Thursday, December 16, 2010

Ryder Announcement

RYDER AGREES TO ACQUIRE CALIFORNIA-BASED “THE SCULLY COMPANIES, INC.” - Acquisition Includes Fleet Management and Dedicated Contract Carriage Services -

MIAMI, December 16, 2010 – Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the full service lease, contract maintenance, commercial rental and dedicated contract carriage businesses of The Scully Companies, Inc. Scully has been in business for 29 years and is headquartered in Fontana, California. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in late January and is subject to customary closing conditions.

“Scully is a well-run and highly respected organization in California and other western states and we are honored to have them become part of Ryder,” said Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton.

“This acquisition is a key milestone for us as it significantly expands our current presence in Fleet Management Solutions in key Western U.S. states,as well as increases our customer base in the retail vertical for Dedicated Contract Carriage services.”

Per the terms of the agreement, Ryder will acquire Scully’s fleet management business consisting of approximately 1,800 full service lease units and 300 rental vehicles, and approximately 200 contract customers primarily served from its six service facilities. These include California locations in Fontana, Sacramento, City of Industry, Montebello, Hayward, and a location in Phoenix, Ariz. Ryder will also acquire Scully’s dedicated contract carriage business, including customers served from 25 locations throughout the western United States.

“We personally selected Ryder as the only company to whom we would sell. They are a world class organization that is well positioned and committed to providing our customers with the most comprehensive products and services available in the marketplace and our employees with the best employment options,” said Scully President, Stephen Scully. “We are pleased to become part of such a well-respected industry leader like Ryder.”

About The Scully Companies, Inc.

Headquartered in Fontana, California, The Scully Companies conduct business through two operating units – Scully Transportation Services and Scully Distribution Services. Scully Transportation Services is a leading provider of full service truck leasing and short-term rental of commercial vehicles, as well as a provider of maintenance services throughout the western United States. Scully Transportation operates from six service locations in California, as well as in Phoenix, Arizona. It maintains a fleet of 2,100 full service lease and rental units.

Scully Distribution Services provides dedicated contract carriage services to customers from 25 locations throughout the western United States. Scully Transportation Services is ranked in the top 50 logistics firms by Transport Topics magazine.

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company. Ryder’s stock (NYSE: R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has recognized Ryder as the top third party logistics provider and Security magazine has named Ryder one ofthe top companies for security practices in the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and warehousing sector. Ryder is a proud member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.

Friday, December 10, 2010

An Invitation to LQ’s January 13th, 2011, Symposium

You’re invited to join LQ's distinguished circle of leading thinkers and practitioners on January 13th from across North America at the Toronto Board of Trade Country Club.

LQ’s Symposium offers a superb context to begin the New Year, and an opportunity to take a fresh look at new ways to make our business practices more effective. One of the greatest hurdles to mitigate in business continues to be the perspective that businesses should continue to conduct themselves based principally on past practices. Today, perspectives on sustainability practices are quickly changing discussions in boardrooms, classrooms and executive mind-sets.

LQ's January 13th Symposium will examine new collaborative practices that have been applied by leading firms to create sustainable supply chains as well as emerging trends in the marketplace.

As seating is limited to 100 executives, I invite you to register today at: http://www.LQsummit.com

Executives and academics who will guide our discussions on this exciting day include:

• Jim Butts, Senior Vice President, Transportation, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

• David J. Closs, Ph.D., Michigan State University and LQ Executive Editor

• Thomas Goldsby, PhD., University of Kentucky and LQ Executive Editor

• Peter Hall, Vice-President and Chief Economist, Export Development Canada (EDC)

• Bill Horrocks, Vice President, Supply Chain/Logistics, Rogers Communications Inc.

• Richard P. Kane, Dick Kane, President and CEO, Kane is Able, Inc.

