DC Velocity - February 2016

inbound

Carts and containers are crucial components of many warehouse and retail operations. These sturdy units are usually valued for their utilitarian attributes, like being durable, ergonomic, or simply large.

But when the Carlstadt, N.J.-based paint and printing company Pantone Inc. recently announced that one of its 2016 colors of the year was a shade of royal blue known to graphic designers as “15-3919 Serenity,” logistics professionals nodded in recognition.

It turns out that royal blue was already the most popular color choice for bulk containers, laundry carts, and recycling carts sold by plastics rotomolder MODRoto Inc. of Madison, Ind. The company reports that royal blue accounts for some 50 percent of unit sales, followed by the black and forest green shades popular with recycling managers.

The blue shade triumphed over MODRoto’s wide selection of Pantone colors as well as custom shades created to match corporate logos and brand imagery. No word yet about whether Serenity’s co-color of the year—a pastel pink called “13-1520 Rose Quartz”— will also spike in popularity.

Tangled up in blue?

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) will hold its 2016 Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas, from April 6–9. The event includes a trade show for brokerage-based third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) as well as a variety of networking and education sessions.

Education sessions are organized into tracks based on four stages of corporate “seniority.” They begin with “fundamental” sessions (designed for new and smaller companies that want to grow), and proceed to “universal” (designed to address issues that affect the entire industry), “expansion” (designed to offer ideas for growth and expansion of services), and “advanced” (designed to help larger companies get to the next level).

Topics include exit and succession planning, the ins and outs of moving freight in all of the Canadian provinces, and lawsuits (learning from and avoiding them). Other sessions will address hazmat responsibility in a 3PL environment and the changing face of urban logistics.

After attending education breakout sessions, attendees can bulk up their rolodexes with networking events such as the Women in Logistics lunch and the Young Executives Forum luncheon.

The lineup of plenary sessions includes “What Everyone Needs to Know About Laws and Regulations,” “Might as Well Face It—You’re Addicted to Savings,” and “Not Just Another Boring Economic Update.” Attendees can also choose from four preconference seminars (separate fees and registration required). Register for the show at www.tianet.org.

TIA 2016 conference
to roll into San Antonio
in April

The New York Mets may not play their first spring training game until March 3, but for at least one supplier to the team, the season starts earlier. Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., which recently renewed its contract as the Mets’ official freight carrier, will report to Citi Field in Flushing, N. Y., in February for the annual send-off ceremony.

After its trucks are loaded, the motor carrier will haul the Mets’ balls, gloves, and uniforms to the team’s spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where the Mets will launch a campaign to defend their National League Championship title.

The new agreement extends the Thomasville, N.C.-based less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier’s deal with the Mets for three more years. As part of the sports marketing partnership, Old Dominion will have OD-branded signage at home plate and on the main scoreboard in the baseball stadium.