UPS today announced it has the necessary financing in place for its intended recommended public offer for TNT Express N.V.   On March 19, 2012, UPS and TNT Express jointly announced conditional agreement on a recommended all-cash offer of €9.50 per ordinary share for TNT Express (the “Offer”).   The Offer values 100% of the issued and outstanding TNT Express ordinary shares at approximately €5.16 billion. UPS will finance the Offer by using approximately €3.7 billion of available cash on its balance sheet and approximately €1.46 billion in debt through existing credit facilities.   In line with regulatory requirements, UPS will submit a request for approval of its Offer Memorandum to the Netherlands Authority for the Financial markets later today. The Offer Memorandum is expected to be published and the Offer is expected to commence during the second quarter in accordance with the applicable timetable. Quelle: eyefortransport Portal: www.logistik-express.com  

Sale driven by a strategic focus on growth of company's core businesses   Caterpillar Inc.today announced it has signed an agreement that would result in Platinum Equity acquiring a 65 percent equity stake in Caterpillar Logistics Services LLC. The pending sale of the third party business supports Caterpillar's increased focus on the continuing growth opportunities in its core businesses. The overall transaction is valued at approximately $750 million.   Under the terms of the agreement, Caterpillar would retain a 35 percent equity stake. Other terms are not being disclosed. The closing of the transaction is pending customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals and consultation with employees and employee representatives, in accordance with local, country and regional employment practices.   "The sale of the third party logistics business would be a key step in the execution of our enterprise strategy. This event enables Caterpillar to increase its focus on our core business that aligns with our strategic business model," said Stu Levenick, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Customer & Dealer Support. "We believe the transaction with Platinum will set the...

Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, 8 May, 2012 – CEVA Logistics, one of the world’s leading supply chain management companies, today reports results for the three months ending 31 March 2012.   Highlights   Revenue of €1,712 million driven by strong performance in Contract Logistics and Ocean freight Adjusted EBITDA of €66 million, down 7% reflecting difficult market conditions Balance sheet strengthened by transformational financing Continued focus on building market position in the months ahead New business wins of €504 million exceed target.   John Pattullo, CEO, said: “Even in these more difficult markets, CEVA continues to make progress.  Our Ocean business performed well and we continued to make solid gains in Contract Logistics driven by excellent performance from the Automotive and Industrial sectors.  The Airfreight market continues to be challenging, with CEVA’s performance mirroring that of many of our competitors.”   1Adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of specific items which are significant non-recurring items such as restructuring and certain legal expenses. Previously, this measure of performance was called EBITDA...

Board of Directors Created; Company Poised for Bold Future Growth.   AIT Worldwide Logistics is proud to announce co-founders Dan Lisowski and Steve Leturno have sold majority ownership of the company in a friendly management buyout (MBO) to the newly created board of directors headed by Vaughn Moore, President and CEO, with Executive Vice Presidents Keith Tholan, Ray Fennelly and Joe Kayser. The acquisition was finalised on May 4, 2012.   “Our management group intimately knows and cares about our co-workers,” said Lisowski. “They understand AIT's philosophical principles and embrace the company's business plan. These factors eased our minds in making the emotionally charged decision to sell AIT.”   As the final stage of a transition that started in 2010 with Moore being named AIT’s president, the MBO heralds the beginning of the next chapter in the company’s history. Commenting on the buyout, Moore signaled the leadership’s intention to enthusiastically pursue new business opportunities. “Our focus is to vigorously grow AIT by expanding our existing services and vertical markets while also seeking opportunities in new lines of business,” he said....

Express carrier strengthens international giant hand in Europe.   FedEx wrapped up its second European acquisition in two months May 10, signing an agreement to purchase French express shipping company Tatex.The business-to-business express carrier has 1,000 employees and a nationwide network in France, including a central hub in Lieusaint, just south of Paris.   Tatex carries more than 19 million parcels a year, specializing in the high-tech, spare parts, automotive and clothing sectors, and has about $198 million in revenue.The company has 35 shipping centers including six regional hubs in France.In April FedEx bought Polish courier company Opek, its first European acquisition following UPS’s $6.8 billion takeover of the Dutch TNT Express in mid-March.   FedEx is also growing organically in Europe, opening 26 stations across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Northern Ireland so far in fiscal 2012.The acquisitions of Tatex and Opek are expected to boost FedEx’s annual sales in Europe by about $270 million. Quelle: eyefortransport Portal: www.logistik-express.com  

