E-78: Patriot Freight Group

In this episode of Clocking In: Voices of North Carolina Manufacturing, host Dr. Phil Mintz talks with Chandler Brown, agency owner and terminal manager for Patriot Freight Group's Lake Norman office, about the critical role freight brokerage and logistics play in manufacturing. Brown shares how his family's four generations in the trucking industry shaped his career and explains how Patriot connects manufacturers with transportation solutions that meet their shipping needs. ----more---- Every manufactured product has a journey, from the raw materials used to make it to the finished goods delivered to customers. Behind that journey is a complex network of freight carriers, logistics professionals and supply chain partners working to keep businesses moving. The conversation explores how technology, artificial intelligence and real-time truck tracking are changing freight management, along with the challenges of fluctuating transportation costs, driver shortages and growing demand. Brown also explains how freight brokers help smaller carriers stay competitive by matching available trucks with shipping opportunities, including backhauls that reduce empty miles. From coordinating urgent hospital deliveries to moving components used in automobiles and large industrial equipment, freight logistics is essential to keeping manufacturing operations running. Brown offers a behind-the-scenes look at an industry that often goes unnoticed but plays a vital role in North Carolina's manufacturing economy and the broader supply chain. LINKS IES | NCMEP | Patriot Freight Group About the Guests Chandler Brown is the agency owner and terminal manager for Patriot Freight Group's Lake Norman, North Carolina, office. A fourth-generation member of the trucking industry, Brown brings a family legacy of transportation experience to his work in freight brokerage and supply chain management. Patriot Freight Group, founded in 2014, is a full-service third-party logistics and freight brokerage provider offering transportation and supply chain solutions across the United States, Canada, Alaska and Mexico. Its Lake Norman office oversees approximately $20 million in annual freight spend for manufacturing and distribution companies across North America. About the Host Dr. Phil Mintz is the host of Clocking In: Voices of North Carolina Manufacturing and serves as Executive Director of NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES). The podcast features North Carolina manufacturers and industry experts who share their experiences, business insights, innovations and strategies for success. About NC State University Industry Extension Services NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES) helps North Carolina manufacturers strengthen operations, improve competitiveness and navigate business challenges through expert technical assistance, training and manufacturing solutions.  Visit ies.ncsu.edu to learn more about IES services and support for North Carolina businesses.