inbound
Congested ports cost shippers both
time and money, losses that add
up quickly for a full-speed-ahead
supply chain. To discuss practical
solutions for clearing these blockages, top leaders in transportation
and logistics will meet on May 14
in Norfolk, Va., at the 12th Annual
International Trade Symposium
sponsored by the Virginia Maritime
Association.
The event kicks off with a series
of speakers who will each make
a five-minute slide presentation
to define the issues that must be
tackled. The presentations will be
followed by a sequence of three
panels. In the first, speakers will
identify the sources of port congestion. The second panel will focus
on potential solutions to the issues
discussed in the previous sessions.
The third panel will outline what
steps must be taken to implement
those solutions.
Speakers will cover the waterfront, so to speak—with executives
from shippers, carriers, and intermodal companies as well as container lessors, terminal operators,
and port authorities on hand. They
include Daniel Walker, director of
global logistics for MeadWestvaco;
Stephen Edwards, CEO of GCT
Global Container Terminals; Ken
Kellaway, president and CEO of
RoadOne IntermodaLogistics; Phil
Connors, executive vice president
of Flexi-Van Inc. Leasing; Ed Elkins,
group vice president of international intermodal at Norfolk Southern
Corp.; and Marc Bourdon, president, CMA CGM (America).
The program will finish up with
the gala 95th Annual Maritime
Banquet. For registration and program information, go to http://
vamaritime.site-ym.com.
Conference seeks
solutions for
congested ports
At the 2015 International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA)
Convention & Expo in Savannah, Ga., the spotlight was on both experienced
leaders and the generation that will follow in their footsteps.
The association presented the 2015 Jock Menzies IWLA Distinguished
Service and Leadership Award to Gary Minardi, president of San Jose
Distribution Services, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and Paul Delp, president and CEO of Lansdale Warehouse Co. Inc., based in Lansdale, Pa. The
award recognizes outstanding leadership and service to the warehouse logistics industry and to IWLA. The group also named Mark DeFabis, IWLA treasurer and president and CEO of Plainfield, Ind.-based Integrated Distribution
Services Inc., its 2015 Government Affairs Person of the Year.
IWLA recognizes that running a DC takes dedication, intelligence, and
experience. Rising logistics professionals may arrive at the job with the first
two qualities, but it takes time and good guidance to gain the right experience.
That is the motivation for IWLA’s newly revised Emerging Leaders Program,
which was formally launched at the convention.
“The IWLA Emerging Leaders program develops and cultivates the next
generation of leaders, helping them grow professionally,” said Rob Doyle, vice
president for business development at Commercial Warehousing and IWLA’s
incoming chairman, in a statement. The upgraded program will provide education, networking, and mentoring for new managers as they work their way
up the ranks in the warehousing industry, Doyle said.
IWLA recognizes industry veterans,
up-and-comers
Here are some recent examples of charitable work and donations by companies in the logistics and material handling space:
; Spirax Sarco sponsored a team-building and charity event to benefit a
local preschool in Blythewood, S.C. Employees built classic pedal cars, which
were presented by the United Way of the Midlands to children who participated in a pre-kindergarten reading program.
; For the 11th year, Cat Lift Trucks and local dealer Adobe Equipment
Houston will provide more than 100 lift trucks for the Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo. In addition, Cat Lift Trucks will award a $5,000 scholarship
to a local high school student pursuing higher education.
; Through weekly contributions, truck drivers
and other employees of Averitt Express raised a
total of $450,000 in 2014 for St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital. Since 1986, Averitt Cares
for Kids, the company’s employee-giving program, has contributed nearly $7.5 million to chil-dren-related charities, including the Shriners Burn
Institute and Ronald McDonald House.
; Temperature-controlled warehousing specialist Americold has kicked off
a program to provide logistics support to the anti-hunger organization Feed
the Children. To launch the effort, Americold employees filled some 500
backpacks with school supplies, toiletries, clothing, and other essential items
for homeless and at-risk children in DeKalb County, Ga.
Logistics gives back
