Recorded live at our invite-only Carrier Kickoff (CKO) transportation event In July 2025. This special episode of Smart Acids hits the road with industry leaders to unpack the forces shaping freight, logistics, and chemical supply chains in 2025 and beyond.

Hosts Andy Erickson & Chris Ernst are joined by:

Chris Pickett – Lead Market Analyst, Pickett Research & CTO, Flock Freight
Ryan Streblow – President & CEO, National Tank Truck Carriers
Dr. Dwayne Roark – VP, Corporate Affairs & Marketing Communications, Univar Solutions
Together, they dive into:

• The impact of bulk carrier consolidation and M&A activity
• Class 8 truck production trends and regulatory pressures
• Tariffs, trade wars, and their ripple effects on the chemical industry
• What it really means to be a “shipper of choice” in today’s market

Whether you're in logistics, chemical manufacturing, or just love a good panel with sharp insights and sharper wit, this episode delivers.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

In this high-octane episode of Smart Acids, we’re riding shotgun with Chris Pickett, Lead Market Analyst at Pickett Research and Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight—the largest Shared Truckload brokerage in the U.S. Listen Here:

Chris shares:

🚚 The current state of the U.S. truckload freight market

📊 Surprising data points shaping 2025 logistics

📈 How to use data to stay ahead of market shifts


🔎 Whether you're a logistics professional, supply chain strategist, or just love a good market cycle breakdown, this episode delivers insights you can’t afford to miss.

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Givens—actor, social media influencer, and Director of Promotion & Marketing at Biofriendly —to explore the intersection of Alternative Music and Alternative Fuels. With over 500,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Jacob has built a loyal audience by blending nostalgic 90s music content with a passion for environmental change.

We dive into:

How Jacob uses music to connect generations and promote green messaging
The science and mission behind Green Plus®, Biofriendly’s fuel additive
The evolving role of regulation, and innovation in the clean energy space
Whether you're a fan of flannel shirts or fuel efficiency, this episode hits all the right notes.

02:20 Alternative Music -Quiz Time!

08:00 Viral meets Chemistry with Jacob Givens

12:15 Collaboration Between Univar and Biofriendly

13:19 Biofriendly Mission

15:43 Global Sustainability Trends

19:50 The Role of Regulation in Shaping Subsidies

20:50 Today's Environmental Concerns

22:43 Impact of Tariffs

23:39 One final Takeaway

Visit Univar Solutions
https://www.univarsolutions.com

Subscribe to the Smart Acids YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmartAcids

Visit Biofriendly
https://biofriendly.com/

Subscribe and Follow Jacob Givens at:

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@JacobGivens

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@thejacobgivens

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/thejacobgivens

X
https://x.com/jacobgivens

Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.

About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.

Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.