This model may influence how third-party logistics networks structure inbound freight and cross-border consolidation. As more inventory is held upstream, coordination between international shipping and domestic warehousing becomes more tightly integrated within a single, tech-enabled ecosystem.

International Paper Expands Packaging Capacity With NORPAC Acquisition

International Paper has announced plans to acquire North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) for $360 million,⁶ a move that looks to strengthen its packaging capabilities and regional reach on the U.S. West Coast. The Longview, Washington-based facility produces roughly one million tons of containerboard annually and employs about 500 people, positioning it as a key addition to International Paper’s existing mill network.

The acquisition is expected to enhance system flexibility while supporting demand for lightweight, recycled packaging materials. Company leadership pointed to NORPAC’s location, established customer base, and operational capabilities as factors that will help expand service levels and reduce costs as integration progresses. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval.

Parcel Carriers Outline Tariff Refund Process as CBP System Launches

Major parcel carriers including FedEx, UPS, and DHL Express have detailed how they will handle tariff refunds tied to now-invalidated duties, following the rollout of a new system from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.² The agency’s platform allows importers and brokers to submit claims for tariffs previously applied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, with refunds expected within 60 to 90 days after approval.

Each carrier confirmed it will return funds to the original payer once reimbursements are received. FedEx plans to file claims on behalf of customers where it acted as customs broker, while UPS will pursue refunds for shipments where it served as importer of record. DHL Express will automatically submit claims for eligible shipments but noted that customers may also file directly or request brokerage support.

For distribution and transportation operations, the development highlights the complexity of duty management within parcel networks. Warehousing partners may need to reconcile landed costs, update billing records, and manage customer communications as refunds flow through. As tariff policy shifts continue to impact global sourcing strategies, coordination between carriers, brokers, and logistics providers remains essential to maintain cost accuracy and operational transparency.

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About the Author

Alyssa Wolfe

Alyssa Wolfe is a content strategist, storyteller, and creative and content lead with over a decade of experience shaping brand narratives across industries including retail, travel, logistics, fintech, SaaS, B2C, and B2B services. She specializes in turning complex ideas into clear, human-centered content that connects, informs, and inspires. With a background in journalism, marketing, and digital strategy, Alyssa brings a sharp editorial eye and a collaborative spirit to every project. Her work spans thought leadership, executive ghostwriting, brand messaging, and educational content—all grounded in a deep understanding of audience needs and business goals. Alyssa is passionate about the power of language to drive clarity and change, and she believes the best content not only tells a story, but builds trust and sparks action.