• John Langley Jr., Ph.D., M.B.A., Penn State University

• Clifford F. Lynch, President, C.F. Lynch & Associates

• Paul Ragan, Senior Vice President, Operations, SCI Group

• Nikhil Sathe, CFO, Kelron Logistics

• Nicholas Seiersen, B.Sc. (Hons.), M.B.A., P. Log., LQ Executive Editor

• Brian Smith, Senior Manager, KPMG

• Mike Sprague, Advisory Director, Greenbriar Equity Group LLC

The biographical notes for LQ’s Speakers for LQ’s January 13th Symposium can be viewed at: http://logisticsquarterly.com/symposium/2011113/speakers.php

The Agenda for this exciting day includes the following three sessions, as well as a keynote presentation by Peter Hall, Vice-President and Chief Economist, EDC:

1. Reshaping the Supply Chain: New Opportunities for Manufacturers, Retailers and 3PLs

2. 3PLs’ and Logisticians’ Innovative and Collaborative Approaches to Developing Sustainable Supply Chain Practices

3. Applying Technology to Create Lean and Sustainable Supply Chain Practices

I would also like to take this opportunity extend my appreciation to LQ's Symposium sponsors, which have made this exciting day possible. LQ’s Gold Sponsors include: BCG Logistics, GENCO ATC, Kelron Logistics, KPMG, Ryder, SCI Group, and Green Sponsor, Lakeside Logistics.

In tandem with LQ’s Best Sustainability Practices Symposium, LQ has also inaugurated a Third Party Sustainability Study and Awards Program for 2011, thanks to the generous support of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., in order ''…to help drive innovations that reduce the freight logistics industry’s impact on the environment. We salute LQ for its commitment to highlighting the significant contributions our industry is making, and we are proud to help underwrite such an important effort.'' For more information, please visit: http://lqsummit.com/go2lq/

LQ’s Sustainability Study and Awards Program is designed to enable 3PLs as well as their clients to enhance their sustainability awareness. LQ’s impartial team of evaluators, David Closs, PhD, Michigan State and Thomas Goldsby, PhD, University of Kentucky, will share their insights in LQ Magazine on the winners and the overall landscape of sustainability based on the information LQ garners in this process. The due date for applications is mid-February 2011.

LQ’s January 13th Symposium will be its third carbon-neutral event. For more information, please visit: http://logisticsquarterly.com/pdfs/LQCarbonNeutralSummit.pdf

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Purolator USA Announcement

Purolator’s Logistics Solutions Offer Efficiency and Cost Savings for Shipments to Canada

December 7, 2010 – JERICHO, NY – Canada-bound shipments can now reach their destination faster and with greater efficiency, by taking advantage of logistics solutions offered by Purolator USA. Purolator, which services mid-Atlantic businesses from its Raleigh-Durham processing facility, is a leading provider of supply chain solutions for shipments to, from and within the Canadian market.

“Purolator really broke new ground in terms of developing non-traditional solutions to move shipments into Canada,” said Jackie Avery, manager of Purolator’s Raleigh-Durham branch. “And mid-Atlantic businesses are catching on that Purolator is the source for their logistics needs for shipments to Canada.”

One increasingly popular logistics option is the distribution center bypass (DC bypass), which allows shipments to travel directly to their Canadian destination without having to make an unneeded and costly stop at a distribution center. Traditional transit cycles include a DC stop, regardless of whether or not it is needed. Avoiding a distribution center can shave days off of a delivery schedule. Purolator is able to offer the DC bypass option because it maintains an extensive distribution network throughout Canada that enables shipments to be in continuous movement.

Purolator’s deep distribution network also allows the company to offer logistics options including consolidation and LTL services. Customers are able to achieve time and cost efficiencies by having smaller shipments consolidated at the border, and through Purolator’s broad range of delivery options and pricing flexibility.

Customers also benefit from having their packages arrive at their Canadian destination free of any unexpected border hassles, or shipping costs. Unexpected delays and fees are an increasing source of frustration among Canadian consumers, and a reason often cited for lost business. Unlike many logistics providers, Purolator presents a landed cost at the time of purchase, so a will not be faced with an unexpected bill at time of delivery.

