Suite deal. RedPrairie Corp., a provider of supply chain technologies, has signed a partnership agreement with ConnecTerra Inc., a supplier of enterprise software for device computing. Under the agreement, RedPrairie will become a reseller of ConnecTerra's RFTagAware for advanced data collection, device and process management. RFTagAware will be tightly integrated into RedPrairie's DigitaLogistix suite of RFID-enabled middleware and supply chain execution systems.
To Infinity and beyond. FKI Logistex White Systems, a designer and maker of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) for manufacturers and distributors, has signed an exclusive agreement with SemiNet Automation under which SemiNet will use White Systems' vertical carousels exclusively in its SafeGuard and Infinity storage systems. The SemiNet SafeGuard and Infinity product lines are designed for applications in semiconductor and biotech manufacturing.
Soft sell. Illinois-based software provider Lansa has just become an Honors Partner-Silver for Intermec Technologies Corp. Lansa offers application development, e-business solutions, technology integration and data access. The Intermec partnership also adds mobile computing, RFID and automated data collection capabilities for Lansa's customers.
Delivering Brand Central. TNT Logistics North America has added two additional delivery points to its network of home delivery operations for Sears Logistics Services (SLS). SLS is the logistics arm for Sears, Roebuck and Co. TNT now offers 23 delivery points for Sears with the recent additions of Nashville, Tenn., and Royersford, Pa. The new operations deliver home appliances and other white goods to Sears' new residential construction customers.
Out of this world. ClearOrbit, a provider of real-time supply chain execution software solutions, has been chosen to provide an advanced shipping methods solution for ArvinMeritor, a leading supplier to automotive OEMs and aftermarket sellers. The ClearOrbit solution, which integrates with ArvinMeritor's Oracle ERP system, allows parts to move directly from work-in-process lines to ArvinMeritor's shipping docks, providing maximum flexibility to respond to changing customer needs.
In the Army now. Everett, Wash.-based Intermec Technologies has inked a contract with the U.S. Department of the Army to deliver mobile computing, automatic identification systems and wireless networking technologies. The deal could be worth as much as $238 million over the next five years. While the Army will act as administrator, Intermec will actually provide equipment, systems and services to all branches of the Department of Defense. It's all part of the DOD's Automatic Identification Technology initiative, which will provide asset visibility throughout its global supply chain.
Smooth sailing. Shipcom Wireless has chosen to partner with Psion Teklogix to offer mobile computing and RFID solutions to a range of vertical markets. Shipcom Wireless, which produces software for enterprise mobility, RFID, supply chain automation and business process modeling solutions, will use Psion Teklogix's line of rugged mobile computing devices to run its Catamaran and Catamaran RFID software.
Do you hear a solution? Following a pilot program, TJX Companies, the corporate parent of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores, has selected Voxware's VoiceLogistics system for its fulfillment operations. Voxware is a New Jersey-based provider of voice-directed logistics solutions. TJX showed substantial increases in picking accuracy and productivity during the pilot. The initial deployment is at TJX's Woburn, Mass., distribution facility.
No slow boats to China here. FedEx Express has partnered with Intermec Technologies to develop a new dispatch system designed to capture accurate information about package pickup and delivery operations in real time. Initially, FedEx will deploy the system for its couriers in China. Known as GPRS-Dispatch, the initiative combines software developed by FedEx with Intermec's handheld mobile computers. Using real-time information provided by the system, FedEx expects to reduce pickup response time from 1.5 hours to just 1 hour.
A prophetic vision for growth. In its fourth acquisition in just over a year, Prophet 21, a provider of technology solutions and software for distributors, has acquired software company Dynamic Data Solutions. Dynamic Data Solutions produces Turns, an enterprise software program for medical product distributors. The company says that customers will benefit from the marriage of Dynamic Data Solutions' specific vertical market expertise with Prophet 21's technology leadership and corporate strength. Prophet 21 is based in Yardley, Pa.
The number of container ships waiting outside U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports has swelled from just three vessels on Sunday to 54 on Thursday as a dockworker strike has swiftly halted bustling container traffic at some of the nation’s business facilities, according to analysis by Everstream Analytics.
As of Thursday morning, the two ports with the biggest traffic jams are Savannah (15 ships) and New York (14), followed by single-digit numbers at Mobile, Charleston, Houston, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Baltimore, and Miami, Everstream said.
The impact of that clogged flow of goods will depend on how long the strike lasts, analysts with Moody’s said. The firm’s Moody’s Analytics division estimates the strike will cause a daily hit to the U.S. economy of at least $500 million in the coming days. But that impact will jump to $2 billion per day if the strike persists for several weeks.
