Penske Logistics Positioned to Serve Brazil’s Growth
December 22, 2010
Brazil isn’t just a hot spot for travelers; this vast Latin American country is attracting attention from businesses all over the world.
<p>“The Brazilian marketplace as a whole is expanding very rapidly,” said <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/about/leadership-team/william-scroggie/">Bill Scroggie</a>, managing director of South America for <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/">Penske Logistics</a>. “Brazil boasted economic growth rates of 7.5 percent in 2010. In addition, Brazil has a huge emerging middle class who now has purchasing power, increasing the demand for consumer staples such as cars, electronics and clothing. We’ve seen an increased demand from companies looking for <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/solutions/integrated_logistics.html">logistics services</a> to serve their growing businesses.”</p><p>With Brazil’s recent economic boom, Penske obtained new and additional business with a pair of global electronics and appliance corporations, and a leading multi-national office equipment manufacturer.</p><p>In September 2010, Penske <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/newsroom/2010_9_1_manaus.html">opened a new distribution center</a> in the city of Manaus to service Whirlpool, enabling Penske to tap into an important industrial-free trade zone. Penske has also launched a dedicated warehouse with another customer in Recife – the largest city in Northeastern Brazil. This hub is within 496 miles (800 km.) of eight state capitals. Manaus has seen a huge expansion of the middle class and has experienced ample economic growth created by new construction and new jobs.</p><p>“Northeast Brazil has historically been a poorer region, but the purchasing power of the emerging middle class has greatly increased the standard of living,” Scroggie said. Penske Logistics has operated in Brazil since 1998.</p><p>Penske in Brazil achieved an 11 percent growth in revenue over 2009 and increased its staff by 20 percent to accommodate the business wins.</p><p>Scroggie also attributes Brazil’s budding economy to:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Brazil has energy independence through ethanol, bio-diesel and hydroelectric plants. Forty-six percent of Brazil’s resources are renewable, compared to the 12 percent global average. Energy company Petrobras recently discovered one of the largest offshore oil deposits off the coast of Brazil. When fully operational, this deposit will make Brazil the world’s fifth largest oil exporter.</li> <li>Financial stability and controlled inflation.</li> <li>Investments, both domestic and international, in the country through building new plants and warehouses have resulted in Brazil’s unemployment rate being at a historic low at approximately 6.2 percent.</li></ul><p>Scroggie shares that with a host of benefits come a few challenges when conducting business, including Brazil’s:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Complex tax and legal system – Each Brazilian state adheres to different sets of tax laws that makes shipping goods from one state to another more complicated.</li> <li>High real interest rate – The country has one of the world’s highest real interest rates with 10.75 percent. In comparison, real rates in the United States are 2.5 percent.</li> <li>Education system – Without investing in education, the country may not be able to generate a qualified workforce to meet the expanding economy.</li></ul><p>According to economists, Brazil is expected to experience a growth rate of 4-5 percent through 2016, especially as the country prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.</p><p>“To support these major world events, Brazil is resolving infrastructure issues by making improvements to roads, rails and airports,” Scroggie said. “The investments in infrastructure will create many high-quality jobs to further drive demand for goods and services, and, therefore, drive more logistics opportunities for Brazil.”</p><p>Need help doing business in Brazil? Penske Logistics can help. <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/company/contact_logistics.html">Contact us.</a></p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz </em></p><p><em>Editor’s note: Effective January 2011, Bill Scroggie will return to the United States as senior vice president of the Central region. Paulo Sarti will become the new managing director of South America.</em></p></div>
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Purchase a Used Hi-Cube Truck and Save $1,000
December 21, 2010
Get $1,000 off list price when you purchase selectused hi-cube trucks from Penske. This offer is good on the purchase of GMC or Ford 16’ box trucks now through Feb. 28, 2011.
