Outsourced Logistics

Norfolk, Virginia – February 27, 2009 - CMA CGM (America) LLC announced today that Timothy Ring has been named Director, Inbound Trade and Government Cargo. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for the growth and development of inbound cargo volumes for the company’s transatlantic, Oceania, and Indian Subcontinent services. He will also continue to oversee all U.S. government shipments.

Tim joined the Washington, D.C. office of CMA CGM in November 2005. Since then, he has successfully developed and managed the company’s PL-480 / Title II program for the carriage of food aid worldwide. Tim serves as the liaison between the company and numerous governmental agencies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agriculture Service, United States Agency for International Development and various other non-governmental organizations and private voluntary organizations. Tim has worked with CMA CGM offices worldwide to expand the company’s involvement with the U.S. government’s Food Aid program.

Tim received his Bachelor’s degree in political science and American government from The Catholic University of America. His new role will be based in the company’s Norfolk, Virginia office, and he will report to Todd Rives, Vice President, Export Trade and Line Management.

About CMA CGM (America) LLC

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, CMA CGM (America) LLC is the U.S. agent of France-based container shipping giant CMA CGM. The company provides 23 services in and out of North America, and offers a global network to over 150 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.cma-cgm.com/usa.

About CMA CGM

Led by its founder Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM is currently the world’s third largest container shipping Group and is ranked number one in France. Operating a fleet of 400 vessels, including 100 company-owned, the Group serves over 400 ports around the world. In 2008, it carried more than nine million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). With a presence on all continents and in 150 countries through its network of 650 agencies, the Group employs 17,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.cma-cgm.com.

For more information, please contact:

Veronica Gerken

Manager, Marketing and Communications

(757) 961-2117

usa.vgerken@cma-cgm.com

HICKORY, NC, February 23, 2009 – Total Insight, LLC, an affiliate of Transportation Insight, LLC, expands its business services by acquiring Petra International, a professional solutions provider.

In a response to the changing market, Paul Thompson, CEO of Transportation Insight, partnered with Gary Ledford, President of Petra International, to acquire the associated proprietary consulting services and expertise of Petra International.  The acquisition resulted in the formation of Total Insight’s Professional Solutions Division headed by Gary Ledford as Vice President.

Petra International, founded in 1989, has helped over 300 executive leadership teams across numerous industries accomplish game-changing goals for excellence, productivity, and financial performance.  The acquisition by Total Insight pulls together Petra International’s resources with top management employees and experienced professionals from Total Insight and its affiliate Transportation Insight.

“In today’s evolving business environment, only the companies with exceptional human capital which produce superior products and services with high client satisfaction levels will thrive,” stated Paul Thompson, CEO.  “We are excited to add additional Professional Services Division to meet client needs for organizational development, executive coaching, lean consulting, and whole company strategy development and execution.  With the addition of these services to our existing supply chain management, technology, business intelligence, and business process optimization offerings, we are able to orchestrate many of the most ambitious and game-changing initiatives our clients need in our increasingly challenging marketplace.”

With almost 20 years in organizational consulting and management solutions, Petra (now Total Insight) complements and expands Transportation Insight’s services with comprehensive business solutions.  These solutions extend far beyond the supply chain to provide top-tier results to achieve and sustain client excellence.

Mr. Ledford discovered Transportation Insight when he was serving a company which already utilized Transportation Insight’s management services.  “I was so impressed by the value Transportation Insight created for their client company that the proposal to join the company’s services group, Total Insight, offered an irresistible opportunity to deliver excellence to the business community,” said Mr. Ledford.

About Transportation Insight

Transportation Insight improves client profitability and competitive advantage across the North American marketplace by lowering clients’ logistics costs, automating business processes with state-of-the-art transportation management system (TMS) applications, providing enterprise-wide business intelligence, and enhancing customer service.  For more information about how Transportation Insight can assist your company, please visit www.t-insight.com or call 828-485-5208.

About Total Insight

Total Insight helps clients achieve results through wholistic path™ business solutions which improve business processes, stimulate organizational and leadership development, and raise corporate execution ability to achieve and sustain excellence.  Total Insight professionals apply lean principles and industry best-practices to identify goals which optimize business flow to land those goals effectively and consistently.  For more information about how Total Insight can assist your company, please contact us at MoreInsight@totalinsight.com or call 828-485-5030.

RALEIGH, NC, February 19, 2009 — Reducing costs is vital for all companies as the global economy continues to decline. Some business leaders believe that the best approach to saving money is to make across-the-board cuts.  

