Tag: North America

Truckers ask court to delay hours ruling

Posted by | Sep 7, 2007 | |

U.S. trucking companies have asked a federal court to delay a requirement that would reduce by one hour the time truckers can drive continuously.

The American Trucking Association Thursday requested an 8-month stay from a mandate of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The court had ordered the daily driving limit be cut to 10 hours for long-haul truckers.

The trade group says eliminating the rule effective Sept. 14 would be expensive and require the industry to retrain drivers and operating personnel, reprint logs, reengineer routes and make other changes.

Safety advocates, who applauded the court’s ruling, say the industry is putting the public at risk by allowing truckers to drive too many hours.

The court action’s had followed by a week an ATA petition with the federal government, asking for revisions to 2-year-old regulations on truckers’ hours, which the court had rejected in late July.

The ATA argued for the 8-month stay to give the Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration time to review the court’s ruling and the new rules.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration spokeswoman did not return a call for comment Friday. After the ATA’s appeal last week, the agency said it was still developing a response to the court ruling but would do so in time for the industry to adapt.
The trade group’s members include United Parcel Service Inc., FedEx Corp., JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. and YRC Worldwide.

Read More

Troutdale gives FedEx USA approval to build distribution center at former Alcoa site

Posted by | Sep 7, 2007 | |

The city of Troutdale gave final approval Thursday to FedEx Ground to build its Northwest distribution hub on 77 acres of the former Alcoa-Reynolds Metals site, north of the Troutdale airport.
The new facility is part of FedEx’s USD 1.8 billion national expansion plan. The company plans to relocate its current Swan Island facility to the new hub, which will be about seven times larger. It will feature a fuel island, trailer garage and other structures totaling about 570,800 square feet in the initial phase.
FedEx will buy the Troutdale site from the Port of Portland, which is finalizing its purchase of the property from Alcoa Inc.
While city officials tout high-wage jobs, future tax revenue and the positive economic impact the company will bring to east Multnomah county, the hub will also increase traffic and air pollution, provide mostly part-time and contractor jobs, and could cost the city up to USD 6 million in lost income, due to tax breaks under a recently approved enterprise zone at the site.
The biggest challenge will be traffic. About 200 semitrailer and pickup and delivery van drivers will work at the new facility in the first phase of development, according to documents filed with the city. A transportation impact analysis prepared for the Port of Portland indicates that, at its peak hour, the facility will generate 423 arrivals and departures.
As a condition of approval, Troutdale asked FedEx to make several road improvements in the area, including construction of a traffic signal at the intersection of Marine Drive and Sundial Road. But the city did not impose conditions that would apply to the already clogged Interstate 84 Exit 17.

Read More

Slower U.S. economy may affect DHL targets-exec

Posted by | Sep 7, 2007 | |

DHL’s operations in the United States are dwarfed by those of rivals Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. and Memphis-based FedEx Corp. Hans Hickler, CEO of DHL USA, said DHL aims to compete with these companies using improved technology and customer service.

While DHL has some room to maneuver on price with its air package delivery service, which is linked to its international network, the company’s smaller ground delivery network has little leverage against FedEx and UPS, he said.

But he added that DHL does “not want to destabilize the market” with dramatic price reductions.

Hickler also said DHL is not interested in following UPS and FedEx in acquiring companies in the less-than-truckload market. Less-than-truckload operators consolidate small loads into a single truck.

Read More

DHL inks new contract with Wal-Mart, increases capacity for Hong Kong-Beijing service

Posted by | Sep 6, 2007 | |

Global logistics and express delivery provider DHL said today it has signed a new three year agreement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Under the terms of this deal, DHL said in a statement it will provide Wal-Mart with air express and ground shipping throughout the U.S., which will support Wal-Mart’s 4,000 stores.

And this contract almost doubles the volume and revenue generated through the previous contract between the two entities, according to DHL.

DHL also reported it will continue its exclusive specialty product repair and return delivery service for Wal-Mart and will also be responsible for all specialty product transportation for Wal-Mart and Sam’s Clubs stores nationwide.

The statement added that Wal-Mart has added DHL as a primary carrier for its state transportation program for all outbound shipments from assigned states, including transportation between and among Wal-Mart retail stores, distribution centers, suppliers.

Read More

A Q & A with with Ms. Janet Webster, Manager of Retail Service Network & Access Management for the United States Postal Service (USPS) Retail Services!

Posted by | Sep 6, 2007 | |

EKN: “Ms. Webster we are pleased that you have taken time out of your schedule to speak to our readers. Tell us a little about your position at The United States Postal Service?”

Janet: “Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you, Robert! Right now I’m the Manager of Retail Service Network & Access Management. Long title – basically it means I have responsibility for retail optimization and access management initiatives, retail service equipment programs, and alternative access policies and programs. Lucky for me that includes the Automated Postal Center (APC) program!”

EKN: “Explain briefly how you identified the self service opportunity, and began planning for such a massive undertaking?”

Janet: “The Postal Service has a goal of being Quick, Easy, and Convenient for our customers – and, a self-service kiosk solution contributes to that goal. Plans for our APC included providing easy access to our products and services at 2,500 of our busiest post offices and offering 7/24 access in most locations.

Based on our Point of Service (POS ONE) data, customer feedback, and marketplace initiatives, it was apparent that the APC would be a good addition to our post offices. We started with a Market Test of 30-kiosks in selected geographic locations. And the results were excellent – customer acceptance was fairly quick, and the usage grew at better than projected rates.

The positive customer acceptance and overall success of the Market Test enabled us to move forward with a plan to purchase and implement the current 2,500 APCs in a production mode. This procurement process was completed over multiple years, and we were able to begin implementation in April, 2004.”

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest