Logistics Management (Highlands Ranch, CO) articles from April 2004

Logistics Management (Highlands Ranch, CO) archives from April 2004

Last month's terrorist bombing of a train in Madrid has prompted calls for more funding for railroad security.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... Senators Joe Biden and Tom Carper, both of Delaware, sponsored legislation to authorize $515 million for railroad security. Their bill would order the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a risk assessment of rail security threats and...

Wal-Mart will have trouble meeting its ambitious deadline for putting radio frequency tags on shipments.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... The New York Times reported last month that the giant retailer had pushed back from March to June a deadline for prescription drug makers to apply the transmitter tags to their products. Last year, Wal-Mart issued a mandate to its top 100...

Leading logistician and economic analyst Robert V. Delaney passed away early this month.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... Best known as the co-author of the annual "State of Logistics Report," which quantifies the impact of logistics on the U.S. economy, Delaney had worked in the distribution profession for some 40 years. He had recently become a consultant to the...

Third-party logistics companies saw strong revenue growth for the ninth consecutive year.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... Armstrong and Associates last month reported that U.S. providers of contract logistics services posted $32.9 billion in net revenues in 2003, a 6.1-percent increase over the previous year's number. Gross revenues rose by 8.2 percent to reach...

Should the Big Apple promote more off-peak deliveries?(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... The New York State Department of Transportation has hired Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to conduct a study to determine business' interest in and support for increasing deliveries outside of regular business hours to mitigate traffic...

Where's the best place to get the latest news on software trends and radio frequency identification?(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... Head for the 22nd annual Distribution/Computer Expo in Chicago, slated for May 18-20. The D/C Expo showcases software and systems for supply chain, logistics, distribution, transportation, warehousing, and RFID applications. Registrations for...

Who's liable if a driver keeps on trucking beyond the quota for driving hours under the new hours-of-service rules?(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... That question was raised at last month's annual meeting of The Transportation Consumer Protection Council. David L. Jordan, a logistics executive with McCormick and Co., wondered if a shipper might be held liable for refusing a driver a place...

Motor carriers have asked the federal government to prevent rising energy prices from crippling their industry.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... In a letter to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves warned that surging fuel prices could also act as a roadblock to economic recovery. At press time, average diesel prices had hit last year's...

The U.S. DOT has thrown its weight behind a proposal to let ocean consolidators enter into confidential contracts.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... In a filing with the Federal Maritime Commission, the Department of Transportation said that ocean consolidators, also known as non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs), should be freed from the tariff-publication requirements imposed on...

More truckers will be trained to become highway watchdogs for the government.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... The American Trucking Associations has entered into a $19.3 million agreement with the federal Transportation Security Administration to continue and expand its Highway Watch program, which trains drivers to spot and report potential security...

If you have any last-minute thoughts on the Conrail breakup, you have one more chance to be heard.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... When the Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved dividing up Conrail between CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern in 1998, it promised to hold hearings on the impact of its decision. The final hearing on that subject will be held May 3...

AIM has honored two industry pioneers with its 2004 Billing Award.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... Craig K. Harmon, president of QED Systems, received the prestigious award from AIM, the association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, for his contributions to the advancement of automatic identification technologies. Harmon has long...

You need to go to "WERC" if you want to learn more about warehousing.(Management Update)
April 1, 2004... The Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) will hold its 27th annual conference May 16-19 in Atlanta. Wal-Mart's CEO, H. Lee Scott Jr., heads a list of industry leaders who are scheduled to speak at the event. The conference will...

HOS dust has yet to settle.(Viewpoint)
April 1, 2004... IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) put its new hours-of service (HOS) rules into effect, and the dust is far from settling. Shippers are still trying to understand how their shipments and, most...

Trucking.(Recent Price Trends in Transportation Services)
April 1, 2004... We're getting our first glimpses of price trends under the new North Atlantic Industry Coding System (NAICS), which replaced the Standard Industrial Classification. For trucking, we see no startling changes. Looking at the road already...

