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

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

FedEx Freight last month became the first major motor carrier to announce a general rate increase for this year.(Management: an executive summary of industry news)
June 1, 2004... * FedEx Freight last month became the first major motor carrier to announce a general rate increase for this year. FedEx said it would raise its rates by 5.9 percent, in part to cover the cost of compliance with the Environmental Protection...

US Freightways closed its Red Star regional LTL operation late last month.(Management: an executive summary of industry news)
June 1, 2004... * US Freightways closed its Red Star regional LTL operation late last month. The shutdown came two days after clerical workers at USF's Philadelphia terminal went on strike after the company refused to recognize their Teamsters union...

Are there big changes in the works for C-TPAT?(Management: an executive summary of industry news)
June 1, 2004... * Are there big changes in the works for C-TPAT? Attendees at last month's Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) annual conference in Newport, R.I., peppered Customs and Border Protection officials with questions about the...

The National Industrial Transportation League is opposing a House bill.(Management: an executive summary of industry news)
June 1, 2004... * The National Industrial Transportation League is opposing a House bill that would require the Coast Guard to approve security plans of foreign-flag ships calling at U.S. ports. H.R. 2443, which appropriates money for the Coast Guard, includes...

How does your logistics operation compare to that of your peers?(Management: an executive summary of industry news)
June 1, 2004... * How does your logistics operation compare to that of your peers? Let us know by taking part in our annual "Masters in Logistics" study (formerly called "The Giants of Shipping"). Conducted in conjunction with Georgia Southern University and...

The Transportation Security Administration will soon test a special ID for transportation workers.(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * The Transportation Security Administration will soon test a special ID for transportation workers. In May, the TSA requested proposals from technology vendors for testing a prototype Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)...

Don't let homeland security regulations turn into trade barriers.(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * Don't let homeland security regulations turn into trade barriers. That warning comes from Aaron Lukas, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. In a recent paper, Lukas voices concern that security needs...

Take it to the GAO.(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * Take it to the GAO. South Carolina Democrat Sen. Ernest Hollings has asked the General Accounting Office to examine how the federal government screens containers at the nation's ports. Specifically, Hollings wants the agency to determine what...

Can California's airports and seaports handle booming trade with Asia?(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * Can California's airports and seaports handle booming trade with Asia? Not according to the results of a recent study conducted by San Francisco's Public Policy Institute. That shortfall may actually be curbing growth, the report goes on to...

It's hard to believe, but it's been 20 years since double-stack trains first hit the rails.(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * It's hard to believe, but it's been 20 years since double-stack trains first hit the rails. In 1984 double-stacks were introduced--and forever changed the transportation industry. The new trains transported two containers, stacked one atop...

New York City would benefit from building a cross-harbor rail freight tunnel.(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * New York City would benefit from building a cross-harbor rail freight tunnel. So say the authors of an environmental impact study conducted by the New York City Economic Development Corp., the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal...

Horizon Lines, one of the few remaining U.S.-flag ocean carriers, has changed hands once again.(Management: an executive summary of news)
June 1, 2004... * Horizon Lines, one of the few remaining U.S.-flag ocean carriers, has changed hands once again. Formerly known as CSX Lines, the Charlotte, N.C.-based carrier was sold by private equity firm The Carlyle Group for $650 million to Castle...

Cutting through the RFID fog.(Viewpoint)
June 1, 2004... IT'S GETTING TOUGH TO FIND A SEAT in ally logistics or warehousing conference session that has "RFID" in its title. The buzz around this technology and related "adoption mandates" issued by the retail giants is nothing less than a godsend for...

Shippers enjoyed a 0.5% average LTL price cut in April.(Trucking)
June 1, 2004... Shippers enjoyed a 0.5% average LTL price cut in April even as they faced a 0.2% average hike in TL prices. One-month changes, though, do not a trend make. During the 12-month period ending April 2003, LTL price inflation accelerated at a 5.7%...

April's 4.8% drop in average prices for shipping freight.(Air)
June 1, 2004... April's 4.8% drop in average prices for shipping freight on scheduled flights came as a surprise. Prices for both passenger and freight traffic combined for a 0.4% drop, as competition from low-priced airlines seems to be making a dent in...

In April 2004, water transportation prices increased 0.8%.(Water)
June 1, 2004... In April 2004, water transportation prices increased 0.8% from the previous month and 11.8% from a year ago.The culprit continues to be deep-sea transportation, where prices were up 11.7% from April 2003 levels. Prices for shipping freight on...

In April, prices for hauling carload freight increased 0.4%.(Rail)
June 1, 2004... In April, prices for hauling carload freight increased 0.4% from the previous month and were up a fairly strong 2.7% from the same month a year earlier. Commodities that led the inflation parade included: farm products, where prices were up...

