Transport communications

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Archives for August 2012

CKYH-the Green Alliance Winter Service Adjustment on Asia-North Europe service

August 28, 2012 by

August 27, 2012

CKYH-the Green Alliance, COSCON, “K” Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping, is to implement winter service adjustment to Asia-North Europe services from the middle of October 2012.

In response to seasonal market demand, CKYH-the green alliance will reorganize Asia-North Europe services from the current 5 loops to 4 loops and continue providing high service quality to customers. After harmonization, CKYH alliance still provides one of the most comprehensive service coverage in the market.

Filed Under: "K" Line

Priority Freight Acquires AWLI Group Limited

August 28, 2012 by

Leading expedited freight transport provider expands its service reach by acquiring London Heathrow based specialist air cargo forwarder.

Dover & Gibraltar, 28th August, 2012

The acquisition of the Heathrow forwarding arm of AWLI Group Inc ., is a logical strategic move  by Priority Freight in order to pursue its mission of becoming the principal provider of time critical and expedited freight services to multiple industry sectors and across diverse geographies.  With the formalities of the purchase completed on 1st August, transition of AWLI staff is (in accordance with the UK’s TUPE* regulations), operations and customer services to Priority Freight will be completed over the coming three months.

Commenting on the investment, Andrew Austin, Priority Freight’s CEO said, “Critical to the success of our business is a hands-on approach, whereby our people are in total control of each shipment, all hours of the day and every step of the way.  We will integrate the known expertise of AWLI to help maintain this control at a critical hub, Heathrow and within the crucial function of air cargo forwarding.”

Not only will the addition of such expertise reinforce Priority Freight’s key service qualities of speed, reliability and security, it will also provide an additional flexibility in designing operational solutions for customers; another element of the company’s stock in trade.

As Group Managing Director of Priority Freight, Neal Williams points out, “While our day-to-day challenges involve delivering customers’ freight under time critical and/or complex supply chain conditions, we are increasingly acting as 4PL’s; managing a customer’s planned-for programme of, what is now called, expedited contingency logistics (XCL).  In this context having our own specialist expedited air freight division at Europe’s busiest airport in addition to various professional partners at our disposal, gives us an added degree of flexibility.”

Existing customers of both Priority Freight and AWLI will experience both continuity of service and a re-commitment to the importance of the personal touch in business relationships.  The marriage of the companies will also provide impetus to Priority Freight’s expansion plans in the industry sectors most commonly demanding of expedited freight services such as automotive, aeronautical, marine supplies, energy, pharmaceuticals and others.

*= Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

About Priority Freight: Established in 1996, Priority Freight’s reliability and competitiveness have allowed it to grow rapidly.  Now with over 90 employees, the family-run business continues to take pride in maintaining its core values of trustworthiness and value for money.   Priority Freight is one the UKs leading time-critical freight specialists, helping clients to meet complex and urgent international delivery challenges worldwide.  Priority Freight has offices throughout Europe and Russia and members of its experienced staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year, meeting its customers time-critical transport needs and often beating seemingly impossible deadlines.

www.priorityfreight.com

Filed Under: Priority Freight

Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics Establishes Hamburg Base

August 28, 2012 by

Miami & Hamburg, 23 August 2012

As both its cruise-related and cargo vessel supply business increases the Marine Logistics division of global freight management specialists, Geodis Wilson has ramped up its resources in Hamburg.  The new ‘control tower’ will be introduced at the up-coming SMM Conference & Exhibition (4-7 September) in Hamburg.

Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics has established one of its global ‘control towers’ in Hamburg.  Initially, this was to facilitate the successful management of two projects at the German port for Crystal Cruises in May and June.  The Marine Logistics team handled the transport and logistics management of an array of spare and replacement parts as well as other supplies involved in the overhaul and refitting of the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony at the Blohm & Voss dry-dock facility.

Hamburg is now well-established as a cruise hub and its importance as a regular call on liner vessel (both container and break-bulk) schedules, as well as a major port for liquid and bulk cargoes makes it a critical focal point for the delivery of Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics’ rapidly expanding services.

Sergio Herrero, the Vertical Market Director of the Marine Logistics Division explains how the new ‘control tower’ fits into Geodis Wilson’s global strategy.  “Essentially we have a 4PL approach to marine supplies.  We prioritise visibility throughout the supply chain, including vendor performance.  Of course we need the capacity to deliver everything from emergency individual parts to high volume consumables but we always emphasise low inventory costs and a high degree of synergy to increase efficiency for our customers.  To achieve these aims effective information flow and data analysis is essential.  This is the function of our control towers.”

