Cargotec is supplying anchor-handling/towing solutions for two 59m anchor-handling tug/supply vessels, a 56.2m anchor-handling tug, and five 50m towing/utility vessels. Positioning mooring solutions are destined for two 100m/300-person accommodation/work barges, two 85m subsea maintenance/work support vessels, a 60m diving support vessel and two 105m subsea operation vessels.

“Most of the system components are established designs, and we have combined them to meet the needs of a particular ship type,” says Francis Wong, Cargotec’s sales director for offshore winch solution. “This ensures that each solution is well integrated and helps a ship type fulfil its specific functions. It also enhances a vessel’s efficiency, safety and eco-friendly credentials throughout its entire lifecycle.

“We clearly see OSV demand coming back strongly in Asia, the Middle East, West Africa and South America at the beginning of 2012, and the market outlook is even promising,” Mr Wong says.  “With Cargotec’s strong global sales and service networks and leading technologies, we are prepared for the growth of the offshore market.”

Developed with the latest IT solutions, the Control Tower will provide customers with significant advantages through this unique approach, allowing them a full and comprehensive overview of their operations and movement of goods, optimizing transport and costs and thus improving supply chain efficiency.

This investment will allow CEVA in Turkey to constantly monitor its countrywide operations 24/7, using 600 cameras connected to the Control Tower. This system makes it possible to promptly identify problems and prepare real-time reporting for all processes, covering more than 1,200 trucks daily, delivering further value to our customers, who can rely on a transparent, timely service.

Aslan Uzun, Managing Director of CEVA in Turkey and the Balkans, explained that 60,000 truck trips each month and all CEVA’s home delivery services across Turkey are managed through the Control Tower in Istanbul. “This Control Tower represents a breakthrough in Turkey in our approach to become the strategic logistics partner of choice, since it guarantees superior services to customers while increasing our ability to optimize costs, volume utilization and route planning,” said Aslan Uzun. “This hub represents a pioneering supply chain solution in the Turkish logistics sector which will allow us to reach a higher level of excellence; a vital component in our journey to become the most admired supply chain company,” concluded Aslan.

As with the Control Towers already implemented in Italy and Spain, this hub consists of three main areas with specific functions:

Red Area - dedicated to monitoring overall transport optimization including the network of national and international transports and financial targets. This enables robust management of the entire transportation process.

Blue Area - dedicated to planning and flow optimization. Here planning, utilization and monitoring of all line hauls and home delivery distribution take place, including load optimization

Grey Area – composed of two teams; security, monitoring critical parts of warehouses and high volume product shipments, and Full Truck Load (FTL) GPS monitoring and alarm systems for any unusual activity such as theft, accidents or route changes.

Speaking before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Subcommittee on Children’s Health and Environmental Responsibility, Mitch Jackson emphasized the corporate Practical Environmentalism philosophy, explaining, “it should be economically viable; it should be aligned with the core strategic business objectives; it should involve and motivate team members, and it should be responsible to the communities in which it operates and serves.” The FedEx EarthSmart program encapsulates these building blocks.

Representatives from Intel Corporation, GE Power and Water, Procter and Gamble and Eastman Chemical Company also testified, discussing voluntary corporate environmental responsibility efforts to reduce environmental footprints, drive innovation and increase profitability through improving efficiency of water, energy and natural resource use.

Twenty percent of the FedEx Express diesel vehicle pickup and delivery fleet has already been converted to more efficient and cleaner emission models that comply with 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency diesel emission standards.

“Although we are less than halfway to the end date we set for ourselves, we have achieved 80 percent of our vehicle fuel efficiency goal as of the conclusion of fiscal year 2011, compared to our original baseline set in 2005,” said Mitch Jackson, staff vice president of environmental affairs and sustainability, FedEx Corp. “As a result, we are reevaluating our 2020 goal to potentially raise the standard we originally set out to achieve.”

“Thanks to this team effort, we have converted 20 percent of our pickup and delivery fleet to cleaner and more fuel efficient models,” said Dennis Beal, vice president of global vehicles, FedEx Express. “By pursuing the most promising avenues of advanced technologies, enlisting multiple experienced manufacturers and optimizing our vehicle operations, FedEx is reducing fuel use and emissions faster than expected.”

The company’s significant progress is the result of a number of initiatives:
• Upcoming addition of 87 all-electric trucks to its green fleet bringing the all-electric vehicle count to 130.
• Acceleration of its efforts in fuel conservation through the purchase of vehicles with right-sized engines like the Sprinter vans manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. By the end of FY13, FedEx will have more than 11,000 such vehicles in service, more than 35 percent of its U.S. pick-up and delivery fleet. Each Sprinter-type van is about 70 to 100 percent more fuel-efficient than the original truck it replaces.
• Addition of 114 Reach composite-body trucks manufactured from advanced materials by Utilimaster on an Isuzu Motors chassis with an appropriately-sized engine. The lower weight design, along with the engine, is expected to save up to 35 percent in fuel over most conventional walk-in vans.
• Testing of FedEx Ground hybrid hydraulic parcel delivery vehicles that can reduce fuel usage by 40 percent.
• Testing of six standard delivery vehicles retrofitted with all-electric drive trains from various suppliers, including AMP, Smith Electric and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation.

The new FedEx all-electric (EV) vehicles are being deployed in the next few months in numerous locations which include California (the San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and the Central Valley); suburban Washington, D.C. (Rockville, M.D.); New York City and several locations in Texas. In Chicago, FedEx is testing electric trucks from several manufacturers head-to-head in daily service to accelerate the development of the vehicles and the EV industry.

Additional all-electric trucks are being prepared for deployment in Asia and Europe, where FedEx Express currently operates all-electric trucks in London and Paris.

Fleet users present an added advantage for all-electric technology, since electric trucks can operate during the day and charge overnight when utilities have spare capacity. FedEx Express is currently working with General Electric and Columbia University on a project in New York City to optimize charging facilities for all-electric trucks.

“Electric drivelines have a tremendous potential, and we are seeing the benefits of integrating them into our fleet, but the technology is still in the early phase of the development cycle,” added Beal. “That’s why we are aggressively working with several truck manufacturers to fast-forward their products’ performance curve and affordability.”

The system was first introduced by Meritor WABCO in 2005 and combines Roll Stability Control (RSC) and yaw or rotational control. ESC can reduce the risk of vehicle instability while on slippery surfaces or taking evasive action, limiting the likelihood of jack-knife and drift-out conditions. If a potential rollover risk is detected, tractor-trailer speed is reduced through engine control and application of the engine brake, tractor and trailer foundation brakes. Currently, Meritor WABCO has installed more than 150,000 SmarTrac stability control products on commercial vehicles in North America.

“At Meritor WABCO, we take extreme pride in putting safety first and have long been at the forefront of ESC technology in North America,” said Jon Morrison, president and general manager, Meritor WABCO. “We continue to develop leading technology that will help our customers save lives, save property, and make our highways safer. We agree with NHTSA’s recognition of the benefits of ESC technology.”

JLR has increased the value of UK supply contracts by £1 billion, in addition to the £2 billion supply contracts it awarded to more than 40 UK suppliers in March 2011. These suppliers provide components, facilities and services to support the Range Rover Evoque production line at Halewood on Merseyside.

JLR today also confirmed that a new logistics facility in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, will open this summer to support the global sales success of both the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Freelander 2.

JLR’s logistics provider, DHL, will manage this purpose-built automotive logistics site to enhance its existing operations at JLR’s Halewood plant, creating around 300 new jobs.