Focus on transportation industry support services.(Recent Price Trends in Transportation Services)
June 1, 2004... Inflationary pressures are bubbling up all over in the transportation sector, where service providers must pay for a host of ancillary services. Consider, for example, the rising price of airport operations, which increased a sharp 5% from...

Is JIT dead? Rising commodity prices may signal the end of lean inventories, analyst says.(News & Analysis)
June 1, 2004... Just-in-time (JIT) inventory practices should be confined to the dust heap of history. That's the contention of a leading financial analyst and economist who believes that the just-in-time strategy has "outlived its usefulness." Instead,...

Survey: shippers may cut transportation spending.(Transportation)
June 1, 2004... Results of a recent survey of purchasing professionals indicate that shippers may be planning to rein in their transportation spending this summer in an effort to control rising freight costs. For the last two months, Purchasing Magazine's...

Trains second most likely terrorist target.(News Capsule)
June 1, 2004... An analysis of worldwide attacks on public infrastructure for the years 1997 through 2000 found that trains were second only to buses as targets for terrorists. Buses 41% of all attacks Subways and trains...

California truckers press state legislature for fuel price breaks.(Motor Carriers)
June 1, 2004... Following last month's demonstrations by truckers protesting high fuel prices, a California motor carrier group plans to press state lawmakers for legislation that would lower diesel prices. The California Trucking Association (CTA) wants...

Deutsche Post buys SmartMail, QuikPak.(International)
June 1, 2004... Deutsche PostWorldNet (DPWN), continuing its drive to acquire companies that offer value-added mailing services, has announced that it will buy two specialty mail companies in the United States. Deutsche Post Global Mail USA, DPWN's U.S....

Diesel idling restrictions to raise carriers' costs.(Environment)
June 1, 2004... State regulators and the federal government are under pressure to pass laws controlling diesel-engine idling to conserve energy and reduce sooty emissions. "We want to make idling a thing of the past--the exception rather than the norm," said...

Incentives needed to promote off-peak deliveries.(Distribution)
June 1, 2004... Will off-peak deliveries ever take hold in congested New York City? Results of a recent study on that topic suggest that consignees may hold the key to success for any drastic change in distribution practices. The Rensselaer Polytechnic...

TNT Express.(Services)
June 1, 2004... TNT Express has taken major steps to capitalize on an expanded European Union. Preparations include investments of approximately $13.4 million in new linehaul connections, a new road hub, additional sortation facilities, and new vehicles and...

Global Trade Systems.(Services)
June 1, 2004... Global Trade Systems, a new consulting firm, will use its "Trade Security Equation" program to help businesses meet security challenges associated with global supply chain operations, including manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and...

DSC Logistics.(Services)
June 1, 2004... DSC Logistics is building a facility in the newly-developed intermodal park near Joliet, III. Scheduled to open this summer, the one million square-foot distribution center will include a foreign trade zone. It also will provide quick access to...

The Raymond Corporation.(Services)
June 1, 2004... The Raymond Corporation has opened a new training facility at its Greene, N.Y., headquarters. The center features five classrooms, a truck lab, and two breakout rooms overlooking the factory floor. Courses will cover such topics as new...

Two of the United States' largest trading companies, Nissho Iwai American Corp. and Nichimen America Inc., have merged to form Sojitz Corporation of America.(Services)
June 1, 2004... Two of the United States' largest trading companies, Nissho Iwai American Corp. and Nichimen America Inc., have merged to form Sojitz Corporation of America. Sojitz's Trade Management Solutions Group will leverage its global scale to provide...

Datebook.(Logistics Briefing)(Calendar)
June 1, 2004... June 22-25. "World-Class Warehousing and Material Handling." Atlanta, Ga. The Logistics Institute. 404-385-3501 or www.pe.gatech.edu. July 12-16. Logistics Management Program. Columbus, Ohio. Council of Logistics Management. 614-292-0331...

Challenges abound for truckload shippers.(Bohman on Pricing)
June 1, 2004... As we approach the busiest shipping months of the year, shippers around the country are seeing the cost of for-hire transportation rise to levels they have not seen in several years. They're also experiencing unprecedented difficulty in...

ERP vs. BoB: the new battle for software dollars.(Byrne on Excellence)
June 1, 2004... Enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors are moving aggressively into the supply chain software market. As a result, forward-thinking software buyers are looking closely at extending their ERP assets. Much of their evaluation hinges on...

IP strikes gold: International Paper's RFID system manages stocking, storage, and shipping 24 hours a day--and could be coming to a warehouse near you.(2004 Best Practices Awards)
June 1, 2004... While every entry for this year's Best Practices in Logistics Management Awards demonstrated effectiveness and achieved measurable improvements in efficiency, there was little doubt as to who would take the Gold. International Paper's (IF)...

Truckload rates kick into high gear: shippers can expect to pay more for truckload services as the supply of trucks and drivers gets tighter.
June 1, 2004... Prepare to dig deeper into your wallet. A combination of factors, including new government regulations, carrier consolidation, higher fuel prices, and labor and equipment shortages are all coming together to push truckload rates to some of the...

