Always in Kontango #7 • Nderim Rudi, Tratics
In this seventh episode of “Always in Kontango”, we speak with Nderim Rudi, CEO and Founder of Tratics, a supply chain management platform for North American rail shippers that we're excited to have as a technology partner.
Episode #7: https://open.spotify.com/episode/71BTajqRKcoHhWSzWw8bIn?si=416a3ee84d944214
Our recently established partnership with Tratics enables the integration of their competitive rail rate data service with Kontango's suite of commodity trading solutions. This collaboration leads to the development of data products and commercial planning solutions that leverage the advantages of our respective proprietary data. Ultimately, this allows us to deliver pioneering tools that optimize supply chains in the industry.
A native of Kosovo, Nderim recalls how his teenage years during the war, marked by his family’s hardships and experience as refugees, instilled in him the enduring values of resilience and perseverance. He explains his parents' beliefs on the importance of education and hard work, and his learnings from his uncle's business experiences.
Nderim pursued his undergraduate studies in agriculture and finance at the American College of Thessaloniki in Greece, then earned a graduate degree in applied economics at Virginia Tech in the United States.
His career in the railroad industry began at Norfolk Southern, one of the major Class 1 railroads in the US. He describes his early days learning about market research and economics, as well as gaining exposure to high-level decision-making in planning and strategy. After seven years at Norfolk Southern, he became an expert in railroad pricing and optimization, having acquired valuable expertise throughout his tenure.
He went on to join the Surface Transportation Board in Washington, D.C. as an industry analyst , an experience that provided him with valuable insights into the regulatory landscape of the railroad industry. He explains the complexities of railroad mergers and the role of regulatory agencies in overseeing industry practices.
Nderim highlights the unique dynamics of the railroad industry, including the significant influence of large corporations, such as Class 1 railroads, on employees' career paths. He describes the allure of stable employment within these corporations, characterized by competitive salaries and attractive benefits, which often deter individuals from venturing into entrepreneurship.
Join us as Nderim shares the driving forces behind his decision to explore entrepreneurship, including a desire for greater autonomy and a sense of fulfillment beyond traditional corporate roles. He discusses how personal experiences prompted him to re-evaluate his priorities and take calculated risks in pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors.
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4M0wXNIvCDA8HB7WHtBVf0?si=38339c2525df4dc0
Always in Kontango #7: https://open.spotify.com/episode/71BTajqRKcoHhWSzWw8bIn?si=416a3ee84d944214
In this episode: Nderim Rudi (CEO & Founder, Tratics), Christian Callender-Easby (Founder & CEO, Kontango)
