Logistics Digest: Itella eyes alliance; DHL offers "Cool" service
A round-up of news from the world of logistics, including celebrations at American Airlines Cargo, a huge “green roof” in Chicago and a “cool” new LCL service at DHL Global…
Itella Logistics explores synergies with VR Group
Itella Logistics has signalled a possible merger of some of its operations could lie ahead with Finnish road and rail transport company VR Group.
The two companies have launched a six-month exploratory project to look into ways they can work more closely together to cope with the “challenging” domestic groupage market, as well as on operations in Russia.
They said there could be synergies between them, such as joint use of terminals or transport capacity, adding in a statement that: “In the future, the merging of operations to some extent is not excluded.”
VR Group currently employs 12,000 staff in Finland and 10 European countries, while Itella Group has 29,000 staff.
FedEx Express highlights “largest” green roof
FedEx Express has claimed title to the largest “green” roof at any US airport, with its facility at Chicago’s O’Hare International.
The company said its recently opened package sorting centre at the airport hosts a 175,000 square foot roof (pictured right), which is the size of three football fields. The roof hosts vegetation that helps reduce air pollution, cuts storm water run-off, lowers energy costs by 35% a year and extends the average life of the roof by 15-20 years.
Don Colvin, vice president of properties and facilities for FedEx Express, said: “We have integrated responsible environmental practices into our daily operations, and we continuously work towards goals that challenge us to increase efficiencies, reduce waste and emissions.”
DHL launches “cool” LCL service from Hamburg to Singapore
DHL Global Forwarding has launched new ocean freight links for small consignments of temperature-sensitive food products from Germany and Europe to Asia.
It has introduced a new “Cool LCL Service” that might be suitable to ship items like quality chocolates, pastries, and other European specialities each week from Hamburg to Singapore for onward transport from there. Further destinations for the service, including Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, New York and Santos will soon be added, the company added.
The demand for European specialities and exclusive products is constantly increasing all over the world,” said Bernhard Stade, DHL Global’s vice president for ocean freight management in Germany. “With this new service our customers will have more new business opportunities, because small amounts can always be send freshly. Plus, storage at the destination is no longer necessary.”
American Airlines Cargo marks 20 years of service at Heathrow
Celebrating (left to right): Jennifer Smith, Regional Sales Mgr Northern Europe; Joe Reedy, VP Sales & Marketing; Tristan Koch, MD Cargo Sales, EMEA; Eddie Emin, Senior Analyst, Sales & Planning; Tony Sackett, UK Customer Services Manager; Andy Cornwell, UK Cargo Sales Manager; Emil Solanky, Customer Services; and Jason Alderton, Business Development Representative.
American Airlines Cargo has celebrated 20 years of flying cargo into and out of London’s Heathrow Airport with a reception for staff and customers.
The company started out in 1991 with eight flights a week into the US, and now provides 17 daily services to destinations including Boston, Chicago, New York, Raleigh/Durham, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles, transporting more than 1,000 tonnes of freight and 45 tonnes of mail each day.
Reaching 20 years service is a really notable milestone,” said Joe Reedy, the company’s cargo vice president, who flew in for the ceremony. “It’s a pleasure to see so many faces whose hard work and dedication continue to drive our business forward from this key European gateway.”
