Services

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   The Kuwait-based logistics provider said it had a profit of 7.1 million Kuwait dinar ($25.4 million) for the first quarter of 2012, 8 percent less than what it earned in the same 2011 period.    Revenue was 321.8 million Kuwait dinar, a 1 percent increase from the same 2011 period.    “2011 was the first year that we began reporting our numbers excluding defense and government contracts. Relative to this baseline, 2012 has started off on the right track,” said ...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said Tuesday that a former manager of a Netherlands-based freight-forwarding company was sentenced to six months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by facilitating the illegal export of goods to Iran.    Ulrich Davis, 50, a Dutch citizen from Pumerend, The Netherlands, pleaded guilty in February to an information charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States through the viol...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   Stamford, Conn.-based Daymon Worldwide has launched its new Daymon Global Logistics division to offer transportation management and logistics support for its retail and supplier partners.    To start the logistics arm, Daymon developed a partnership with Echo Global Logistics, a provider of transportation and supply chain management services based in Chicago. Echo supplies proprietary technology, sourcing knowledge, and access to its network of carriers.    "We...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   European farmers will be able to quickly receive time-critical parts for malfunctioning farm equipment on weekends and holidays during the upcoming harvest season with the help of German emergency logistics provider time:matters.     The independent courier, which is co-owned by Lufthansa Cargo, said it will rush spare parts for harvesting machines to their destination within a day to help minimize downtime and revenue losses.     time:matters arranges...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

   DSV Solutions has appointed Brian Ejsing to managing director.    He has been with DSV since 1986 and held the position of managing director of DSV Road in the Netherlands since 2008 as well as managing director of DSV Road Germany since 2009.    Ejsing takes over from Anton van Beers who helped lead the integration process of Frans Maas back in 2006 and has successfully developed DSV Solutions since then, the company said.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   In an attempt to unify supply chain activities, eBizNET Solutions and SPS Commerce announced a deal to develop a cloud-based service that focuses on retail, e-commerce, distribution and manufacturing companies.    eBizNet will bring its software-as-a-service (SaaS) supply chain applications, while SPS will mix in its on-demand supply chain management services. The integrated service is expected to provide connections to more than 1,500 customers.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   Kuehne + Nagel said a unit in Japan has been granted by the Chiba prefecture government a manufacturing license for packaging, labeling and storage of medical devices at its logistics facility in Ichikawa.    “The license is a huge step forward for Kuehne + Nagel to expand its position as a leading logistics provider to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry,” said Tadhg Meaney, president of Kuehne + Nagel Japan, in a statement.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   Amware Logistics Services said Tuesday it has acquired Parcel Port, a small non-asset based warehousing, distribution and fulfillment company based in Arizona that has a strong focus on managing e-commerce parcel delivery.    Amware, headquartered in Eagle, Colo., is an Eastern provider of warehousing and transportation services that bought Parcel Port to expand to new locations and take on direct consumer fulfillment for Internet-based and catalog retailers, said Vin Gulisano, Am...

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   Schenker Khimji’s LLC, a joint venture that DB Schenker Logistics has established with long-time partner Khimji Ramdas Group in Oman, has started operations.    The new company provides services for air and ocean freight, land transport, contract logistics, supply chain management as well as event logistics.    “We see a big potential in Oman to become another hub in the Middle East," said Peter Glatz, chief executive officer for DB Schenker in the Middle East a...

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

   The U.S. Coast Guard said it's monitoring salvage efforts on the 900-foot container ship MSC Idil after an explosion that occurred on Friday.    The ship was about 60 miles north of Puerto Rico, in transit to Barcelona, Spain when the explosion happened. The Coast Guard said it has not been on the ship, but was told the likely cause involved welding.    The Coast Guard cutter Key Largo is on scene with the MSC Idil ready to provide any rescue assistance, while monitoring...

Monday, May 14, 2012

   AIT Worldwide Logistics’ co-founders Dan Lisowski and Steve Leturno have sold majority ownership of the company in a management buyout to the newly created board of directors headed by Vaughn Moore, president and chief executive officer, with executive vice presidents Keith Tholan, Ray Fennelly and Joe Kayser.    The acquisition of the Itasca, Ill.-based freight forwarder was finalized on May 4. Financial details were not disclosed.    Commenting on the buyout,...

Monday, May 14, 2012

   DB Schenker Logistics has opened an office in Namibia.    For the past five years, the third-party logistics provider relied on partner Desert Logistics to oversee its services in this market. DB Schenker decided to acquire 100 percent ownership of Desert Logistics. The acquisition was approved by the Namibia Competitions Commission.    Schenker Namibia (Pty) Ltd. is now representing the global DB Schenker in the African country. “We plan to grow and expand our market sh...

Monday, May 14, 2012

   Global air and ocean freight transportation management software and portal provider Acuitive Solutions has launched a new air cargo spot quote tool called Acuitive SpotManager.    SpotManager is an auction site where freight forwarders must be invited by an Acuitive customer on a shipment-by-shipment basis. When a customer selects carriers they wish to participate in the bidding process, an email alert for the available shipment is broadcast to the invited forwarders and cont...

Friday, May 11, 2012

   FedEx said Thursday it has signed an agreement to acquire the French business-to-business express transportation company Tatex.    It had revealed it was in negotiation to buy the company last month, three weeks after Netherlands-based TNT Express agreed to a $6.7 billion cash buyout by FedEx rival UPS.    The Tatex acquisition is subject to necessary regulatory approvals and customary conditions.    Founded in 1976, Tatex, a privately-held company, has over 1,...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

   Caterpillar has made good on its December promise and signed a deal to sell Platinum Equity a 65-percent equity stake in Caterpillar Logistics Services LLC, the company’s third-party logistics division of subsidiary Caterpillar Logistics.    The overall transaction is valued at roughly $750 million, and Caterpillar will retain a 35-percent equity stake. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.    Caterpillar began considering the sale in March 2011, calling ...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

   XPO Logistics said it had a net loss of $2.7 million for the first quarter, compared to a profit of $1.1 million for the same 2011 period.    Total revenue was $44.6 million for the quarter, a 7.4 percent increase from the same period last year.    Bradley Jacobs, XPO's chairman and chief executive officer, said the company has a strategy to "scale up our operations through acquisitions, cold-starts and organic growth" and had made its first acquisition this we...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

   Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based NationaLease has appointed Dean Vicha to president.    Most recently, Vicha served as vice president of national accounts. Earlier, he served as vice president of member services and as a national account executive. Before coming to NationaLease in 2005, Vicha was director of business development for Ryder System, as well as served in a number of roles at Rollins Leasing Corp.    NationaLease is one of the largest truck leasing companies in N...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has launched a new capabilities mapping tool that will allow it to geographically target companies with the potential to provide resources during disasters.    The project is funded by grants from The UPS Foundation and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, Project on Supply Chain Resilience.    The capabilities mapping tool is a geo-coding tool that will be populated with data on the member companies from ALAN's ...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Ryder System, a third-party logistics services provider, has expanded its food packaging and distribution capability through enhancements at its facility in Beaver Dam, Wis.    The Beaver Dam Logistics Center (BDLC) serves food manufacturers with frozen and refrigerated requirements.    BDLC was recently expanded with a 15,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled addition Ryder will use to target companies needing to package refrigerated and frozen foods, vegetables, frui...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Toronto-based customs brokerage firm Livingston International has acquired M.G. Maher & Co. of New Orleans, as well as the business of its sea freight affiliate MCLX.    Established in 1949, Maher offers forwarding, brokerage and logistics services. The firm employs about 100 people in New Orleans and Houston.    Not included in the transaction is MBLX, the barge freight-handling and transportation affiliate of M.G. Maher. MBLX will continue to op...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Transplace, a provider of transportation management services and logistics technology, has implemented of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet in Southern California for Sunny Delight Beverages Co.    The fleet, deployed by Glacier Transportation, will lower emissions and fuel costs for the beverage shipper. The five-year deal covers product delivery to Sunny Delight's customers in the Southern California region.    Sunny Delight has announced a long-term goal ...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Deutsche Post DHL said Tuesday that it had earnings before interest and taxes of 691 million euros ($894 million) in the first quarter ended March 31, 9.9 percent more than the 629-million-euro EBIT recorded in the first quarter of 2011.    Revenue in the quarter was 13.4 billion euros, 4.3 percent more than the 12.8 billion euros recorded in the first quarter of 2011.    The company's postal business uses the Deutsche Post brand, while its other businesses use the DHL b...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Non-vessel-operating common carrier CaroTrans has opened an office in Seattle, the company said Tuesday.    The office, the NVO’s 14th U.S. branch, will provide less-than-containerload, full-containerload, and breakbulk services.    CaroTrans said it expects further expansion in 2012, with new office openings in the U.S. Midwest, and in global locations.    “We are committed to opening offices where our customers are located to better serve their...