The immediate cost of the strike can be seen in rising surcharges and rerouting delays, which can be absorbed by most enterprise-scale companies but hit small and medium-sized businesses particularly hard, a report from Container xChange says.
“The timing of this strike is especially challenging as we are in our traditional peak season. While many pulled forward shipments earlier this year to mitigate risks, stockpiled inventories will only cushion businesses for so long. If the strike continues for an extended period, we could see significant strain on container availability and shipping schedules,” Christian Roeloffs, cofounder and CEO of Container xChange, said in a release.
“For small and medium-sized container traders, this could result in skyrocketing logistics costs and delays, making it harder to secure containers. The longer the disruption lasts, the more difficult it will be for these businesses to keep pace with market demands,” Roeloffs said.
The British logistics robot vendor Dexory this week said it has raised $80 million in venture funding to support an expansion of its artificial intelligence (AI) powered features, grow its global team, and accelerate the deployment of its autonomous robots.
A “significant focus” continues to be on expanding across the U.S. market, where Dexory is live with customers in seven states and last month opened a U.S. headquarters in Nashville. The Series B will also enhance development and production facilities at its UK headquarters, the firm said.
The “series B” funding round was led by DTCP, with participation from Latitude Ventures, Wave-X and Bootstrap Europe, along with existing investors Atomico, Lakestar, Capnamic, and several angels from the logistics industry. With the close of the round, Dexory has now raised $120 million over the past three years.
Dexory says its product, DexoryView, provides real-time visibility across warehouses of any size through its autonomous mobile robots and AI. The rolling bots use sensor and image data and continuous data collection to perform rapid warehouse scans and create digital twins of warehouse spaces, allowing for optimized performance and future scenario simulations.
Originally announced in September, the move will allow Deutsche Bahn to “fully focus on restructuring the rail infrastructure in Germany and providing climate-friendly passenger and freight transport operations in Germany and Europe,” Werner Gatzer, Chairman of the DB Supervisory Board, said in a release.
For its purchase price, DSV gains an organization with around 72,700 employees at over 1,850 locations. The new owner says it plans to investment around one billion euros in coming years to promote additional growth in German operations. Together, DSV and Schenker will have a combined workforce of approximately 147,000 employees in more than 90 countries, earning pro forma revenue of approximately $43.3 billion (based on 2023 numbers), DSV said.
After removing that unit, Deutsche Bahn retains its core business called the “Systemverbund Bahn,” which includes passenger transport activities in Germany, rail freight activities, operational service units, and railroad infrastructure companies. The DB Group, headquartered in Berlin, employs around 340,000 people.
“We have set clear goals to structurally modernize Deutsche Bahn in the areas of infrastructure, operations and profitability and focus on the core business. The proceeds from the sale will significantly reduce DB’s debt and thus make an important contribution to the financial stability of the DB Group. At the same time, DB Schenker will gain a strong strategic owner in DSV,” Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz said in a release.
Transportation industry veteran Anne Reinke will become president & CEO of trade group the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) at the end of the year, stepping into the position from her previous post leading third party logistics (3PL) trade group the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), both organizations said today.
Meanwhile, TIA today announced that insider Christopher Burroughs would fill Reinke’s shoes as president & CEO. Burroughs has been with TIA for 13 years, most recently as its vice president of Government Affairs for the past six years, during which time he oversaw all legislative and regulatory efforts before Congress and the federal agencies.
Before her four years leading TIA, Reinke spent two years as Deputy Assistant Secretary with the U.S. Department of Transportation and 16 years with CSX Corporation.
National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) kicked off its 2024 season this week with a call for volunteers. The group, which honors U.S. military veterans through a range of civic outreach programs, is seeking trucking companies and professional drivers to help deliver wreaths to cemeteries across the country for its annual wreath-laying ceremony, December 14.
“Wreaths Across America relies on the transportation industry to move the mission. The Honor Fleet, composed of dedicated carriers, professional drivers, and other transportation partners, guarantees the delivery of millions of sponsored veterans’ wreaths to their destination each year,” Courtney George, WAA’s director of trucking and industry relations, said in a statement Tuesday. “Transportation partners benefit from driver retention and recruitment, employee engagement, positive brand exposure, and the opportunity to give back to their community’s veterans and military families.”
WAA delivers wreaths to more than 4,500 locations nationwide, and as of this week had added more than 20 loads to be delivered this season. The wreaths are donated by sponsors from across the country, delivered by truckers, and laid at the graves of veterans by WAA volunteers.
Wreaths Across America
Transportation companies interested in joining the Honor Fleet can visit the WAA website to find an open lane or contact the WAA transportation team at trucking@wreathsacrossamerica.org for more information.