JLR's logistics provider, DHL, will manage this purpose-built automotive logistics site.   Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that a new logistics facility in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, will open this summer to support the global sales success of both the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Freelander 2. JLR's logistics provider, DHL, will manage this purpose-built automotive logistics site to enhance its existing operations at JLR's Halewood plant, creating around 300 new jobs.   The news comes as JLR has reported that it has increased the value of UK supply contracts by £1.0 billion, in addition to the £2.0 billion supply contracts it awarded to more than 40 UK suppliers in March 2011. These suppliers provide components, facilities and services to support the Range Rover Evoque production line at Halewood on Merseyside.   The demand that the Company has seen across the globe for the Range Rover Evoque means that it is able to significantly increase what it spends with suppliers. Quelle: eyefortransport Portal: www.logistik-express.com  

The European Logistics Association (ELA) honored Penske Logistics and Ford Motor Company with this year’s European Award for Logistics Excellence 2012 award for the innovative Network Integrator concept developed by the two companies.   The winning case study submission is a joint project of Ford’s European Customer Service Division (FCSD) and Penske Logistics to optimize spare-parts supply chain enabling collaboration for multiple car brands across Europe. The award ceremony today took place in Kiev, Ukraine.                                                                                   The Network Integrator concept has been a success story on spare-parts logistics optimization for many years. It’s application has led to savings in transportation of more than 25 million truck kilometers* and a reduction of more than 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year, based on an assumption of 750,000 shipments annually, with further potential in the years ahead.   The team behind the concept consists...

Geodis Wilson, the leading global freight management company and freight forwarding arm of the Geodis Group, has been selected by the world renowned stationery and multi-product manufacturer, BIC as a logistics partner in Dubai, UAE.   Geodis Wilson will perform a variety of warehousing and logistics functions for the multi-national. The contract, between BIC Middle East & Africa (BIC MEA) and Geodis Wilson, is for a two-year duration.   Commenting on Geodis Wilson’s successful business acquisition, the Company’s Supply Chain Manager for the UAE Ram Padmanabhan said, “We are, of course delighted to partner with such a global brand as BIC and have already begun to exhibit the high level of customer service, reliability and efficient integration of logistics functions, for which Geodis Wilson is well-known.  We look forward to working with BIC for the duration of this contract and for many years to come.”   BIC is a world leader in the supply of pens, stationery, lighters, shavers and promotional products.  For sixty years now it has been committed to providing high-quality, affordable products to consumers throughout the world. BIC’s net sales in 2011 topped Euros...

I.D. Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDSY), a leading provider of wireless solutions for securing, tracking and managing high-value enterprise assets, today announced that BASF (FRA:BAS), the world's leading chemical company, is expanding its deployment of I.D. Systems' VeriWise™ Track and Trace systems for managing fleets of trailers, totes, and railcars.   VeriWise Track and Trace provides real-time data to improve the efficiency and security of transportation fleets. It is designed for quick, flexible installation on a wide range of cargo-carrying assets, with patented power management technology to provide exceptionally long battery life and years of maintenance-free operation. Track and Trace is also unique in its intrinsic safety, with Underwriter Laboratories' highest certification for use in proximity to hazardous materials.   BASF (www.basf.us) manufactures a broad portfolio of chemicals, plastics, petroleum, crop protection products, and other materials that contribute to resource conservation, healthy food and nutrition, and an enhanced quality of life. Based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, with North American headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey, BASF is ranked 71st on the "Global 100" list of the...

Andrew Austin, CEO of Priority Freight examines some of the latest trends affecting the logistics industry.   Logistics – or at least the traditionally narrower definition of Transport – was long known as the barometer for industry, and an indication of the well-being, or otherwise, of the economy.  Increasing demand for logistics services would normally be the immediate precursor to an improved sense of well-being, followed by an increase in consumption in the marketplace.   The relative simplicity of this model has been replaced by the more complex supply-chain, where the shipment of goods itself is only one part of the equation. The supply-chain itself involves the multiple stages of collection of raw materials, the manufacture of products, to the eventual distribution of these products for their eventual sale or use, as well as coordinating the related marketing and IT requirements that such goods may generate. This complexity, together with the distances involved over which the supply-chain operates, has, at times, highlighted the vulnerability of the constituent parts and the various participants themselves.   The impact of recent natural disasters on the effectivity of the...

