by logisticsplus | Aug 9, 2017 | News
Earlier today, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf visited Logistics Plus to meet with employees and view the company’s plans for the expansion of its global headquarters at the historic Union Station in the City of Erie. Erie County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper, and other local officials were also on hand.
“It’s exciting to be in Erie touring another thriving company,” said Governor Wolf. “I am committed to supporting the growing business climate in the region and love to see first-hand what an innovative company like Logistics Plus has planned for the future.”
Coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, last month, Logistics Plus announced its plans to expand and create 44 new, family-sustaining jobs in Erie. Today, the governor toured the company’s facility and planned expansion site. The expanded facility will allow for the handling of all logistics for clients, from order intake to shipping and installation.
“Logistics Plus has grown from a three-person operation in 1996, to a global organization, employing over 130 people in Erie alone. We are grateful to Governor Wolf and the commonwealth for acknowledging our efforts to attract and retain local graduates,” commented Gretchen Seth, Senior VP of International. “Our CEO Jim Berlin calls it the ‘brain gain’.”
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Local media provided additional coverage:
On ‘Jobs That Pay’ Tour, Governor Wolf Visits Logistics Plus Inc. via the Governor Wolf Newsroom
Governor Tom Wolf to visit Erie via YourErie.com
Governor Tom Wolf to visit Erie via ErieNewsNow.com
Governor’s Visit Highlights Growth, Challenges for Erie via GoErie.com
Logistics Plus Expansion Project via YourErie.com
by logisticsplus | Aug 9, 2017 | News
Please note, the Logistics Plus Dallas office will be moving from 8600 Freeport Parkway to 1350 Lakeshore Drive, Suite #150 in Coppell, TX on August 12th. All of our phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. Just to confirm, here is our new full address and contact information:
Logistics Plus Inc. – Dallas Office
1350 Lakeshore Drive #150
Coppell, TX 75019
Main Phone: 877.447.9564
Main Fax: 972.550.6102
Email: dallas@logisticsplus.com
Jenny Melgert, Dallas Branch Manager
The Dallas office move above does not impact our DFW warehouse location in Haslet. The DFW address and contact information remain the same as follows:
Logistics Plus Inc. – DFW Warehouse and FTZ
920 Westport Parkway
Haslet, TX 76177
Phone: 972.893.9695
Email: pricing@logisticsplus.com
Sabrina Ragland, Warehouse Administrator
Thank you for your business and loyalty!
Logistics Plus Inc.
www.logisticsplus.com
by Marketing | Aug 8, 2017 | News
Over the past few years, it has become increasingly difficult to secure truckload capacity. Currently, the overall trend in the logistics industry is that freight volume continues to increase, while truckload capacity cannot keep pace. In order to secure truckload capacity, you must understand the challenges associated with it which include truck driver shortages, increased regulations, and various economic factors.
Truck Driver Shortages
For several years running, driver shortages have been a consistent issue in the trucking industry. The two main factors that have led to a shortage in drivers include the number of drivers retiring and the amount of growth within the trucking industry. With the increasing number of drivers retiring, there is just not enough qualified applicants that can replace these jobs. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) estimates that by 2024, there will be a shortage of nearly 175,000 drivers. As the trend line for freight volume continues to increase, the number of drivers required simply can’t keep up.
Increased Government Regulation
As government regulations continue to increase, every business is affected in a unique way. Currently, CSA compliance, E-Logs, and Hours of Service regulations are affecting drivers and their availability. These regulations can be a burden to shippers because of the possibility of penalties, fees, and infractions if they are violated. Some infractions from government regulation can even revoke operating authority for freight carriers leading to an even larger shortage of drivers. Currently, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate is set to take effect this December. This regulation is causing major concern in the trucking industry and some carriers are even worried they may have to leave the industry or at the very least remove trucks from circulation.
Economic Factors
Not only is government regulation and driver shortages making it difficult to secure truckload capacity, but economic factors are also having an impact. A main concern in the industry right now is trucking equipment shortages. These shortages are due to the fact that economic pressure forced carriers into holding onto tractors and trailers longer than normal because these companies could not afford to replace them right away. Now that many carriers are in a position to replace old equipment, the demand for tractors and trailers has spiked while production has not. As a whole, truckload capacity is becoming harder and harder to secure because of factors such as this.
