DC Velocity - October 2014

inbound

For our July issue, defense logistics expert and Editor at Large Steve Geary wrote “The big retrograde,” an article on how the U.S. military is overcoming the unprecedented logistical challenges associated with the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Afghanistan. As Geary, who has been to Afghanistan as a supply chain consultant to the U.S. Department of Commerce, explains, this undertaking is the largest such operation in history. With help from private contractors, the Defense Logistics Agency is tasked with moving tens of thousands of pieces of equipment, vehicles, and shipping containers by land, air, and sea—an endeavor that often requires a “build your own infrastructure” approach.

Now you can see for your-
self (from a safe distance) what
Geary describes in the article. The
Atlantic’s “In Focus” photo gal-
lery recently featured a collection
of photos of the retrograde, as
it’s known in military parlance.
You can see them at www.the-
atlantic.com/infocus/2014/09/
afghanistan-the-long-withdraw-
al/100803/. Another interesting
source is the GlobalPost article
“This is what it takes to pack up the
U.S. war in Afghanistan” (www.
globalpost.com/dispatch/news/
war/afghanistan-war/140416/
afghanistan-troop-withdraw-
al-retrograde-operation). The
story includes photos and this
thought-provoking quote about
the withdrawal: “For size and
complexity, think of something
between D-Day and the moon
landing.”
Here’s our monthly roundup of charitable works by companies in the
logistics and material handling markets:

b Lift truck dealer Raymond Handling Concepts Corp. recently auctioned off a custom-painted pink Raymond Model 102XM walkie hand pallet truck to benefit the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation of Fremont (Calif.) and the Community Foundation for South Central New York.

b Spend Management Experts, an

Atlanta-based financial supply chain
consulting firm, is providing finan-
cial support to Junior Achievement
of Georgia’s JA Biz Town and JA Finance Park programs, which help
Atlanta middle school students build financial literacy and skills.
b Habitat for Humanity received a donation of storage bins, cases,
Spring Market Show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

b Kenco, a provider of logistics solutions, real estate services, and material handling equipment, was the presenting sponsor and handled equipment and supply logistics for the Ironman Chattanooga Swim

Course, a benefit for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

b Software and technology provider ProShip Inc., a Neopost company, was the title sponsor of the Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase

Deficiency (SSADH) Association’s Chip for Charity golf fundraiser. The nonprofit organization funds research on the rare disease.

Mitzvahs of the month
The big retrograde,
in pictures

If you work for a third-party logistics company (3PL) or are a major

3PL customer, you’re bound to learn something new at the 3PL Value Creation Summit 2014, scheduled for Oct. 28–30 in Chicago. The conference, which is being organized by the 3PL research and consulting firm Armstrong & Associates and the events firm Infocast, will offer an opportunity to hear about the value-added customer services that will define the future competitive landscape of the industry.

The summit, chaired by Armstrong & Associates Chairman and CEO Richard Armstrong, will examine the current state of domestic and international third-party logistics and assess what lies ahead. Speakers will include top-level executives from such 3PLs as UPS, Ryder, Genco, Menlo Worldwide Logistics, Penske Logistics, and Transplace as well as investment analysts who follow the transportation and logistics sector.