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   Eleets Transportation Co., a Jacksonville, Fla.-based asset-light provider of transportation and logistics services, has appointed Mitch Luciano to chief operating officer.    Al Steele, president and chief executive officer of Eleets, said Luciano’s “leadership and experience will help propel this company to our revenue goal of $200 million by fall of 2012.”    Prior to this appointment, Luciano served as president and COO of Magellan Transport Logistics.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

   The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday said Direct Resource Inc. has agreed to pay the government $450,000 to resolve allegations that it falsely claimed payment in violation of the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), which prohibits the sale of products to federal agencies from countries that do not have a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States.     The Columbus, Ohio-based company allegedly knowingly sold products from China, a country that does not have such an agr...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

   The supply chain management company CEVA Logistics, which is majority owned by Apollo Global Management, is planning an initial public stock offering to raise up to $400 million, according to a report by Reuters .    It also said the company plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.    Meanwhile, CEVA reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 66 million British pounds ($106 million) in the first quarter of 2012, a ...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

   Using a newly purchased chassis pool, third-party logistics service provider Regal Logistics said it is now ready to meet demand requirements for on container transport service at piers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, including the ports of Tacoma and Seattle.    The company said it is responding to a market vacuum as steamship lines eliminate chassis provisions at ports to cut costs, a trend it said is already affecting operations on the West coast.     “In mos...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Murphy    Richard T. Murphy Sr., long-time head of Murphy Warehouse Co. in Minneapolis, died on May 1 at the age of 87.    Murphy was the third generation to operate the family transportation and warehousing company founded in 1904. He began his formal career as a dispatcher in 1948, and at the age of 27, was named president of the company.    He retired from day-to-day management in 1993, but continued to be active on the board and as a strategic advisor. Today, Murphy ope...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

   Non-vessel-operating common carrier Troy Container Line has started a new less-than-containerload service from Chicago to Rotterdam.    The direct, 16-day service will begin on May 21 with a sailing on board the APL Melbourne . Also included are reduced rates to Hungary, Ireland and Prague from the Midwest, the Red Bank, N.J.-based NVO said.    Patricia L. Fitzgerald, Troy Container’s chief operating officer of exports, said the NVO will distinguish the service from its ...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

   The intermodal and logistics company Pacer International said it has entered a multiyear agreement to have CSX remain its primary rail carrier in the eastern United States.    It said together with existing agreements between Pacer and CSX, the new deal provides terms of service for shipments in Pacer’s private fleet of more than 18,000 containers.    Dan Avramovich, Pacer’s chief executive officer, said the new agreement would provide the foundation for Pacer ...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

   WNS Holdings Limited, a provider of global business process outsourcing (BPO) services, has entered a partnership with GT Nexus, which provides cloud-based supply chain services, on a new platform-based BPO offering to shippers and the logistics industry.    The companies have agreed to jointly develop the service around documentation, freight management, contracts, pricing, and analytics with the ultimate goal of improving services and lowering costs.    “The ...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   Third-party logistics services provider Damco said its South Asia operation is focusing on the pharmaceutical industry by offering "green" logistics in India.    The company has started offering a Dynamic Flow Control tool which it says helps static supply chains evolve into "dynamic" systems with a focus on reducing carbon footprints. The company said it expects the system to save companies double-digit percentages on cost.    Gre...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   Expeditors International of Washington last week reported a profit of $76.7 million for the first quarter of 2012, 16 percent less than the $91.2 million earned in the first quarter of 2011.    Revenues for the first quarter of 2012 were $1.41 billion, 3 percent less than the $1.46 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2011.    The company warned shareholders earlier that earnings would be lower.    “Our public comments on the state ...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, future warnings of deadly and disruptive tsunamis may come from commercial vessels, especially those with newer tracking and navigation systems.    The discovery came from the university's research vessel, Kilo Moana , which found that ship GPS can be used to determine sea surface height changes.    On its way from Hawaii from Guam, the ship was traveling when a tsunami was generated by the 8.8 earthquak...

Monday, May 07, 2012

   RedPrairie Corp., a supply chain and retail technology provider, released its 2012.1 product Monday.    The company said the new release aims to connect supply chain execution capabilities with stores and commerce sites to improve visibility for retailers, manufacturers and distributors. Additions to its service include new integrations, global labor standards compliance, support of industry standards such as GS1 barcoding requirements, and a new traceability offering. &...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   The Swiss forwarding and logistics company Panalpina said it had a 40.4 million Swiss franc ($44.1 million) loss in the first quarter because of provisions for antitrust fines from Switzerland and European Union, compared to a 34.9 millon Swiss franc (CHF) profit in the first quarter of 2011.    Panalpina has decided to appeal the European Commission’s decision to the European General Court. “We believe the amount is not justified, which is why we are going to appea...

