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

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

Look for a ruling later this year by the U.S. Supreme Court on whether Mexican trucks can enter the United States.(Update)
May 1, 2004... Last month, the nation's highest court heard arguments on whether an environmental review should be completed before those trucks can operate nationwide. (They currently are allowed in a narrow border zone.) Under the North American Free Trade...

A group of RFID technology manufacturers has proposed a new standard for radio frequency tags.(Update)
May 1, 2004... Intermec Technologies, Texas Instruments, Royal Philips Electronics, and other makers of radio frequency identification equipment and software have submitted a proposal for a new RF tag to EPCglobal, the organization overseeing the Electronic...

Ocean shippers could experience some shipment delays this summer.(Update)
May 1, 2004... The U.S. Coast Guard plans to inspect every ship on its first U.S. call to verify compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which goes into effect July 1. The international maritime pact spells out detailed...

TNT Express will invest $13 million in new infrastructure in eight former Soviet Bloc countries.(Update)
May 1, 2004... TNT Express will invest $13 million in new infrastructure in eight former Soviet Bloc countries that joined the European Union last month. The Netherlands-based carrier said it plans to spend $3.2 million to build a new terminal in Warsaw,...

U.S.-based express delivery services encounter a range of trade barriers in foreign markets.(Update)
May 1, 2004... That's the conclusion of a new study released by the U.S. International Trade Commission. Researchers found that couriers face barriers in cargo handling, warehousing, postal services, customs clearance, and telecommunications in overseas...

A lack of standardization could inhibit a widespread rollout of electronic seals for intermodal containers.(Update)
May 1, 2004... The U.S. Maritime Administration noted in a recent report that so-called e-seals currently operate in unlicensed frequency bands that are shared by many users, and hence could be subject to interference. MarAd concluded that e-seals should be...

The United States should promote more "short-sea shipping" to combat shortages in rail and truck capacity.(Update)
May 1, 2004... The United States should promote more "short-sea shipping" to combat shortages in rail and truck capacity, said an ocean shipping executive. Speaking at an industry conference, Charles G. Raymond, president and CEO of Horizon Lines, said...

UPS plans to expand its UPS Store network from 3,300 locations to some 5,000 outlets by 2007.(Update)
May 1, 2004... The giant package-delivery company said it would open outlets in underserved areas such as urban neighborhoods, Free Enterprise Zones, college campuses, and military bases. The retail operation also is targeting small businesses and large UPS...

Have a question about transportation law?(Update)
May 1, 2004... Then consider picking up a copy of the second edition of Transportation, Logistics and the Law, authored by noted transportation lawyer William J. Augello. The revised book has new sections on cargo insurance, broker liability, importing, and...

Former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley will be inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame this month.(Update)
May 1, 2004... Bentley, a five-term U.S. Congresswoman from Maryland, also served as chair of the Federal Maritime Commission from 1969 to 1975. She began her career as a reporter covering the maritime industry. She will be only the second woman inducted into...

Ozburn-Hessey Logistics is now the eighth-largest domestic 3PL in the United States.(Update)
May 1, 2004... Ozburn-Hessey Logistics is now the eighth-largest domestic 3PL in the United States thanks to its acquisition of Lanter. As a result of that acquisition, Nashville-based Ozburn-Hessey will operate some 17 million square feet of warehouse space...

APICS is seeking entries for its annual Corporate Awards of Excellence.(Update)
May 1, 2004... Award categories include: Education, which focuses on commitment to education investment and productivity improvements based on the application of educational concepts; Innovation, which recognizes a new technique or product that has...

Innovation in the spotlight.(Viewpoint)
May 1, 2004... TAKING CENTER STAGE this month are the Bronze and Silver Medal winners in the 2004 Best Practices in Logistics Management Awards--a program we're launching as an annual event in the pages of LM. The idea behind the Best Practices Awards is...

LTL carriers appear to be stepping on the accelerator.(Trucking)
May 1, 2004... In the first quarter of 2004, average LTL prices increased 1.7%, significantly faster than the 0.6% inflation rate seen in the last quarter of 2003. For the 12-month period ending March 2004, LTL prices grew a modest 3.3%. We forecast LTL...

Shippers who rely on moving freight.(Air)
May 1, 2004... Shippers who rely on moving freight in the bellies of U.S. aircraft may have been surprised to see average prices rise 2.9% from year-ago levels in the first quarter of 2004. But compared to the first quarter of 2003, when prices soared 6.1%,...

Shippers that contract with U.S.-based carriers.(Water)
May 1, 2004... Shippers that contract with U.S.-based carriers enjoyed a respite in early 2004. Average prices for deep-sea transportation fell 2.5% in the first quarter of 2004 on the heels of a 2.8% drop in the last three months of 2003.That might not sound...

Inflation rates for hauling freight.(Rail)
May 1, 2004... Inflation rates for hauling freight over the rails continue to compare favorably to other modes of transportation. From the last quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004, prices increased just 0.7% for carload traffic and an even more...