In 1Q12, TNT Express experienced mixed economic conditions in Europe and slowing Asia-Europe trading volumes. Europe & MEA was affected by negative price and product mix developments.   Results in Asia-Pacific, while under pressure because of weakness out of Asia, benefited from the strong performance of the Australian operations and cost reductions. China Domestic performed according to plan. Americas saw improved performance from Brazil. Non-allocated costs were lower.   Commenting on the results, Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO said:   ‘As announced at the beginning of the year, the first quarter of 2012 has been challenging, given the ongoing sluggish business environment. In Europe, cost savings and commercial initiatives are being pursued to mitigate revenue pressure. Profitability in Asia-Pacific improved, despite weak intercontinental demand. Americas also improved, with better results in Brazil. In parallel, we are supporting progress towards completion of the proposed offer by UPS. We anticipate discussing the proposed offer with our shareholders during an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting to be held in 3Q12.   2012 outlook and aims:   - Mixed economic conditions in Europe...

Supply Chain Executives from Hi-tech and Electronics Companies in the Asia Pacific have answered some key questions on their Asia Pacific supply chains, in the aftermath of the Thai floods and Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami.   The survey from which the report was developed had over 200 respondents and looked at some of the aftermath of major disasters that affected the Hi-tech industry in Asia over the past 18 months including the Thai floods and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. It discovered that over 25% of hi-tech company respondents found that it took longer than 2 months to recover from the effects of the flooding.   The resulting report also looked at some key supply chain management processes in Asia. These included how supply chain executives found customer demand forecasting, end-to-end supply chain collaboration and visibility through the supply chain.   Key findings included 20% of respondents finding natural disasters to have significant impact on their supply chains, over 30% of respondents saw themselves as having bad customer demand forecasting and only 15% of respondents reported having full visibility through the supply chain.   These key industry questions will be discussed...

Provisions for the EU and Swiss antitrust fines of CHF 59 million resulted in a loss of CHF 40 million for the Panalpina Group in the first quarter of 2012. Panalpina has decided to appeal the European Commission’s decision to the European General Court.   The Group reported a gross profit decrease of 3% (+1% currency adjusted) compared to the first quarter of 2011. Gross profit margin increased to 23.6%. Volumes in Ocean Freight reached a record high and continued to outperform the market (+7% year-on-year). Volumes in Air Freight were affected by a negative market and the profitability restoration program (-8% year-on-year).   “While we did very well in Ocean Freight, gaining market share, we knew that the first quarter would be a difficult one for Air Freight, especially in comparison to last year’s exceptional first quarter. In anticipation of the difficult market environment and a challenging 2012 we already reacted last year and introduced cost containment measures. This led to a flat development of the operating expenses quarter-on-quarter“, said CEO Monika Ribar. The Group has decided to appeal the European Commission’s decision on the antitrust fine. “We believe the...

Panalpina and RedPrairie have entered into a strategic partnership which enables Panalpina to utilize RedPrairie’s comprehensive suite of powerful supply chain applications.   With RedPrairie’s proven technology and support services, Panalpina can strengthen its offering of Value-Added Logistics Services (VAS). The strategic partnership will allow Panalpina, a leading provider of supply chain solutions, to drive automation and efficiency within its Logistics product division.   VAS plays an increasingly important role for providing customers with integrated supply chain services. By combining VAS with its Air and Ocean Freight services Panalpina is able to provide complete end-to-end solutions to its customers. "The RedPrairie suite gives us a global standardized platform for logistics and the ability to provide customized, flexible solutions for our customers in key VAS areas such as Inbound to Manufacturing, Production and Postponement Services and Distribution and Aftermarket Services," explained Mike Wilson, Panalpina's Global Head of Logistics.   Flexible   “Flexibility is a key part of our expansive technology offering,” confirmed Mike Mayoras,...

Supply chain executives from medical device manufacturers have revealed their thoughts on supply chain security threats in a global survey conducted in January/February 2012.   The report released in April demonstrates how these companies saw regulatory compliance as the biggest supply chain security threat.  The report also looks at the top supply chain priorities for these executives for 2012 and their supply chain visibility strategies.   In the 2012 Life Sciences Supply Chain – Medical Device Focus Report supply chain executives from medical device manufacturers, including Philips Healthcare, Smith & Nephew & Boston Scientific discuss what they saw as the biggest supply chain security.  69% voted regulatory compliance as number one and this was closely  followed by increased supply chain complexity (52%) and lack of overall supply chain visibility (34%).  This corresponds with telephone interviews with executives who stated that compliance challenges posed the biggest supply chain headache.   The report  goes on to investigate the top supply chain priorities for medical device manufacturers in 2012.  Cost control and reducing inventory were highlighted as the...

