1 Feb 2012 at 10:55am
UPS recognized as a leader in sustainability
For the second time in 10 months President Obama visited a UPS facility to commend us for our innovations and commitment to sustainability. 'UPS deserves extraordinary credit for being the best in its space,' he said. 'One of the best businesses we have in the United States. But the reason is because it's got such outstanding workers constantly figuring out how to make things better. And so you guys all need to be congratulated for everything that you do.'
Prior to President Obama's arrival, UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis delivered a speech to the assembled crowd of more than 500 employees, legislators, community leaders and customers. He emphasized UPS's commitment to sustainable business practices and how alternative fuel vehicles are an increasingly important part of our large fleet. Scott also spoke about our involvement with the Ontario-Las Vegas natural gas corridor, and how the public and private sectors can work together to advance our nation's energy security and improve our environment.
Las Vegas Feeder On Road Supervisor Joe Mueller, a 25-year UPSer, introduced the President. The crowd went electric with fellow UPS employees roaring their appreciation. 'It was very exciting to introduce the President today,' said Joe. 'It's truly a once in a lifetime experience.'
President Obama talked about the increasing importance of putting more alternative fuel vehicles on our nation's roads and acknowledged UPS for our involvement in helping to create natural gas corridors along our highways.
The President's decision to deliver his speech at the UPS Las Vegas facility exemplifies UPS's reputation as a global leader in sustainability. Having already amassed more than 200 million miles driven by an alternative fuel fleet, UPS was praised by President Obama for being among the first to respond to an Administration's call last year, to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Because “That’s how they roll,” said President Obama.
        
30 Jan 2012 at 7:04am
A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending Entrepreneur magazine's 2012 Growth Conference in Long Beach, Calif., as a member of The UPS Store team, which sponsored the event.
For the more than 850 entrepreneurs who convened at this year's Growth Conference, there was an undeniable feeling of optimism and determination to learn and grow their businesses.
I admire entrepreneurs. I know many in my own life and career. Each of The UPS Store franchisees is an entrepreneur in his or her own right. What they do is truly amazing. It takes an enormous amount of courage to chart a path, not knowing where you'll end up in the end.
The conference kicked off with a keynote address from entrepreneur and small business expert Chris Brogan. I was fortunate to sit at a table with one entrepreneur who was hoping to glean some motivation from the speakers to help her get started with her business.
When Chris took the stage, I knew we were in for a fantastic day of learning and growth. Chris spoke about the hard lessons of being an entrepreneur and what you can do to focus on growth in your business. Being the social media buff that he is, Chris spoke about the importance of focusing on relationships versus transactions within social media, becoming a relationship-minded business. (Watch the complete video of Chris Brogan's keynote.)
The rest of the day was packed with great content and networking opportunities. Several leading entrepreneurs and small business experts hosted workshop sessions that helped attendees learn how to raise capital to start a business, increase productivity and output, use social media to market to consumers and create consumer passion for your brand. One of our very own franchisees, Gary Williams Jr., was also featured in a panel discussion during one of the workshop sessions.
The highlight of the day was the awards luncheon, where Entrepreneur magazine and The UPS Store awarded the winners of the Entrepreneur of 2011 contest. The most inspiring one came from winner Lee Rhodes, a cancer survivor who founded glassybaby. Lee donates a significant portion of the company's revenue to help fund treatment to cancer patients. Her goal is to donate 10% of revenue.
Check out the highlights from the entire day.
        
26 Jan 2012 at 8:43am
Think about how long 50 years is. (If you’re approaching an upcoming birthday for that milestone, maybe don't. Think about cake and good friends instead).
Five decades. Half a century. 436,800 hours. It's a long time.
It's also the years of safe driving that UPS Feeder Driver Ron 'The Big Dog' Sowder has just racked up. (Feeder trucks are the big semis that you see rolling down the highway. 'The Big Dog' is a cool nickname for someone who's good at what he does).
Before crossing the finish line Wednesday at UPS's facility in West Carrollton, Ohio, just south of Dayton, Ron was escorted for the last few miles of his milestone trip by Ohio State Troopers. He was then greeted by a blast of confetti and an enthusiastic welcoming committee at the building.