However, Jim Tompkins, President and CEO of Tompkins Associates, stresses that the best response is to focus on cost reduction strategies. Tompkins outlines intelligent, aggressive ways to reduce costs in the podcast Supply Chain Cost Reduction as a Strategy, the latest installment of the supply chain globalization series.  

“‘Cut, cut, cut’ is not a strategy, and strategy must always, always, always come before action,” he says in the series’ introductory podcast. “Recession should be looked upon as an opportunity to improve business processes, and we must work smart and work hard now that the slope is steep.”  

Tompkins goes on to detail specific ways to reduce operational and capital expenditures so that survival and future growth are guaranteed.             

Upcoming podcast installments will focus on cost reduction strategies within specific areas:

● Asian sourcing

● Transportation

● Distribution operations

● Material handling systems

● Inventory  

● Technology

● Logistics outsourcing

● Energy  

Subscribe by email or via RSS feed at http://www.tompkinsinc.com/podcast to receive updates when a new episode from The Global Supply Chain Podcast series is available. You can also learn more about cost reduction strategies at http://www.tompkinsinc.com/costreduction.  

About Tompkins Associates

Tompkins Associates designs and integrates global end-to-end solutions for companies that embrace supply chain excellence. For more than 30 years, Tompkins has evolved with the marketplace to become the leading provider of global supply chain services, distribution operations consulting, technology implementation, material handling integration, and benchmarking and best practices. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, the company is known for innovative, practical solutions that improve supply chain performance and produce value-based results. For more information, visit www.tompkinsinc.com.  Subscribe to Tompkins Associates’ RSS feed for up-to-date information.  

CHERRY HILL, NJ, February 19, 2009 – AmeriQuest Transportation Services will bring together top-ranking executives representing the private fleet, truckload carrier, and rental and leasing sectors of the transportation industry at its annual Transportation Industry Symposium to be held April 16-18 at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, FL.

An intensive three-day conference, the AmeriQuest Transportation Industry Symposium provides industry executives with exceptional opportunities for networking with fellow leaders and hearing expert speakers lead discussions on topics that will have a major impact on guiding their companies in the future. “We’re bringing together the best minds in the industry at this crucial time to discover the best ways to nurture and capitalize on innovation,” said Douglas Clark, President and CEO of AmeriQuest.

Highlights of some of the topics that speakers and panels will discuss in an open forum are:

• The Current State and Future of Capital Markets – Focus on equity, debt, and leasing.

• Supply Management – Technology’s role in taking cost out of the chain.

• Business Sustainability: Doing More with Less – A report on a study performed by the food industry, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

• Economic Update – Focus on “where we are;” “where we are heading;” and “has the medicine started to work?”

• The United States Highway Infrastructure – This report will focus on what the stimulus package will accomplish and what impact other modes of transportation will have on the truck transportation industry.

• Labor Relations: Employee Free Choice Act – Among the many issues raised as a result of this bill is the issue of whether it will lead to the partial nationalization of all unionized firms, as well as what effect the bill have, if passed, on the economy and directly on transportation businesses.

• Tactics and Strategies for Managing Business in a Recession Environment – This will include suggestions from leaders of companies who are preparing themselves for the return of a good economy.

A detailed agenda is now available at www.ameriquestcorp.com/symposium.

To register to attend the event or for more information, go to www.ameriquestcorp.com/symposium or contact Kate Barnes at 856-382-4701 or e-mail kbarnes@ameriquestcorp.com.

About AmeriQuest Transportation Services

AmeriQuest is a leading provider of comprehensive fleet management services in North America. By leveraging the strength of over 700,000 vehicles, AmeriQuest delivers savings, expertise, and opportunities to its private fleet and truckload carrier members. AmeriQuest provides supply management services, asset management services, material handling services, financing, technology products, and outsourced transportation management services such as full service leasing, integrated logistics, and contract maintenance. More information can be found at ameriquestcorp.com.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



NATIONAL RETAIL SYSTEMS DEPLOYS CLEAN TRUCK FLEET IN LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH

Leading Retail Logistics Provider Will Operate 115 Privately-Financed Clean Trucks

To Avoid Additional Fees for Customers

Los Angeles (Feb. 17, 2009) – National Retail Systems, Inc. (NRS), a leading provider of global logistics services to America’s retailers, has deployed 115 Clean Air pier trucks to comply with the Clean Truck Program requirementsscheduled to take effect tomorrow at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Under Clean Truck Program provisions, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach have created a not-for-profit company called PortCheck to collect a $70 per 40-foot shipping container fee for shipments entering and leaving the port on a non U.S. EPA 2007 compliant truck. Cargo owners will be responsible for paying the Clean Truck Fee beginning tomorrow, payable by credit card or electronic funds transfer, before a loaded container can enter or leave any marine terminal in Los Angeles or Long Beach.