Dr Ralf Speth, CEO Jaguar Land Rover, said, “Today’s announcements demonstrate JLR’s JLR’s strong products and clear ambition for continued growth. The demand we have seen across the globe for the Range Rover Evoque means we are able to significantly increase what we spend with our suppliers, which is great news for the UK economy, and the thousands of jobs JLR supports in its supply chain.  Our commitment to the North West will also be enhanced with the new logistics facility and this will support the future success of both our Freelander 2 and Range Rover Evoque models.”

Paul Dyer, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain’s automotive services in the UK and Ireland, commented, “We are delighted to continue our support for JLR’s ever-growing expansion plans. As the UK’s North West region is fast becoming a major supply chain hub for the automotive industry, this new facility will greatly enhance the next stage of the company’s development and future success.”

The SuiteApp will allow customers to price compare from their existing carrier network, as well as, have access to one of the largest carrier networks. The On-Demand TMS SuiteApp plans to provide complete multi-modal transportation management functions to help NetSuite customers achieve freight spending savings and ROI. LeanLogistics and NetSuite customers can achieve freight spend savings averaging between 10-20 percent upon deploying the TMS application.

NetSuite’s SuiteCloud is a comprehensive offering of cloud-based products, development tools, and services designed to help customers and commercial software developers take advantage of the significant economic benefits of cloud computing.

The complete SuiteCloud offering includes NetSuite’s multi-tenant, always-on SaaS infrastructure and the NetSuite Business Suite of applications which cover accounting, enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and Ecommerce.

Working with NetSuite
The partnership looks to provide NetSuite customers with the On-Demand TMS SuiteApp (via SuiteScript Managed Bundles) to ensure standardization and upgrade-proof integration to NetSuite’s Order-to-Cash and Procure-to-Pay ERP processes.

The On-Demand TMS SuiteApp is designed to enable customers to realize immediate financial benefits through implementations focused on each customer’s specific logistics challenges, while providing real-time visibility into supply chain operations and network collaboration across thousands of shippers, carriers, suppliers and customers.

“The LeanLogistics On-Demand TMS SuiteApp can help NetSuite customers enhance the efficiencies of their logistics and supply chain operations,” said Guido Haarmans, Vice President of Developer Programs and Business Development at NetSuite. “The robust functionality and true multi-tenant deployment model of the On-Demand TMS SuiteApp combined with LeanLogistics’ leading reputation for client success makes the alliance between LeanLogistics and NetSuite a natural fit.”

It’s no wonder the 2012 F-150 took top honors from Truckin’ Magazine. The F-150 offers everything a truck owner would want, including an available 3.5L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost® V-6 six speed automatic, with an impressive 365 horsepower and 420 lb. ft. of torque.

What does that mean for the driver? The F-150 hits 0-60 in 6.4 seconds flat.

In addition, the available 20-inch wheels and sporty appearance make the F-150 stand out against the competition. The Sony® stereo helps provide a great soundtrack to the daily drive and SYNC gives you command of the cab.

With up to an EPA-estimated 22 hwy mpg, it’s no wonder this truck is Truckin’ Magazine’s Top Pick.

The Global Supplier Summit was attended by the largest suppliers to Accuride and its subsidiaries representing the areas of Raw Materials, Logistics, MRO and Indirect.

The suppliers received an update on the Company’s strategy and key initiatives to “Fix and Grow” its business operations in order to understand their role in supporting the strategy’s timely execution. In addition, the Summit participants received updates on Accuride’s strategic plans for Procurement, Logistics and Distribution, Inventory Control and Planning, and Supplier Quality and Development.

“As a critical element of our commitment to deliver more dependable performance for customers, Accuride is building a more robust and efficient Supply Chain capable of achieving consistent and predictable levels of excellence,” said Mary Blair, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Accuride. “This Summit meeting was an important step in renewing and strengthening collaboration with our largest supplier partners by setting clear targets for their performance and development, while engaging them more deeply in the key initiatives underway to ‘Fix and Grow’ Accuridein 2012 and beyond.”

Global Supplier Quality Manual
As part of its Supplier Quality and Development initiative, Accuride also rolled out its new Global Supplier Quality Manual that included revised performance metrics covering the areas of criteria for selection as a supplier, new product launch, production processes, and continual improvement.

AFN, which has won numerous industry and workplace awards, including being named one of the “Top 100 Workplaces in Chicago”, is on track to add almost 50 percent more staff in 2012. According to Kira Meinzer, Vice President of Human Resources, “The logistics industry is booming and we’re aggressively hiring high energy self-starters with an entrepreneurial spirit for positions in human resources, procurement and operations. All offer growth opportunities at a great company in a growth industry and the ability to shape one’s own career.” AFN offers employees many benefits including ongoing training, a casual dress code, an onsite fitness center and a generous rewards package.

AFN uses sophisticated analytics to help manufacturers and retailers get products on store shelves in the quickest, safest, greenest and most cost-effective ways possible. The company works with 8 of the largest 10 retailers in the U.S. and was recently named to the 2012 List of “100 Great Supply Chain Projects” by Supply & Demand Chain Executive in recognition of its leadership as a premier solution and service provider in the industry.

Through its employees, AFN actively supports several Chicago-based charities, including Children’s Memorial Hospital and Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and is involved in many other community efforts such as Earth Day, LifeSource Blood Drives and toy drives during the holiday season.

“DHL Global Forwarding’s choice for Brucargo strengthens the status of the cargo area and Brussels Airport as a key employment platform in Belgium. Brussels Airport is our country’s second economic driver, providing 20,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs. Through this 27 million euro investment in this new logistics platform, DHL Global Forwarding is reinforcing our strategy to focus on the specific logistics needs of our various key industry sectors”, says Jean-Claude Delen, CEO DHL Global Forwarding BeNeLux & France.

Meeting the most stringent air freight safety requirements and complying with the TAPA standards, the new ‘state-of-the-art’ logistics center will be ideally situated in this strategically important region, providing the best infrastructure for DHL Global Forwarding’s air freight activities.

The new building provides dedicated areas such as a 1,750 m2 temperature-controlled area with the highest GDP standards to meet the needs of our life science customers and customers with other particular requirements. In respect to Deutsche Post DHL’s GoGreen environmental protection program, this investment represents a green investment for DHL Global Forwarding, involving the deployment of environmental technologies including solar panels installations and water recovery systems.

Arnaud Feist, CEO Brussels Airport says:  “We are very pleased that a key partner such as DHL Global Forwarding did choose again for Brucargo and Brussels Airport. The extensive freight capacity available on our many long-haul passenger and freight flights with Brucargo’s unique geographic location are definitely key assets.”

Schenker Khimji’s L.L.C. offer customers a single point of contact within Oman for the global DB Schenker network for their logistics requirements and will connect their suppliers and customers around the world. Martin Hackl, so far the DB Schenker Logistics delegate in the country, took over the responsibility as Managing Director of the new company.

Peter Glatz, CEO of DB Schenker Region Near Middle East and Africa commented, “We see a big potential in Oman to become another hub in the Middle East. This market is growing steadily, with new ports and airports being established. This joint venture will enhance our strong position in the GCC region (Gulf Cooperation Council).”

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mary Neff as our new vice president of supply chain,” said Mr. Powers. “Mary managed the recent move of our corporate headquarters to Long Island City, NY, including change management initiatives for 1,000 crewmembers. Her procurement and operations leadership will be an incredible advantage to JetBlue as we continue into our second decade of providing award-winning service.”