<p>GMC and Ford <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/truck-types/light-and-medium-duty/light-duty-box-trucks.html" rel="noopener">hi-cube trucks</a> are equipped with a gas engine and automatic transmission. Penske has <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/truck-types/light-and-medium-duty/light-duty-box-trucks.html" rel="noopener">box trucks</a> available nationwide, just call <strong>1-888-803-5675</strong> and <strong>mention code UTQ1022011 </strong>for full details.</p><p>If you are looking for other types of used vehicles, <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/" rel="noopener">Penske</a> offers a large inventory of <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/" rel="noopener">used vehicles for sale</a> from <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/truck-types/light-and-medium-duty/light-duty-box-trucks.html" rel="noopener">box trucks</a> and <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/truck-types/light-and-medium-duty/flatbed-trucks.html" rel="noopener">flatbed trucks</a> to <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/used-trucks-for-sale/used-tractors/" rel="noopener">used tractors</a> and <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/used-trucks-for-sale/used-trailers/" rel="noopener">trailers</a>. <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/" rel="noopener">Search our inventory</a> online and find out more about Penske used vehicles for sale at <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com" rel="noopener">www.PenskeUsedTrucks.com</a>.</p><p><em>By Stacy Lord</em></p></div>
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Penske Ready for CSA
December 16, 2010
- Identifying unsafe carrier and driver behaviors that lead to crashes
- Using all roadside inspections results and crash reports to identify safety deficiencies
- Enabling more carriers to be contacted earlier and more frequently
- Improving efficiency of investigations by focusing on unsafe behaviors, identifying root causes, and defining and requiring corrective actions
- Employing a variety of interventions tailored to problems
- Requiring sustained accountability of carriers
CSA replaces SafeStat, the FMCSA’s former safety operational program that limits its analysis of data to violations that result in out-of-service orders. But with CSA, all safety violations are included in the metrics. The stringent safety program comprises three new core components: a Safety Measurement System (SMS), an intervention process and tools that address violations and their causes, and an evaluation of safety performance.
<p>Compared with SafeStat’s emphasis on only four behaviors, SMS focuses on seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs): Unsafe Driving, Fatigued Driving, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Improper Loading/Cargo Securement, and Crash Indicator.</p><p>“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has amped up the ability to weigh the performance of drivers,” said Steve Bezner, safety specialist, <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/">Penske Truck Leasing</a>. “CSA also measures each motor carrier in peer groups and allows carriers to have more visibility of their behavior and their drivers’ behaviors. Motor carriers can see where the negative behaviors are and take care of them before they get out of hand.”</p><p><strong>Penske Spreads Safety Word to Customers</strong></p><p>Over the last 12-months, Penske Truck Leasing had been educating its customers about CSA through bulletins, webinars and <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/lease/penske-discovery-forums-continue-into-december/">Discovery Forums</a> – a series of educational open houses for commercial fleet owners and fleet managers where Penske's certified transportation professionals and other fleet experts discussed relevant industry topics in addition to CSA.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="39906669a201cd3f486d29ce83e00a1f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="beb58" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjc5MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwMTQ3NjEyMX0.Y9CalQqzkRMZgxpUf7nKOyRBwmJ3kbFhkO6J87ifXiQ/img.jpg?width=980"/><strong>Driver Documentation and Vehicle Maintenance</strong></p><p>Penske already has a rigorous process in place that requires commercial drivers to complete thorough pre- and post-trip Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR).</p><p>“Accurate documentation by drivers is more critical than ever,” said Mike Hasinec, vice president, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">maintenance</a> systems and support, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/maintenance/" title="Penske Truck Leasing - Fleet Maintenance">Penske Truck Leasing</a>. “We want to make sure we’re quickly completing what needs to be repaired on each unit, so drivers can do their jobs safely and efficiently.</p><p>“From a maintenance standpoint CSA hasn’t had a huge impact on us,” Hasinec added. “We already have best industry practices in place and our in-house maintenance standards are designed to exceed federal standards, which will make this initiative a seamless process for our customers.”</p><p><strong>SMS Data Accuracy Challenges Fleets</strong></p><p>One challenge Penske Truck Leasing and other fleets face is the time-consuming process of monitoring for data inaccuracies and challenging them within CSA’s system.