531: Innovating Refrigerated Fleet Management, with PLM Fleet
Don Durm is the VP of Supply at PLM Fleet and a recognized expert in cold chain logistics with over 30 years of experience. He began his career with 12 years in law enforcement before transitioning to the supply chain, where he has spent three decades at PLM. His extensive experience includes being the immediate past chair for the Global Cold Chain Alliance and consulting for Operation Warp Speed. Don advocates for a hands-on, investigative approach to understanding supply chain challenges, a perspective he gained from riding with truck drivers throughout his career. He emphasizes managing risk, leveraging telematics for efficiency, and preparing for future capacity shifts.
Today I’m joined by PLM Fleet, a company that is focused on creating flexible and customer-specific refrigerated solutions to reduce costs and drive productivity in your business.
PLM Fleet is the only nationwide company dedicated exclusively to leasing, rental, maintenance and comprehensive fleet management of over 15,000 refrigerated trailers.
Today Don Durm, VP of Supply Chain Solutions at PLM Fleet, joins me to talk all about PLM Fleet and what they do; maximizing fleet flexibility; the unique challenges of the cold supply chain; and leveraging advanced trailer telematics for the next level of fleet management success.
Guest bio:
Don Durm is a recognized leader in cold chain logistics, widely respected for his expertise in refrigerated transportation, regulatory compliance, and supply chain innovation. Since 1995, he has served at PLM Fleet LLC, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing technology, safety, and operational excellence across the cold supply chain. His nearly three decades of impact have earned him significant recognition, including the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Food Logistics’ Rock Stars of the Supply Chain, an honor reflecting his commitment to advancing food safety, operational resilience, and innovation across the global distribution network.
An overview of PLM Fleet and how they help their customers, and an introduction to Don and his 30+ year career, from law enforcement to supply chain.
PLM’s ‘personalized lifecycle management approach,’ and what their consultative problem identification, solution development, onboarding and integration process typically looks like.
From regulatory pressures to tariffs, the biggest challenges for PLM and their customers in the cold supply chain.
Why OEM lead times for trailers and TRUs are increasingly stretched, the factors driving the delays, and how they impact refrigerated fleets and their strategies to scale and replace assets.
How PLM’s flexible rental and leasing solutions help customers right-size or stabilize their fleets, particularly in an environment where OEM availability is tight and demand cycles are fluctuating.
The regulatory changes reducing the number of drivers on the road, the impacts PLM anticipate in the cold chain, and how they can help.
PLM’s ColdLink and TrustLink technology-enabled solutions, and how they’re leveraging trailer telematics to deliver results for customers.
How PLM use telematics to track emissions.
A selection of case studies exploring how PLM help clients reduce carbon, save fuel, and reduce costs with their solutions, from a shift to electric vehicles to old-to-new replacement.
Don’s final words of advice. “This period of time is all about managing risk. Do you really want to put your money into an asset that’s going to depreciate immediately?”
Resources & Links Mentioned
- Head over to PLM Fleet’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with PLM Fleet and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube or Facebook, or you can connect with Don on LinkedIn.
- EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get: 10% off a rental order with PLM Fleet until March 31. Quote *PLM Rental LTSC.*
- Check out our other podcasts HERE.
