Reflecting on 35 Years of Making the World Smaller at CargoTrans sent
As we complete 35 years at CargoTrans, we find ourselves reflecting not just on our journey, but on the world around us. Right now, many of us long for a simpler time—when worries were fewer, prices were lower, and idleness wasn’t such a luxury.
So, we asked our present-day friend ChatGPT: If one could teleport to a more peaceful and prosperous time in history, what period would that be? Here’s what came up:
- Post-WWII Boom: A time of rebuilding and economic expansion.
- The European Renaissance: Centuries of intellectual and cultural flourishing.
- Pax Romana: An era of relative stability in the Roman Empire.
- The 1990s: A period of global optimism after the Cold War.
- The Golden Age of Islamic Civilization: When science, medicine, and art thrived.
- The Scandinavian Welfare Era: A modern benchmark for happiness and social equity.
Then came the reality check: “Every era has its share of conflict, hardship, and limitations. Peace and prosperity depend on one’s location, social class, and identity at the time. If you’re longing for such a period, it’s worth reflecting on what feels missing now—and how to recreate it in the present.”
Supply chains have always been intricate and dynamic, and the pandemic certainly brought them into the spotlight (“when in doubt, blame supply chain!”). While challenges like strikes, congestion, and geopolitical tensions have shaped the industry, they’ve also spurred innovation and collaboration. Today’s global supply chain may feel strained, but history reminds us that it’s through these moments of tension that progress emerges. Every era has its challenges, but they also offer opportunities to grow stronger and more connected.
Over 35 years, we’ve faced our fair share of snarls, obstacles, and lessons. And let’s be honest: lessons are often painful. They demand introspection, difficult conversations, and confronting the mirrors others hold up to us.
Would we change any of the lessons we learned the hard way? Perhaps. But can you truly learn without experiencing the fire firsthand? Lessons in life and business carve the path forward, making us stronger and more resilient. Thirty-five years of anything requires dedication, courage, and waking up every day with passion—not because someone tells you to, but because you care an irrational amount. It is a bit like the unconditional love a parent has for their child—or so I’m told.
Like the world’s history, our journey at CargoTrans has had its own periods of progress and regression, innovation and stagnation, chaos and stability. As Jency John, our VP of Operations & Client Success, recently said, “Everyone at CargoTrans is on their own journey, and their experience is specific to them.” Simple, yet profound and important to remember as leaders.
When we look back, we almost always think about the kind-hearted, smart and generous people we have met along the way and the relationships we’ve built. Our father still has dinner and check-ins with some of his first employees. We still work with some of the same partners and clients we did 35 years ago. These connections are the heart of what we do, and happy relationships are a part of our strategic business plan. Our culture is something we have worked tirelessly to make better and will not be something we ever lose sight of. Thank you to all the people we have worked with – you have helped make supply chain miracles happen.
This journey has been anything but linear. Yet it’s one we’re proud of because we’ve learned and continue to learn every day. As we approach the holidays and a new year, we urge you to be courageous—whether in your personal life, work, or community. Small acts of courage, like resolving a conflict, speaking up for what you need or what’s right, or showing kindness, create the path to a better future. Because going back is not an option at least for the moment 😊.
We hope you find moments to slow down, be alone—even if only in the shower- might we suggest some cold water—and summon the courage to make the present brighter, if not for yourself, then for someone else.
We are grateful for all the people we have met and the lessons of the last 35 years- and we are excited with optimism for the future.
Let’s make the world smaller!
-Nunzio & Anthony
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