Greetings from Europe: bring cash! Security tops a list of issues that are making transportation in Europe more complex and expensive for U.S. shippers.
June 1, 2004... When considering the ins and outs of shipping within the European Union, U.S. companies face a host of issues similar to those at home: security; congestion, environmental regulation, and a driver shortage. Just as they are doing here, those...

Global Supply Chain Conference: October 20 & 21, 2004.(Calendar)
June 1, 2004... The 2004 Global Supply Chain Conference will be the most comprehensive event of its kind. Thought leaders and leading practitioners will explore the full spectrum of supply chain management--from setting and executing global supply chain...

TMS: now made to measure: transportation management software lets shippers apply metrics to their carriers' performance.
June 1, 2004... Three years ago Wausau-Mosinee Paper Corp. was spending about million a year on its outbound truckload shipments. It also was using five different systems to measure motor carriers' performance, making it nearly impossible for the company to...

The 3PL connection: how to make it work: third-party logistics providers discuss the keys to improving relationships with shippers.(Third-Party Logistics Supplement)
June 1, 2004... For third-party logistics providers and shippers, the long courtship is over, and it's time to get serious. After years of trying to figure out whether or not they could get along and make things work, they've finally admitted that yes, they've...

Supply Chain Resources, Inc.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... Supply Chain Resources, Inc. has teamed up with international partner companies to form the Supply Chain Resources (SCR) Group. With its member companies sharing what has been termed "a common thread" of ownership and management, the SCR group...

UPS Supply Chain Solutions.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... UPS Supply Chain Solutions now offers Asset Recovery and Recycling Management, a new service that manages the logistics behind the repair, recycling, and disposal of used and obsolete electronic goods. UPS expects the program to encourage...

Panalpina.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... Panalpina plans to open a new logistics center at Cargo Center Graz, Austria, in order to expand its logistics services for routes to southeastern Europe. The facility will include 6,000 square meters of storage and logistics space. Panalpina...

Exel.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... Exel is collaborating with Carrefour to expand the global retailer's operations in Brazil. The 3PL will help design Carrefour's new 245,000 square-foot distribution center and will manage warehousing, inventory, cross-docking, and distribution...

VASCOR Corp.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... VASCOR Corp., part of APL Logistics, was named as the "U.S. Automotive Logistics Provider 2004-5" by the Awards Committee at the Global Institute of Logistics. VASCOR received the award for its just-in-time and lean flow management of...

Menlo Worldwide.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... Menlo Worldwide has entered into a logistics services contract with IBM, under which it will manage IBM's logistics needs throughout North America, including ground transportation, logistics operations for manufacturing sites, and IT network...

Maersk Logistics.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... Maersk Logistics received the "Consolidator of the Year" award from Target Corporation at the retailer's 2004 Carrier Conference. This was the fifth consecutive year that Maersk Logistics has earned that recognition. (www.maersk-logistics.com)

Penske Logistics.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... Penske Logistics was honored by General Motors as a "2003 Supplier of the Year." The award is given annually to GM's best global suppliers, and awardees are selected on the criteria of quality, service, technology, and price....

TNT Logistics North America.(3PL Update)
June 1, 2004... TNT Logistics North America, a division of TPG N.V., received TPG's Masters Award for its financial support of Moving the World, a partnership between TPG and the World Food Program. TNT Logistics North America's employees raised the highest...

The top 50 3PLs by North American Revenues.
June 1, 2004... The Top 50 3PLs by North American Revenues Company Name Phone Gross Revenue * ($ millions) 1. UPS Supply Chain Solutions ...

Saving the best for last: a manufacturing postponement strategy will require changes in your warehouse.(Warehouse & DC: insights for today's distribution professional)
June 1, 2004... More and more companies are "procrastinating" in the warehouse. Whether they're handling the private labeling of grocery and consumer products, combining components from various manufacturers into kits for use in assembly lines, or tagging...

"Daylighting" brightens up energy picture.(Case study: federated logistics & operations)
June 1, 2004... WHEN WORKERS COMPLAINED ABOUT INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING in Federated Logistics & Operations' warehouse, the company listened. And when it took action to address those complaints, Federated not only improved conditions for its employees, but it also...

Port of Hamburg: meets growing worldwide trade demands.(Port of Hamburg Supplement)
June 1, 2004... Today more than 80 percent of international cargo is transported on sea routes. More and more, seaports are serving as multimodal hubs and distribution and logistics centers for global transportation chains. Among European ports, Hamburg has...

Slice the pork out of the highway bill.(Parting Shot)
June 1, 2004... WHAT DO FISH LADDERS HAVE TO DO WITH TRANSPORTATION? That was my reaction back in 1987 when I read the line-by-line details of that year's highway transportation bill. A powerful congressman had inserted into the bill an appropriation to...