Tuesday, June 14, 2011

LQ is pleased to announce the Four Finalists for LQ's 2011 Sustainability Award

LQ is pleased to announce the Four Finalists for LQ's 2011 Sustainability Award selected by LQ's Panel of Judges are:

• C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

• GENCO ATC

• IMPERIAL Logistics

• Purolator Inc.

Each of these firms will be presenting at LQ's July 14th Summer Symposium. Colin Yankee, Director of Target Canada, will be the moderator of this exciting session. Following these firms' presentations LQ's Panel of Judges will recognize one winner and three finalist firms, based on the score of each firm’s Symposium presentation, as well as on their written submissions.

You are invited to share your insights at LQ's Summer Symposium on July 14th, to join LQ's distinguished circle of leading thinkers and practitioners at the Toronto Board of Trade Country Club, and participate in this exciting day of peer-to-peer learning and inquiry.

You can download an overview of this exciting day at the following link: http://logisticsquarterly.com/pdfs/LQ_July14thSummer.pdf

In addition to Breakfast, a Cocktail and Networking Reception as well as lunch, LQ will be holding a Draw on July 14th, for Two Foursomes to play and network over 9 holes of golf at one of Toronto Region’s most scenic courses. This includes two complimentary carts for each foursome, valued at $1,200 at this members-only private course.

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

Some of the executives and academics who will guide our discussions on this exciting day include:

• Virginia Garbutt, Director Strategic Network Planning and Improvement, Walmart Canada Corp.

• Jason Boyce, Sustainability Manager, Nature's Path Foods, Inc.

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

• Lt. Col John Conrad, DND (Canada)

• Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director at IMPERIAL Logistics

• John Ferguson, President & CEO, SCI Group

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

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

• Scott McWilliams, Executive Chairman, OHL

• Greg Nault, Logistics Manager, Nature's Path Foods, Inc.

• Steve Phillips, Sr. Vice President of Operations, Werner Enterprises

• Steve Raetz, Director of Logistics Solutions, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

• Nikhil Sathe, CFO, Kelron Logistics

• Thomas Schmitt, President and CEO, Purolator Inc.

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

• Bob Simon, Director of Process Solutions, GENCO ATC

• Colin Yankee, Director of Distribution, Target Canada

I would also like to express my gratitude to LQ's Gold Sponsors for making this exciting day possible: BCG Logistics, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, GENCO ATC, Kelron Logistics, Purolator Inc., Ryder, Werner Global Logistics and Werner Enterprises.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Toronto Board of Trade's Country Club. Register today at: www.LQsummit.com .

For more information, please contact: Fred Moody, Editor & Publisher, LQ Magazine, LQ inc. fmoody@logisticsquarterly.com

Monday, June 13, 2011

LQ Advisory Board Announcement

LQ is pleased to announce that Bill Horrocks
has accepted LQ’s invitation to join its Advisory Board


As the Vice President of Enterprise Supply Chain & Logistics Management for Rogers Cable, Wireless & Rogers Retail, having accountability for fulfillment, warehousing, transportation, inventory management, purchasing (Cable/Retail), reverse logistics, refurbishment, ESCL Care and equipment repair services. More than 35 years experience in supply chain, information technology, procurement, as well as systems design and development in both the logistics and technical services environments. Prior to joining Rogers, was Vice President of Global Solutions Design and Implementation with a leading Global Third Party Logistics Provider (3PL) headquartered in Miami, Florida. Professional Logistician (P.log), Aerospace Engineer, Electronics Engineer.

About Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. 
is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com

LQ's Advisory Board
As a resource for logisticians, academics and executives in other disciplines in the United States and Canada, LQ offers ideas for leadership in logistics, supply chain management and transportation, and provides a unique bridge between business, academia and practitioners. LQ’s Advisory Board and contributors afford authoritative thinking on the complex and fast-changing work of the logistics and supply chain management business - with a unique focus on best practices in the United States and Canada. LQ's Board plays a pivotal role in providing direction for LQ Magazine and LQ’s bi-annual Symposiums. In order to register to attend LQ's July 14th Summer Symposium, please visit: http://www.LQsummit.com

LQ Advisory Board Announcement


LQ is pleased to announce that Larry Hartley has accepted LQ’s invitation to join its Advisory Board

Larry Hartley is Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Operations for OfficeMax.  He is responsible for all warehouse and transportation operations in the US.  He started with OfficeMax in 1998 as Operations Manager and was later promoted to Director, Inventory Management, and Vice President, Logistics.  Prior to joining OfficeMax, Mr. Hartley worked for McMaster-Carr Supply Company in warehouse, purchasing and project management roles.  Before joining McMaster-Carr, Mr. Hartley was Director of Industrial Engineering for Simon and Schuster.  Prior to Simon and Schuster, he held analyst and consulting roles at BASF and Anderson Consulting.

Mr. Hartley received a BS with distinction in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 1987.  In 1988 he received an MBA with distinction from the Johnson School at Cornell University.

He serves on the board for the Quad County Urban League and is a member of the Werner Transportation Customer Advisory Council.

As Mr. Hartley will be replacing Reuben Slone, Executive Vice President, OfficeMax, LQ’s editors would like to take this opportunity to recognize and express our appreciation to Reuben for his important contributions to LQ in his role as an Advisory Board member for the past two years.

About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products. The OfficeMax mission is simple. We help our customers do their best work. The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPress®, technology products and solutions, and furniture to consumers and to large, medium and small businesses. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 32,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and nearly 1,000 stores. To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX. For more information, visit http://www.officemax.com/.

LQ's Board
As a resource for logisticians, academics and executives in other disciplines in the United States and Canada, LQ offers ideas for leadership in logistics, supply chain management and transportation, and provides a unique bridge between business, academia and practitioners. LQ’s Advisory Board and contributors afford authoritative thinking on the complex and fast-changing work of the logistics and supply chain management business - with a unique focus on best practices in the United States and Canada. LQ's Board plays a pivotal role in providing direction for LQ Magazine and LQ’s bi-annual Symposiums. To register to attend LQ’s July 14th Summer Symposium, please visit: http://www.LQsummit.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Ryder System, Inc. Announcement

Ryder Acquires UK-Based Commercial Truck Leasing, Rental and Maintenance Provider Hill Hire

Acquisition Adds 4,000 Heavy Duty Vehicles, Broadens Commercial Customer Base, and Complements Ryder’s UK Transportation Service Offering

June 08, 2011 08:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

MIAMI--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE:R), a leader in commercial transportation and supply chain management solutions, today announced it has acquired Bradford, England-based Hill Hire plc, an independently run and wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group. Hill Hire is a UK market leader in commercial truck leasing, rental and maintenance, with a solid base of contractual customers. The stock acquisition was completed on June 8, 2011 at a cash price of approximately £154 million (approximately $252 million).

“As we celebrate our 40th year of operating in the UK, this significant acquisition underscores Ryder’s commitment to serving current and future customers in this important market with a broader range of vehicles and expanded maintenance capabilities and infrastructure”

“As we celebrate our 40th year of operating in the UK, this significant acquisition underscores Ryder’s commitment to serving current and future customers in this important market with a broader range of vehicles and expanded maintenance capabilities and infrastructure,” said Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton.

The acquisition is expected to add approximately £90 million (approximately $147 million) in annual revenue to Ryder’s Global Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) business segment, and be accretive to Ryder’s earnings in 2011. Once the transition and consolidation process has been fully completed, the combined Ryder and Hill Hire business will operate under the Ryder name. The acquisition adds approximately 4,000 heavy duty vehicles, split evenly between contract hire (full service lease) and commercial rental; ancillary equipment including a large trailer fleet for contractual lease and rental; and the company’s workforce of 300 employees including maintenance technicians. The acquisition also encompasses all of Hill Hire’s 13 well-equipped vehicle maintenance facilities located throughout the UK.

David Hunt, Vice President and Managing Director, Fleet Management Solutions, Ryder Europe, said, “Hill Hire is a well respected and successful business serving the needs of national blue chip customers. The acquisition accelerates our growth strategy by expanding our fleet offering in the heavy duty vehicle contract hire (full service lease) and rental market, as well as our customer base in a sector that we have targeted for expansion.”

Mr. Hunt continued, “There are tremendous benefits in bringing the two businesses together. Hill Hire’s heavy duty vehicle fleet, which comprises 60% tractors, complements our existing fleet, which consists primarily of light and medium duty trucks. Combined, we will be able to provide expanded fleet choices and value for customers with additional payload and vehicle specification options to further strengthen the Ryder offering. Additionally, Hill Hire’s UK service facility network will enhance the geographic reach of our business, to better serve the needs of new and existing customers of the combined companies. Our Ryder team looks forward to delivering enhanced value to our customers through expanded resources and fleet options that will drive higher levels of efficiency into their transportation operations.”

About Hill Hire

Hill Hire was founded in Bradford, England (UK) in 1990 with only one depot (maintenance facility). Through a program of continuing investment, the business has grown rapidly and Hill Hire now operates 13 sales and service facilities throughout the UK, and employs 300 staff and technicians. Hill Hire provides contract hire (full service lease), commercial vehicle rental and maintenance services. In addition to its comprehensive power vehicle range, Hill Hire provides ancillary equipment, including a large trailer fleet. The company’s nationwide network of service centers uses the latest diagnostics, with trained maintenance technicians who maximize vehicle uptime and ensure that vehicles meet all necessary compliance and safety standards.

About Ryder Europe

Ryder’s European business was established in 1971 and this year the company celebrates its 40th anniversary in the UK. Ryder’s commercial vehicle solutions focus on Contract Hire (full service lease), Rental, Maintenance, and Dedicated Delivery Solutions (Dedicated Contract Carriage) which can be tailored for a wide range of business sectors. Ryder has grown in the UK through organic development and acquisition into a sizeable force in commercial transport. Over the last two years, Ryder has invested over £44 million ($72 million) into its rental fleet. The company operates from 41 operating locations throughout the UK and in Germany. Ryder works closely with the UK’s vehicle inspection agency to ensure that its workshops are equipped with the latest approved vehicle maintenance equipment and technology. In addition to serving the private sector, Ryder works with local authorities, Fire and Health authorities and the UK Ministry of Defence to provide a comprehensive range of contract hire (full service lease) and rental vehicle solutions.

About Ryder

Ryder is a Fortune 500 company providing leading-edge transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Ryder’s stock (NYSE:R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. For more information about Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including but not limited to statements concerning the expected benefits of the acquisition and its anticipated impact on our business, operations, product offerings and 2011 revenue and earnings. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including our ability to integrate the acquisition as projected, achieve planned synergies and retain customer levels, as well as those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.