Friday, July 13, 2012

C.H. Robinson Names Bryan Foe President of C.H. Robinson Europe

Eden Prairie, MN (July 13, 2012) — C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., one of the world’s largest third party logistics companies, announced today that Bryan Foe has been promoted to President of C.H. Robinson Europe.

An employee at C.H. Robinson since 1990, Foe served as Vice President at C.H. Robinson and President of T-Chek Systems for the past nine years.   T-Chek was acquired by C.H. Robinson in 1983 and provides business-to-business spend management and payment processing services.

As President of C.H. Robinson Europe, Foe will lead the company’s efforts to accelerate growth in the region from investments in the office network to developing talent and building relationships.  In 1993, C.H. Robinson established an initial presence in Europe through partial ownership of Transeco, a motor carrier in France.  The company now has 34 offices and over 500 employees in Europe.

“Bryan has had a diverse career path at C.H. Robinson and has made significant contributions in a variety of roles,” said John Wiehoff, C.H. Robinson CEO and chairman of the board. “His expertise will serve the company well as we continue to develop our network and business in Europe.”

In addition to his executive roles, Foe also held positions in intermodal and transportation sales before becoming the general manager of the Valley Forge, PA office in 1995 and general manager of the Grand Rapids, MI office in 1999.  Foe also served as a research advisory committee member for the American Transportation Research Institute and was past treasurer of the Detroit Intermodal Association.

About C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Founded in 1905, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., is a global provider of multimodal logistics services, fresh produce sourcing, and information services to 37,000 customers through a network of more than 230 offices and over 8,300 employees around the world. The company works with 53,000 transportation providers worldwide. C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 500 company and had annual revenues of $10.3 billion in 2011.

Through the company and its Foundation, C.H. Robinson and its employees contribute millions of dollars annually to a variety of organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Community Health Charities, American Red Cross, Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, and Global Impact. The company is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has been publicly traded on the NASDAQ since 1997. For more information about C.H. Robinson, visit http://www.chrobinson.com.

UPS and TNT Express Acquisition Expected to be Completed in Fourth Quarter 2012

Atlanta and Hoofddorp - July 13, 2012 - The European Commission's review of United Parcel Service Inc.'s (UPS) proposed acquisition of TNT Express N.V. (TNT Express) is expected to move to a Phase II review, as there are certain areas that require more time to analyze.

Under the terms of the EUR 5.16 billion ($6.28 billion [1]) offer, UPS will acquire TNT Express to create a service leader in the logistics industry and an enhanced, integrated global network. The complementary strengths of both organizations will create a customer-focused global platform that will be a leader in transportation technology and customer service.

The combined network will help facilitate the flow of trade, making customers more competitive not just in U.S. and European markets, but also in markets across Asia and Latin America - helping to stimulate much needed economic growth.

A Phase II investigation can take up to 25 weeks to complete. It is likely the offer condition relating to competition clearance will not be satisfied by the end of the initial offer period. UPS therefore expects to extend the offer period beyond 31 August 2012 in accordance with its commitment as set out in the Offer Memorandum. UPS will issue updates as appropriate.

UPS and TNT Express welcome the opportunity to further engage with the Commission's competition services. UPS and TNT Express remain convinced the merger will benefit customers and other stakeholders and look forward to successful completion of the regulatory process.

The deal is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2012.

This is a joint press release by United Parcel Service, Inc. and TNT Express N.V. pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, paragraph 3 of the Decree on public offers Wft (Besluit Openbare Biedingen Wft, the Decree) in connection with the recommended public offer by United Parcel Service, Inc. for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of TNT Express N.V. This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in TNT Express N.V. The offer is made only by means of the Offer Memorandum (as defined below). This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into directly or indirectly Canada or Japan. Terms not defined in this press release will have the meaning as set forth in the Offer Memorandum.

Offer Memorandum, Position Statement and further information
UPS Bidco B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of UPS (the Offeror), is making the Offer on the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions contained in the Offer Memorandum, dated 21 June 2012. TNT Express has also made available the Position Statement, containing the information required by Article 18, paragraph 2 and Annex G of the Decree in connection with the Offer.

Terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set out in the Offer Memorandum.

This announcement contains selected, condensed information regarding the Offer and does not replace the Offer Memorandum and/ or the Position Statement. The information in this announcement is not complete and additional information is contained in the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement.

Shareholders are advised to review the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement in detail and to seek independent advice where appropriate in order to reach a reasoned judgment in respect of the Offer and the content of the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement.