Focus on fuel prices.(Price Trends)
May 1, 2004... In early May, national gasoline prices hit $1.84 per gallon and diesel tags topped off at $2.27 in California and $1.71 nationwide. Four projected factors that DOE cited as likely to cause price hikes have become a reality: (1) high growth in...

Survey uncovers more evidence HOS is raising truck rates: Logistics Management's readers say they're also rethinking their use of truckload services in light of increased driver restrictions.(News & Analysis)
May 1, 2004... The new hours-of-service (HOS) rules governing truck drivers' schedules have raised shippers' transportation costs and have prompted many of them to rethink their use of truckload services. Those were two of the key findings of an exclusive...

Customs requires advance info for rail shipments.(International)
May 1, 2004... Rail shippers will soon join their air, truck, and ocean brethren in sending shipment data to Customs before goods reach the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. As of July 12, the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will...

Consultant: shippers can help mitigate driver shortage.(Motor Carriers)
May 1, 2004... Worried about the continuing shortage of truck drivers? Don't just talk about it--there's plenty shippers can do to improve the situation. So says David R. Goodson, a transportation consultant who believes that shippers' behavior can...

More retailers go "freight collect" on inbound shipments.(Transportation)
May 1, 2004... In an effort to reduce transportation costs and improve product availability, industry observers report, retail consignees are increasingly opting to receive shipments "freight collect," where the buyer pays the freight charges on delivery,...

Companies focusing on minimal RFID compliance.(Technology)
May 1, 2004... Companies deploying radio frequency identification (RFID) devices are focusing on meeting the minimum requirements to comply with mandates, a recent survey has found. "Businesses are going to spend as little as possible and as late as possible...

Korean Air.(Services)
May 1, 2004... Korean Air has launched a $9 billion "makeover" focusing on implementing best practices and cutting-edge technology to promote excellence in service, innovation, and operations. As part of its commitment to boost the quality of its cargo...

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).(Services)
May 1, 2004... Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has launched its "Starlink" information system to provide customers with Internet-based capabilities, including purchase-order management, event and exception management, user-defined reports, and landed-cost analysis....

Maersk Logistics.(Services)
May 1, 2004... Maersk Logistics has re-branded O'Neill & Whitaker, a customs broker it acquired in 2001, as Maersk Customs Services Inc. The company's integration into Maersk Logistics will increase client access to the full range of available services....

Next Generation Logistics and Microanalytics.(Services)
May 1, 2004... Third-party logistics company Next Generation Logistics and Microanalytics have teamed up to offer distribution planning and network optimization consulting. The partners will use OptiSite software to help customers manage distribution...

Atlas World Group.(Services)
May 1, 2004... Atlas World Group has acquired Bekins Distribution Services Co., a provider of transportation, warehousing, and installation services for commercial customers. The business will operate as BDS Worldwide under its new parent's Specialized...

Old Dominion Freight Line.(Services)
May 1, 2004... Old Dominion Freight Line now offers direct service to Canada. The LTL carrier had been serving Canada through a partnership with Concord Transportation, but will now operate its own service centers with dedicated personnel. (www.odfl.com)

Datebook.(Logistics Briefing)(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... May 25-26. RosettaNet Global Partners Conference, in conjunction with the Uniform Code Council. Anaheim, Calif. 714-480-3806 or http://www.uc-council.org/ rosettanet May 25-27. "Benchmarking Best Practices in Lean Manufacturing."...

Annual LTL GRIs are on the way.(Bohman on Pricing)
May 1, 2004... At this writing, we have yet to see a single major less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier announce that it's going forward with a general rate increase (GRI), but we expect a number will be doing so during the next few weeks. Our take is that many...

Supply chain RFID: lessons from a leader.(Byrne on Excellence)
May 1, 2004... Inspired by technology innovations and a push from some industry heavyweights, radio frequency identification (RFID) has reached the supply chain's center stage. On the innovation side, electronic product codes (EPCs) now can store and...

Allied Air: new warehouse layout boosts productivity.(Silver)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... Restructuring a warehouse layout helped Bronze Award winner Allied Air Enterprises bring order to an inefficient warehouse. In the process, the warehouse doubled its inventory-accuracy rate, slashed the number of back orders, and improved...

Hendrickson Intl.: inbound strategy cuts costs.(Bronze)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... A comprehensive inbound transportation strategy makes Hendrickson International another company worthy of recognition for implementing best practices in logistics. Hendrickson's plan for managing shipments to its North American plants and...

Coping with the hours of service rules: truckers are fighting to beat the clock without compromising service or safety. Can they do it? And what will it cost?
May 1, 2004... As the logistics manager responsible for the annual movement of 10 to 12 million cartons of Kaboom, Orange Glo, OxiClean, and other household cleaning products to mass retailers, Greg Lutkauskas cringes when he hears the words "capacity...