UPS takes their safety seriously, as anyone who has ever set foot in one of its facilities can attest, and an achievement like this means a whole lot to the company. (In fact, UPS invested $175 million in safety training in 2011). On Thursday morning, several special UPS guests from around the country were on hand for a formal celebration at the facility.
A native of Springboro, Ohio, Ron was fresh out of the Navy when he joined UPS in 1960. Since then, he figures he's driven more than 4 million miles; transported more than 22 million packages, and climbed into a UPS truck more than 12,000 times. Just last year he was featured on the show 'American Trucker' on the Speed Channel.
According to Ron, the greatest benefit of being a UPS driver is 'The future. I like that this company is always growing – Never stagnant. It's great to be a part of an organization that is always looking ahead to what comes next.'
So now what's next' Well, more great service and safe driving from 'The Big Dog.'
You can count on that.
        
3 Feb 2012 at 4:54am
Précis:
European forwarders expect to see increasing volumes over the next two months, according to Danske Bank's latest Freight Forwarding Index.
The expected index value increased to 58 from the 45 predicted last month. However, volumes experienced by forwarders in January continued to fall, with the rate of decline slowing slightly (the index registered 43 compared with 41 in December). See Ti Dashboard Freight Forwarding Index.
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Exclusive: Leading freight forwarders increase market dominance
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3 Feb 2012 at 4:37am
Précis:
Kuehne + Nagel announced that it has entered into an agreement to take over the specialised Australian freight forwarder Link Logistics International Pty.Ltd.
The acquisition is in line with Kuehne + Nagel's strategy to globally expand its activities in the field of perishables logistics.
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3 Feb 2012 at 3:59am
Précis:
Logwin is now offering its new "red carpet logistics" service in Beijing.
Logwin has opened a warehouse dedicated to fashion products close to the airport where it can optimise logistics services for premium brands in the fashion and lifestyle segment with special storage areas and services. After the successful opening in Shah Alam, Malaysia, this is the second warehouse that meets the exacting "red carpet logistics" standard in Asia.
Related Content:
Logwin continues expansion in China
Logwin opens dedicated fashion warehouse in Malaysia
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2 Feb 2012 at 5:37am
Précis:
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. reported fourth quarter revenue of $2.6bn, a 10.4% increase. For 2011, total revenue was $10.3bn, a 11.5% increase.
Truck net revenues, which consist of truckload and less-than-truckload ("LTL") services, increased 5.5% in the fourth quarter of 2011. Truckload volumes increased approximately 7% in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. LTL net revenues increased approximately 22%. The increase was driven by an increase in total shipments of approximately 14% and pricing increases, offset partially by a decreased net revenue margin.
Related Content:
CH Robinson reports 11% increase in total revenue for third quarter
CH Robinson acquires Timco Worldwide
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2 Feb 2012 at 5:34am
Précis:
Saia, Inc. a multi-regional less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier, reported improved fourth quarter 2011 results on stronger revenue and improving pricing fundamentals.
For the quarter, revenues were $253m, an increase of 13% from the prior year period. Operating income increased to $6.2m compared to $1.8m in the prior year period.
LTL tonnage increased by 1.5% as LTL shipments per workday were down 1.2% with a 2.8% increase in weight per shipment.
Related Content:
Saia increases and extends its credit facility
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2 Feb 2012 at 4:58am
Précis:
MIQ Logistics opened a new logistics center at De Voorde in Venray, The Netherlands.
The location is an integral European Union logistics corridor providing service coverage to Germany, Benelux, Eastern Europe, France, UK, Italy and Spain including direct connection via road rail and barge from/to the main ports and airports of the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam), Belgium (Antwerp) and Germany (Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Duisburg).
Related Content:
MIQ Logistics opens 70 acre site in Pennsylvania
MIQ Logistics acquires UK retail logistics company
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2 Feb 2012 at 4:55am
Précis:
Upon taking the reins of the troubled trucking company, YRC CEO, Jack Welch, stressed that his guiding principle would be to make the company a pure-play LTL provider.
Not surprising, in August, Welch noted he would first focus on YRC's national LTL division – YRC National - which was formed primarily by Roadway and Yellow Corporation acquisitions several years ago. Never properly integrated and too much waste and duplication within the network, it appears that the company is finally going to make the appropriate corrections that should have been made long ago. But first, YRC Worldwide needs the Teamster Union approval.