In addition to providing a source of the skill sets and expertise required, Hamburg’s diversity of marine activity provides synergy with Geodis Wilson’s three sectors of Marine Logistics operation.  The division’s cruise business is well-established through its head-quarters in Miami; the Hamburg location develops this into Europe; the commercial sector, dealing with scheduled vessels such as container ships and the industrial sector, which covers vessels most usually trading on the spot market, such as tankers and bulkers also frequent the port.

As Herrero points out each vessel sector requires a differing set of logistics services. “Variations in logistical challenges of global ship supply are profound”, he points out.  “For example, regular quantities of fresh and frozen food are required by cruise vessels; a container ship needs less volume but on a port and time-specific basis while customers running vessels in our industrial sector have variable ports of call and a less predictable maintenance and repair schedule.  All however could need an expedited replacement part, of variable proportions and weight at any time.”

With the help of the Hamburg ‘control tower’ Geodis Wilson aims to cope with this variability in demand with a consolidated approach to service provision and visibility throughout the supply chain to maximise efficiency and minimise costs for customers in all three trading sectors.

Geodis Wilson Marine Logistics personnel will be available for further comment at SMM in Hamburg from the 4th to the 7th September; Hall B6, Stand 203.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

About Geodis Wilson and the Geodis Group

Geodis Wilson is a leading global freight management company. With 7,300 employees in more than 50 countries the company delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to customers enabling them to operate as ‘best in class.’ Geodis Wilson is the freight forwarding arm of Geodis Group which became part of the French rail and freight group SNCF in 2008. With its 46.000 employees in 120 countries ‘SNCF GEODIS’ ranks among the top 7 companies in its field in the world.

For more information about Geodis Wilson go to – www.geodiswilson.com

Filed Under: GEODIS

Menlo’s Outsourced Light Shines Through for Stained Glass Craftsman

August 28, 2012 by

Amsterdam and Swindon, UK,  22nd August 2012

A UK manufacturer and restorer of traditional style stained glass is tapping into a new e-commerce sales medium having joined the growing base of companies that outsource supply chain activities to third party logistics (3PL) provider Menlo Worldwide Logistics at its multi-client facility in Swindon.

Neil Phillips Stained Glass awarded the contract to Menlo Worldwide Logistics on the reference of an existing satisfied user of the Swindon facility, Damaris, which manages a family of high-end lingerie brands.

Outsourced activities for Neil Phillips Stained Glass will include warehousing, value-added services and global transportation, and will support the manufacturer’s move into e-commerce sales of smaller stained glass fragments. Products manufactured in the UK will be delivered to the Swindon facility prior to being sold on MagnusCreatora.com and eBay.

Menlo will unpack and label fragments received from Neil Phillips and photograph them for the client. Orders will be received by Menlo for fulfillment, involving pick and pack and global shipping to the customer. Activities will be carried out from a dedicated portion of the Swindon facility with Menlo adjusting personnel to cope with demand

“By placing our trust in Menlo to ensure that our highly crafted products are delivered to our customers efficiently and safely, we have been able to focus our resources on what we do best – the sourcing, design and manufacture of exclusive, high-end and original products,” explained Neil Phillips. “When we saw what had been achieved for Damaris we knew that this was a fulfillment model that we wanted to be part of.”

Menlo Worldwide Logistics Managing Director Europe, Tony Gunn, welcomed the new business. “What we are able to provide for Neil Phillips are not only warehousing and transportation from a state-of-the art facility,” he said. “It is also an opportunity for the client to plug straight into an exciting new sales channel without having to tie-up time and investment in establishing competency and infrastructure – and that is what 3PL benefits are all about,” he added.

The secure 16,000 sq metre Swindon regional distribution, warehousing and transportation facility is supported by Menlo’s suite of IT systems including warehouse management. It is strategically located alongside the M4 motorway with easy access to London Heathrow Airport and the Port of Southampton and is an essential tool in the integration of customers’ supply chains, a service Menlo carries out on five continents

ENDS

About Menlo Worldwide Logistics Europe

In Europe Menlo Worldwide Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics  and transportation control towers located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and the United Kingdom. This warehouse and transportation network can serve as a pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities.

