A couple months ago, Logistics Plus formally kicked off its campaign in support of the American Heart Association (AHA) Erie County Heart Walk. Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus, is chairing the overall 2015 Erie County Heart Walk fundraising program for the community. The goal is to raise $225,000 before the event takes place on September 12, 2015. So far, over $78,000 has been raised through local individual and corporate donations.
Logistics Plus has eight teams, and over fifty employees participating in the campaign. You can view our Company Page and Teams online. Please visit the site and consider supporting one of our teams with a donation. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of all Americans. In fact, someone dies from CVD every 39 seconds. Heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
In less than a month, generous individuals and companies will have an even bigger incentive to donate to their local charities. August 11, 2015 will mark the 5th Erie Gives Day, which was started in 2011 in honor of the Erie Community Foundation’s 75th Anniversary. This event runs for 12 hours between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 11, and the best part is, your Erie Community Foundation will match a percentage of each donation that you make to your favorite nonprofit(s) when you donate through this website. The more donations made to a nonprofit, the more matching funds that nonprofit will receive.
Donation matching? What better time to support your favorite local charity! If you choose to support the American Heart Association, click here for a PDF flyer with more information. You can also show your support for either AHA or Erie Gives, or both, by copying and pasting either of the images below into your email messages:
The United States International Trade Commission just released its updated “The Year in Trade 2014” report. The report, which covers global trade trends and activities, indicated that the value of U.S.-India two-way merchandise trade has increased 5% since 2013. In 2014, merchandise exports to India were valued at $21.6 billion. Leading U.S. exports to India included diamonds, aircraft and parts, gold, and coal. 2014 imports from India were valued at $45.2 billion, with non-industrial diamonds, certain medicaments, petroleum-related products, food, apparel, chemicals, and steel products all leading the way. The report went on to say that the U.S. and India continue an ongoing dialogue to improve trade relations going forward.
While these numbers may seem impressive (India is the 11th largest foreign trading partner with the U.S.), some economists forecast that these numbers could double in the next five years. Contributing to this growing trend is the fact that India is the world’s largest democracy and the second-most populous country in the world. The country has a burgeoning urban middle class and has made great strides in fields such as information technology. Its large, skilled workforce makes it a popular choice for international companies seeking to outsource work.
If your company imports or exports merchandise from India, you should consider working with Logistics Plus. In the U.S. we have more than a dozen locations around the country that can help you with your transportation and logistics needs, and our Customs Broker Solutions staff can also help you clear customs for imports at any port in the United States. Additionally, we have six offices in India located in the cities of New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Jalandhar, and Mumbai.
If you’re located in the U.S. and interested in learning more, please contact us or use our international quick quote form if you have an upcoming shipment. You can also call 1.866.564.7587 or email quotes@logisticsplus.com with any questions. If you’re located in India, you can complete our India logistics solutions request form or use our international quick quote form if you have a shipment. You can also call our New Delhi main office at +91.124.474.9200 or email sundreysh.sarup@logisticsplus.com with specific questions.
As always, you can find any of our worldwide employees in our online global directory.
Logistics Plus Helps Western Shelter Systems Deliver Relief to Nepal 42 Tons of Humanitarian Aid Products Air Freighted from Oregon to Nepal
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, July 17, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, helped successfully coordinate 42 tons of humanitarian aid products from Oregon to Nepal. Working with its customer, Western Shelter Systems, the two-part shipment was picked up in Eugene, Oregon in early July and cleared customs at the American Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal on July 10, providing much needed relief shelters and supplies to the area.
Nepal was rocked by succession earthquakes in April and May, creating a humanitarian crisis. The first earthquake, on April 25, killed over 8,000 people, injured over 18,000, and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. A second major earthquake struck on May 12. The second quake toppled already weakened buildings, triggered a series of landslides further hampering relief efforts.
“Logistics Plus was flawless working with us on this humanitarian aid shipment,” said Mike Scala, President and CEO for Western Shelter Systems. “Email and phone communication were extremely abundant on this sensitive shipment, and we were guided through every detail including pallet configuration to dial in the best and fastest transport. Once the shipment cleared customs in Nepal, our people there were able to start working with the USDOJ in order to deploy this important aid.”