Friday, May 04, 2012

   Yodel has unveiled a new service in response to changing conditions in the online delivery market and demand for increased flexibility.    While pushing further into the online shopping business, Yodel, one of the United Kingdom’s larger delivery companies, has announced plans to alter its service in response to consumer service demands and increasing needs for flexilibity.    The changes will include a six-day week for Yodel service, increa...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Panalpina Group, a global third-party logistics provider, has partnered with RedPrairie to include the Atlanta-based supply chain and retail technology supplier's applications in its systems.    Through the partnership, Panalpina plans to boost its value-added logistics services and enhance automation and efficiency.       One feature that RedPrairie’s system will give Panalpina is a standardized global platform to build customized ...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Kenco, a provider of distribution, warehousing, transportation and information technology, is offering new international retail and logistics services with Germany’s Hermes Fulfilment.    The companies said the goal is to serve shippers on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, Kenco will provide warehouseing and distribution of online orders through more than 100 distribution centers and Hermes will provide online support for business...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   Air Pacific, the national carrier of Fiji, has picked CHEP Aerospace Solutions to supply and manage its fleet of Unit Load Devices (ULDs) under a new three-year contract.    CHEP will provide Air Pacific with containers and pallets from its global pool of more than 45,000 ULDs, eliminating administration and reducing costs for the airline to position, maintain and manage its own ULD fleet. As Air Pacific transitions to a fleet of newer, more fuel-efficient planes, CHEP w...

Thursday, May 03, 2012

   RCS Logistics, a Secaucus, N.J.-based air freight forwarder, has promoted Evan Rosen to senior vice president of sales and marketing and Bill Wilkening to vice president of business development and emerging markets.    Rosen joined RCS in 2006. He began his logistics career in 1994 as an account executive at OOCL. In 1996, Rosen joined Maersk Line, where he held various positions within the line and logistics organizations, including director of sales for the Hong Kong-based Maers...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   Seattle-based EquaShip plans to re-launch itself in early 2013 as the nation’s “fourth parcel carrier,” with a focus on small and medium-sized online sellers, touting shipper services that will cost between 10 percent and 50 percent less than UPS and FedEx.    EquaShip announced a temporarily suspension of operations in February, after an initial launch last October. At the time the company said it needed to re-engineer its transportation network, citing customer demand ...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   OTS Logistics, operator of multiple neutral non-vessel-operating common carrier brands, said Chief Executive Officer Charles Brennan will retire from the group.    Brennan will be succeeded by Biju Kewalram, currently chief operating officer, and Haydn O'Brien, head of East Asia, who will become co-CEOs of the group. Kewalram will continue to be based in Carson, Calif., while O'Brien will remain in Hong Kong.    “We believe that with their complementary experience they a...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   Swiss freight forwarder Kuehne + Nagel will use its Shanghai gateway to further strengthen its less-than-containerload offerings in the Asia Pacific region.    The new gateway complements K+N’s existing direct services in Shanghai and serves as an alternative to the company’s other two gateways in Singapore and Sri Lanka. Since May 1, 28 new gateway services have been operational from Shanghai, the company said.    The services, operated by K+N’s non-vessel-operating com...

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

   TNT Express said it had a profit of 18 million euros ($23.6 million) in the first quarter ending March 31, compared to a loss of 106 million euros in the same 2011 period.    Revenue in the first quarter 2012 was 1.819 billion euros, compared to 1.796 billion euros in the first quarter of 2011.    The company said it "experienced mixed economic conditions in Europe and slowing Asia-Europe trading volumes."    TNT said business in Europe, the...

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

   Miami-based Ryder Systems has reported a 37 percent increase in profit largely due to stronger used-vehicle sales and revenue from a recent addition to its fleet management business, the United Kingdom's Hill Hire purchased in June.    The company said its first-quarter net income rose to $34.3 million from $25.1 million in 2011, while revenue climbed to $1.54 billion, above the $1.48 billion forecast by analysts.    Ryder's fleet management segment, ...

Monday, April 30, 2012

   Descartes Systems Group, a worldwide provider of logistics services, has announced that its MobileLink GPS-based solution for managing mobile workers is now available for the Android operating system.    The MobileLink service is already being used to manage thousands of drivers and mobile workers, said Sergio Torres, Descartes’ vice president of product management. Torres said the expansion to the Android platform is to expand the mobile service to more customers as Android has b...

Monday, April 30, 2012

   Hong Kong-based Kerry Logistics said on Monday that it has acquired Taiwan-based Trustspeed Medicine Logistics.    The acquisition will strengthen Kerry’s capabilities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics sector and extend its Asian distribution network in the market, the company said.    “This is a major step forward for Kerry Logistics to expand its presence in Taiwan’s dynamic and growing pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. We aim to tap into the huge...