3PL warehousing and distribution services, as well as 4PL supply chain and LLP transport management solutions are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: fashion & apparel; healthcare and medical equipment; hi-tech electronic and data network equipment; automotive & heavy industry; defence and government services and retail e-fulfilment.

The European headquarters is located at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Center in the Netherlands.

About Menlo Worldwide Logistics

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.6 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Mateo, Calif.-based Menlo Worldwide Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities. With more than 17 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Worldwide Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.3 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company. For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com.

Follow Menlo Worldwide Logistics on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

Filed Under: Menlo Logistics

Atrium Medical Capitalises on Menlo’s Expertise in Healthcare Logistics

August 28, 2012 by

Amsterdam, 8th August 2012

One of the world’s leading suppliers of medical devices used in cardiology and radiology, Atrium Medical has appointed Menlo Worldwide Logistics (Menlo) to handle its product distribution in Europe.  The contract, which has a commence date in early July, will cover the supply of warehousing and transportation management services throughout Europe and will be operated from Menlo’s Eersel, Netherlands multi-client facility.

Menlo is the global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) and provides supply chain management services to other divisions of Atrium Medical’s parent company, the Swedish-based Getinge Group, on a global basis.  Part of Menlo’s remit in Europe is to integrate Atrium Medical’s supply chain with that of other products in the Maquet Cardiovascular division that it currently manages.

In outlining the reasons for appointing Menlo, Atrium Medical’s Logistics Director, Pete Diaz said, “The recent acquisition of Atrium Medical by the Getinge Group gave us the opportunity to economise in certain areas of our operation.  Various logistical aspects of our European supply chain were candidates for such a review.  We have been impressed by how Menlo handles, on a global scale, the requirements of other divisions in the Group as well as the flexible approach Menlo takes to changes in supply chain dynamics.  We feel therefore that Menlo is the right supplier to deliver an efficient integration.”

Tony Gunn, is Menlo’s Managing Director in Europe.  He welcomed the new business represented by Atrium Medical and stated, “Menlo has a long-term approach to customer servicing; we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the changing needs of our clients and on a philosophy of continuous improvement.   With the integration of Atrium Medical’s product distribution into the existing supply chain structure of our long-time client Maquet we are demonstrating the first trait.  We look forward in the coming months to display our skills in the second by evolving a more effective solution for Atrium Medical in Europe.”

ENDS

About Atrium Medical

Atrium Medical is a business unit of Maquet Cardiovascular. Based in Hudson, New Hampshire, USA, Atrium Medical develops medical device technologies for interventional cardiology and radiology, chest trauma care and thoracic drainage, vascular surgery and general surgery.  It has approximately 700 employees worldwide.

Atrium Medical was acquired by Maquet’s parent the Swedish-based Getinge Group in October 2011.

About Menlo Worldwide Logistics Europe

In Europe Menlo Worldwide Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics centers located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. This warehouse network can serve as pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities.

Supply chain and transport management solutions as well as 3PL, warehousing and distribution services are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: fashion & apparel; healthcare and medical equipment; hi-tech electronic and data network equipment; automotive; defence and government services and retail e-fulfilment.

The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands.

About Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.4 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Mateo, Calif.-based Menlo Worldwide Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities. With more than 16 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Worldwide Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company. For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com.

Follow Menlo Worldwide Logistics on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

Filed Under: Menlo Logistics

CON-WAY Inc. Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results

August 28, 2012 by

ANN ARBOR, Mich. —JULY 31, 2012—Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) today reported 2012 second-quarter net income of $41.8 million, or 74 cents per diluted share. The results compare to second-quarter 2011 net income of $29.4 million, or 52 cents per diluted share.

On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share were 66 cents in the 2012 second quarter compared to 50 cents in last year’s second quarter. (Non-GAAP items, consisting of gains on facility sales and tax-related adjustments for both years, are detailed in the attached reconciliation.)

Operating income in the 2012 second quarter was $80.1 million, a 33.2 percent increase from the $60.2 million earned in the second quarter a year ago.  Revenue for the 2012 second quarter was $1.45 billion, a 7.2 percent increase from last year’s second-quarter revenue of $1.35 billion.

“Our strategy continues to deliver improved results,” said Douglas W. Stotlar, Con-way’s president and chief executive officer. “Our second quarter performance reflected disciplined operations which increased profit levels at all business units.”

Con-way Freight, the company’s less-than-truckload (LTL) operation, benefited from effective cost management and higher yield during the quarter. “These results enabled Con-way Freight to successfully expand margins over last year,” Stotlar said. “Our LTL company’s employees are doing a great job executing our strategy and driving improvements in the business.”

