What happens when a logistics company decides the technology it needs doesn't exist—and builds it themselves?
In Episode 17 of Around the Diamond Powered by American Diamond Logistics, Kevin, Steve, and Elise welcome Jeremy Cate, CEO of eTac Cloud, for an inside look at the development of Carat TMS, American Diamond's new LTL transportation management platform.
Years in the making, Carat TMS represents a major step forward in American Diamond's mission to simplify freight management, eliminate unnecessary costs, and create a better experience for customers, carriers, and logistics professionals.
Jeremy shares his journey from writing his first video game at just eight years old to becoming a technology leader, along with the lessons he's learned about software development, problem-solving, and building systems that actually work for the people using them.
The conversation explores the challenges of developing technology for the complex world of less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, where inconsistent carrier data, complicated integrations, and unexpected freight charges can create expensive problems.
Steve and Jeremy explain how Carat TMS is being designed to address those challenges through smarter data management, streamlined workflows, better integrations, and safeguards that help users avoid costly mistakes before shipments are booked.
They also discuss the team behind the technology, including the developers, logistics specialists, and quality assurance professionals whose combined expertise has helped bring the platform to life.
And in true Around the Diamond fashion, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns—from Jeremy's experience playing competitive poker to childhood video games, golf rivalries, and the competitive mindset that drives both business and innovation.
In This Episode:
The official introduction of Carat TMS
Why American Diamond decided to build its own LTL platform
Jeremy's journey from childhood programmer to technology entrepreneur
How curiosity and problem-solving drive innovation
What competitive poker teaches about strategy and decision-making
The challenges of integrating data from multiple freight carriers
How Carat TMS aims to reduce costly LTL reclassifications and rebills
Building software around real customer needs
Why the right team matters more than technology alone
Behind the scenes of developing and testing a new logistics platform
Early customer feedback and the Carat TMS rollout
The importance of speed, accuracy, and continuous improvement
Why American Diamond believes its logistics-first approach gives it an advantage
Around the Diamond Powered by American Diamond Logistics explores the intersection of sports, business, leadership, logistics, and innovation through conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and the people building what's next.
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What is Around the Diamond Powered by American Diamond?
Around the Diamond is where leadership meets logistics.
Hosted from their signature corner couch, Kevin Mench and Steve Wineriter sit down with entrepreneurs, athletes, operators, and industry leaders to have real conversations about what it takes to win — in business and in life.
Each episode dives into two core themes, leadership and logistics.
Whether you’re building a company, scaling operations, or chasing ambitious goals, Around the Diamond brings you inside the candid and insightful conversations.
Grab a seat on the corner couch and join the conversation.