“The Third Coast” Port of Houston

Posted on September 14, 2015 by | 1 comment

An interesting take on the rapid developments in container movements.  Houston and the Gulf Coast ports have some impetus.  Where can you distribute from there?

While the West Coast struggles with congestion and dysfunctional politics, the Third Coast – the urbanized, broadly coastal region spanning the Gulf from Brownsville, Texas, to greater Tampa – is emerging as a center of industry, innovation, and economic growth.

Source: “The Third Coast” Port of Houston Primed for Success – Supply Chain 24/7

1 Comment

Posted in Logistics, Shipping, Strategy, Supply Chains

XPO Logistics Said Near Deal to Buy Con-way for $3 Billion Cash

Posted on September 11, 2015 by | Leave a comment

Yet another mega-merger in the 3PL space. But with all the headaches of putting together two large businesses, will more profits result?  I doubt it. as the article below makes clear, CHR grew organically from within, whereas XPO is growing through mergers.  As a veteran of some mergers, I think there are major operational and information (IT) obstacles that always need to be overcome, not to say differences in corporate culture.

According to Supply Chain 24/7’s correspondent, ‘in seeing how CH Robinson’s EBITDA translates to margins, and in realizing that XPO’s acquisition volume will likely slow in the years ahead, one could predict that XPO will perform very much like CH Robinson, and that questions surrounding profitability will soon be answered.’

Source: What CH Robinson Worldwide’s Profits Tell Us About XPO Logistics’ Future – Supply Chain 24/7

Source: XPO Logistics Said Near Deal to Buy Con-way for $3 Billion Cash – Supply Chain 24/7

Leave a comment

Posted in Logistics, Managerial Econ, Strategy, Supply Chains, Trucking

Tagged

Further Airline Problems are Brewing at UPS

Posted on September 10, 2015 by | Leave a comment

It’s hard to be sympathetic to airline pilots. They are at the top of the pay scale for unionized jobs. But they have a right to bargain, and a right to conclude a contract. There’s been no movement on completing a negotiation started 4 years ago.  That’s too long.

And it’s a hard job, with lots of work rules, very high technical knowledge and physical requirements, odd hours, and an earlier than usual retirement age.  Sort of like baseball players.

So when should they be allowed to strike?

 

The Independent Pilots Association (IPA), a trade union representing pilots at UPS, said its leadership has called on its 2,528 members to authorize a pilot strike against UPS.

Source: Further Airline Problems are Brewing at UPS – Supply Chain 24/7

Leave a comment

Posted in Air, Logistics, Supply Chains