Project44’s founder plans to shave post-COVID slump with new platform, product vision

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Project44 (P44) has a new business plan, and it’s remarkably ambitious.

Jett McCandless, Project44’s founder and CEO, has a long-term vision to position Project44 as the operating system for the logistics industry, seamlessly integrating every component and shipment across a shipper’s network, all powered by AI.

This vision extends far beyond visibility, which has become a commodity in recent years.

P44, the stand-out king in visibility, has faced a tough competitive landscape where companies have realized that simple track and trace technology is table stakes; they, and their customers, are demanding more.

McCandless envisions Project44 becoming a “managed transportation” platform for the top 2,000 global shippers, effectively eliminating the need for contracted logistics providers.

One of the most exciting features is the shipment negotiation tool, which enables carriers, brokers, and forwarders to participate in the Project44 execution platform. Here, an AI agent negotiates with carriers on behalf of shippers.

This feature will drive a significant increase in spot freight, allowing shippers to access lower-cost spot rates while working with pre-approved, vetted carriers.

This may not fully eliminate the RFP, but it does encourage shippers to explore options outside of the routing guide when conditions are favorable.

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Craig Fuller, CEO at FreightWaves

Craig Fuller is CEO and Founder of FreightWaves, the only freight-focused organization that delivers a complete and comprehensive view of the freight and logistics market. FreightWaves’ news, content, market data, insights, analytics, innovative engagement and risk management tools are unprecedented and unmatched in the industry. Prior to founding FreightWaves, Fuller was the founder and CEO of TransCard, a fleet payment processor that was sold to US Bank. He also is a trucking industry veteran, having founded and managed the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress Enterprises, the largest provider of on-demand trucking services in North America.