Copies of the Offer Memorandum will be available free of charge at the offices of the Offeror, TNT Express, the Listing and Exchange Agent and the ADS Tender Agent and can be obtained by contacting UPS, or TNT Express, the Listing and Exchange Agent or the ADS Tender Agent at the addresses below.
[1] Assuming FX spot rate as of 12 July, 2012 of EUR / USD 1.2178 (Source: ECB)

Related Content

UPS / TNT Merger Documents

More information
United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight, the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to manage the world of business more efficiently. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.UPS.com. To receive UPS news direct, visit pressroom.UPS.com/RSS.

TNT Express (NYSE Euronext: TNTE) is one of the world's largest express delivery companies. On a daily basis, TNT Express delivers close to 1 million consignments ranging from documents and parcels to palletized freight. The company operates road and air transportation networks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. TNT Express had revenues of EUR 7.25 billion in 2011.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

St. Lawrence Seaway trade lifted by brisk activity in Canadian Ports

Ottawa, Ontario (June 12, 2012) — Shipments of wind turbines, coal, and iron ore into Canadian ports in June is helping keep cargo trade steady through the St. Lawrence Seaway in the traditionally slower summer months.

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation reported that year-to-date shipments through the St. Lawrence Seaway from March 22 to June 30 totalled 13.2 million, up 1.3 per cent from the same period last year.  Cargo shipments for the month of June totalled 4.3 million tonnes, down 3 per cent from the same month in 2011 due to a decrease in Canadian and U.S. grain and dry bulk such as coke, stone and scrap metal. Shipments of cargo such as wind turbine components and other heavy machinery, however, increased by 163 per cent in June compared to the same month last year. Total coal shipments through the Seaway were 624,000 tonnes in June, up 28 per cent; while iron ore shipments were up 34 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes. Year-to-date coal shipments are up 30 per cent to 1.8 million, while year-to-date iron ore shipments are up 27 per cent to 3.8 million.

Bruce Hodgson, director of market development for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, said: “Wind turbine activity through the Seaway has been exceptional this year and we expect that it will have a strong finish in the second-half of the season as there are additional projects pending. Looking forward, depending on the health of the current crop, we should see an increase in Canadian grain shipments in September. We also anticipate that aluminum shipments from the Port of Sept-Iles into the Great Lakes will continue to be strong this year as they have been for the past few months.”

Ninety pieces of wind turbine towers sailed into the Port of Thunder Bay aboard three vessels in June. The components were manufactured in Spain and are destined for the Rim Rock wind turbine farm in Montana. They will travel by rail to Alberta before making their final journey across the border. Five ships have already delivered 150 pieces this spring to the port and a further three vessels are expected in July and August. Shipments of European wind energy components to the U.S. are up this year in the face of the uncertainty over the future of the American federal government’s Production Tax Credit for renewable energy facilities. The credits will expire at year’s end if Congress doesn’t renew them.

“This has been a record spring for project cargo deliveries for the Port of Thunder Bay. The Rim Rock energy project has resulted in a huge boost in business for us, but we have also had wind turbine shipments for wind energy farms in Alberta,” says Tim Heney, president and CEO of Thunder Bay Port Authority. “Quotes for oil sands project cargo have also picked up and we expect to see more activity from that industry in the future.”

Heney also noted that coal shipments through the Port have rebounded from a difficult year last year and are up 25 per cent year-to-date. The Alberta coal is shipped to steel facilities at the Port of Hamilton and Sault St. Marie. U.S coal is also continuing to be exported through the Seaway to Quebec ports, where it is being loaded onto ocean carriers to ship overseas for European power generation.

The Port of Windsor also had a busy June with overall cargo shipments totaling 578,000 tonnes, up 20 per cent from the same month last year.  The main source of growth was attributed to an influx of stone from Ohio to be used for road construction, including the new Windsor-Essex Parkway.

“Cargo is steady across the port with a larger increase in aggregate,” said David Cree, President and CEO of the Windsor Port Authority. “We’ve received 242,000 tonnes of stone in June, which is half of all the stone we have received since the shipping season started.”  Cree also announced earlier this week that the Windsor Port Authority has signed a 60-year lease with the Department of National Defence to provide the site for a new $20-million home for the HMCS Hunter and its 150 sailors and other reservists. Construction of the military training centre will start this fall — providing a further boost to cargo shipments of material — and the new HMCS Hunter - named for a Canadian warship that took part in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 - should be commissioned in late 2014.


The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway maritime industry supports 227,000 jobs in the U.S. and Canada, and annually generates $14 billion in salary and wages, $34 billion in business revenue, and $4.6 billion in federal, state/provincial and local taxes. North American farmers, steel producers, construction firms, food manufacturers, and power generators depend on the 164 million metric tons of essential raw materials and finished products that are moved annually on the system. This vital trade corridor saves companies $3.6 billion per year in transportation costs compared to the next least-costly land-based alternative.

