Tackling Automotive Logistics Complexity: Insights from Micah Holst at ALSC Global

In today’s evolving and increasingly complex automotive supply chain, businesses need to stay flexible and responsive to new challenges. At this year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global (ALSC Global) event, Micah Holst, EVP of Business Development at Ascent, took the stage to share valuable insights during the panel titled, “Mastering Supply Chain Complexity: Flexibility, Visibility, Connectivity,” which is available to watch here.

During the session, Micah highlighted how Ascent is continuing to better serve the automotive industry by enhancing its capabilities, strengthening customer relationships and offering innovative logistics solutions to tackle modern supply chain challenges. Here’s a recap of the key points from Micah during the discussion.

1. Building Stronger, Transparent Customer Relationships

Supply chain disruptions over the past few years have driven a shift in how companies and logistics providers collaborate. According to Micah, one silver lining of automotive logistics disruptions has been the opportunity for more open and transparent conversations between Ascent and its customers.

“In the past, too much focus was placed on reviewing past issues. Today, our conversations center around future goals and proactive strategies,” said Holst. This forward-thinking approach allows Ascent to better understand where its customers are headed and how the company can continuously improve to meet evolving demands proactively. The focus is no longer just about fixing problems, but about optimizing supply chains to avoid issues altogether.

2. Expanding Operations in Mexico

As automotive manufacturers expand their footprint in Mexico through nearshoring, Ascent has strategically grown its presence in the region to ensure it is positioned to support this growth.

“We’ve had a large operational hub in Mexico for 14 years, but we’ve doubled our headcount in Mexico over the course of the last couple of years,” he said. “We are now expanding to be in every major industrial cluster where there’s automotive manufacturing, to be closer to the customer and where the challenges are happening,” Holst added. By increasing its local footprint with additional locations, Ascent can offer faster, more localized support, ensuring quicker response times and stronger partnerships with manufacturers.

3. Offering Cost-Effective Alternatives to Air Charters

While air charters are a staple of time-critical logistics, Micah noted that they come with high costs and Ascent is focused on helping customers minimize expenses. One of the solutions Ascent has developed is its On-Board Courier (OBC) service, also known as a hand-carry service. This service provides an alternative to full air charters, allowing shipments to be hand-delivered by a dedicated courier, offering speed and reliability at a lower cost.

“We’ve continued to enhance our On-Board Courier service over the last decade to provide a high-touch, yet cost-effective solution for our customers—some refer to it as ‘charter avoidance,’” Holst explained. This OBC service is part of Ascent’s broader commitment to helping customers navigate supply chain complexity with flexible, value-driven logistics solutions.

4. Evolving Beyond Time-Critical Logistics

For years, Ascent has built a reputation as the go-to provider for time-critical logistics, particularly in high-pressure, emergency situations. Micah pointed out that while Ascent continues to excel in this area, the company is focusing on delivering even greater value by expanding its offerings beyond ad-hoc solutions.

“We’re working to evolve as a business to create additional value for customers—not just being the partner for ad hoc, time-critical, emergency freight situations,” Holst explained. “While we’re always there when our customers need us the most, we’re also engaging earlier in the supply chain conversation, providing a full spectrum of solutions.”

This proactive approach allows Ascent to meet urgent needs in the automotive sector while also partnering with customers for long-term success. Along with time-critical services, Ascent provides direct logistics solutions like brokerage and international forwarding, ensuring efficiency and reliability at every step of the supply chain.

Driving Success in Automotive Logistics

As the automotive industry continues to face new challenges, Ascent is adapting by offering flexible and innovative solutions that go beyond time-critical logistics. Whether it’s expanding operations in Mexico, fostering transparent customer relationships or developing alternatives to costly air charters, Ascent is committed to mastering supply chain complexity through flexibility, visibility and connectivity.

Micah’s insights at the ALSC Global event showcase Ascent’s dedication to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that they remain a trusted partner to their customers, both in moments of urgency and throughout the entire supply chain.

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