Monday, April 30, 2012

   Crane Worldwide Logistics has moved to its new headquarters in Houston, a facility that houses both its offices and warehouse operations.    Crane said its expansion will better facilitate its freight forwarding and third-party logistics services for deliveries by air, land and ocean.    The new facility doubles Crane's warehouse space, including a larger storage yard, which the company said will allow it to process a higher volume of goods and accommodate...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   The global business advisory firm AlixPartners this week said it has started a new Global Maritime Practice.    The practice has been set up to advise the $380 billion international maritime industry as it tries to “find its bearings following the perfect storm of the financial crisis, the Great Recession and skyrocketing fuel costs,” the firm said.    “While companies in the maritime industry have recently announced significant cost-savings initiatives, many balance she...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Pregis Corp., which develops protective packaging to minimize environmental impact, has launched a new “On Point” iPad app to help logistics personnel make protective packaging decisions around individual product requirements.    The app also allows customers to contact Pregis’ staff and distribution partners for assistance in acquiring needed materials.    The assessment checklist service collects data around packaging categories – cushioning, v...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Intelleflex and DeltaTRAK have announced a partnership to broaden the use of Intelleflex’s RFID-based readers and data services as well as DeltaTRAK’s line of environmental monitoring products.    Intelleflex, whose on-demand data visibility services are largely used to monitor the freshness of perishable foods and pharmaceuticals, said the partnership will expand DeltaTRAK’s cold chain solutions to its RFID tags. The Intelleflex XC3 Technology-based tags and readers will also be o...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Southern Air Holdings today has taken ownership of its fourth B777 freight at Boeing’s headquarters in Everett, Wash.    Southern Air is the only ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) operator to fly the B777 freighter, enabling it to serve customers with fewer stops, shorter cargo delivery times and lower handling costs. These freighters offer the most cargo capacity and longest flight times in the industry, making it possible to connect intercontinental markets overni...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Third-party logistics services firm SBS Worldwide has appointed John Klausing to regional vice president of operations for the U.S. Midwest.    Klausing, a 30-year industry veteran, will be based at SBS’s Chicago office. “He will play a key role in implementing our global business development plan and ensuring that we meet growth targets in our Midwest region,” said Lars Kloch, U.S. managing director for SBS.    SBS's former regional vice president of operations in ...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Aspen Logistics has appointed Christopher Ticknor as its executive director of business development.    Ticknor will be responsible for leading Aspen’s work in brand recognition and drumming up new clients.    He started at Aspen in 2008 as marketing manager.    Aspen, a third-party logistics firm, operates about 2 million square feet of refrigerated and ambient warehousing along with a fleet of trucks. 

Thursday, April 26, 2012

   Donjon Marine Co. has appointed John Noble as managing director of its U.K. operations.    Noble has worked in commercial shipping since 1962 when he joined HMS Conway, the pre-sea training school in the United Kingdom. He served as a deck officer in the British Merchant Marine sailing with shipping lines Blue Funnel and Palm Line.    After serving as a claims executive with Thomas Miller (UK P & I Club) during the late 1970s, he opened the London office of Murray Fe...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission will take steps to begin the process of modernizing regulations for non-vessel-operating common carrier and ocean freight forwarder licensing, registration, and proof of financial responsibility when it meets next month, FMC Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky Jr. said Tuesday at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's conference in Hollywood, Fla.    “I want to hear from you because right now we...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   CargoSmart, a shipping and logistics software as a service (SaaS) platform provider, has launched a new business processing outsourcing service for ocean carriers and logistics service providers.    The Virtual Business Center will monitor business activities with a new toolset and then manage documentation processes and sailing schedule maintenance for customers. The center digitizes shipping instructions in a range of formats and can generate electronic bills of lading and bette...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   Calogi, a Dubai-based Internet service portal offering global air cargo services, recently launched a new third-party logistics named c-Plus and a separate insurance offering.    c-Plus offers services to both 3PLs and their users by allowing customers to book and pay for transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage, insurance, road feeder, and packaging services in a single interface. Calogi said 3PLs can also set up products, services, and rates through a set of flexible,...

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

   Pacer International and CRST International said Tuesday they have agreed to multi-market dedicated drayage agreements focused on driving intermodal drayage efficiencies and providing incremental capacity for Pacer.    CRST has formed a separate operating unit, CRST IMX, within its dedicated services subsidiary to provide the service. CRST IMX will market, sell, and operate its intermodal drayage network and other short-haul trucking services.    The initial focu...