Announcing the Members of LQ’s 3PL Sustainability Study and Awards (2012) Evaluation Committee


TORONTO - July 12th - LQ is pleased to announce the members of its 3PL Sustainability Study and Awards (2012) Evaluation Committee, comprised of leading executives and academics from the U.S. and Canada, who have kindly agreed to evaluate LQ’s 3PL Finalist Firm Presentations July 17th at LQ’s Symposium:

• Dave Closs, PhD, LQ Executive Editor, and Professor, Michigan State University
• Bill Horrocks, Vice President, Supply Chain/Logistics at Rogers Communications Inc.
• Cliff Lynch, C.F. Lynch & Associates
• Loray Mosher, PhD., Assistant Director at the Supply Chain Management Research Center (SCMRC), Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas
  Kate Vitasek, Founder, Supply Chain Visions and a faculty member at the University of Tennessee’s Center for Executive Education

Four 3PL Finalists will present alongside their clients at LQ’s July 17th LQ’s Symposium in order to complete the evaluation process for LQ’s Third-Party Sustainability Study and Awards 2012 at the scenic Toronto Board of Trade’s Country Club.

At this year’s Summer Symposium, LQ is looking forward to celebrating innovative 3PL supply chain sustainability practices with its Best 3PL Performer in Sustainability Winner award, representing the finest of four Best 3PL Performers in Sustainability finalists.

LQ’s Evaluation Committee will complete its evaluation of these 3PL presentations at the conclusion of LQ’s July 17th Symposium. David Closs, PhD, LQ Executive Editor, and Professor, Michigan State University, will announce the winner at the conclusion of LQ’s Symposium.

The four 3PL finalist firms presenting at LQ’s July 17th Symposium include:

• C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
• GENCO ATC
• Ryder Integrated Logistics
  UPS

To learn more about LQ’s July 17th Symposium Program, and Register to attend this event, please visit: http://logisticsquarterly.com/symposium/Symposium_June_2012/program.php

About LQ’s Third-Party Sustainability Study and Awards 2012:

The recognition of one winner and the finalist firms will be predicated on the score each firm has obtained in its written submission, which represents 60 percent of the total score used to determine the grade of each of the finalists, and the remaining 40 percent of the score of each finalist will be predicated on their 30-minute presentation at LQ’s Symposium.

LQ’s program is designed to recognize that some of the best sustainability practices are achieved through collaboration between 3PLs and their key customers. Demonstrating this collaboration is an important part of the Finalists’ presentations. To register and attend LQ’s July 17th Symposium, visit: http://www.LQsummit.com

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Manitoulin Global Forwarding Acquires Can-Tran Intl. Inc.

Mississauga, ON - June 11, 2012 -- Manitoulin Global Forwarding announced today it has acquired Can-Tran Intl. Inc., an international freight-forwarding enterprise, based in Leduc, Alberta.  This is the second business based in Western Canada to be acquired by Manitoulin Global Forwarding in the last two months, demonstrating its commitment to extend its reach in that region.

Founded in 1985 Can-Tran Intl. Inc. provides a full suite of solutions to Alberta clientele, including freight forwarding, customs brokerage, ground transportation, and distribution and warehousing.  With the majority of its customers in the oil and gas industry, Can-Tran has gained significant expertise in complex project moves, especially those involving drill rigs.  All Can-Tran employees will remain with the company.

“Can-Tran is a natural fit for us, for three reasons,” said Dwayne Hihn, president, Manitoulin Global Forwarding.  “First, it is a major player in Western Canada, with a solid base of loyal clients.  Second, it specializes in the oil and gas industry, a growth-sector we already service and which we intend to build on in future years.  Third, its corporate culture mirrors Manitoulin’s, with its unswerving commitment to meeting customers’ unique needs.”

“We are excited about the merge,” said Barry Young, former Can-Tran president.  “We can feel confident that the customers we’ve had the privilege to serve for many years will now enjoy even greater flexibility and reliability by being able to access the full suite of services offered by the Manitoulin Group.”

About Manitoulin Global Forwarding
 A member of the Manitoulin Group of Companies, Manitoulin Global Forwarding is a leading international freight forwarding solutions provider, servicing more than 180 countries worldwide.  Through its international network of agents, Manitoulin provides global and local customized solutions that meet customers’ supply chain objectives.  With its strategically located offices in Toronto, Montreal, Regina and Edmonton, it is uniquely positioned to service customers throughout Canada.  Whatever the requirements may be -- air, ocean or land -- customers rely on Manitoulin to ensure shipments arrive on time. For more information about Manitoulin Global Forwarding please visit us at www.manitoulinglobalforwarding.com