Ms. Neff has a long history of leading major corporate initiatives using her extensive project management expertise. Since joining JetBlue in 2006, Ms. Neff has held various positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently she served as director, operations program management office (PMO). Previously, she held the positions of program director, airports & system operations and director, airport programs. During her tenure, she has led the airline’s 2010 conversion to a new reservation platform leading all airports-related activities. She also played a crucial role in JetBlue’s move to Terminal 5 at JFK Airport in 2008.

“I am excited to take on this new role to streamline efficiencies and improve turnaround times, while generating value and quality performance levels. By ensuring reliability and continuity, we ultimately enhance the overall customer experience.  I look forward to providing sourcing leadership and the best return on investment possible for JetBlue’s operations,” said Ms. Neff.

Ms. Neff began her aviation career with Delta Air Lines 12 years ago working her way through the enterprise holding such roles as regional manager, corporate real estate, strategic sourcing manager, and general manager worldport, compliance & continuous improvement.

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1bUcv)

The GlobalTranz award program recognizes suppliers for exceptional performance and quality. To determine award recipients, GlobalTranz agents and representatives rated carriers on six key criteria: on-time pickup, on-time delivery, driver courtesy, claims and damages, billing accuracy and customer service.

“Carrier awards programs measure what matters most to a company’s success,” said Jim Ferguson, vice president of sales and marketing for Holland. “We are gratified by this prestigious recognition and honored that GlobalTranz has recognized our regional expertise in next-day deliveries, quality handling and on-time performance.Holland employees will continue to focus on providing exceptional freight services for GlobalTranz and its customers.”

Holland ranked best among carriers in the central region, and Reddaway was recognized as the top performer among western carriers in the GlobalTranz annual carrier awards program.

Schenker Namibia (Pty) Ltd. is now representing the global DB Schenker network with 2,000 locations in more than 130 countries. “The focus of the activities is on looking forward to exponential growth in the Namibian market whilst maintaining good relations with existing customers by providing reliable and cost efficient world class logistics services”, says Peter Glatz, Regional Director NME/Africa.

“I am proud that all current employees of Desert Logistics remain with us,” says Fritz Kaufmann, Managing Director, Schenker Namibia (Pty) Ltd. and of former Desert Logistics. “We plan to grow and expand our market share.”

Services provided include Air and Ocean Freight, Freight Forwarding (Road and Rail), Customs Clearing, Warehousing and Distribution, Courier Services, and Ground Handling. The new DB Schenker subsidiary is based in Windhoek and has an office in Walvis Bay.

“We recognize that cost pressures and logistics challenges are ongoing concerns for many suppliers and retailers,” said Carla Cooper, chief executive officer of Daymon Worldwide. “The availability of certified compliant carriers, the time required to book and monitor loads, and the need for competitive rates are just some of the supply chain issues our partners must deal with on a daily basis. By combining the sourcing expertise of Daymon with the transportation sourcing, proprietary technology, and comprehensive network of carriers from Echo, Daymon Global Logistics will be able to provide a streamlined, one-stop solution, for our partners.”

Echo maintains a network of over 24,000 carriers, which will now be available to Daymon Global Logistics at market competitive rates, along with a customized web portal to provide increased visibility and control of the supply chain. “Daymon supplier and retail partners will now have the ability to leverage our proprietary technology and take full advantage of a transportation and logistics management team to meet the individual needs of eachDaymon partner,” stated Doug Waggoner, CEO of Echo Global Logistics.

The GlobalTranz award program recognizes suppliers for exceptional performance and quality. To determine award recipients, GlobalTranz agents and representatives rated carriers on six key criteria: on-time pickup, on-time delivery, driver courtesy, claims and damages, billing accuracy and customer service.

“We take special pride in this award because it is presented for surpassing the high standards of performance set by GlobalTranz,” said Steve Selvig, vice president of sales and marketing for Reddaway. ”Our relationship with GlobalTranz is built on providing the best regional transportation services available backed by superior customer service. This award reflects our commitment to making every shipment a priority. Congratulations to the entire Reddaway team for their efforts.”

GlobalTranz ranked Reddaway best in the west; among central carriers, Holland ranked as the top performer in the annual carrier awards program.

This is the second time Reddaway has received top honors from GlobalTranz. In 2009, GlobalTranz named Reddaway its regional carrier of the year.

To determine award winners, Echo surveyed more than 400 associates, grading carriers based on service metrics such as timeliness and claims performances, as well as standards that include ease of doing business, customer service and creativity.

The award reflects Southeastern’s excellence in the industry and commitment to a continuous quality improvement process. Southeastern strives to satisfy every customer completely through measuring all aspects of its business. “The review process includes daily data monitoring and working with customers and employees to address any issue that becomes apparent through this data,” stated Echo Global Logistics’ Vice President of LTL Carrier Relations, Mark Redini.

“We are honored to have received this award from Echo and value the outstanding relationship we have developed over the years,” said Southeastern’s Senior Vice President Mike Heaton. “This recognition highlights the commitment of Southeastern and our employees to serve Echo and all of our third-party logistics customers.”

“With a growing focus on the international business market, we’ve seen an increase in demand for travel to the Middle East and the surrounding regions,” said Fred Reid, President, Flexjet. “This alliance with Qatar Airways — an award-winning airline that shares Flexjet’s passion for customer service — is an ideal way for us to provide a global aviation solution to our customers. It’s a win-win.”

“We are extremely pleased to be launching this new programme and are confident that it is an attractive product offering for individuals and large multi-national companies alike,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways. “The new service is yet another enhanced product offering by Qatar’s national carrier,” he added.

According to Andy Ahern, CEO of Ahern and Associates, the transportation industry as a whole has seen a marked shift towards consolidation as a result of several factors including increased government regulations and a spike in demand. “With the current mandates of CSA compliance and Hours of Service, and shippers demanding more technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult for small to medium sized carriers to survive.  Additionally, large trucking companies are having a very difficult time filling their customers’ needs due to the fact that there are not enough trucks or drivers.”

Ahern also explained, “Therefore, it is a  very interesting business dynamic, because the larger companies need to continue to grow, and expand their footprint to service their customers’ needs, and the smaller companies are having a very difficult time competing, because they don’t have the working capital and technology to grow their business.”

Given the rapid pace and need for consolidation in order to survive, Ahern is seeing no sign of slowing, “We’re continually approached by carriers, logistics, and warehousing companies of all sizes for advice on an exit strategy or to help match them up with larger publicly held companies or private equity firms looking to expand their footprint in transportation.”

Just recently, Ahern and Associates celebrated a hallmark event in serving the transportation industry for 25 years.

With an expanding number of sales channels, which includes department store concessions, street stores, Boshiwa 365 outlets, flagship stores, an online retail business and a fast-growing wholesale distribution operation, Boshiwa needed an integrated and efficient supply chain solution to support its extensive distribution network. Following a comprehensive vendor selection process, Boshiwa selected Manhattan Associates and its WMS as its preferred supply chain platform. The Manhattan solution will enable Boshiwa to utilise space, people, inventory and equipment optimally, fulfil orders faster and more accurately, and enhance overall service levels provided to customers.

“Our decision to choose Manhattan Associates’ WMS is based on its global leadership position in the industry and its proven track record in serving retailers throughout China and the wider Asia Pacific region,” said Wang Lei, IT director at Boshiwa. “As one of the leading retailers of children’s products in China, we realised the importance of a strong and integrated warehouse management solution to help us meet our customers’ increasing and ever-changing requirements.”

The solution deployment is already underway and is expected to be completed in the coming months. In the early part of the implementation, Manhattan Associates’ professional services team analysed Boshiwa’s logistics environment and then worked with the Boshiwa team to provide a strategically optimised system configuration to meet the demands of its supply chain. The team also designed a series of training programs for several hundred Boshiwa employees to familiarise themselves with the Manhattan technology.