Related Content:
YRC Worldwide sells truckload subsidiary to Celadon
YRC Worldwide announces improved revenue but losses increase
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Primary Event:
10th North American 3PL Summit
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2 Feb 2012 at 3:00am
Précis:
Savi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, launched Savi Mobile Tracking System, advanced technology that identifies and tracks in real-time the location, movement and condition of high-value assets.
Savi Mobile Tracking System is ideal for large organizations, manufacturers, heavy industry and governments with distributed supply chains and complex logistics requirements.
Related Content:
Savi's wireless asset tracking technology passes global tests
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Primary Event:
13th European CIO Logistics Forum
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1 Feb 2012 at 5:42am
Précis:
DHL Supply Chain will be handling all logistics services for Nikken in Europe, extending its ten-year partnership until 2014.
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1 Feb 2012 at 5:15am
Précis:
DP World London Gateway has won European Transport Deal of the Year at Project Finance International's annual awards ceremony in London.
The DP World finance and London Gateway teams, along with its advisors, worked with several international banks to achieve project finance closure in Q4 2011. By securing significant bank funding in a 'risk averse' environment, London Gateway has shown it has the credentials to become a world class trading hub when it opens next year.
Related Content:
DP World's London Gateway to open in 2013
DP World to create 4m TEU new capacity at Jebel Ali
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3 Feb 2012 at 2:02pm
4 Feb 2012 at 2:10am
3 Feb 2012 at 1:54pm
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![]() Trucking adds 5300 jobs in January
Equipment World Magazine
The for-hire trucking industry added 5300 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, while payroll employment in the entire US economy surged by 243000 civilian nonfarm jobs, according to preliminary numbers released Friday, Feb.
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3 Feb 2012 at 4:45pm
3 Feb 2012 at 10:13pm
Daily American Online |
![]() Paint Township trucking company expands
Daily American Online
Expediting in the trucking business means to pick up a load and drive it straight to its destination on the same day, he explained. After he realized there was a need for FFX in his home area, he sat down and put his thoughts on paper.
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3 Feb 2012 at 2:54pm
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![]() Manteca trucking executive leads state association
Sacramento Bee
By Darrell Smith Trucking executive Scott Blevins is the 2012 president of the Calfornia Trucking Association, the trade group announced this week. Blevins, president and chief executive officer of Manteca-based Mountain Valley Express, ...
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3 Feb 2012 at 2:12am
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![]() FTR's Trucking Conditions Index Continues Positive Trend
Truckinginfo
FTR's Trucking Conditions Index, as reported in the February 2012 Trucking Update, increased in December to a reading of 7.0. This is the third consecutive month the reading has increased, reflecting an improving climate for truckers as the US economy ...
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3 Feb 2012 at 2:17pm
3 Feb 2012 at 9:46am
2 Feb 2012 at 1:03am
29 Jan 2012 at 10:19am
Over the past two months Stephen Harper has presented a clear and compelling vision of where he wishes to take Canada during his tenure as Prime Minister. First there was the border Security and Trade Agreement with the United States that he and President Obama announced to the world in December. He followed this announcement with an important speech this week in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum in which he outlined his plans to expand trade with nations around the world.
It is important to put these initiatives in context. Canada has the 10th largest economy in the world. Thirty percent of the country's GDP comes from exports. The United States is Canada's largest trading partner receiving 73 percent of Canada's exports and 63 percent of its imports. Canada receives 23 percent of U.S. exports and 17 percent of its exports. Canada is the number one export market for 35 of the 50 U.S. states. Trade with Canada is more than twice the volume of all U.S. trade with the nations in the European Union. While the north/south flow of goods has changed over the years due to the rise in the value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, this is still a very large and important trading relationship for both countries.
The Security and Trade agreement announced in December will facilitate freight flows by reducing the number of inspections and integrating the trusted trade programs of the two countries. The rhetoric and political posturing over the past few weeks concerning the Keystone Pipeline project has overshadowed the size and scope of our trading relationship with the United States and the initiatives being taken to take this relationship to a new level. 'We will also continue working with the Obama administration to implement our joint 'Beyond the Border' initiative, our plan to strength and deepen our economic and security links to our most important partner,' stated Prime Minister Harper in Davos.