“We primarily serve retailers and our customers just can’t incur extra supply chain costs in this economy,” said Raymond Wisniewski, President & COO of NRS. “That’s why we have been planning since early last year to ensure a smooth transition for our customers. Using our new Clean Air fleet, they will avoid the fees and also help to improve the environment in Los Angeles and Long Beach.”

NRS is fully prepared to comply with the Clean Truck Program regulations. Last year, the company applied to participate in the Port of Los Angeles incentive program and immediately began privately financing the acquisition of new trucks that exceed the standards of the Clean Truck Program. These trucks are in full compliance with 2007 guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that exempt them from Clean Truck Program fees. NRS is operating the trucks with company-hired drivers in cooperation with local labor unions.

NRS has deployed a Clean Truck pier fleet with capacity to handle 70,000 TEU imports per year, with plans to increase the fleet to handle 300,000 TEU imports per year by the end of 2009.

“Our new fleet, while reducing cost for our customers, also aligns with our long-term commitment to provide green logistics solutions for retailers,” Wisniewski said.

As a partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership, NRS last year received the highest possible score of 1.25 during EPA’s SmartWay FLEET performance evaluation. This places NRS among the transportation industry’s environmental performance leaders according to the EPA.

NRS has been well established in Southern California for 25 years as an innovator and leader in DC bypass, cross-dock and value-added distribution services, including ticketing, pick and pack, labeling, inventory replenishment and warehouse management. The company operates an automated distribution center and additional facilities totaling 1.2 million square feet within a 10-mile range of the Port of Los Angeles. This strategic position allows NRS to integrate pier drayage directly into the retail supply chain, offering customers a turn-key distribution solution for speed and flexibility supported by NRS’s real-time visibility system.

ABOUT NRS

Since 1953, National Retail Systems Inc. has pioneered many of the retail logistics processes considered cutting edge today. The company operates an international network of transportation and distribution assets focused on one goal – delivering efficient and reliable logistics solutions to America’s leading brands. NRS delivers competitive supply chain advantage – from factory all the way to the store through an exlcusive joint venture with China logistics provider Sinotrans. Together, SinoNRS and NRS offer factory pick-up in Asia; international consolidation; freight forwarding; value-added services; import management; transload; distribution and warehousing; DC bypass; nationwide full-truckload and LTL transportation; pool point services; dedicated fleets; yard management; and store delivery.

For more information, visit www.nrsonline.com.

Media Contact: Gordon Forsyth, BSY Associates Inc., (732) 817-0400 x15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2009

Contact: Lisa Allen, Marketing Specialist,260-496-8259 x 304, lallen@cornerstones.com

CORNERSTONE SOLUTIONS’ PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT WAREHOUSING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COUNCIL (WERC) 2009

FORT WAYNE, IN – Chris Werling, President, Cornerstone Solutions, an independent supply chain management consulting firm, will speak on proven methods to optimize operational efficiencies within the distribution environment, as they relate to picking and put-away processes at the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) Conference,  April 26-29, in Atlanta, Ga.

Werling will speak to supply chain managers who have been directed to drive down costs while improving cycle times to help with cash flow in his presentation, “Designing Effective Picking & Putaway Strategies,” on April 27 at 3:30 pm.  Supply chain managers will learn how to select the most appropriate and efficient picking methods and recognize the return on investment that can be determined from adjusting their picking and put-away processes.  He will also facilitate two roundtables on the same topic, April 28 at 8:45 and 10:15 am.

WERC, held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA, is the conference dedicated to warehouse and distribution management education.  WERC’s industry resource center, which showcases dozens of industry suppliers, will be held April 26 & 27. To register for WERC 2009 or for more information visit http://www.werc.org/Default.aspx?tabid=291.

Cornerstone Solutions, Inc., is an independent supply chain management consulting firm, specializing in supply chain planning and execution.  With over 200 years of combined distribution experience, Cornerstone helps companies significantly improve customer service and reduce supply chain costs. For more information visit www.cornerstones.com  or call 260-496-8259 x300.

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RALEIGH, NC, February 12, 2009 — Air freight transportation utilization is expected to fall by as much as 15% within the next five years, according to the Supply Chain Consortium’s International Transportation Report: Navigating Air and Water.            

The report notes that transportation methods are in flux. There will be fewer air freight options available, and more companies will be consolidating their shipments.  

