inbound
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioners usually are chosen from outside the
agency—typically from law enforcement, the
judiciary, or government. When a new commissioner comes from law enforcement, there’s
legitimate concern that he or she may give short
shrift to trade facilitation and slow the wheels of
commerce by focusing mainly on enforcement
and security.
But the initial word on new CBP Commissioner
R. Gil Kerlikowske is more positive than his background might suggest. Kerlikowske came to CBP
after a four-decade career in law enforcement and
drug policy. To top it off, he holds bachelor’s and
master’s degrees in criminal justice.
Despite that résumé, there are signs that
Kerlikowske does understand the importance
of trade facilitation to U.S. businesses and the
economy at large. For one thing, he was nomi-
nated and supported by Sen. Maria Cantwell of
Washington, a strong advocate for trade facilita-
tion, said Peter Friedmann, Washington counsel
for the Coalition of New England Companies for
Trade (CONECT) at that group’s 18th Annual
Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference.
In addition, Friedmann noted, most of the ques-
tions Kerlikowske fielded during his confirmation
hearing were about trade facilitation, and just two
days after the hearing, he had dinner with a group
of customs brokers who expressed their views
on the subject. “We’re sure he got the message,”
Friedmann said. “I think he’s going to be a good
commissioner and will pay attention to trade.”
Kerlikowske’s April 2 testimony before the
House Subcommittee on Homeland Security sug-
gests he is indeed paying attention. One of CBP’s
FY 2015 operational and budget priorities, he
said, is “strengthening and optimizing resourc-
es at … ports of entry to secure and facilitate
increasing volumes of travel and trade.” He also
asked for increased funding for technology that
would move imports “into the stream of com-
merce” more quickly.
You can hear for yourself what Kerlikowske has
to say on June 17, when he will speak at the 93rd
Annual American Association of Exporters and
Importers (AAEI) conference in New York. More
info at www.aaei.org.
High hopes for new customs
head Here are some examples of recent community service and
charitable activities by companies in the logistics and material
handling industries.
b Penske Truck Leasing has funded the
“Penske Room,” a new 1,900-square-foot
training and teaching venue at United
Technical Institute (UTI) in Exton, Pa. The
company also gives scholarships to students
at UTI’s 11 campuses.
b Dematic sponsored the West Michigan Chapter of the
Project Management Institute’s Project Management Collegiate
Competition. Each team was judged on members’ project man-
agement skills and use of project management techniques.
b Graybar raised more than $116,000 for charities in March
through its Graybar Cares program. Employees, customers, and
suppliers raised funds to benefit charities focused on helping
military veterans and their families.
b Intelligrated hosted college engineering students at National
Robotics Week events at its St. Louis facility. The events includ-
ed presentations by company engineers, followed by tours of the
manufacturing facility and 5,050-square-foot Alvey robotics lab.
b Fleet Advantage has launched the Kids Around the Corner
program to support children in the communities where its
clients are located. Through the program, Fleet Advantage will
donate a percentage of its profits to local children’s charities at
its clients’ direction.
Logistics gives back
Colorado’s move to legalize pot has had some unintended
consequences for area businesses. According to a report on
American Public Media’s “Marketplace” radio show, demand
for warehouse space by recreational marijuana dispensaries is
driving Denver-area rental rates through the roof.
Since January, when Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational pot, dispensary operators have been on the
hunt for warehouse space—not just to store their inventory but
also to grow it. Under the law, dispensaries are required to grow
their own supply.
One Denver-area dispensary owner told “Marketplace” he is
paying $20 per square foot, four times the average national rate
for comparable space. He alleged that some landlords also ask
for a share of a dispensary’s profits.
Dispensaries need certain types of facilities with the right
zoning, location, and electric power supply. But, local real
estate experts told “Marketplace,” sudden demand is beginning
to affect other categories, and Denver is starting to see a tight
market and rising rents for all kinds of warehouses.
Rocky Mountain high?