This week the Prime Minster made it very clear Canada will not put 'all of its eggs in one basket.' The nature of the Canadian economy, the need for Canada to market its energy, wheat, potash, pulp and paper and manufactured goods requires the country to sell and distribute these goods to other markets. 'However, at the same time, we will make it a national priority to ensure we have the capacity to export our energy products beyond the United States, and specifically to Asia. In this regard, we will soon take action to ensure that major energy and mining projects are not subject to unnecessary regulatory delays - that is, delay merely for the sake of delay,' commented Prime Minister Harper.
'We will continue to advance our trade linkages. We will pass agreements signed, particularly in our own hemisphere, and we will work to conclude major deals beyond it. We expect to complete negotiations on a Canada-EU free trade agreement this year. We will work to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement with India in 2013. And we will begin entry talks with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, while also pursuing other avenues to advance our trade with Asia.'
For leaders of Canadian and American transportation organizations, the messages are clear. The P.C. government will continue to press for enhancements to current processes to expand trade with the United States, Canada's number one trading partner. But the Tories will expand Canada's global trading footprint with free trade deals with the European Union, India and other countries. For Canadian transportation companies that have been primarily focused on domestic or cross-border trucking, this is the time to revisit their strategies to focus on how they can expand their portfolio of transportation services to capitalize on Canada's 'going global' strategy.
22 Jan 2012 at 2:27pm
It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since I sat in on a presentation on Social Media in Transportation at the 2011 SMC3 Winter Conference. This past week David Tuttle, VP, Digital Strategy at TMP Worldwide (who spoke last year) was back again and joined by Bobby Harris, President and CEO of BlueGrace Logistics. In the short space of 12 months it is clear that social media have exploded in popularity.
Here are a few statistics to reinforce this message. There are 800 million global profiles on Facebook, Twitter has 175 million users and LinkedIn has 150 million profiles. Facebook reaches 85% of logistics professionals on the internet ' over 2.8 million people; Twitter reaches over 22% of logistics professionals on the internet; LinkedIn Reaches 19% of logistics professionals on the Internet.
Beyond the impressive user numbers, there appear to be two breakthroughs this year. The first is in functionality. Companies and individuals are now starting to figure out how to embed the capabilities of social media in their businesses.
David highlighted the 'follow me' feature on LinkedIn. It allows people to stay up-to-date on employment opportunities and organizational changes at companies of interest. Your 'career page' beside your 'company page' is a powerful tool to 'inform active and passive candidates' of opportunities. It can be used to 'see who is following your company and send automatic updates.' Twitter can be custom branded and used both as a tool to communicate with your followers and to follow them as well.
David also noted that a Facebook page for your business, with photos that tie in to the website or other business activities, can play a key role. Targeted ads can be placed on the right side of the Facebook page and can be tailored to the specific demographics and interests of your customers. Each company pays for these ads on a CPC basis. He also spoke about the importance of scheduling your communication over a period of time to maintain the attention of your fans and followers. Take advantage of opportunities to connect directly with your fans.
The second breakthrough has to do with the relationship between social media and company culture. In his presentation, Bobby Harris called social media the 'DNA of the BlueGrace culture.' One of the important points he made in his presentation is 'Don't do Social, Be Social.' He stressed the point that it is not just about creating a profile on Linkedin or Facebook; it is about making social media an integral part of your business.
At BlueGrace Logistics, employees are encouraged to use social media internally. As Bobby said, 'people buy from people.' As a result, the company is very focused on the demographics of their clients. Their social media use (e.g. supporting local causes in the community, UFC sponsorship) is aligned with the demographics and interests of their client base. Bobby Harris is able to speak directly to his 100 plus employees with his regular YouTube videos. The BlueGrace strategy is not just focused on improving employee morale; it is designed to improve the company's bottom line. By being an active social media participant, this increases the company's brand awareness, humanizes the company's image, provides superior customer service and produces tighter links with partners and customers.
One of the pathways to success is to establish a social media point person in each company and to actively measure results. Both gentlemen offered some unique insights on a communication tool that is growing in importance on a daily basis.
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