Air.(Recent Price Trends in Transportation Services)
April 1, 2004... With the release of the NAICS-based data, we are switching our forecast to cover airfreight only. Previously, our forecasts included prices charged by domestic airlines for both passenger and freight services. We'll also be adding a new time...

Water.(Recent Price Trends in Transportation Services)
April 1, 2004... The change from SIC to NAICS hasn't been kind to the water transportation industry, but the new codes are simply reflecting economic reality--that is, the disappearance of U.S.-owned container ships. Nonetheless, the Bureau of Labor Statistics...

Rail.(Recent Price Trends in Transportation Services)
April 1, 2004... The rail freight business was able to hike average prices by 0.6% in January, the largest one-month price increase since June 2003. Late-breaking news for February, however, shows prices remained unchanged from January levels. The annual rate...

Focus on inbound freight costs.(Recent Price Trends in Transportation Services)
April 1, 2004... The average inflation rate for inbound freight charges in 2003 was 3.1%, but that varied among industries. Logistics pros in the aluminum business, for example, saw inbound costs rise 5.2%. Other industries with increases above 4% included...

Spring arrives with higher diesel prices and costs for shippers: diesel prices are going up, but by how much? Experts are divided, but agree that shippers can expect higher rates and surcharges.(News & Analysis)
April 1, 2004... VOLATILE DIESEL PRICES should keep shippers on edge this spring as they wait for motor carriers to pass on fuel-cost increases in the form of surcharges. Last month, diesel prices hovered around $1.63 per gallon. The all-time high for...

Action urged to combat freight theft.(Security)
April 1, 2004... Cargo theft costs U.S. businesses some $25 billion a year, according to a Florida police officer involved in catching criminals who steal freight. Lt. Tom Bib, an officer in Florida's Marion County Sheriff's Department, said the annual...

Trade groups press Congress for hours-of-service changes.(Washington)
April 1, 2004... As the grace period for new hours-of-service rules for truck drivers expired last month, paving the way for increased enforcement, a number of industry groups called on Congress to change the law. Groups such as the National Retail Federation...

Higher costs will drive up RFID market revenues.(Technology)
April 1, 2004... A new report raises more concerns for shippers that are worried about the cost of complying with mandates to mark shipments with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. That report, from market research firm Venture Development Corp. (VDC)...

On board the Colombo Bay.
April 1, 2004... Have you ever thought of the ocean containers your company imports or exports as cogs in the gigantic wheel of world commerce? Have you ever considered just what it takes to get those containers from point of origin to destination? Have you...

FedEx Express.(Services)
April 1, 2004... FedEx Express has expanded its Express Freight Services to include Saturday delivery for FedEx 1Day, FedEx 2Day, and International Priority shipments in 25 U.S. metropolitan markets. The Saturday delivery commitment for FedEx 1 Day Freight...

Menlo Worldwide has formed the Vector Menlo Shippers Association to purchase global ocean freight services.(Services)
April 1, 2004... Menlo Worldwide has formed the Vector Menlo Shippers Association to purchase global ocean freight services. Vector Menlo will leverage the buying power of Menlo's forwarding, logistics, and supply chain management units to more creatively buy...

ChemLogix LLC.(Services)
April 1, 2004... ChemLogix LLC has launched a new subsidiary, Leaman Logistics, to offer supply chain integration, management, and optimization services. The new subsidiary will also provide consulting services, transportation rate optimization, and...

APL Logistics.(Services)
April 1, 2004... APL Logistics has added Kenya to its international network in response to a sourcing shift by U.S. garment manufacturers to that African country. In Kenya, APL Logistics plans to offer a full range of value-added services including purchase...