“There is no reason for Canadian consumers to have to experience delays or hidden fees,” Avery said. “Both the U.S. and Canadian governments have programs in place to facilitate the border clearance process.

“With Purolator, businesses understand that they are entrusting their shipments to a provider that has unmatched experience and expertise in the Canadian market,” Avery added.

For more information about Purolator USA’s DC Bypass solution, download the white paper at http://www.purolatorusa.com/whitepapers.

About Purolator USA

Purolator USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of Purolator Courier Ltd, Canada’s largest overnight courier company. Purolator USA specializes in the air and surface forwarding of small packages and freight shipments, customs brokerage and delivery to, from and within the North American market.

In addition to numerous facilities throughout New York, Purolator USA has locations in key markets including Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham and Toronto.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

LQ's Freight Index for 50 U.S. States

December 2, 2010 - LQ’s freight index has been updated today at http://www.LQindex.com - to document freight shipment trends in terms of the overall number of shipments, freight spend, and cost per shipment, in all modes of transport, across 50 U.S. states, based on 100 U.S. firms representing a cross section of all SIC codes for the month of November, 2010. For more information, visit: http://www.LQindex.com

LQ's January 13, 2011 Executive Exchange

LQ Symposium’s Carbon Neutral Audit

December 2, 2010 - LQ is pleased to invite delegates to its January 13th 2011 Symposium, dedicated to Sustainability in the Supply Chain, its third carbon-neutral Symposium to be held at the Toronto Board of Trade Country Club. Delegates can register today at: http://www.LQsummit.com

LQ’s spring 2010 Symposium achieved carbon-neutral status thanks to the participation and sponsorship of Lakeside Logistics, which facilitated the offsetting of an estimated eight tonnes of carbon, through Zerofootprint, a socially responsible organization focused on carbon reduction. The Zerofootprint audit of LQ’s June 10th, 2010 Symposium was validated and verified in accordance with the world’s leading carbon standards including ISO 14064, UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism, The Gold Standard, and Voluntary Carbon Registry.

The majority of the carbon footprint at LQ’s Symposium was related to attendee air travel with the remaining 1.5 tones split between local commuters, food, paper, electricity and heat.

For more information about carbon offsetting, we invite you to visit Zerofootprint’s website and its Forest Restoration section, at: http://www.zerofootprint.net/offsets/

About Lakeside Logistics

Lakeside Logistics is a 3PL providing custom supply chain and transportation management services across North America. Headquartered in Oakville, ON, the company has operations in California, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Alberta and British Columbia. Client services are supported by real time web-based systems such as the Executive Dashboard, track and trace, KPIs, virtual warehousing and e-commerce. Clients include Xerox, Johnson & Johnson, West Fraser Mills, Ocean Spray, CIBA Specialty Chemicals, Oakrun Farm Bakery, Pepsi QTG, Santa Maria Foods and Campbell Soup. Lakeside is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the transportation and logistics sector. In addition to reducing the company’s impact, they support their customers and carriers in their quest to reduce their footprints.

About LQ

LQ's Symposiums, which are held twice each year, are comprised of a distinguished circle of leading thinkers and practitioners from across North America. They are unique, limited in size, and blur the line between presenters and audience to foster peer-to-peer learning and inquiry. To register for LQ’s January 13, 2011, Symposium, we invite you to visit: http://www.LQsummit.com


LQ Magazine’s mandate is to provide ideas for leadership in logistics and transportation for logisticians, supply chain management practitioners, transportation management and other senior-level executives in the United States and Canada who are engaged in leading and transforming their businesses. Since its founding LQ has upheld a tradition to be logistics and transportation publication written by professionals for professionals in the field - affording authoritative thinking on the complex and fast-changing work of the logistics and transportation business in Canada and the United States.