UPS Study Cites Positive Export Outlook Among U.S. High-Tech Executives

Despite economic uncertainty at home and abroad, U.S. high-tech executives’ confidence in global trade and U.S. exports has grown significantly over the past two years, according a study commissioned by UPS Inc.

Citing legislative changes and rising labor rates overseas, 85% of executives believe the Obama administration’s National Export Initiative goal to double exports by 2014 is either “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to be achieved, compared with 40% who believed so just after the goal was set two years ago.

The findings come from UPS’ annual “Change in the (Supply) Chain” survey, conducted by IDC Manufacturing Insights. The study targeted senior-level supply chain decision makers in the U.S. high-tech/electronics industry.

And 81% of U.S. high-tech executives anticipate recent free trade agreements in Asia will increase their company’s imports and exports to and from the region.

UPS is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.

View the original article here

Three Ontario cities listed among top five speed trap locations in N.A.

WAUNAKEE, Wis. -- A recent public poll conducted by the National Motorists Association (NMA) has found that three Ontario cities are among the worst speed trap locations across the US and Canada. Windsor, Hamilton, and Mississauga rank third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, in the Worst Speed Trap Cities category for cities with populations greater than 50,000. Flower Mound, Texas and Livonia, Mich. Ranked number one and two in the same category.

Not surprisingly, Ontario took the top spot in the Worst Speed Trap States and Provinces category, with Nova Scotia coming in second. The province faring best with voters was Quebec, coming in 52nd place out of 53 states and provinces.

The NMA analyzed the most recent five years of data from its Web site, The National Speed Trap Exchange, which lists tens of thousands of chronic speed traps in the US and Canada and includes descriptive commentary about each listing.

To develop the rankings, the NMA calculated the total number of affirmative votes across speed traps in a given community and then indexed the total to the community’s population size.

For its part, the NMA condemned speed traps as typically combining “arbitrarily low speed limits with heavy traffic enforcement designed to generate ticket revenue. While the intent may be to modify driver behaviour long-term, that is rarely the result. Speed traps keep springing up in the same locations, the issuance of tickets flows unabated, and there is no material effect on traffic safety. That is why the NMA advocates for increased speed limits in chronic speed trap areas supported by traffic studies and proven engineering principles.”

To see the full list of rankings, visit here.

View the original article here

Three Canadians among Meritor Aftermarket contest winners

FLORENCE, Ky. -- Three Canadians were among the 10 winners in Meritor Aftermarket's 'Run with the Bull' contest, which rewarded customers who insisted on the company's Meritor, Euclid, Mascot or Meritor Wabco product brands.

The contest was open both to distributors and end users. Grand prize winners Gale Wickersham of Wick's Truck & Trailers in Omaha, Neb. and Mike Drovdahl from Southwest Trailer Service in Portland, Ore., each won a trip to Spain to witness the Running of the Bulls as grand prize winners.

Eight other winners, including the Canadians, won a lodge trip, according to the company. The Canadian winners included Trevor Deacon, parts manager with Pineridge Trailer in Kamloops, B.C. and Peter Sullivan, manager, Quinte Truck and Trailer in Belleville, Ont. from the channel customer side. On the end user side, Jesse Dimmel, purchasing, Pioneer Construction in Sudbury, Ont. was a winner.

"We know our customers are running hard to satisfy their clients and to keep up with the hectic demand of maximizing vehicles' on-road performance," said Terry Livingston, general manager, Meritor Aftermarket. "We understand that our customers have a choice in selecting quality aftermarket parts for trucks, trailers and specialty vehicles. This customized incentive program fit perfectly with their desire to buy the best and to qualify for several high-caliber prizes."

View the original article here

COMPETITION WATCH: Bison, TransX listed among P&G's top business partners

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- A pair of Canadian trucking companies have been recognized by Procter and Gamble as among its top performing external business partners. Bison Transport and TransX were listed among P&G's top supplier and agency partners during an awards ceremony last week. The objective of the annual event is to recognize and celebrate those key contributors who have demonstrated partner excellence.

"We have tremendous partnerships with our external business partners around the world," said Bob McDonald, P&G's chairman, president and CEO. "These partnerships are powerful because they are focused on a common purpose - to touch and improve people's everyday lives."

Bison and TransX were selected from P&G's more than 75,000 suppliers and agencies globally.

View the original article here

Wounded Warrior Project finds support among truckers

Truckers have always been a patriotic bunch and many have served their country in military service. As a group, truckers get involved in supporting many charitable causes. It is no surprise that a large trucking company such as US Xpress would take up the gauntlet for the Wounded Warrior Project.

As a platinum sponsor, US Xpress contributed $50,000 and $5 for every experienced qualified driver who applied with them in April and May. In addition USX which is based in Tennessee is supporting the WWP Soldier Ride Nashville event that will be held September 24th, 2011. They have also added a section on the company face book page to raise awareness of the issues facing the returning wounded veterans.

The Wounded Warrior Project started as a program to provide comfort items to wounded service members has grown into a complete rehabilitative effort to assist warriors as they recover and transition back to civilian life. The issues facing veterans include combat stress, post traumatic stress disorder, physical rehabilitation, education and job training. WWP also provides support for families and caregivers.

“We are very proud to be associated with Wounded Warrior Project. You are going to begin to see the WWP logo on our website and throughout our advertising,” said Max Fuller, Co-Chairman and CEO on U.S. Xpress Enterprises (as reported on their web-site.) “We are looking forward to building our relationship with WWP. We see this as an opportunity for our entire U.S. Xpress workforce to do something for those who give so much to our country every single day.”

“Beyond U.S. Xpress’ financial contribution to the organization, we believe this partnership will help to create more visibility for Wounded Warrior Project,” said Patrick Quinn, Co-Chairman and President of U.S. Xpress Enterprises. “It is important for this nation to know about the great work of the organization and the resources that are available to our wounded warriors.”

It is gratifying to be associated with an industry that supports those in need. I have heard several troubling reports that the returning soldiers are not receiving the care that they need. I do not like to pass on any information where I have not checked out the full truth, but I do like to support organizations that can research and put pressure in the right places for just cause. A June press report from WWP reads:

WWP is calling for sweeping changes in VA including:
• Employing returning veterans who have themselves experienced combat stress to provide both direct one-on-one peer-outreach to veterans who might not otherwise seek treatment and peer-to-peer support to help sustain veterans in treatment;
• Launching education and training programs for clinical staff on military culture and combat to help forge more effective connection with young veterans;
• Providing needed mental health services to family members whose own stress may diminish their capacity to provide emotional support for returning warriors;
• Expanding the number of Vet Center sites, and locating new ones near military facilities;
• Fostering community-reintegration programs to help warriors transition successfully back to civilian life and give our warriors the opportunity to thrive, not just survive; and
• Full implementation of existing VA policy that promises, but has yet to deliver, access to all needed mental health services for all eligible veterans. www.woundedwarriorproject.org

As I listened to the Capital Concert on PBS and the fireworks display on TV, when stopping for the night at a rest stop in Tennessee, Josh Groban drew attention to the wounded veterans in the audience. He also sang three songs; Simon and Garfunkel’s “America,” a song he wrote entitled “The War at Home,” and an old classic song, “Smile.” A surprising choice I thought for a minute, nothing inspirationally American? Perhaps he too is making a statement, adding a voice to aid the cause of the wounded warriors. Perhaps you and I need to get involved and follow this issue as well…

YouTube Video: War at Home (Live): A Tribute to Our Troops (Song written and performed by Josh Groban)

If you liked that post, then try these...

View the original article here