The deployment of the Manhattan WMS will enable Boshiwa to process up to 50,000 orders per day with orders being delivered to stores on a next day basis.

With an automated picking and packing capability, Boshiwa will also be able to boost inventory accuracy to almost 100 per cent. Furthermore, the integrated system should improve productivity by eliminating manual counting and streamlining the flow of goods throughout the supply chain. With the improved on-shelf availability that the Manhattan system will provide, Boshiwa will be able to improve service levels for customers at the same time as enhancing relationships with suppliers.

On March 19, 2012, UPS and TNT Express jointly announced conditional agreement on a recommended all-cash offer of EUR 9.50 per ordinary share for TNT Express (the “Offer”).

The Offer values 100% of the issued and outstanding TNT Express ordinary shares at approximately EUR 5.16 billion. UPS will finance the Offer by using approximately EUR 3.7 billion of available cash on its balance sheet and approximately EUR 1.46 billion in debt through existing credit facilities.

In line with regulatory requirements, UPS will submit a request for approval of its Offer Memorandum to the Netherlands Authority for the Financial markets later today. The Offer Memorandum is expected to be published and the Offer is expected to commence during the second quarter in accordance with the applicable timetable.

For the past five years, Forbes has identified the most transparent and trustworthy public businesses using a proprietary quantitative and qualitative analysis developed by GMIRATINGS (GMI), an independent international financial analytics firm. The analysis assesses the quality of corporate accounting and management practices that are most likely to prepare companies for financial turmoil and decrease the likelihood of negative events such as litigation, bankruptcy filings and poor stock price performance.

“To be included among the nation’s top public companies on such a prestigious national list is quite an honor,” said David Congdon, president and CEO of Old Dominion. “We have always put our people first and doing so has ensured the long-term success and sustainability of our company. Earning a coveted ranking like this helps validate that we’ve been doing business the right way, not only for our investors, but for our family of employees at Old Dominion.”

More than 8,000 companies were examined for one year leading up to the compilation of the Top 100 list.

Every quarter, GMI assigned each company an accounting and governance risk score, or AGR, based on the firm’s proprietary assessment model. Old Dominion was included in the Mid-Cap group of companies and maintained an average AGR of 89 for four quarters.

To qualify for the list, companies had to meet specific standards throughout the evaluation period including: a market cap of $250 million at the time the list was compiled; specific AGR ratings over a period of time; high ranking on GMI’s Equity Risk Ranking; and a low likelihood of financial distress according to the research firm’s bankruptcy risk model.

Chris Young will manage Old Dominion’s industry-leading IT department and OD-Technology, the company’s branded technological solutions division. He succeeds Ken Erdner, who is retiring after 16 years with the company.

“The OD-Technology brand has propelled to the top of the industry in the past few years thanks to the leadership of Ken Erdner and the dedication of the IT team,” said Chip Overbey, Old Dominion’s senior vice president of strategic business development. “We are confident that, as a member of senior management, Chris will continue this legacy by driving the technological initiatives of our company with vision and passion.”

For the past three years, CIO magazine has honored Old Dominion as a recipient of the CIO 100 Award. The award recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.

In March, Old Dominion was honored by Mastio & Company as the No. 1 National LTL carrier as part of the company’s 2011 Value and Loyalty Benchmarking Study. Old Dominion received outstanding scored for its use of technology.

Old Dominion in March was also named as one of America’s 100 Most Trustworthy Companies by Forbes magazine. The annual recognition is awarded to publicly traded corporations that have consistently demonstrated transparent, conservative accounting practices and solid corporate governance and management.

Young joined Old Dominion in April 2010 and has served as the director of SAP Applications for the past two years. Prior to joining the company, he spent 11 years in various technology leadership positions at United Guaranty in Greensboro, N.C.

A Rochester, New York, native, Young earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Information Systems from the University of Pittsburgh.

He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Thomasville.

Located at 975 Pacific, the eight-door service center will allow the company to effectively manage sustained growth in west central Minnesota and eastern South Dakota. The facility, which covers two acres, will employ eight people.

The addition is part of a $90-120 million investment Old Dominion is committing to real estate purchases and expansion projects in 2012. The Benson Service Center will serve Old Dominion’s growing base of customers and will enhance service offerings to customers throughout the region.

“Opening a facility in Benson will allow us to enhance our coverage throughout west central Minnesota and parts of South Dakota so that we can effectively meet the steady increase of customer demands in the area,” said Tom Gilmore, manager of the Old Dominion Benson Service Center. “As we continue to grow, the new service center will help keep our promise to our customers on delivering them with the outstanding service they demand.”

Strategically located between Interstates 29 and 94, the Benson Service Center’s coverage area includes nine Minnesota cities (Benson, Alexandria, Willmar, Marshall, Morris, Granite Falls, Redwood Falls, Litchfield and St. Joseph) and two in South Dakota (Aberdeen and Milbank).

Chief Operating Officer Pekka Vauramo has been appointed Executive Vice President, Marine as of August 1, 2012. He will continue as Deputy to CEO. President and CEO Mikael Mäkinen will act as the Head of Marine business area from May 14-August 1, 2012.

Olli Isotalo, currently Executive Vice President, Marine, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Terminals as of May 14, 2012.

Unto Ahtola, currently Executive Vice President, Terminals, will transfer to a new role as Executive Vice President concentrating on development projects from May 14, 2012. He continues to report to Mikael Mäkinen.

Pekka Vauramo, Olli Isotalo and Unto Ahtola will continue as members of the Executive Board.

“We are determined to grow as a global market leader in cargo handling solutions. With these changes, we can utilise the best experiences and competences within our top management and support both Marine and Terminals business areas, which are in different phases of development. In Marine, we aim for further profitable growth in Asia and in Terminals for improved profitability and successful execution of its growth strategy within port automation. As a company we have to be agile to constantly develop and focus – key success factors in this changing environment,” says Mikael Mäkinen.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Government of Japan during his visit to New Delhi, met the Minister of Shipping on January 12, 2012 and held preliminary discussions on infrastructure development, i.e., construction of new berths, terminals and creation of other facilities in Chennai and Ennore Ports.

• Kevin Smith, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., captured the top spot in the Tank truck class.
• Jerry Williams, domiciled in Valdosta, placed first in the Twins class.

Smith and Williams will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” August 7-11 in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge. 

• Mike Whitehead (Sioux Falls) captured the top spot in the Tank Truck class for his fifth state title. He also posted the highest scores for the written exam and pre-trip inspection portions of the competition. Mike was awarded the Grand Champion title for achieving the highest score among the winners of all classes.
• Chad Vermundson (Sioux Falls) took home the first-place trophy in the 3-Axle class. He also posted the highest score on the driving course.
• Troy Swenson (Watertown) finished first in the 5-Axle class for his fifth state title.

Whitehead, Vermundson and Swenson will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” August 7-11 in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge. 