“The smartest shippers are on top of this growing trend,” says Chris Ferrell, Associate Director of the Supply Chain Consortium and author of the report. “To make sure shipments arrive at their destinations on time, plans need to be made now to accommodate for the upcoming upheaval in the transportation industry.”

While the decline is bad news for the air carrier industry, the report also notes that other transportation modes – rail or intermodal, ocean, truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL) and parcel –will benefit (Figure 1).   

To withstand these times of economic stress, the report notes five opportunities for freight shippers to implement:

1. Take advantage of excess steamship capacity in the form of increased sailings and expanded service offerings for destination ports to optimize inland distribution networks.

2. Use more consistent steamship performance to further reduce air freight utilization.

3. Outsource newer, smaller, complex, or dynamic components of the international supply chain to experienced, well-qualified logistics service providers (LSPs).

4. Review the financial health of existing air service providers and develop a contingency plan that may include new relationships with alternative carriers.

5. Ensure that performance expectations are clearly defined and being met by existing air carriers, as some airlines have allowed service levels to drop in response to a difficult and volatile globally economy. 

The report provides an overview of the data collected from the 2008 International Transportation survey of top retail and manufacturing companies. In addition to analysis of ocean and air modes, the report covers sourcing best practices, order control, third-party services, and cargo security. 

About the Supply Chain ConsortiumThe Supply Chain Consortium is the premier source for supply chain benchmarking and best practices knowledge. With 200 participating retail, manufacturing and wholesale/distribution companies, the Consortium sponsors a comprehensive repository of 17,000-plus benchmarks complemented by search capabilities, online analysis tools, topic forums and peer networking for supply chain executives and practitioners. The Consortium is led by the needs of its membership and an Advisory Board that includes executives from Campbell Soup Company, Hallmark Cards, Hewlett Packard, Ingram Micro, Kraft Foods, Miller-Coors, The Coca-Cola Company, Target, and True Value Hardware. To learn more about how your company can become a member of the Supply Chain Consortium, contact John Foley, 919-855-5461 or visit www.supplychainconsortium.com.   

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Norfolk, Virginia – February 9, 2009 - CMA CGM (America) LLC announced today that Caroline Brown has joined the company as Manager, Audit and Cost Control. In her position, Caroline will be responsible for monitoring and controlling the company’s operational costs throughout the United States. Prior to joining CMA CGM, Caroline worked in various finance positions with Bourbon, an international leader in marine services based in Marseilles, France. She earned her graduate degree in finance and cost control from Institut d’Administration des Entreprises, and holds an undergraduate degree in accountancy and finance from Ecole Supérieure des Affaires. She will be based in the company’s Norfolk, Virginia office, and will report to Laurent Olmeta, Director, Internal Audit and Cost Control.

The company is also pleased to announce the promotion of Russell Chidester to Manager, Credit and Collections. As such, he will be responsible for all aspects of the collections process for account holders in the following regions: Florida & Abroad, Midwest, and West Coast & Canada. Prior to joining CMA CGM, Russell worked in Shanghai, China for the U.S. Commercial Service, and also served with the U.S. Army in Iraq. A 2007 graduate of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Russell holds an MBA and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Utah. He will be based in the company’s Norfolk, Virginia office, and will report to Gregg Gendron, Director, Credit and Collections.

CMA CGM (America) LLC is also pleased to welcome Pamela Purdy to the company as Manager, Credit and Collections. Pamela brings extensive collections experience to her role, having previously worked for Huff, Poole, & Mahoney, P.C. as Collections Manager, where she managed the court and civil collections team functions. In her new role, she will be responsible for all collections for Trucker, Northeast, Gulf, and South region accounts. Pamela will be based in the company’s Norfolk, Virginia office, and will report to Gregg Gendron, Director, Credit and Collections.

About CMA CGM (America) LLC

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, CMA CGM (America) LLC is the U.S. agent of France-based container shipping giant CMA CGM. The company provides 23 services in and out of North America, and offers a global network to over 150 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.cma-cgm.com/usa.

About CMA CGM

Led by its founder Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM is currently the world’s third largest container shipping Group and is ranked number one in France. Operating a fleet of 400 vessels, including 100 company-owned, the Group serves over 400 ports around the world. In 2008, it carried more than nine million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). With a presence on all continents and in 150 countries through its network of 650 agencies, the Group employs 17,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.cma-cgm.com.

For more information, please contact:

Veronica Gerken

Manager, Marketing and Communications

(757) 961-2117

usa.vgerken@cma-cgm.com

Madison, NJ February 5th 2009 - Maersk Logistics has joined the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (MIT CTL) Supply Chain Exchange, bringing together the expertise of two leaders in the area of supply chain management.