Securing truckload capacity can be very difficult and time-consuming due to the shortages, regulations, and economic factors affecting the trucking industry. Logistics Plus can help ensure you secure valuable truckload space. Contact us today!
by logisticsplus | Aug 7, 2017 | News
As a reminder, the recently approved National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) freight classification changes went into effect this weekend (August 5th, 2017). These changes will have far-reaching effects on LTL shipments of certain commodities in the NMFC that are based on density ratings, such as Plastic or Rubber Articles, Expanded, NOI (157320), and others. Previously, most items assigned a class based on density were subject to one of two tables. The so-called 9-tier classification broke down density into 9 sub ratings as follows:
| Sub 1 |
Less than 1 |
400 |
| Sub 2 |
1 but less than 2 |
300 |
| Sub 3 |
2 but less than 4 |
250 |
| Sub 4 |
4 but less than 6 |
150 |
| Sub 5 |
6 but less than 8 |
125 |
| Sub 6 |
8 but less than 10 |
100 |
| Sub 7 |
10 but less than 12 |
92.5 |
| Sub 8 |
12 but less than 15 |
85 |
| Sub 9 |
15 or greater |
70 |
The 11-tier classification contained 11 density breakdowns:
| Sub 1 |
Less than 1 |
400 |
| Sub 2 |
1 but less than 2 |
300 |
| Sub 3 |
2 but less than 4 |
250 |
| Sub 4 |
4 but less than 6 |
150 |
| Sub 5 |
6 but less than 8 |
125 |
| Sub 6 |
8 but less than 10 |
100 |
| Sub 7 |
10 but less than 12 |
92.5 |
| Sub 8 |
12 but less than 15 |
85 |
| Sub 9 |
15 but less than 22.5 |
70 |
| Sub 10 |
22.5 but less than 30 |
65 |
| Sub 11 |
30 or greater |
60 |
Effective August 5th, the 9-tier breakdown will go away and NMFC items subject to it will be replaced by the 11 tier breakdown. This change is actually good news for shippers, as it provides for a lower class for shipments that are very dense, specifically over 22.5 lbs per cubic foot. The other change however is not so favorable. The 11-tier breakdown will change the sub 4 rating for articles that have a density of 4 but less than 6 pounds per cubic foot. Previously this was rated as a class 150, but will now be rated at a class 175:
For shippers whose LTL shipments were previously rated at class 150 based on density and will now be rated at class 175, this represents about a 15% increase in freight rates. For shippers with an FAK rating of 150, this should not change that rating, but items that were previously in the actual class range may now change. For example, if a shipper has a FAK class 100 rating on items with an actual class of 100-150, and they ship Plastic Articles with a density of 4-6 pcf, this shipment will no longer be subject to the FAK class 100 and will instead move at the actual class of 175.
Please contact your Logistics Plus North American Division (NAD) freight representative if you have any questions regarding the new rules.
by logisticsplus | Aug 4, 2017 | News
Thank you to the folks at Wonolo for including Logistics Plus in their “How to Recruit Top Manufacturing & Logistics Talent” blog post. This is obviously an important topic for Logistics Plus given the recent growth and expansion announcements, and our pursuit to find additional logistics talent to join our cool, global company. The full article can be viewed online, and the excerpt that includes comments from Scott Frederick, VP of marketing for Logistics Plus, can be viewed below.
Wonolo (stands for Work. Now. Locally.) is an on-demand staffing platform for businesses to fill their immediate hourly or daily labor needs. Wonolo solves the last mile staffing problem for FORTUNE 500 companies as well as small-to-medium businesses (think Coca-Cola merchandising, eCommerce fulfillment, event staffing, hotel housekeeping, etc). Wonolo allows companies to manage unpredictability by augmenting their existing labor force with hourly to daily Wonoloers who can work immediately and do the job. Visit them online at www.wonolo.com
by logisticsplus | Jul 28, 2017 | News
Thank you to the VoyageHouston staff for including Logistics Plus in their Houston’s Most Inspiring Stories collection. The Logistics Plus Houston office – one of over forty locations around the world – is located in the North Loop area of Houston. Port Houston is an important gateway for the Logistics Plus International and Project Cargo teams. Additionally, the Houston office plays a key role in our U.S./Mexico cross-border logistical activities. Since we are a rising star in the State of Texas, the folks at VoyageHouston were kind enough to interview Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. Here is a clipping of the interview and profile (click the image to go directly to the VoyageHouston website).
