Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

newsworthy

newsmakers: people on the fast track

  • Mecalux is eyeing UCF Interlake to expand its position in the storage market. The Spanish provider of racks and automated storage systems has acquired an option to buy UFC Interlake Holding Co., the holding company that includes Interlake Material Handling and United Fixtures Co. Purchasing the option, for which it paid $7.5 million, gives Mecalux the opportunity to acquire 100 percent of UCF Interlake Holding during the second half of 2008. Mecalux says the purchase of the option reflects its aim of enhancing its presence in the Americas.
  • Saddle Creek has created a new non-asset-based logistics division, which will be known as Saddle Creek Transportation Services. The new division complements Saddle Creek's asset-based transportation network, providing additional inbound and outbound capacity and providing a single stop for the company's transportation customers. The new entity offers truckload, less-than-truckload, flatbed and consolidation services.
  • Ozburn-Hessey Logistics has promoted Bob Spieth to president of contract services. Spieth has more than 16 years of experience in the logistics industry and has been with OH Logistics for seven years, including stints as CIO and vice president of operations.
  • NxTier Technologies, a supply chain and logistics software specialist, has appointed George Henrich director of sales for supply chain solutions. Henrich was formerly vice president of sales for Quantem Logistics Services.
  • The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) has named John Gentle as its executive of the year. Formerly the transportation affairs leader for Owens Corning, Gentle is now president of John A. Gentle & Associates, a consulting company for shippers, carriers and brokers.
  • Schneider Logistics has promoted Tyler Ellison to vice president and general manager of Schneider Transportation Management. He previously was vice president of the Global Client Group at Schneider National.
  • Keith Lovetro is the new executive vice president of marketing for the U.S. operations of DHL Express. Lovetro, who will also serve as a member of the Express U.S. management board, brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role, most recently as president and CEO of FedEx Freight West.
  • Port Jersey Logistics, a New Jersey-based provider of services that include warehousing, transportation and freight brokerage, has promoted two of its own. Frank Dempter is the new vice president of operations. He began his career in 1985 with Tyler Distribution Centers, a Port Jersey company. Also promoted is James Lowman, a 27-year veteran of the company. Lowman is now operations manager.
  • AL Systems, a supply chain software and integrated systems supplier, has hired Mark Kushner as its vice president of operations. He will lead the project management, engineering, customer service and production teams. Kushner has more than 15 years of industry experience, most recently with Systech International.
  • Jim Nairn has been named to the newly created position of vice president of supply and logistics at Harper Brush Co., which sells brushes, brooms, squeegee products and accessories. Nairn will oversee the supply and logistics operations at the company's three facilities, located in Iowa, California and North Carolina.
  • Supply chain consultant KOM International has appointed Dan Goodwill project director—transportation. Goodwill will be responsible for the firm's North American transportation services projects. During his career, Goodwill has served as president of Yellow Transportation's Canada division and president of Clarke Logistics.
  • James Malcolm Clarke is the new vice president of corporate services and chief financial officer for Railinc, a company that provides real-time interline data for the railroad industry. Clarke brings extensive experience in finance, strategic planning and operations management to his new job.
  • Lauth Property Corp. has hired Marc Lotter as public relations manager. Lauth is a development and construction company that builds industrial facilities, including distribution and manufacturing buildings.
  • Brad Boehler, director of product safety for Skyjack, has been named chair of the ANSI A92.6 subcommittee. That subcommittee deals with safety standards for self-propelled elevating work platforms. Skyjack manufactures aerial work platform products. Boehler has been an active ANSI committee member for the past four years.

The Latest

More Stories

Report: Five trends in AI and data science for 2025

Report: Five trends in AI and data science for 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) and data science were hot business topics in 2024 and will remain on the front burner in 2025, according to recent research published in AI in Action, a series of technology-focused columns in the MIT Sloan Management Review.

In Five Trends in AI and Data Science for 2025, researchers Tom Davenport and Randy Bean outline ways in which AI and our data-driven culture will continue to shape the business landscape in the coming year. The information comes from a range of recent AI-focused research projects, including the 2025 AI & Data Leadership Executive Benchmark Survey, an annual survey of data, analytics, and AI executives conducted by Bean’s educational firm, Data & AI Leadership Exchange.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

aerial photo of port of miami

East and Gulf coast strike averted with 11th-hour agreement

Shippers today are praising an 11th-hour contract agreement that has averted the threat of a strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports that could have frozen container imports and exports as soon as January 16.

The agreement came late last night between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) representing some 45,000 workers and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) that includes the operators of port facilities up and down the coast.

Keep ReadingShow less
Logistics industry growth slowed in December
Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics industry growth slowed in December

Logistics industry growth slowed in December due to a seasonal wind-down of inventory and following one of the busiest holiday shopping seasons on record, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The monthly LMI was 57.3 in December, down more than a percentage point from November’s reading of 58.4. Despite the slowdown, economic activity across the industry continued to expand, as an LMI reading above 50 indicates growth and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Keep ReadingShow less
forklifts in warehouse

Demand for warehouse space cooled off slightly in fourth quarter

The overall national industrial real estate vacancy rate edged higher in the fourth quarter, although it still remains well below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis by Cushman & Wakefield.

Vacancy rates shrunk during the pandemic to historically low levels as e-commerce sales—and demand for warehouse space—boomed in response to massive numbers of people working and living from home. That frantic pace is now cooling off but real estate demand remains elevated from a long-term perspective.

Keep ReadingShow less
drawing of warehouse for digital twin

Kion Group teams with Accenture and Nvidia to design intelligent warehouses

German lift truck giant Kion Group will work with the consulting firm Accenture to optimize supply chain operations using advanced AI and simulation technologies provided by microchip powerhouse Nvidia, the companies said Tuesday.

The three companies say the deal will allow clients to both define ideal set-ups for new warehouses and to continuously enhance existing facilities with Mega, an Nvidia Omniverse blueprint for large-scale industrial digital twins. The strategy includes a digital twin powered by physical AI – AI models that embody principles and qualities of the physical world – to improve the performance of intelligent warehouses that operate with automated forklifts, smart cameras and automation and robotics solutions.

Keep ReadingShow less