602: Final Mile Delivery Savings and Flexibility with Tusk Logistics
Kevin chats with Ben Emmrich, Founder and CEO of Tusk Logistics, in this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast. With experience at Google, Shippo, and deep roots in small parcel logistics, Ben brings a unique perspective on how Tusk simplifies access to a growing ecosystem of alternative parcel carriers.
Designed to give shippers more control, better visibility, and meaningful cost savings, Tusk offers national infrastructure that connects shippers with both traditional regional and tech-forward emerging carriers. In the conversation, Ben explains why operators are overwhelmed by complexity, how tariffs and surcharges have forced the issue, and what he sees as the future of the parcel delivery landscape.
Solving the Final Mile Pressure Cooker
Final mile delivery often represents the lion’s share of a shipper’s cost line, and it’s also the most volatile. Emmrich points out that delivery costs can consume 20–25% of a shipper’s total expenses, yet many operators find themselves with limited options. “Shippers just get the living s*&t kicked out of ’em, man,” he says bluntly. With GRIs, fluctuating surcharges, and new DAS zones, the rules keep changing.
Even more concerning, most operations teams are overwhelmed with daily fires such as labor callouts or warehouse system issues. “They don’t have the thoughtful bandwidth, the quiet time to like sit down and consider a single alternative, much less a network of them,” Ben explains. Tusk serves as the “infrastructure that unlocks access to a national network of alternative parcel carriers. We’re not just a tech layer—we’re the technical, commercial, and operational connection that lives inside a shipper’s TMS or WMS and keeps everything moving.”
A Simpler Way to Access Alternative Carrier Networks
Alternative carriers have always existed, but they’ve also always been tricky to navigate. “You have to know who they are, which ones are good, negotiate, integrate, and then coordinate multiple dock sweeps,” Ben explains. Tusk builds the infrastructure to make that easy. The company connects shippers—either brands or 3PLs spending at least $1M annually on parcel shipping—to regional and emerging carriers nationwide. On average, clients save 30–40% per parcel, and Tusk’s system allows for seamless plug-and-play integration across TMS/WMS platforms. “They had to default to the simplicity of one or two carriers,” Ben says. “We empower them to increase margins and gain leverage in their negotiations with FedEx, UPS, or the Postal Service.” It’s not just a tech solution, it’s a power shift.
Why Tariffs and Postal Shifts Are Accelerating Change
For many shippers, recent tariff hikes and postal shifts have made exploring alternatives a necessity. “The level of urgency for shippers to find more savings is just accelerating like crazy,” says Ben. Shifting network structures, pricing adjustments, and longer transit times have created uncertainty, even for those relying on long-established partners. “If they screwed me once, they can screw me again,” Ben says, suggesting that both brands and 3PLs are now seeking more operational flexibility.
While alternatives still account for only about 4% of the parcel market, Ben sees long-term potential for a 30–45% share. He predicts that emerging carriers like Veho and Jitsu, as well as regional carriers like CDL, will continue to gain ground, mainly when shippers can utilize tools like Tusk to access them. “In that nuance is so much opportunity,” Ben says. “It’s like chocolate and peanut butter when you get it right.”
Key Takeaways on the Final Mile
- 30–40% per-parcel savings unlocked through optimized regional and emerging carrier access
- Final mile costs average 20–25% of a shipper’s cost—Tusk helps reduce that burden.
- Simplified access to a fragmented network of alternative carriers via one integration
- Real-time visibility, proactive claims, and operational support are built into Tusk’s platform.
- The growing urgency of tariffs and USPS changes is prompting more shippers to explore new options.
Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Guest Information
For more information on Tusk, click here.
To connect with Ben on LinkedIn, click here.
For more information about the final mile, check out the podcasts below.
583: Crowdsourced Last Mile Delivery with Roadie