Ryder System Inc. has completed its acquisition of Ruan Leasing Co., which offers truck leasing, rental, and contract maintenance services.(Services)
April 1, 2004... Ryder System Inc. has completed its acquisition of Ruan Leasing Co., which offers truck leasing, rental, and contract maintenance services. In that transaction, Ryder acquired Ruan's fleet of more than 6,400 vehicles, 37 of its 111 service...

Lykes Lines.(Services)
April 1, 2004... Lykes Lines has expanded its worldwide network of services with the launch of its Asia-North America Sprint Service this month. This weekly, fixed day-service will operate between ports in China and the West Coast of North America. This new...

DHL.(Services)
April 1, 2004... DHL has expanded its global network with the opening of two new Express Logistics Centers (ELCs) in Latin America. The new centers will be located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Mexico City, Mexico. With the addition of the two new facilities, DHL...

Satellite Logistics Group.(Services)
April 1, 2004... Satellite Logistics Group has moved its Houston warehouse to a new location closer to the Port of Houston Authority's Barbour's Cut Terminal, allowing more efficient handling of international container and rail shipments. The company, which...

C.R. England's Diversified Division, a non-asset-based transportation provider, has launched England Intermodal to offer refrigerated, private equipment on selected routes.(Services)
April 1, 2004... C.R. England's Diversified Division, a non-asset-based transportation provider, has launched England Intermodal to offer refrigerated, private equipment on selected routes. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe will be the new service's primary...

Evergreen India Pvt. Ltd., an agent for ocean carrier Evergreen, has opened its headquarters office in Mumbai, India.(Services)
April 1, 2004... Evergreen India Pvt. Ltd., an agent for ocean carrier Evergreen, has opened its headquarters office in Mumbai, India. The company also opened branch offices in New Delhi and Nhava Sheva.

TMM Lines.(Services)
April 1, 2004... TMM Lines has launched a second weekly, fixed-day service between China and North America. The Asia-North America Premier service will be offered from two ports, Hong Kong and Yantian, to Oakland. Transit time from Hong Kong to Oakland will be...

Datebook.(News Services and Events of Note)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... April 19-23. "Preparing Hazardous Materials for Transportation by Multiple Modes, Initial Training." Houston, Texas. Dangerous Goods Advisory Council. 202-289-4550 or www.dgac.org. April 20-22. "Transport & Logistics Russia 2004"...

HOS rules already raising truckload charges.(Bohman on Pricing)
April 1, 2004... Perhaps the biggest change affecting the trucking industry and the shipping public so far this year is the revision to the federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers, which took effect on January 4. That was the first major...

Outsourcing and supply chain management: a natural marriage.(Byrne on Excellence)
April 1, 2004... In today's technology-saturated marketplace, the number of outsourcing opportunities and incentives has surged. Indeed, in a recent survey by Accenture of more than 800 executives in the United States and Europe, 86 percent of respondents said...

Why Hercules outsourced its labors: to cut costs, the chemical shipper took a gamble on a new 3PL--and won.
April 1, 2004... When Hercules Inc. ran into financial difficulties back in 2001, the Wilmington, Del.-based manufacturer of specialty chemicals decided to take a hard look at all of its operations and reengineer the way it did business. As part of that cost...

Need IT? Call your 3PL: an increasing number of shippers are outsourcing their logistics technology needs to 3PLs. Here's why.
April 1, 2004... Every year, Robert Lieb listens as Fortune 500 companies spill the beans about how they work with their third-party logistics companies (3PLs). Lieb, a professor of supply chain management at Northeastern University in Boston, says that when he...

Airfreight packaging: don't take it lightly! Packing up an airfreight shipment is more complicated than you might think. Follow these guidelines to make better packaging decisions.
April 1, 2004... Do you know what happens to your airfreight shipments once they leave your door? Barry S. Rope and his colleagues at Unisys, the computer hardware and software manufacturer, thought they did. More than 10 years ago, Rope (then manager of...