• FedEx Freight driver Rusty Pederson, based in Wilmington, captured his third state title, this year in the 3-axle class. He also took home the Grand Champion title for achieving the highest score among the winners of all classes.
• Fellow FedEx Freight driver Billy Tuell earned his first state title in the Twins class. Billy is also domiciled in Wilmington.
• J.R. Argo, a driver for Travis Boardman Inc. domiciled at the FedEx Ground station in Salisbury, Md., captured first place in the Step Van class for the second year in a row.
• FedEx Freight drivers Keith Moreno (New Castle) and Louis Lockard (Wilmington) posted second-place finishes in Twins and 4-Axle classes, respectively.
• Lori McKamey, a driver for Q&D Trucking and Josh Lineweaver, a driver for Travis Boardman Inc., finished second in the Step Van and Straight Truck classes, respectively. Both are domiciled at the FedEx Ground station in Salisbury, Md.
• Sweeping the Step Van class with a third-place finish wasJoe LeBlanc. Joe is a driver for Desperado Trucking, domiciled at the FedEx Ground station in Salisbury, Md.
• Michael Conaway, owner of D&C Courier, Inc. domiciled at the FedEx Ground station in New Castle, finished third in the Straight Truck class.

Pederson, Tuell and Argo will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2012 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” August 7-11 in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge.

“The entire team of drivers representing FedEx is dedicated to safety. It is an integral part of everything they do,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO, FedEx Corp. “The performance of these participants at the Georgia championship is a testament to their commitment to safety excellence.”

The Georgia State Truck Driving Championship is an opportunity for professional truck drivers to demonstrate their driving skills and safety expertise. The event includes a difficult driving skills test, pre-trip inspection and written examination covering vehicle operation and knowledge of federal safety regulations.

In 2011, 115 driving professionals from 45 states representing FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, and FedEx Custom Critical qualified to compete at the National Truck Driving Championships by winning their respective state’s competition and driving accident-free for at least one year. One FedEx competitor captured the National Champion title in the Step Van class. In addition, FedEx drivers earned nine additional top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.

His Highness (H.H) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

The Group’s 2011-12 Annual Report the company posted a AED 2.3 billion (US$ 629 million) net profit, with dnata marking its highest ever profit in 52 years of operation. Despite fundamental challenges, the Group’s revenue reached a record high, climbing to AED 67.4 billion (US$ 18.4 billion) an increase of 17.8 percent on last year’s results. The Group’s cash balance grew by 9.5 percent reaching a strong AED 17.6 billion (US$ 4.8 billion).

“Achieving our 24th consecutive year of profit and maintaining an upward growth trajectory is an achievement that belies the industry norm,’ said His Highness (H.H) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

“Throughout the 2011-12 financial year the Group has collectively invested close to AED 14 billion (US$ 3.8 billion) in new products. This investment has garnered new customers and increased our international presence. Successful business growth is not a matter of luck, it is the result of sustained and calculated investment. Every dirham that we earn is strategically ploughed back into our business and it is this foresight that has allowed the Group to maintain such strong and consistent profitability.”

Despite a difficult operating environment, the Group continued to invest in and expand on its employee base, increasing its overall staff count by more than 10 percent.

During the year Emirates received a staggering 22 new aircraft, its highest in any single year, funded by a wide variety of financing structures.  With an increased fleet, Emirates further invested in its network by adding 11 new destinations and increasing capacity to 34 cities, a record for the airline.

Reaching a record profit, data stayed true to its proven acquisition strategy, gaining a majority stake in online travel agency, Travel Republic Ltd and a 50 percent interest in Wings Inflight Services in South Africa. Importantly the results for 2011-12 highlight that 55 percent of dnata’s revenue is derived from its international operations, an increase of 17 percentage points over last year.

In the 2011-12 financial year Emirates’ fuel bill increased by 44.4 percent over last year to reach AED 24.3 billion (US$ 6.6 billion). With operating costs increasing by 24 percent compared to a revenue increase of 16.2 percent over last year, Emirates bore the brunt of the crippling cost of fuel for nearly one year, before reluctantly introducing a fuel surcharge on all tickets.

In addition to the cost of fuel Emirates had an operationally challenging year with the political unrest across the Middle East and North Africa affecting flight schedules. By keeping a tight focus on operations and modifying capacity and schedules Emirates was able to maintain profitability.

Highlighting its sound financials, Emirates launched its highly successful US$ 1 billion bond in June last year and despite many traditional financing partners suffering from the Eurozone debt crisis, the bond was well received by global investors reflecting confidence in the Emirates business model. In addition to this, Emirates repaid a Singapore Dollar 250 million bond in full that matured in June 2011. The bond, listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, was originally issued in 2006 with a five year term.

Emirates revenue reached a record high of AED 62.3 billion (US$ 17 billion) growing by 14.9 percent when compared to the 2010-11 financial year. Despite this strong revenue growth, the stifling cost of jet fuel impacted Emirates’ bottom line with the airline’s profit sitting significantly lower than the previous year at AED 1.5 billion (US$ 409 million) representing a decrease of 72.1 percent over last year’s record results.

With this move many commercial and supporting departments of Air France-KLM Cargo and Martinair Cargo at Schiphol will be brought together.

The Transport building is a very modern, environmental friendly, sustainable and state of the art building where Martinair colleagues already reside. The climate for instance is controlled with a modern, energy saving system and meets the requirements of the international BREEAM certificate. BREEAM is a method to assess the sustainability performance of a building.

Not all departments will move to Schiphol East.  The operational departments and the Benelux Market organization (Sales and Customer Service) will stay at the warehouses at Schiphol Center.

The overall transaction is valued at approximately $750 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Caterpillar would retain a 35 percent equity stake. Other terms are not being disclosed. The closing of the transaction is pending customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals and consultation with employees and employee representatives, in accordance with local, country and regional employment practices.

“The sale of the third party logistics business would be a key step in the execution of our enterprise strategy. This event enables Caterpillar to increase its focus on our core business that aligns with our strategic business model,” said Stu Levenick, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Customer & Dealer Support. “We believe the transaction with Platinum will set the third party logistics business on a path for continued growth and success.”

Over the past 25 years, the third party logistics business has provided outstanding logistics service to more than 50 customers worldwide in a number of different industries. As part of the agreement with Platinum, the third party logistics business will continue to provide logistics services for non Cat branded parts including FG Wilson, Perkins, Solar, as well as for Caterpillar Japan.

Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei said the investment is a perfect fit for Platinum given the firm’s significant experience in executing carve-out transactions and operating logistics businesses.

“We have a lot of experience owning and operating businesses that provide complex supply-chain solutions,” said Kotzubei. “We know what customers expect, and we share Cat Logistics’ commitment to the highest levels of service and dependability.”

“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with Platinum Equity. We are confident we have chosen the right partner to focus on the third party logistics business and grow it to build long-term value,” said Steve Larson, vice president of Caterpillar and chairman and president of Cat Logistics. “We also thank our third party logistics employees for their commitment and dedication, which has enabled Caterpillar’s third party business to become a global leader in service parts logistics. As the transaction is finalized, we are committed to working closely with Platinum to ensure a seamless transition so customers continue to receive the high level of service and value they have come to expect.”

“We are delighted to be part of this important platform, gaining immense insight from industrial, technological and regional government organizations about facing up to the challenges of future urban development. As a leading logistics company, DHL is cooperating with governments in mega cities across Europe and Asia to develop innovative urban logistics solutions and smarter city infrastructures,” says Martin Wegner, Vice President Research & Development at Solutions & Innovation, Deutsche Post DHL.

At the Logistics Forum, one panel session will also feature practical examples of cities which are addressing issues of urban logistics and undertaking the process of strengthening systems already in place or implementing new systems, such as DHL’sGoGreen program. The key elements of this program are fleet and network optimization, improved energy efficiency in buildings, implementation of innovative technologies, the mobilization of employees, and the involvement of subcontractors and customers. The final session of this year’s congress will be chaired by Martin Wegner and Florian Lennert, Academic Director, Intelligent City InnoZ, London School of Economics and Political Science. All results from the day’s sessions will be included in a roadmap to help cities assess the role of urban logistics in strengthening their resilience.