On May 1st, 2012, the logistics market in the Czech Republic witnessed the successful completion of the merger of logistics companies Raben Logistics Czech and Raben Trans European Czech (formerly Wincanton Czech Republic). The joined companies have formed one which is now among the biggest logistics providers in this country. The new company is called Raben Logistics Czech.   On May 1st, 2012, the logistics market in the Czech Republic witnessed the successful completion of the merger of logistics companies Raben Logistics Czech and Raben Trans European Czech (formerly Wincanton Czech Republic). The joined companies have formed one which is now among the biggest logistics providers in this country. The new company is called Raben Logistics Czech.   "We learn from our own experience and before we decide to make acquisitions, we take under consideration many aspects - product fit, company culture, position on the market, profitability and management. Integration of companies is a crucial process. Whenever we have achieved standards of our Group we are ready for further organic growth" - says Ewald Raben, CEO of Raben Group.   Raben Group entered the Czech market in 2008 by purchasing 60% of shares...

DSV has announced revenues of DKK10,819m in the first quarter of 2012, a marginal increase compared to DKK10,793m in the same period of 2011.   Gross profit reached DKK2,435m, a year-on-year increase of 2.7%, resulting in a margin of 22.5% (22.0% in Q1 2011). The company stated that its profits were affected by special items of DKK251m relating to its restructuring plan announced in 2011.   The company's Air & Sea division announced revenue declines of 5% to DKK4,414m compared to DKK4,665m in the first quarter of 2011. However, the division's EBITA increased from DKK291m to DKK298m. The company attributed the revenue decline to reduced volumes and lower average freight rates of shipping companies and airlines. The positive EBITA performance was attributed to growth in the US and Asia, whereas weak growth and reduced imports had an adverse effect on European activities.   The performance of DSV's Road division offset the revenue declines experienced by its Air & Sea division. The Road division increased its revenues by 3.4% year-on-year to DKK5,785m. EBITA also increased from DKK179m to DKK220m. Increased road freight volumes of approximately 3% resulted in organic growth for the division. The...

GT Nexus, a leading global cloud supply chain management company and Kinaxis have announced a strategic partnership to deliver the industry’s only cloud-based unified planning and execution platform for enterprise customers and business process outsourcing (BPO) service providers.   While companies have invested heavily in enterprise software and B2B messaging “middleware” solutions to help them optimize inventory and fulfilment strategies, the vision of a fully integrated and responsive supply chain network has remained unfulfilled. This is because of the enormous information barrier that companies face when trying to make smart planning decisions in the context of highly dynamic and complex global supply chain structures.   The partnership between GT Nexus and Kinaxis combines the best of both companies – the planning and simulation “brains” of the Kinaxis platform with the inter-enterprise execution network of GT Nexus and supports both enterprise customers seeking control tower solutions, as well as BPO practices that require an “on demand” IT infrastructure to quickly deploy and manage integrated planning and execution processes for their largest, most strategic...

The logistics service provider Logwin and Deutsche Textil Logistik (DTL) with its owners Meyer & Meyer and Barth + Co. have concluded a long-term framework agreement concerning cooperation in the German transport network with immediate effect.   The cooperation is the response by DTL and Logwin to developments in the volumes of hanging garments transported, which have been falling for several years. Bundling volumes will provide customers with full geographical coverage with optimised elapse times, overall as well as especially in regions with poor infrastructure. Both parties will continue to operate independently in the markets that are relevant for them. Logwin and DTL will thus continue to maintain and develop their own customer relationships.   Through to the end of 2013, DTL will gradually increase the volumes of hanging and flat-packed garments, lifestyle products and fashion-related goods it feeds into Logwin’s network. The services will cover collecting, transhipping, long-distance transport and final distribution of all groups of goods. Logwin will create the logistic infrastructure and IT conditions required for the partnership in close consultation with DTL and will expand its German retail...

Over 200 Hi-tech and Electronics Supply Chain Executives have revealed their thoughts on hi-tech and electronics reverse logistics and after sales services in a Survey conducted in March and April of 2012.   The report identifies key ways in which hi-tech companies and their solution providers are incorporating reverse logistics and after sales services into their company strategies. The report then focusses on some of the areas supply chain executives are looking to improve their reverse logistics processes and relationships with logistics service providers.   The survey revealed key insight, including howLess than 10% of hi-tech companies reported having full collaboration with their Aftermarket Services and Reverse Logistics partners yet, over 20% of logistics service providers reported having full collaboration with their hi-tech counterparts.   You can access a full copy of the report here.   Both this year’s Hi-tech and Electronics Supply Chain Summit in Amsterdam, May 9th and 10th  and Asia Pacific Hi-tech and Electronics Supply Chain Summit in Singapore, September 18th and 19th will feature a session looking at reverse logistics and aftermarket services.   Complimentary...

