Topic: Automation

NS officials said the $97.5 million facility is part of the $2.5 billion Crescent Corridor initiative, which aims to establish an efficient, high-capacity intermodal freight rail route between the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. This facility is located on a 316-acre site in McCalla, Alabama.

The parties are making good progress on a number of difficult issues at the full committee and subcommittee levels, according to FMCS.

Fleet management software is evolving from a tool to track truck maintenance to a platform to drive deeper process improvements.

We examine how warehouse and distribution center design and operations have evolved to play a critical role in meeting overall business objectives in today’s multi-channel world.

With yesterday’s news that the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have achieved a détente of sorts in their ongoing labor negotiations, having reached a 90-day extension through December 29, with help from the United States Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, this development provides hope that an actual labor strike can be averted altogether.

The prospect of a strike at United States East and Gulf Coast-based ports, which was widely expected in freight transportation logistics circles in recent weeks at the end of September, is on hold—for now, at least.

If the materials handling industry is any indicator, the economy is healing.

While there are no new major developments in the ongoing stalemate in labor negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, that has not slowed down the public exchanges between the two parties as shippers Peak Season plans for moving cargo in and out of East and Gulf Coast ports hang in the balance.

NITL chief tells LaHood that his members—many of whom are responsible for making freight transportation decisions using all modes in both the U.S. and globally —would be adversely impacted by any shutdown of the nation’s ports.

In a letter to ILA President Harold Daggett and USMX Chairman and CEO James Capo, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said that the NRF is urging both parties to immediately resume contract negotiations, with the September 30 deadline creeping up.

Where there once appeared to be hope regarding avoiding a labor strike at East and Gulf cost ports, there are now, again, apprehensions over a potentially damaging labor-related squabble that could have a significant impact in shippers’ Peak Season operations planning.

On August 22, the ILA said its union’s negotiating sub-committee, known as the 20-member committee, meets with the employer's smaller negotiating committee in Delray Beach, Florida. And it added that the ILA and USMX have scheduled three days of meetings with this committee on August 22-24 and will likely call full Wage Scale meetings in early September.

Officials from the International Longshoremen’s Association, the largest union of maritime workers in North America, and the United States Maritime Alliance, an alliance of container carriers, direct employers, and port associations serving United States-based East and Gulf Coasts, recently reported progress is being made on negotiations for a new labor contract.

Supply chain managers are becoming increasingly aware of “location, location,” said spokesmen for NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

More companies are looking to materials handling automation to improve processes, streamline shipping operations, and lower supply chain operating costs. We asked 10 leading systems integrators what the future of automation holds in store.

In every issue of Logistics Management (LM) we devote an article to the growing importance that warehouse and distribution center (DC) operations are playing in transportation and overall logistics management.

Brian pierce, chief economist at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), recently reported that there are mixed signals for air cargo shippers during this year and heading into next. Air cargo shippers need to be aware of the current and future challenges that are facing air carriers in order to better position themselves for the service levels and capacity they’ll need if their companies are going to compete on a global level.

Amware officials said that ParcelPort will be integrated into Amware Logistics Services LLC as Amware Fulfillment Services.

The number of supply chain organizations planning to spend on materials handling equipment and technology is increasing; but after being in “survival mode” for so long, budgets are small and decision makers are still wary.