In about the last year, more than 130 small trucking companies around the world have agreed to transport freight only for Amazon, and have leased more than 1,100 tractors with the company’s branding for its Amazon Freight Partner program. (The Information)

Talking point: The program is part of Amazon’s efforts to own delivery, a competitive advantage in e-commerce. The company recently made its first-ever purchase of airplanes, including four WestJet aircraft, to be converted into cargo planes and join its Amazon Air network. It’s also entered into an agreement with Saint-Jérôme, Que.-based electric-vehicle maker Lion to purchase up to 2,500 of its all-electric trucks, with the possibility of buying even more over the next decade. “They are building their own all-inclusive transportation network,” said Cathy Roberson, president of Logistics Trends & Insights, a research firm. The freight-partner program, which is new to the company, is not currently available in Canada, the firm said.