About Western Shelter Systems
Since 1992, Western Shelter Systems has been the standard, exclusive supplier of re-deployable shelters for all U.S. Federal government FEMA emergency responder teams, state and county governments, and municipal fire and police jurisdictions; as well as forest service, military, hospital, and industrial organizations. For more information, visit www.westernshelter.com.
About Logistics Plus
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin nearly 20 years ago, Logistics Plus has been repeatedly recognized as one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country. With a strong passion for excellence, its 350+ employees put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Evansville, IN; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Laredo, TX; Houston, TX; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Turkey; United Kingdom; and additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Slideshow and Video included below)
Logistics Plus Coordinates Big Cargo Shipment from Germany at the Port of Monroe in Michigan First European cargo shipment received at the Michigan Port in over 50 years
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, July 15, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, helped successfully coordinate the unloading and transportation of two 190-foot, 28 thousand-pound windmill blades destined for Gratiot, Michigan, and 127 sections of 40-foot long pipes being delivered to the Ohio gas line in Dundee, Michigan. After a two-week journey from Bremen, Germany, the 411-footlong Faglegracht, a Spliethoff Lines vessel out of Amsterdam, arrived at the Port of Monroe on Monday, July 6. It was the first European cargo ocean line to dock at the Port of Monroe in the 1960s.
The delivery was brokered by Robert (Bob) Hallberg, vice president of domestic operations for Logistics Plus, and Paul LaMarre III, director for the Port of Monroe. In a quote to local media, Mr. Lamarre said the event marks a milestone in the port’s history and is a preview of its initiation into the modern, global transportation industry. “I think the Port of Monroe has not necessarily been seen as a potential gateway to international trade in recent history, but this is proof that our capabilities are far-reaching,” Mr. LaMarre said. “It essentially takes our port from being a highly productive domestic cargo hub and broadens its reach across oceans.”
The success of this international cargo project required coordination between six entities beyond the Port of Monroe, including Logistics Plus, Spliethoff Lines, DRM Terminal Services, Barnhart Crane and Rigging, the Carl Polzin logistics company, and Mund and Bruns cargo surveyors (see slideshow and video below). Logistics Plus facilitated a large portion of the communication to bring the parties together and is handling all of the domestic transportation, which will include over 60 truck movements.
“This is just one of much clean energy and pipeline cargo projects we are coordinating to the U.S. from Europe,” said Hallberg. “For this particular shipment, it was important for us to optimize the U.S. ground portion of the move to reduce overall transportation costs. In the Port of Monroe, we have definitely found a port that can efficiently handle this kind of cargo for shipments being delivered to points in eastern Michigan and northwestern Ohio.”
About the Port of Monroe Port of Monroe is a commercial harbor established in 1932. It is located off E. Front St. and intended to provide easy access for cargo to the interstate and railway transportation networks in southeast Michigan. For more information, visit www.portofmonroe.com.
About Logistics Plus (LP)
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin nearly 20 years ago, Logistics Plus has been repeatedly recognized as one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country. With a strong passion for excellence, its 350+ employees put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Evansville, IN; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Laredo, TX; Houston, TX; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Turkey; United Kingdom; and additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
Logistics Plus was recently profiled by WiseTech Global – one of our key technology partners that is a multi-award winning global developer of cloud-based software solutions for the international and domestic logistics industries. Its leading product, CargoWise One, provides the most sophisticated and comprehensive end-to-end logistics solution in the world and forms an integral link in the global supply chain.
To develop the profile, WiseTech Global interviewed Jim Berlin and various stakeholders involved with the implementation and use of the CargoWise technology solution at Logistics Plus. CargoWise provides a foundation for our international freight forwarding operations (including our online eWorldPlus application), warehouse management system (WMS), customs brokerage solutions, and corporate finance. The profile includes an online overview of our company, a professional video segment, and a downloadable PDF flyer.