“The electrification of the RTGs at LCB1 will enhance Port of Laem Chabang’s leadership position within environmental performance and make the port a role model for other ports in Thailand and elsewhere in the region” stated LCB Container Terminal 1, CEO Niels T. Hansen.

The conversion of RTG power from diesel to electricity is made possible through flexible automatic power connections linking the RTGs to a conductor rail. Conductix-Wampler will be installing more than 2.5 km of conductor rails at the terminal to accommodate the electric power link. By reducing diesel fuel consumption in the existing RTG engines, the terminal is projected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1,300 tons annually.

Diesel-powered RTGs account for approximately 20 percent of all CO2 emissions from terminal operations.

If adopted nationwide, the emission-reductions would be considerable. There are currently a total of 158 diesel-powered RTGs in operation at Thai ports. The Port of Laem Chabang in the Chonburi Province on the Gulf of Thailand was the 4th busiest container port in Southeast Asia and the 21st busiest worldwide with 5.7 million TEUs handled in 2011.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar said: “We previously warned that 2012 is looking even more challenging than 2011 and we were therefore cautious about prospects for this year. In response to the challenging environment we face, we are reducing costs where possible, including through a reduction of capacity. The airline’s financial position remains strong which will enable us, despite the current difficult trading conditions, to maintain the quality of our products and services and to continue with our long-term strategic investment in the business.”

Mr Slosar added: “This is not just a Cathay Pacific problem; it is clearly an industry-wide issue, and continued high fuel prices in particular are hitting airlines hard across the globe. We have no option but to take concerted action to adapt to this volatile operating environment. We need to do this to protect our business in the short-run and to protect the Cathay Pacific team.”

The airline has announced a raft of measures to reduce costs that will include adjusting both passenger and cargo capacity, deploying more fuel-efficient aircraft on long-haul flights, speeding up the retirement of its older Boeing 747-400 aircraft, and putting a hiring freeze on new or replacement ground staff.

For cargo, Cathay Pacific will now target 4 percent growth in total (freighters plus passenger aircraft bellies), down from the original target of 7percent, while there will be zero growth in freighter capacity compared to the 3percent originally targeted for 2012. Ad hoc cancellations will continue to be made to match market demand.

Cathay Pacific currently operates 25 wide-body freighters, including five new, fuel-efficient Boeing 747-8Fs. As it takes delivery of three more 747-8Fs this year and two next year, the airline will take three Boeing 747-400BCFs out of service this year as a near-term capacity-management measure.

While it puts these short-term cost-saving measures in place to address the current business situation, the airline will continue with a number of long-term strategic developments and investments. These include 93 fuel-efficient aircraft with a value of HK$190 billion for delivery by 2019, a new HK$5.7 billion cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport due to begin operations in early 2013, and inflight product and lounge investments valued at HK$3 billion.

“We are in good company, as many of the organizations on this list are among our more than 200,000 customers that depend on our LTL service as a critical part of their supply chains,” said James Welch, chief executive officer of YRC Worldwide. “We recently launched a newly optimized network for our largest subsidiary YRC Freight. The new network is engineered to improve service and increase efficiencies on a large scale and we expect it will improve on-time performance and decrease cargo claims, ultimately increasing customer satisfaction across the board. Holland, Reddaway and New Penn continue to provide industry leading service and are focusing on growth and yield that is commensurate with the value they provide day in and day out,” added Welch.

During the ceremony, Morten Damgaard, Chief Executive Officer, South East Asia & Malaysia, said, “The commissioning of this facility underpins Agility’s emerging markets growth strategy and is a testament to the successful expansion of our contract logistics business in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region.”

At this new location, Agility will offer a comprehensive portfolio of distribution, storage and value-added supply chain services. Featuring 4,100 standard pallet capacity, bonded and non-bonded storage areas, air conditioning, humidity control, CCTV and alarm surveillance, the facility enables Agility to provide its customers with fast and secure freight handling.

“We are very pleased with the market’s reception of our initial bond offering and its recognition of the strength of our business,” said Brian Hard, President and CEO of PTL. “As long as debt market conditions remain favorable, we will continue reviewing opportunities to access the financial markets to secure long-term funding at attractive rates.”

The senior notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state or foreign securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and state securities laws. The notes are eligible for resale by the initial purchasers thereof pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities. Any offer of the notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

The new facility west of Shanghai is scheduled to go into operation in autumn of this year.

DB Schenker has been providing services for Kone in Kunshan since the end of 2009. The current 26,000 square meter facility, however, will not be able to cope with future requirements. DB Schenker stores the production from the company’s domestic plants in the logistics center, labels the products, loads them onto trucks for distribution throughout China and in some cases performs the final delivery itself.

Containers destined for international customers are also professionally loaded here. Business transactions are completed via direct data exchange with the customer, who can access real-time stock levels and track the movement of goods with a keystroke. There are currently 24 staff members working there. A total of 45 people are to be employed in the new logistics center in the Kunshan Junxi Eco-Industrial Park.

DB Schenker also handles imports and exports air and ocean freight for Kone between Europe, Australia and China. And in Kouvola in Finland, DB Schenker operates a distribution center for Kone and provides land transport services for the company in Europe.

“With the new logistics center, we are setting a new standard in challenging distribution solutions for an industry with strong continuous growth and the highest demands in terms of quality and speed,“ says Karl-Heinz Emberger, Managing Director North and Central China, Schenker China Ltd.

“Handling mixed cargoes, the balance of transshipment and gateway cargoes, and equipment intensity are the primary drivers of differences in productivity” observed Mr. Ybema.

The number of Shore-to-Ship and Mobile Harbor Cranes installed per meter of quay and the average number actually used to work  a vessel are the key factors determining equipment intensity.

Other significant factors that affect productivity levels at individual Marmara facilities are lengthy average container dwell times due to cargo clearance and payment processes, and the lack of adequate transportation infrastructure, both in terms of physical assets and rail and highway accessibility.

“We believe there would be great benefit from electronic cargo clearance in advance of arrival rather than after the vessel has been fully discharged, for example” said Mr.

Ybema.

APM Terminals Poti, on the Republic of Georgia’s Black Sea coast, was cited as a case in point, where the layout of the port is being restructured, and the berths are being deepened. These improvements, along with the addition of new terminal equipment will boost the capacity of the present day port by an estimated 50%.

“A lot of terminals we see have grown organically over the years and have structural inefficiencies ‘designed in’” explained Mr. Ybema, noting “This is typically because they mix different cargoes over single berths or simply because they were designed for different cargoes or vessel sizes.

APM Terminals will invest over $100 million USD between 2012 and 2014 at APM Terminals Poti, including the construction of new container and bulk cargo terminals. APM Terminals Poti handled 178,000 TEUs in 2011.

In February,  APM Terminals announced the signing of a preliminary agreement for the development and operation of Petkim Port, located in Aliağa, near the City of Izmir on Turkey’s Aegean Coast.

The executive’s user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, highlighting “100 Great Supply Chain Projects” and TAKE Solutions has once again been selected by the magazine for the prestigious list.

TAKE is recognized for helping Midmark Corp., a leading medical equipment company enabled with enterprise mobility, control and visibility of warehouse pick-confirm through mobile data collection and workflow automation.

“We thoroughly enjoy delivering solutions that challenge and transform how our customers use and benefit from supply chain technologies,” said Matt Walker, EVP Supply Chain, TAKE Solutions. He added, “We remain dedicated to improving increasingly complex global supply chains, and are proud to be honored by this distinction.”

