DC Velocity - August 2013

Study: Use of mobile
technologies could save
firms thousands of dollars

Transportation and logistics firms could save an average of $459,000 a year by using mobile technologies and implementing process re-engineering initiatives, according to a new study.

The research, conducted by Everett, Wash.-based Intermec Inc., canvassed 375 transportation and logistics managers in six countries. The estimate represented the average savings of companies in the study that had carried out process re-engineering initiatives during the past year.

Another key finding was that 44 percent of respondents believe that reviewing current workflows and technologies is the most effective means of improving operational efficiency. About 60 percent of managers surveyed said that mobile communications protocols such as 4G and LTE offer significant returns on investment. Forty-four percent said that integrated vehicle telematics would provide a return on investment, while 38 percent cited radio-frequency identification (RFID) as a solid ROI contributor.

“Deploying mobile technology for pickups and deliveries has long been seen as a way to improve efficiency and reduce costs,” said Jeff Sibio, Intermec’s industry director for transportation and logistics, in a statement.

However, the study found that many companies don’t perceive benefits from re-engineering their operations with mobile technology. Thirty-nine percent of respondents have not initiated re-engineering in the past year. Furthermore, of those who have not automated their work processes, 40 percent saw no business need to do so and 33 percent said the cost of the systems was the main reason for not pursuing this kind of initiative.

According to the survey report, 77 percent of respondents said their customers are now demanding same-day delivery services. About 92 percent of respondents said that responding to those demands has created significant challenges for their business. ;

newsmakers

Ditlev Blicher has assumed the role of president, Asia-Pacific, for UTi Worldwide Inc., a global supply chain services and solutions company. … Automated guided vehicle expert John Hayes has been promoted to vice president of U.S. sales and marketing, and Amanda Merrell has been promoted to marketing director at Seegrid Corp., a manufacturer of vision-guided robotic industrial trucks. Seegrid has also appointed John Snyder as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales director. … Dematic, a global supplier of logistics systems, has appointed Pat Fitzpatrick general manager of its U.S. West Coast expansion efforts. … Intelligrated, a North America-based automated material handling solutions provider, has made three additions to the account management and sales team of its New York-based software subsidiary, Knighted. Scott Wells, Joe Nentwig, and Michael Brown will all manage major accounts. … Interroll has named Ben Xia its new Asia manager. … Wynright Corp., a U.S.-based provider of intelligent material handling systems, has appointed Gordon Hellberg to the newly created position of executive vice president, sales. … The Georgia Department of Economic Development has announced that Page Siplon will serve as director of the Georgia Centers of Innovation. Siplon will also maintain his current position as executive director of the Center of Innovation for Logistics, located in Savannah. … Industrial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield Inc. has appointed Victoria Knudson to serve as national lead for the firm’s Corporate Occupier and Investor Services Industrial Property Management platform. … Orbis Corp., an international supplier of sustainable reusable packaging, has opened a president, yield management of MOL Liner, and Toshihiko Sato, senior manager, Transpacific trade, will relocate to Hong Kong in support of the Transpacific trade management migration to MOL Liner. Additionally, MOL (America) Inc. will change some Transpacific trade management assignments as follows: Tom Smart will become the assistant vice president, Transpacific trade pricing; Lincoln Pei will become the assistant vice president, Transpacific westbound trade management; and Jim Boyer will become the assistant vice president for refrigerated services. … Chris Scott has joined South Florida Logistics Services as president and CEO. … Fleet Advantage, which provides truck fleet business analytics and equipment financing, has added Vince Cornell to its sales executive team. … Ports America has promoted Steve Loevsky to vice president operations—auto, Ro-Ro, and cruise.