When you work with a capable logistics partner, door-to-door international shipping shouldn’t be complicated for shippers; but it’s a complex process behind the scenes. A shipment exported from the United States to a foreign country becomes a maze of modes and regulations before it arrives at your customer’s door. According to Emily Grein, international manager for Logistics Plus, “We try to make shipping internationally no different than shipping domestically. From our customer’s perspective, it should be simply a matter of picking up the shipment, transporting it to the destination, and then delivering it to their customer.”
So what should you look for when selecting a door-to-door logistics partner? If you look hard, you might find many options for international door-to-door delivery services. With exports on the decline due to the higher dollar valuation, the competition is intense. But buyer beware – not all logistics companies are the same. Some providers may outsource the bulk of the work to five or six different vendors, from trucking to warehousing to customs brokerage. Other logistics companies may outsource only a portion of the responsibility, providing more internal expertise and control. Having fewer parties involved reduces a shipper’s loss, damage, and security risk. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before selecting a door-to-door international freight forwarder:
Are they large enough to be credible but not so large that they ignore my individual requirements?
Do they understand compliant packaging regulations (such as ISPM 15 and HT)?
Do they have offices and people located around the world with local knowledge of the country to which I am shipping?
Have they established strong relationships with air, ocean, and ground carriers to secure capacity and affordable rates for my shipment requirements?
Do they have the ability to warehouse and distribute my product according to a set schedule if needed?
Do they have an online technology solution that provides me with shipment visibility?
Will I have a dedicated logistics specialist working with me every step of the way?
Okay, now that you’ve selected a capable door-to-door freight forwarding partner (hopefully it’s Logistics Plus), you need to prepare your shipment for the big move. Preparing an international door-to-door shipment can sometimes require planning up to a year in advance. The main factors affecting the shipment’s transportation mode and cost will be the size, weight, and dimensions of the cargo being moved and the final destination. Packaging will also be a factor, both in terms of cargo security and shipment dimensions and cost. Remember, you don’t want to “pay for air,” so make sure your shipment is optimally packaged for secure and safe transport.
You should start by compiling a detailed packing list and itemizing every piece of the shipment, including both description and dimensions. This will allow your logistics provider to provide you with an accurate rate estimate. Armed with a detailed understanding of your shipment and its final destination, your logistics provider will find the appropriate shipping line and shipping ports for optimal results. Once your shipment is en-route, you should have the confidence that your logistics provider will be able to provide you with frequent shipment status updates, if needed, and will notify you once your shipment has been delivered. They should also explain to you how to select the best Incoterms for your shipment to ensure your total transportation costs and any applicable tariffs or duties are minimized. They should also be able to provide you with a consolidated, itemized invoice for the entire transaction.
“There’s often a lot of steps and documents involved with international door-to-door shipping,” says Emily, “But our goals is to make importing and exporting easy for our customers simply.” If you’re ready to learn more about Logistics Plus door-to-door international shipping services, please email us at quotes@logisticsplus.com or click the button below to get a quick quote on your next international shipment.
**Please note: Due to liability issues, we do not ship personal effects or belongings.**
A couple months ago, Logistics Plus formally kicked off its campaign in support of the American Heart Association (AHA) Erie County Heart Walk. Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus, is chairing the overall 2015 Erie County Heart Walk fundraising program for the community. The goal is to raise $225,000 before the event takes place on September 12, 2015. So far, over $78,000 has been raised through local individual and corporate donations.
(and link it to www.eriegives.org)
(and link it to www.heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1125889)
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, July 15, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, helped successfully coordinate the unloading and transportation of two 190-foot, 28 thousand-pound windmill blades destined for Gratiot, Michigan, and 127 sections of 40-foot long pipes being delivered to the Ohio gas line in Dundee, Michigan. After a two-week journey from Bremen, Germany, the 411-footlong Faglegracht, a Spliethoff Lines vessel out of Amsterdam, arrived at the Port of Monroe on Monday, July 6. It was the first European cargo ocean line to dock at the Port of Monroe in the 1960s.
