P.M. Executive Briefing - Dec. 20
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Personnel: Detroit Diesel Corp.
The enginemaker Detroit Diesel has named Robert Allran, currently the company's executive vice president of operations, to take the post of executive vice president of engineering and operations starting next month. He will take over the engineering duties currently held by the retiring executive vice president of engineering David Merrion. Automotive News (12/20/99) No. 5853; P. 19American Dispatch Relocation Search Fruitless Despite URA, External Help
The refrigerated carrier American Dispatch, one of the quickest-growing firms in the Pittsburgh area, has not been able to find a new location in the city now that it is being forced out by the expansion of H.J. Heinz's campus. In addition, CEO Tom Goslin said that in his opinion his lease runs out in mid-2004, not the deadline next month given by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. And a court battle over eminent domain could last for years, he said.
The company has assembled a relocation team but still has been unable to find a new space, and the URA's recommendations have also not met the needs of the company. American Dispatch moved to its current location earlier in the 1990s after it was displaced by Route 279 construction. Pittsburgh Business Times Online (12/20/99) ; Tascarella, Patty
The Internet is Driving This Trucking and Logistics Firm
The Berkeley, Mo.-based trucking and logistics firm Fastrans Logistics Inc., had approximately $10 million in 1999 sales with projected 20% to 50% growth in 2000, according to Fastrans President Alan Redszus.Founded roughly 10 years ago, Fastrans ventured into logistics when Redszus discovered that new stores' and restaurants' suppliers required assistance in handling furniture and fixtures deliveries, as did stores with new locations. Fastrans developed inventory-tracking software, then moved into Internet service by purchasing an Internet service provider's equipment and list of customers, an acquisition that brought some skilled programmers with it.
The company created Web applications enabling customer access to databases as well as online ordering and tracking of equipment. The Truck Trax site helps shippers and truckers find each other and provides weather and road data as well as classified ads at no charge. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (12/20/99) P. 1, Business Plus Section; Stroud, Jerri
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