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Supply Chain by the Numbers

Aug. 20, 2026

Supply Chain by the Numbers for Aug. 20, 2026

US Manufacturing Up a Little in July. Faster Deliveries at Home Depot. Most Warehouses Automating. Truckload Rates Rising


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92%
That is the very high share warehouse operators surveyed earlier this year said they plan to spend more on warehouse automation in 2026 than they did in 2025. That survey was done by market-intelligence firm Interact Analysis, which said investments in warehouse technology are expected to keep growing. Those comments came as part of an article in the Wall Street Journal this week on the growth of warehouse automation. “Labor costs are high, labor availability is low, and when you couple that with the competitive threats of companies like Amazon and Walmart investing significantly, you’re left with almost no other alternative,” Interact’s Rueben Scriven told the Journal.

3 Hours or Less

That is the delivery guarantee for a new express delivery option from Home Depot, according to a press release this week. The service uses Home Depot’s supply chain network alongside more than 2,000 US stores as fulfillment hubs. Pro and DIY customers can use the delivery service for a $7 flat fee in most major markets and a $10 flat fee in Los Angeles. No subscription or membership required. Express delivery includes eligibility for thousands of SKUs.



98.4
That was the level of US manufacturing output in June, as represented in the monthly index from the Federal Reserve Bank, which was released this week. That was flat from June (with a score of 98.3), as the index has been in range that has seen it hover around the 96 -98 level for more than six months, with no real growth, but not recessionary declines either. However, June output was up just 1.2% versus the same period in 2025. But at an index level of 98.4, it means US manufacturing output is still below that of the baseline year of 2017 (index = 100) now nine years later. It is also well below the all-time high of about 108, reached in late 2007.

8.6%
That was the year-over-year rise in US linehaul rates in July versus 2025, according to the latest Cass Freight Report for the month released late last week. The monthly report from Cass and partner Tim Denoyer of ACT Research is based on data from the billions of dollars of freight bills that Cass pays for its shipper clients. the Cass Linehaul Index, which measures US per mile truckload rates before fuel surcharge and other accessorials. The Index was also up a solid 2.3% month-over-month. The Index fell 10% in 2023, another 3.4% in 2024, and turned up to a 1.8% increase in 2025.

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