In this episode of the BulkLoads Podcast, Jared Flinn sits down with Colby Varney, Vice President and Principal at ATS, a California-based produce brokerage that moves over 20,000 shipments annually. Colby shares his journey from driving trucks to running a high-volume logistics company and offers practical insights into the transportation challenges unique to the produce industry.

The conversation explores how strong relationships between brokers and carriers, combined with service-first thinking and real-time visibility, are key to thriving in this volatile freight market. Colby explains how produce seasonality impacts capacity and rates, why freight slumps happen, and what bulk haulers and reefer carriers can do to build resilient, high-performance operations.

Whether you're an owner-operator, fleet manager, or freight broker navigating the ups and downs of transportation, this episode delivers real-world advice on how to stay profitable and customer-focused in the fast-paced world of produce logistics.