Logistics exchanges grow up: don't call them exchanges anymore. What began as online auctions have evolved into today's collaborative logistics networks.
April 1, 2004... Michael Hampel was frustrated with his error-prone shipper-carrier communication system. The corporate logistics manager for Atlanta-based PM Global Foods, which ships beef products around the globe, found the system of faxes and phone calls he...

What's more "palletable"--renting or owning? More and more companies are renting pallets these days. Should you?(Warehouse & DC)
April 1, 2004... Every day, trucks back up to the dock at Tanimura & Antle's cooling operations and load up with fresh vegetables. Underneath this steady flow of lettuce, carrots, and broccoli runs another, often ignored, asset stream: wooden pallets. Six...

TorPharm rises to the occasion.(Case Study)
April 1, 2004... When TorPham was planning to build a new warehouse, the Toronto, Ontario-based pharmaceutical manufacturer set its sights high--on a high-bay facility, that is. An FDA-approved manufacturer of generic drugs, TorPharm wanted to make...

Oversized bins hold bulky items.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Available in five sizes, Super-Size AkroBins feature a large, curved-bottom hopper front for convenient access to parts, and large carry handles in front and back. Sizes include 20 inches long by 12 3/8 inches wide by 6 inches high; 20 inches...

Conveyor belt prevents end damage.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The 6200 Series conveyor belt is equipped with the "Wedge-Lok System" to help prevent conveyor end-drive and pulley damage. The Wedge-Lok prevents the pulley end from moving during a sharp impact. Features include rack-and-pinion belt...

Slip-proof coating prevents lift-truck spills.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... SofTak is a water-based product that increases the "angle of skid" of paper. Used on slip or tie sheets, it can prevent slipping of items including palletized loads, boxes, and furniture. It can also be used as temporary flooring where skid...

Rugged headset for speech recognition.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Designed to be worn behind the head, the Model SR-10 headset is well-suited for users who need to wear a hardhat or other head covering while working in industrial and warehouse settings. The headset comes with an adjustable headband to give...

Pick-to-cart workstation helps accuracy.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Designed for use with Remstar's horizontal carousel systems, this workstation can improve throughput, productivity, and accuracy levels. The operator places the workstation in front of a put-light array and can load it with up to 16 totes....

Rugged traffic door for long-term performance.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The bump-open, self-closing Quantum door combines advanced panel design and construction with low-wearing hinges and corrosion-resistant mounting hardware to achieve long-term durability and structural integrity. The rugged door features a...

Storage and retrieval system.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The BoxPickerCS is a high-density, automated warehouse that provides central and sterile supply storage and retrieval. The system allows 24/7 unattended access to supplies for all authorized operators. The unit consists of three modules and one...

Inventory program speeds picking.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... FastPic IC allows users to integrate any combination of shelving and rack work zones, vertical lift modules, or vertical or horizontal carousels into their storage and retrieval operations. It can be used to automatically retrieve parts from...

Walk-behind pallet truck.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Offering a capacity of 4,500 lbs., the SMX45 walkie, low-lift pallet truck can be programmed for up to 10 operating modes that can be controlled by PIN entries from the keypad on its control handle. The modes can be used to limit operating...

Give DOT a new mission.(Parting Shot)
April 1, 2004... THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION NEEDSA NEW MISSION. Even the current secretary, Norman Mineta, thinks so. Last year, some transportation agencies, including the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, were...

The journey to successful software selection: knowing want you want to accomplish with a distribution software package is important, but your choice of vendor may determine your company's future.
April 1, 2004... Software packages for logistics and supply chain applications come in more architectural varieties and with more diverse capabilities today than shippers could have dreamed of just five years ago. And while costs and immediate objectives...

Distribution/Computer EXPO 2004.
April 1, 2004... Distribution/Computer EXPO 2004 The Largest Logistics & Supply Chain Technology Show COMPANY LISTINGS Supply Booth Company & URL Chain ...