Launched 11 years ago, Supply & Demand Chain Executive announced its first “100″ list of supply chain solution providers, consultants and other organizations that were helping lead the way in transforming companies’ supply and demand chains. This year, the magazine focused the criteria for its “100″ feature on supply chain transformation projects that have had a significant impact on the company’s going through the implementations.

“Our goal with this year’s ’100′ is to put the spotlight on successful and innovative transformation projects that are delivering bottom-line value to small, medium and large enterprises across the different functions that comprise the supply chain,” said Barry Hochfelder, Editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive. He added, “The projects featured in the ’100′ article can serve as a roadmap for supply chain executives looking for new opportunities to drive improvement in their own operations.”

DHL Express opened a new service centre in Maidstone, Kent to manage a 40 percent increase in exporting volumes in the area. Demonstrative of DHL’s wider investment and growth in the UK, the site’s capacity has been increased to six times its original size from 4,000 sq ft to 24,000 sq ft in order to manage the region’s growing demand.

Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK & Ireland opened the site alongside local MP Tracey Crouch, who attended to get an insight into the business not only as a major employer in the Maidstone area but also to see how the world’s leading international express delivery company is facilitating the British import and export market.

Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford commented: “I was delighted to attend the opening of the new DHL Maidstone service centre. DHL offers an outstanding global connection, and the new centre will help support international trade, whilst benefiting local jobs and the economy. This is great news for local residents and customers, as they can benefit from the expanded service through means such as the drop off and collection of overseas deliveries.”

Phil Couchman, commented: “This strategic investment in the Maidstone area is reflective of the strength of our growing logistics network in the UK. We plan on continuing our investment where we see opportunities for future growth, and maintain and build on the high standards we deliver for our customers.”

The new service centre offers international (express parcel) services to and from the UK, including a drop off and collection facility at the site. It has the most efficient operational processes and equipment introduced, and investment in the latest heating and lighting standards, which further improve DHL’s environmental impact. The site is also equipped with the latest technology and up to date mechanical handling equipment, which allow it to deal effectively with the volume growth now and in the future.

The UPS premium air freight service offers a day-definite guarantee*, door-to-door service and includes customs clearance.

“Trade between these two countries and the U.S. has grown at a remarkable rate in recent years. U.S. imports from Nicaragua have been growing at a rate of 21 percent per year over the last two decades – 10 times faster than the latest IMF GDP growth forecast of the U.S. economy for 2012,” said Scott Aubuchon, UPS’s director of international air freight.

“The growth we began to see after the 2006 Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is now accelerating with the recent trends in near-sourcing. With well-established logistics operations in both Nicaragua and Honduras and as a world leader in international air freight, UPS is well-positioned to address the growing import and export needs of these countries and aid in their expansion to other global markets.”

A rising presence in the automotive industry, Honduras is the third largest exporter of automobile wiring harnesses to the U.S. The country’s recent diversification of exports over the past decade from primarily agricultural goods to industrial goods has made the U.S. and Germany two of its largest export trading partners, with 65 percent of those exports bound for the U.S. It’s estimated that 51 percent of Honduran imports are from the U.S., followed by Guatemala and Mexico.

Approximately 58 percent of Nicaragua export commodities are shipped to the U.S., including seafood, apparel and precious metals such as gold. Among the Latin American countries involved in CAFTA-DR, Nicaragua has become the fastest growing exporter to the U.S., while Nicaragua’s largest import partners include the U.S., Venezuela, Costa Rica and China.

“The combination of low labor costs and the geographic proximity to the U.S. market make Nicaragua and Honduras well-positioned to compete in today’s global marketplace,” said Aubuchon. “These export factors, combined with the growing demand for U.S., European and Asian consumer goods among the young populations in these countries, position them for substantial growth over the next few years.”

* Subject to the UPS Air Freight Terms and Conditions of Contract or upon request.

“Winning this award for the seventh consecutive time is a testament to FedEx team members’ unrelenting commitment and dedication to excellence,” said Clifton Chua, managing director, FedEx Express Singapore. “This award also speaks of the FedEx commitment to reinforce our relationships with the Changi Airport Group and government agencies to provide customers with fast and reliable connectivity and unparalleled access to markets worldwide.”

The Changi Airline Awards recognise the contributions that individual airlines bring to the partnership with the airport in order to make it a successful, vibrant and world-class air hub.

The acquisition represents the latest FedEx investment in delivering sustainable growth in Europe. This transaction is subject to necessary regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

Founded in 1976, TATEX, a privately-held company, has over 1,000 employees and a nationwide network with a central hub at Lieusaint, just south of Paris, and 35 shipping centers including six regional hubs.  The acquisition will give FedEx Express access to a nationwide domestic ground network which carries 19 million shipments and produces approximately EUR 150 million in revenue annually. This latest development demonstrates the company’s continued focus on European expansion through smart, strategic investments, and organic growth.

“FedEx has always recognized the importance of our Europe, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (EMEA) Region and its many unique marketplaces to global trade, and this acquisition shows we are continuing to systematically and strategically invest in growing our network and value proposition in these important areas of the world,”said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corp. “The TATEX business complements FedEx existing operations in the French market, and will enable the company to provide additional local services in one of Europe’s largest geographies, to its customers around the world.”

FedEx Express has been steadily broadening its European network and most recently announced plans to acquire Opek Sp.z o.o., a Polish shipping company. These acquisition plans follow the company’s purchase of ANC Holdings Limited, a UK domestic express transportation company in 2006 and of its Hungarian service provider, Flying Cargo Hungary Kft, in 2007.

Between October 2011 and the end of May 2012, FedEx will have opened 38 new stations across Europe, including 19 in France, creating new jobs in the process.

The company has also invested heavily in its air-fleet – providing an additional five B757s on intra-European routes, and another B777 for long-haul routes – bringing the total number of B777s operating FedEx routes in and out of Europe to four. In addition, FedEx Trade Networks has greatly expanded its presence in Europe, including three new locations in France, adding 22 locations in recent years to complement the portfolio of express services.

“The needs of FedEx customers are at the core of our growth plans; we have proudly integrated new services in keeping with the dynamism of the international marketplace that offer our customers the highest caliber of service. We are delighted our growth plans bring new employees into the FedEx family and integrate them into our ‘people first’ work environment.” said Gerald P. Leary, president, FedEx Express EMEA.

“Once the transaction closes, the combination of FedEx international reach, and the well-established and comprehensive domestic network of TATEX, will be a powerful and valuable combination that will deliver immediate value for our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate.” said Xavier Papot, President, TATEX.

Recognizing one truckload, one dry van and two refrigerated transportation service providers, Transplace made the announcement during its 10th annual Shipper Symposium taking place this week in Phoenix.

“Our Carrier Merit Program was designed to uncover growth opportunities for our carriers while making certain they are delivering outstanding service for our customers,” said Ben Cubitt, senior vice president engineering and consulting at Transplace.  “For all the hard work put forth over the last 12 months, we want to recognize these transportation service providers for the exceptional work they’ve done and continue doing throughout the year.”

At the Shipper Symposium, Cubitt presented the following awards to these carriers:

• Transplace Carrier of the Year Award, Con-way Truckload
• Dry Van Carrier of the Year Award, Swift
• Reefer Carrier of the Year Award (co-winners), Marten, Transport and Transplace Stuttgart
• Best On-Time Service Award, Tri-Ways, Inc.