China confronts logistics challenges: logistics logjams are everywhere in China, but things are quickly improving. Here's a sector-by-sector snapshot of what's happening.
May 1, 2004... If you're importing goods from some parts of the world--let's say Dusseldorf, Germany, for example--you'll almost certainly be able to track the shipment throughout its journey, pinpoint the arrival date, accurately estimate total costs, and...

Shopping for a value: shippers will be buying WMS and TMS packages this year, but they're not willing to break the bank to get them.(Exclusive Research Results)
May 1, 2004... Fast. That's how logistics managers generally want payback on their supply chain software purchases. Nearly half of the respondents to an exclusive survey on software usage conducted by Logistics Management and our sister publication, Supply...

12 steps to better warehouse safety: follow these guidelines to reduce employee injuries and minimize workplace disruptions.(Warehouse & DC: insights for today's distribution professional)
May 1, 2004... Safety starts with you." This shopworn slogan often serves as the focal point for warehouse safety programs. Safety consultant and former OSHA manager Rick Kaletsky, however, begs to differ. "While that's a good catch phrase, I have to...

New DC helps Delta Faucet's products flow.(Case study: Delta Faucet Company)
May 1, 2004... It was getting a little too crowded in Delta Faucet Company's three warehouses. As order volumes grew, it got harder to maintain the highest levels of customer service in the existing facilities. "We were flat out of space in our warehouses,"...

Public-private partnerships take flight: demand for comprehensive, global service has given rise to marriages of convenience between postal services and private logistics expeditors serving Europe.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... Last year, Belgium-based DHL, the international express-delivery subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), purchased Airborne, Inc., the third-largest U.S. express-parcel carrier, for $1 billion. That transaction was one of the...

Deutsche Post on expansion course.
May 1, 2004... Last year was a successful one for Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN). For the first time ever, the company broke the 40 billion [euro] ($48.6 billion) revenue barrier with a 1.9 percent increase over 2002. Profit from operating activities (EBITA)...

TPG mail, express, and logistics groups launch new corporate strategy.
May 1, 2004... The Dutch TPG Group introduced a new corporate strategy in 2003 to run its operations more as a single company. Although the individual businesses will continue to be managed within a divisional model, board members will have specific...

Parcel providers respond to a changing market.
May 1, 2004... For all the major European players in the express, parcel, and postal markets, 2003 was a year of upheaval characterized by economic and political uncertainties. Liberalization of the mail sector has taken longer than expected, as the...

Finding the right space in the right place.
May 1, 2004... A year ago or more, the good news was that, given the economic situation at the time, there were lots of great bargains when it came to finding the best locations for logistics service centers. The bad news was that because there were so many...

Hand-held computer withstands tough environments.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... "Workabout Pro" from Psion Teklogix is a new Windows CE .Net-based hand-held computer designed for data collection in harsh environments. The Workabout Pro features a wide range of expansion, radio, and data-input options augmented by extensive...

New reach truck optimizes efficiency.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... The Model 7400 bidirectional reach forklift truck from Raymond features the company's ACR system, which combines AC motors with ergonomic design features. The manufacturer claims that AC motors provide quicker acceleration than DC versions. ...

RFID reader makes integration of EPC data easier.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... The AR 400 RFID reader from Matrics is designed as a network element to collect, write, process and communicate information from all EPC classes of tags. It offers a variety of options for connecting to customers' corporate networks via...

New shrink-wrap machines for retailers, packagers.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Lantech has introduced two new continuous-motion shrink-wrap machines: the SW-2000 belt-infeed model and the SW-3000 flight lug version. The machines offer on-the-fly tracking adjustment and side-seal/cross-seal systems that never need...

Steel cargo lock secures container doors.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Kaba Mas has entered the transportation market with a new mechanical cargo lock, Gitcon G50. Constructed from stainless steel, the lock is designed to provide secure locking of containers that utilize either swinging or roll-up doors. It can be...

Guardrail display aids warehouse safety.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... The Displayguard safety information system merges a protective steel guardrail with a highly visible, computer-directed electronic display. The display can be read as far away as 200 feet and comes with a specially designed guardrail housing....

Low profile pallet for one-way shipping.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... A one-way plastic pallet called the Low Profile Pallet is designed for one-way shipment. This pallet from Trienda includes features important for shippers of long-haul and export applications. Some of these features include a low profile height...

Stretch wrapper with 9 rpm speed.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Orion Packaging Systems has unveiled Vectra, a low profile, semiautomatic turntable stretch wrapper. With a maximum load-weight capacity of 4,000 lbs. and a turntable rotation speed of g rpm, the Vectra unitizes pallet loads quickly and...

Higher rates: an inescapable truth.(Parting Shot)
May 1, 2004... LOGISTICS MANAGERS TODAY are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Corporate management wants them to cut transportation costs while carriers of all modes are raising shipping rates with no end in sight. No wonder logistics...