P.M. Executive Briefing - Aug. 17
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Bridgestone/Firestone May Face Congressional Hearing Over Tire Recall
U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.), chairman of the House subcommittee on consumer protection, said Thursday he is likely to hold hearings regarding the Bridgestone/Firestone recall of 6.5 million tires, the Associated Press reported.Tauzin questions the speed with which the company responded to consumer and dealer complaints of tire defects on several models, some of which may be linked to 62 deaths and 100 injuries, the article said.
Before deciding on a hearing, Tauzin said he would ask the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – which is conducting an investigation into the tire complaints – for further information on the situation, the AP said.
TrucktireXchange.com Debuts Personalized Service In 'My TTXchange'
Online truck tire sales forum TrucktireXchange.com announced Thursday it will unveil a new personalized feature called My TTXchange.My TTXchange will offer personalized services for independent tire dealers, distributors and buyers to more easily manage their sales and purchases. The service provides summaries of the user's activities in sales and purchasing through the site.
TrucktireXchange was the first Internet-based business-to-business dedicated to truck tire sales and was a 2000 Forbes "Best of the Web" honoree. Transport Topics
Consolidated Freightways Launches Customer Site CF.Com
Less-than-truckload giant Consolidated Freightways announced Thursday it is launching a new Web site designed specifically for its customers, cf.com.Using the new site, CF customers will be able to download or print shipment-related documents, schedule freight pickups, receive routing guides and terminal information, file freight claims, as well as several other options.
CF provides long-haul freight delivery to much of North America through its 350 terminals. Transport Topics
Cathay Pacific Will Add Freighter Destination In San Francisco
Cathay Pacific Airways announced it will launch a San Francisco cargo destination as part of a global expansion, increasing the company's total destinations served to 19.A direct, all-cargo service from San Francisco to Hong Kong will begin in September and will be served by Cathay Pacific's Boeing 747 freighter aircraft.
The increased air freight will be a boost to the San Francisco-area trucking industry, which of course will handle ground delivery of the cargo. Transport Topics
US Package Carriers Pan for Online Gold in Latin America
Latin American growth in online orders, combined with unpredictable postal service, is creating a window of opportunity for firms like FedEx and United Parcel Service, the New York Times reported Thursday.FedEx has a center near Mexico City for quick processing of shipments in the under-$200 range. DHL bought an Argentine contractor, and is spending $10 million to improve service in that country.
UPS is laying the groundwork for steady expansion, as the number of computers in that region increases. The Times noted that it is buying Challenge Air Cargo, which flies from Miami to Latin America.
Latin American customers of Sky Box Services can send their online purchases to destinations in the United States. Transport Topics
Velocity Express Provides Logistics Solutions To Leading U.S. Oil Company
United Shipping & Technology subsidiary Velocity Express, a same-day delivery and e-commerce logistics provider, said Thursday it is handling warehousing and fulfillment services for a leading United States-based oil company.Velocity's services will allow the oil company to continue full operations while in the midst of a major computer reinstallation at corporate headquarters. Velocity will provide warehouse storage and delivery for new computers and disposal of old computers and packag-ing materials.
The name of the customer was not released in accordance with US&T and Velocity Express corporate policy. Transport Topics
I-81 Traffic Detour Near Hagerstown, Md. For Bridge Demolition
The demolition of an old bridge over Interstate 81 near Hagerstown, Md., will necessitate a traffic diversion onto the Halfway Boulevard ramps, the Herald-Mail (Hagerstown) reports.The project will begin Monday and will continue for four to six weeks, a State Highway Administration spokeswoman told the newspaper. Traffic in both directions will to have exit and re-enter Interstate 81 using the ramps, and state police will guide traffic to prevent backups.
Signs will be posted to warn motorists of the closure, and traffic on the interstate will be shifted into one lane up to a mile in both directions before Halfway Boulevard, the article said.
The demolition is part of a $17.9 million exchange project that includes expansion of the new Halfway Boulevard bridge to eight lanes and is expected to be completed by fall 2001, according to the article. Transport Topics
Arkansas Highway Commission Wants To Crack Down On Bottlenecks
Motorists such as truckers who create bottlenecks near construction sites in Arkansas are more likely to face penalties, after the state's highway commission called for more stringent enforcement of laws designed to prevent such delays, the Associated Press reported.A state Highway and Transportation Department lawyer told AP that the Highway Commission has authority under state law to direct traffic past signage warning of lane closures.
The commission complains that many motorists – particularly truck drivers, they said – ignore these signs and create bottlenecks when they are forced to merge into the adjoining lane at a construction zone, the article said.
Motorists can be fined up to $100 for a first-time offense and as much as $200 and 20 days in jail for a second offense. Transport Topics