“To be honored and recognized as the Transplace Carrier of the Year two years in a row is a great accomplishment for Con-way Truckload,” said Martin Tewari, vice president of operations for Con-way Truckload. “This award is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in over the last 12-24 months. We’re excited to continue building upon our strong relationship with Transplace and tackle the growth opportunities Transplace continues to bring our way.”

The Transplace Carrier Merit Program categorizes carriers into tiers based on strict and demanding performance factors. The company has established two primary tiers of alliance carriers and a developmental progression plan for key carriers targeting business needs and upward movement through the merit program.

The awards are data-centric and based on companywide, quantitative data for each award selection. To be eligible for the Transplace truckload Carrier of the Year award, a carrier must have met the following requirements:

Hauled at least 1,500 loads for Transplace

• Provided freight services across five or more Transplace accounts
• Maintained an on-time pick-up and delivery of 95 percent or better
• Contracted as a truckload carrier
• Actively participated as an EPA SmartWay Carrier
• Maintained an excellent customer service relationship across all accounts
• Utilized EDI capabilities extensively
• Provided regular feedback and communication to all levels of management

Carriers scoring the highest were included in a survey that was distributed to Transplace internal accounts in December 2011 to vote on the top 10 carriers that exceeded the above criteria. Con-way Truckload, the Transplace Carrier of the Year, also received the Transplace Carrier of the Year award in 2008 and 2011, and has been a Platinum level carrier for Transplace every year since 2008.

Panalpina is currently operating the only facility for cross-docking and interim storage with airside access at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with an official GDP certification. The certificate was issued by the Dutch Ministry of Health. “This is a strong signal to our customers in the pharmaceutical industry that rely on our special services. They are required by law to audit their contractors. As a GDP certified provider we adhere to the highest quality standards and make it very easy for all of our customers to prove that they have mitigated their risk,” said Thomas Berger, Global Head of Industry Vertical Healthcare at Panalpina.

Two temperature-controlled cells
GDP ensures that medicinal products are distributed to retail pharmacists and other persons entitled to sell medicinal products to the general public without any alteration of their properties. Medicinal products need to be stored apart from other goods and under the conditions specified by the manufacturer in order to avoid any deterioration by light, moisture or temperature. During transport and storage specific temperature ranges have to be maintained. Panalpina’s unique state-of-the-art facility at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has temperature-controlled cells for 2 to 8 and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. It also offers re-icing services, as well as packaging services for pharmaceutical customers.

Commitment to pharmaceutical industry
The facility is part of Panalpina’s network of Centers of Excellence. These centers cater to the needs of the healthcare industry and all adhere to GDP. “The pharmaceutical industry operates at a high level of quality assurance. Risk mitigation is only one aspect where GDP guidelines will become even stricter in the future. The certification of our facility at Schiphol Airport demonstrates our commitment to our healthcare customers that are operating in an increasingly demanding environment,” said Peter Herling, Panalpina’s Managing Director for Belgium and the Netherlands.

Transplace’s signature event brought together a broad range of industry experts, academics, analysts and Transplace customers to share key insights and strategies for addressing current supply chain and economic challenges.

“For 10 years, the Transplace Shipper Symposium has served as a forum for sharing valuable insight on achieving success in today’s constantly changing business and economic environment,” said Transplace President George Abernathy. “The knowledge gained from this year’s diverse and dynamic group of speakers and panelists empowers our customers to continually improve processes, drive results and maintain their positions as leaders in their respective industries.”

Tuesday’s Highlights:

• Shaping a Policy and Regulatory Environment that Works for Business – Janet Kavinoky described the changing political and federal budgetary environment and what it means for maintaining, modernizing and expanding infrastructure. She shared insight on her current efforts to pass a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization legislation, and gave the audience ways to take action to shape a policy and regulatory environment that works for their businesses. During her presentation, Ms. Kavinoky stated, “The Federal Highway Trust Fund is going off of a cliff if Congress doesn’t do something to fix it. There will be a 60 percent reduction in highway and infrastructure funding by next year, and businesses need to articulate the impact of Congressional action or inaction to companies and entire sectors of the economy, if they want a well-performing infrastructure necessary  to support economic and population growth.”

• Three Essential Elements – Transplace President George Abernathy and Celtic International President Rich Hyland discussed the three essential elements of a successful supply chain –transportation management, intermodal and brokerage.” Added Mr. Hyland, “When the economy rebounds and truck drivers begin to retire or leave for higher paying jobs that are closer to home, intermodal can come to the rescue. The growth of intermodal has caused the length of haul for drivers to become shorter and shorter. Additionally, intermodal is continuing to become an attractive option for companies as it is a cheaper alternative to over-the-road transportation. It is estimated that converting 10 percent of trucking shipments to intermodal would save hundreds of millions of gallons of gas.”

“Our year is off to a good start in 2012, and we are pleased by our first quarter performance,” said Robert A. Reynolds, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. “We continue to grow our business by investing in our people, expanding our footprint and enhancing our capabilities. We are excited about the opportunities for further growth as we deliver innovative services and solutions that work to our customers’ advantage.”

The Graybar Supplier Excellence Award is presented semi-annually to recognize a product supplier that has collaborated with Graybar in an exceptional manner to successfully grow profitable business together.

“We are excited to present CommScope with this honor,” said Kathy Mazzarella, Graybar executive vice president and chief operating officer. “CommScope was chosen because of its long-standing, thriving relationship with Graybar. They go the extra mile for Graybar and always find a way to strategically and creatively work with us to win business.”

“Graybar plays a critical role in delivering CommScope’s solutions,” said Laurie Oswald, vice president of Enterprise sales—North America, CommScope. “We select our business partners from the upper echelons of the industry. Graybar consistently demonstrates a commitment to understanding the dynamics of today’s communications world and to delivering the right CommScope solutions for customers.”

Graybar Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kathy Mazzarella (left), and Bill Mansfield, Graybar vice president, marketing (right), present CommScope Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Randall Crenshaw (second from left) and CommScope Senior Vice President of Global Sales Peter Karlsson (second from right) with the Graybar Supplier Excellence Award in Orlando, Fla.

The first shipment of 70 horses, which touched down on 27th April, was the largest number ever transported by Emirates SkyCargo on a single freighter flight. The second flight arrived two days later carrying 42 horses.

The horses of the Royal Cavalry of Oman were flown from Muscat to Stansted on the carrier’s Boeing 777 freighter aircraft for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant, which takes place from 10th-13th May at Windsor Castle.

The Diamond Jubilee Pageant is a major event marking The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The event takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle on the evenings of 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th May 2012. Over 550 horses and more than 1,000 Dancers, musicians, and performers from around the world will come together each night in a performance to pay tribute to 60 years of the Queen’s reign.

“With our Dubai hub now a major player in the world of horse racing, we have gained considerable experience in the care and transport of horses and fly hundreds across the globe every year,” said Hiran Perera, Emirates’ Senior Vice President – Cargo Planning & Freighters.

“We are honoured to have been chosen to bring the Royal Cavalry of Oman to the UK for this prestigious event.”

The horses were transported in custom-built IATA-certified horse stalls, which have been developed in consultation with veterinary experts, and can each carry up to three horses. The interior of each freighter aircraft has a sensitive air conditioning system that can be continually adjusted, ensuring the comfort of the horses at all times.

A team of eight grooms, and a veterinary surgeon, accompanied the horses on each flight.

The complete movement of the 112 horses from stable to stable using two Emirates 777F charters was organised by Equitrans Logistics LLC, the leading horse-shipping agent in the Gulf region.

The charter also marked the first ever UK touchdown for and Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777F aircraft. The carrier has four of the state-of-the-art freighters in service, with a further nine on order.