Key Takeaways
- US logistics businesses are facing the highest amount of operational pressure since last April
- Major unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather are understood to be the main cause of this significant rise in pressure
- Businesses are employing maintenance and strengthening measures to solidify themselves against pressure as the logistics landscape remains increasingly volatile
US logistics businesses have reported the highest level of operational pressure since April last year, shows the latest Tech.co data.
Major unforeseen circumstances are the root cause of this increased pressure, as businesses deal with severe weather events, such as Storm Fern.
To combat pressure, businesses are turning to vehicle maintenance measures, securing their day-to-day operations against an increasingly volatile environment.
Operational Pressure Felt by US Logistics Businesses Reaches All-Time High
US logistics businesses are facing the highest amount of operational pressure since last April.
Tech.co’s ‘Operational Pressure Index’ reached 44 in February 2026, the highest figure recorded in our data so far. The figure is indicative of a sharp and rapid spike in operational strain over the past month.
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Tech.co has been tracking operational pressure within the logistics industry since April last year. Our ‘operational strain’ score evaluates levels of freight demand, issue severity, and business stance across surveyed logistics firms.
Major Unforeseen Circumstances Root Cause of Pressures
In our research, 30% of logistics businesses cited major unforeseen circumstances as a cause for the rise in operational pressure.
Severe weather is likely to have contributed to this rise. Significantly, late January saw the surge of Storm Fern across the South and North East of the US, causing major disruption to the freight market.
Unforeseen events such as severe weather can cause knock-on effects for the industry, including loss of power for warehouses and labor challenges as drivers deal with more challenging road conditions.
Businesses Focus on Vehicle Maintenance Amidst Pressure
Vehicle upkeep rose by 3 percentage points from January to February, positioning maintenance as a priority as businesses face a spike in operational pressure.
Among the firms prioritizing vehicle upkeep, 70% are focusing on preventative maintenance as their top strategy. This indicates that logistics businesses are solidifying their current operations to help secure them against further disruptions.
“With the industry currently volatile, we’re seeing companies are taking steps to invest now and protect themselves in the future. The move is an essential one, as companies look to maintain some semblance of control where they can, in the face of ever more challenges and disruption to the supply chain.” Jack Turner, Editor at Tech.co
Behind preventative maintenance, logistics businesses are also employing methods such as addressing mechanical issues (52%) and upgrading/replacing components (51%). As pressure rises, this further shows logistics businesses are in a state of pre-emptive strengthening.
