Sustainability is a hot topic these days, ranging from environmental policies to business and economic practices. On Monday, Sept. 21, David Wangler discussed ways that carriers can achieve sustainability during an unusually challenging economy.

Wangler, chief executive officer of TMW Systems, delivered the keynote address at TMW Systems’ TransForum user conference and exhibition held at the Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

In business, sustainability is a simple concept: satisfy profits and increase shareholder value and opportunities for employees. In practice, Wangler said, it will require companies to: develop creative alternatives to conventional growth by emphasizing quality over quantity; be more cost-effective and nimble; and learn to do different things in different ways.

As an example of a carrier that has developed a sustainable business model in the harshest of environments, Wangler cited TMW customer Carlile Transportation Systems, one of Alaska’s largest trucking companies. The fleet recently has been successful in earning new, profitable business in the commercial salmon industry by operating team drivers and offering better systems than airlines for temperature control and visibility of freight.

During the conference, TMW Systems — the largest developer and integrator of transportation management software for the trucking industry — also announced several new products and services for its diversified software business.