Norbert Dentressangle has been appointed to manage UK warehousing and distribution operations for electrical retailer, Comet.   Worth around £100 million over the next five years, the new deal further strengthens Norbert Dentressangle’s position as one of the UK’s leading providers of logistics services to major multi-channel retailers.   Acquired by OpCapita LLP in February 2012, Comet has more than 275,000 sq m of selling space across 241 stores throughout the UK, along with its on-line channel which offers the retailer’s complete range of home electricals for ‘click and collect’ or home delivery.   Norbert Dentressangle will be responsible for managing all activities at Comet’s RDCs in Skelmersdale and Harlow, including receipt, put-away, store picking, despatch and returns management. At both Harlow and Skelmersdale, the company will also bulk pick product for trans-shipment into Comet’s network of 12 home delivery platforms.   Using a dedicated fleet of around 50 tractors and 160, mainly double-deck, trailers, Norbert Dentressangle will be responsible for all transport out of the two RDCs, along with two further outbases in Scotland and the South...

Kempten, Munich. 17 April 2012. In 2011, the internationally operating logistics provider, Dachser, posted double-digit growth and raised group revenue by 13% to EUR 4.3 billion. 21,000 staff working in 315 profit centres worldwide contribute to the family-owned company’s success.   In 2011 Dachser handled 49.3 million consignments weighing a total of 37.1 million tonnes. “Following the crisis and a period of recovery the markets stabilized again somewhat last year. Dachser was thus able to return to the growth corridor we have defined as being ideal for long-term organic growth,” Bernhard Simon, head of the Dachser management board, said, commenting on last year’s business figures.      Over the next five years, Dachser intends to invest around EUR 1.3 billion, above all in its European overland transport network.    Qualified specialists – a particular “plus point”    Investing in future generations is also a matter of great importance to Bernhard Simon: “Over 1,200 young people are currently involved in vocational training schemes at Dachser in Germany. Consistently investing in initial and advanced training is the only way to...

Dennis Omanoff has joined Seagate Technology as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Supply Chain and Procurement.   The 20-billion company (NASDAZ:STX) is the world leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions increasingly in demand because of the ongoing digital information explosion.  Storage requirements continue to expand not only with traditional products such as computers and servers, but also because of new cloud networks and mobile devices.   These trends create enormous challenges for Seagate's globally complex supply chain.  Following last year's challenges caused by floods in Thailand that disrupted supplies of disk-drive components, Seagate has transitioned its portfolio across all markets and begun streamlining its global supply chain operations.   Seagate reported strong financial performance this week. Quelle: eyefortransport Portal: www.logistik-express.com     

Supply chain executives from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers have revealed their thoughts on contract manufacturing in a global survey conducted in January/February 2012.   The report released in April demonstrates how these companies are looking to increase their use of contract manufacturers in the next 12 months and their key reasons for doing so.  The report also looks at the top supply chain priorities for these executives for 2012 and their supply chain visibility strategies.   In the 2012 series of Life Sciences Supply Chain reports supply chain executives from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, including Philips Healthcare, Smith & Nephew, Novartis, Amgen and Astra Zeneca, discuss their relationships with contract manufacturers in the next year.  The substantial numbers employing the services of these companies seem to indicate a high level of satisfaction.  However, the complexity of the relationships (29%) and cost (26%) were deemed as key reasons for not working with contract manufacturers.   The reports go on to investigate the top supply chain priorities for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in 2012.  Forecasting and S&OP...

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has announced the launch of an additional dedicated weekly freight service from Sydney to its global network.   A dedicated Boeing 777 freighter is now flying twice a week on the company's Dubai-Singapore-Sydney-Hong Kong-Dubai route, providing these key trading points with additional connectivity to Emirates' Dubai hub and onwards to further destinations in the carrier's network.   The additional service comes seven months after the introduction of the first dedicated freighter service. The company stated that the Boeing 777 freighter has the capability to carry up to 103 tonnes of cargo and will boost Emirates SkyCargo's import capacity to more than 1,500 tonnes per week.   "The demand for a bi-weekly service is a good indication of Australia's growing importance as a trade partner to major international markets," said Greg Johnson, Emirates' Cargo Manager Australia. Emirates SkyCargo is committed to providing Australian businesses access to trade opportunities in the 70-plus countries we operate to via our state-of-the-art Cargo Mega Terminal in Dubai."   "With new markets also opening up as more points on our ever-expanding...