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the company’s global logistics and supply chain management operation, saw improved revenues and profits from both international and U.S.-based operations during the quarter.  “New business revenues coupled with growth in existing warehousing and transportation management accounts supported Menlo’s improved results over last year,” Stotlar noted. “Our logistics company continues to create efficiencies for customers through its proven lean practices and superior operational execution.”

Con-way Truckload, the company’s full-truckload transportation operation, maintained its momentum. “We continued to increase efficiencies and asset utilization during the quarter,” Stotlar said. “Reduced empty miles and higher revenue per loaded mile contributed to an improved operating ratio.  We remain focused on operational excellence and premium service as our foundation for further margin expansion.”

The second-quarter effective tax rate was 35.4 percent in 2012, compared to 35.3 percent in 2011. Both years included discrete tax adjustments that affected the effective tax rate (detailed in the attached reconciliation).  Excluding the discrete tax adjustments, the second-quarter effective tax rate would have been 38.9 percent in 2012 and 37.7 percent in 2011.

Segment results in the second quarter for Con-way’s principal operations were as follows:

FREIGHT

For the second quarter of 2012, Con-way Freight reported:

  • Revenue of $878.5 million, a 4.6 percent increase over last year’s second-quarter revenue of $839.8 million.
  • Operating income of $53.4 million, up 36.5 percent compared to $39.2 million earned in the year-ago period.  The current-period results reflected continued price improvement, operating efficiency and cost control, and included $3.9 million of gains from the sale of excess properties.
  • Yield increased 3.2 percent from the previous-year second quarter.  Excluding the fuel surcharge, yield also rose 3.2 percent.
  • Tonnage per day increased 0.9 percent compared to the 2011 second quarter.
  • Operating ratio was 93.9 in the 2012 second quarter compared to 95.3 in the previous-year period.   Excluding the gain from the sale of excess properties, the operating ratio in the 2012 second quarter was 94.4.

LOGISTICS

For the second quarter of 2012, Menlo Worldwide Logistics reported:

  • Revenue of $448.0 million, an increase of 13.7 percent from the prior year second-quarter revenue of $394.0 million. New business revenues, increased freight brokerage volumes and gains from warehousing and transportation management services contributed to the higher revenues.
  • Net revenue (revenue less purchased transportation) of $161.8 million, a 10.1 percent increase from $147.0 million in the previous year second quarter.
  • Operating income of $12.7 million, a 4.9 percent increase over last year’s second quarter operating income of $12.1 million.  The higher operating income was attributable primarily to improved operating profit from transportation management services including increased profit contribution from international operations.

TRUCKLOAD

For the second quarter of 2012, Con-way Truckload reported:

  • Revenue of $162.9 million, a 4.8 percent increase over last year’s second-quarter revenue of $155.5 million. Revenue per loaded mile, excluding fuel surcharge, was up 3.0 percent from the second quarter of 2011.
  • Operating income of $14.6 million, a 41.6 percent increase over operating income of $10.3 million in the previous-year period.   Improved fuel surcharge recovery, price increases and higher asset utilization contributed to the increased operating income.
  • Operating ratio exclusive of fuel surcharges was 88.3, compared to 91.3 in the second quarter of 2011.
  • Loaded miles increased 2.4 percent compared to the 2011 second quarter.
  • Empty miles decreased to 9.2 percent from 9.4 percent in the previous-year second quarter.

CON-WAY OTHER

Con-way Other includes the company’s Road Systems, Inc. trailer manufacturing unit as well as other corporate activities. These activities produced an operating loss of $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to an operating loss of $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2011.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL

Con-way will host a conference call for the investment community tomorrow, Wednesday, August 1, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific).

The call can be accessed by dialing (866) 264-3634 or (706) 643-3632 (for international callers) and is expected to last approximately one hour.  The call will also be available through a live internet webcast at www.con-way.com, in the investors section.

An audio replay will be available for two weeks following the call by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 (for international callers) and using access code 96775665.  An Internet replay and podcast of the presentation will also be available at www.con-way.com.

About Con-way Inc. — Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.3 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide Logistics. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload and multimodal freight transportation, as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services. Con-way also operates Road Systems Inc., a trailer refurbishing and manufacturing company which supplies trailing equipment to the company’s trucking fleets.  Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries.  For more information about Con-way, visit www.con-way.com.

Filed Under: Menlo Logistics