P.M. Executive Briefing - Aug. 10
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Professional Transportation Group Signs Preferred Transportation As Agent Carrier
Professional Transportation Group Ltd., Inc., a ground transportation and logistics provider, announced Thursday it has signed Preferred Transportation as an agent carrier.Preferred Transportation is a truckload carrier, focusing on expedited and international freight to and from Mexico. With more than 250 trucks, Preferred is the largest agency agreement signed by Professional Transportation Group.
Under the terms of the agreement, Professional Transportation Group's Agency Division will provide administration, safety and communication to Preferred. Transport Topics
National Semiconductor Taps UPS Logistics for Global Distribution
United Parcel Service subsidiary UPS Logistics Group announced Thursday it has been awarded a 5-year, $150 million contract to manage the global supply chain for National Semiconductor Corp.The two companies also announced the opening of a new global distribution center in Singapore.
National Semiconductor Corp. produces "system-on-a-chip solutions" combining analog and digital technology. Transport Topics
General Motors, Exxon Develop Processor For Fuel Cell Vehicles
General Motors Corp. and Exxon Mobil Corp. have developed an efficient new gasoline fuel processor for fuel cell vehicles, the companies announced Thursday.The processor uses gasoline to create a stream of hydrogen that powers a fuel cell. The companies anticipate that the processor will reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, and General Motors plans a vehicle demonstration in the next 18 months.
Transport Topics
Financial Aid Bill For Cleaner Trucks Making Its Way Through California Senate
The California Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill this week for a $75 million program aimed at reducing diesel emissions from trucks and buses in the Central Valley.In the program, grants would be issued to local government agencies and businesses to aid in the replacement of diesel vehicles with cleaner burning ones or those using an alternative fuel. Although heavy-duty trucks make up only 1% of the vehicles on the road in California, they account for 37% of the oxides of nitrogen in the air. Those oxides of nitrogen are a primary component of smog, which has become an increasing problem in the largely agricultural region.
The bill will now go before the state Senate Appropriations Committee before heading to the Senate floor. Transport Topics
Ryder Tops Inbound Logistics' "Top 10 3PL Excellence" List
For a third straight year, Ryder Integrated Logistics topped Inbound Logistics magazine's "Top 10 3PL Excellence" list, which recognizes the top third-party logistics providers.The selection process is done via a survey of Inbound Logistics' readers, who evaluate which companies provide the best service.
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The top 10 providers of third-party logistics excellence, as selected by Inbound Logistics readers, are: 1. Ryder Integrated Logistics, 2. Menlo Logistics, 3. Schneider Logistics, 4. Penske 5.(tie) FedEx Supply Chain Services, UPS Logistics Group, 6. Exel, 7. C.H. Robinson, 8. Hub Group, 9. Total Logistic Control 10. (tie) Danzas AEI, Fritz, GATX Logistics. Transport Topics
Accuride Gets Patent On New Manufacturing Process For Light Steel Wheels
Accuride Corp., makers of steel and aluminum wheels for commercial trucks, announced Thursday it has secured a patent for a new wheel manufacturing process for full-faced light steel wheels.Accuride will begin producing the 16-inch wheels at its Columbia, Tenn., plant in late 2001, to be used on 2002 model year trucks. Transport Topics
Traffic May Move More Smoothly At Mexican Border Thanks To New Devices
The Southwest Border Technology Project demonstrated several new high-tech devices aimed at making vehicle scans at the U.S.-Mexican border easier and more efficient, the Associated Press reported this week.These devices included a mobile X-ray truck that can scan the contents of a tractor-trailer, eliminating the need for physically tearing the vehicle apart; a mobile baggage X-ray unit similar to ones used in airports; the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers' Rapid Inspection system, which would allow quick inspections for low-risk international travelers; and a hand-held device that can measure the density of a vehicle, indicating contraband or people inside, the article said. Transport Topics
Rising Fuel Costs Pinching Small Trucking Companies The Hardest, Business Week Says
Smaller trucking companies are faced with the increasing challenge of making a profit in the face of rising fuel costs, Business Week reports in this week's issue.Companies such as Innovative Vacuum Services Inc., owned by Chuck Mott, are being forced to choose between raising rates to cover costs - and possibly losing customers - or merely absorbing those costs and making less profit. Mott told Business Week he walks a fine line between raising costs too much or not enough.
Diesel prices are currently 26% higher than they were a year ago, forcing small companies to raise rates, add surcharges, or sit back and watch profits drop, the article said.
Although the national average price for a gallon of diesel has been slowly declining in recent weeks, many warn that a heating oil shortage could cause another spike, as seen last winter. Transport Topics