In addition to enjoying the benefits of Supply Chain Exchange membership, Maersk Logistics will collaborate with MIT CTL researchers on enhancing carbon footprint methodologies, which Maersk Logistics will use in the enhancement of its SupplyChain CarbonCheckTM service. The partnership will also contribute to the effective measurement of carbon emissions in global supply chains and the advancement of carbon emission reduction to achieve certified global supply chain methodology standards.

We are very excited to start this partnership with MIT CTL, who are widely respected for their contributions to the supply chain field. Maersk Logistics joining the CTL Supply Chain Exchange is a perfect match of strategic and practical expertise that will drive innovation in multiple areas of supply chain management,” said Jeremy T. Haycock, President of Maersk Logistics, North America. The Maersk Logistics SupplyChain CarbonCheck™ is a consulting service aimed at identifying carbon reduction potential in global supply chains. In a 4-step, proven methodology, Maersk Logistics identifies carbon emission reduction opportunities lowering overall logistics costs and maintaining or improving service levels – a win-win situation for global shippers and the environment.

Maersk Logistics provides responsive supply chain solutions customised to your integrated supply chain, warehousing and distribution, or multi-mode transport needs. As a recognised leader in the international logistics market, Maersk Logistics has over 4,000 dedicated employees who are always available to support your business from over 200 offices in more than 90 countries.

PA-based transportation and logistics provider is one of the first

to voluntarily participate in environmental GO program

Schuylkill Haven, PA (Feb. 6, 2009) –The Evans Network of Companies took a major step in its commitment to environmental excellence with the company’s voluntary inclusion in Virginia Port Authority’s (VPA) “Green Operators” (GO) pilot program aimed at truckers engaged in port drayage.

Evans Network is one of the first to be a part of VPA’s GO program, which arranges low-cost financing to retrofit exhaust filters providing vehicles with more emission-efficient engines.

“Evans Network plans to retrofit its independent contractors’ trucks serving the Ports of Virginia with diesel particulate filters that have been shown to reduce CO2 emissions by 50 percent,” said Mr. Albert “Bert” Evans, Jr., President and CEO of Evans Network. Century Express and Evans Delivery Company are the local affiliates of Evans Network serving the Ports of Virginia.

The GO program is the first voluntary retrofit program at a U.S. port. Evans Network will share expenses for retrofitting its fleet with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Clean Diesel Program.

“We’re excited that Evans Network was one of the first to take advantage of our GO program,” said Heather Mantz, VPA’s environmental director. “Evans Network is a leader in the transportation industry and we hope others will be follow their example and become ‘Green Operators’,” Ms. Mantz continued.

In addition to the GO program, Evans Network has retrofitted a portion of its fleet with Espar cab heaters to minimize engine idling, increased the use of IdleAire Technologies at truck stops and installed eco-flaps to reduce drag as part of its ongoing green initiatives.

“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint nationwide and we are proud to join VPA in its innovative environmental project,” said Mr. Evans.

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About The Evans Network of Companies

The Evans Network of Companies is a market-leading logistics partner with revenues over $185 million. The Evans Network has a fleet of over 1,350 tractors and 80 service centers throughout the country, providing transportation services in the intermodal container and trailer drayage, van truckload and flatbed markets encompassing six divisions: Evans Delivery Company, West Motor Freight, All Points Transport Corp., Hale Intermodal Trucking, Century Express and DM Transportation Management Services, a full service vendor inbound management company serving the Direct Marketing and Retail industries with over 350 clients. Evans Network provides customer-centric service and is dedicated to the safety and recognition of its network employees, agent partners and independent contractors. For more information, visit www.evansdelivery.com.

Interested in becoming an agent partner with the Evans Network?

Call 1.877.39.EVANS

About the Virginia Port Authority

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, reporting to the state Secretary of Transportation. The VPA owns and operates four general cargo facilities on behalf of the state: Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port in Warren County. The terminals are operated by Virginia International Terminals, Inc. (VIT) the non-stock, non-profit operating company. The VPA, through terminal earnings generated by VIT, is operationally self-sufficient. The VPA and correlating maritime industry is responsible for 343,000 jobs, $41 billion in total revenues throughout the Commonwealth.

Media Contact for Evans Network:

Kimberly McCloskey

(732) 817-0400 x28

Kimberly@bsya.com

Media Contact for VPA:

Contact: Joe Harris, Media Relations Manager


Tel: (757) 683-2137 / (800) 446-8098


Cell: (757) 617-0006

Fax: (757) 683-2897

jharris@vaports.com