</p><p>“The one challenge we have is ensuring the data shown in CSA’s SMS accurately reflects our safety efforts and record,” said Barry Kemper, vice president, insurance risk management, Penske Truck Leasing. “What happens quite often is a driver for another company is driving one of our rental trucks. If that driver commits a moving violation, law enforcement often logs that violation against our DOT number and not the actual carrier’s DOT number. Errors like this can provide a false sense of our safety record. We have an established monitoring program already in place and we are regularly challenging any incorrect data we see in the system.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6128c8f081b061597fdf93681a452b84" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="b4503" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjc5MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTM3MTUxMH0.53n80FUsUQiN9J7-W2QADDGj42zg3XwgsN-oqFdC9sU/img.jpg?width=980"/><strong>Safety is Top Priority at Penske Logistics</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/">Penske Logistics</a> has been busy preparing its 2,700 drivers for the complexities of the new CSA initiative. Penske drivers received comprehensive training – and will continue to receive ongoing training – to help them understand the CSA metrics, its impact on the company and how their individual performance affects their own driving record and Penske’s safety assessment.</p><p>A Penske Logistics driver for 15 years, John Merritts has logged more than 2 million accident-free miles in three decades of driving tractor trailers. He is a supporter of CSA for the accountability it brings to the industry.</p><p>“I think CSA is great for carriers and drivers who are breaking the rules – especially if their inadequacies are causing injuries to themselves or others,” said Merritts, who was 2007’s Truck Renting and Leasing Association Driver of the Year. “I truly believe Penske’s been parallel in keeping drivers and other motorists safe with its safety practices and measures. So for us, we’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.”</p><p>In August 2010, the FMCSA released the new CSA BASIC scores. Penske Logistics’ CSA metrics compared very favorably to its carrier peer groups. Following the mid-Dec. release of CSA’s SMS data, Penske Logistics continued to post commendable safety statistics.</p><p>“We will communicate monthly with our field operating personnel to review our updated scores and how these metrics numbers can be improved,” said Stanley Stone, vice president, safety for Penske Logistics. “Safety is critical to the success of our customers and to the growth of our company.”</p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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Need Extra Space? Consider CubeSmart!
December 15, 2010
Penskerental truck customers have used self-storage solutions for a variety of reasons, from moving into a smaller space or needing a storage option to make their house look tidier while it’s on the market. Other reasons you may use a self-storage facility include storing:
<ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Seasonable items like garden furniture or tools</li> <li>Seasonal clothing</li> <li>Bulky sports equipment like windsurfers or surfboards</li> <li>Recreational vehicles such as jet skis, boats, caravans, motorcycles</li> <li>Items temporarily while decorating or remodeling your home</li> <li>Items for children who have moved or gone to college</li></ul><p>Convenience, safety and <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">affordability</a> are often the driving factors in selecting a storage facility. Rest assured that your privacy is protected because you use your own lock and keys to keep your self-storage unit secure.</p><p>Penske Truck Rental customers can <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">receive discounts</a> on their self-storage needs from <a href="http://www.cubesmart.com/" title="CubeSmart SelfStorage">CubeSmart</a> locations nationwide.</p><p>“In addition to household, moving and vehicle storage, many businesses use storage solutions,” said Jessica Shellaway, senior Internet marketing associate for <a href="http://www.cubesmart.com/" title="CubeSmart Self Storage">CubeSmart.</a> “We work together with <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">Penske</a> Truck Rental to give customers a complete moving and storage solution and we are proud to offer <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/">discounted rates</a> to our military personnel and deployed troops.”</p><p>At <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">PenskeTruckRental.com</a>, you can get more information on self-storage and check out all <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/" title="Penske Moving Truck Rental Discounts">discounts available</a>.</p><p><em>By Move Ahead Staff</em></p></div>
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Garner, N.C. Penske Facility Nearing Completion
December 14, 2010
In August of this year, Penske hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in conjunction with the town of Garner that was attended by the mayor, economic development officials and major customers. Located in the Greenfield South Business Park, it is 12,000 square feet on 8.5 acres. It has three truck service bays, a wash bay and a two-lane fuel island.
<p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9123dace8b711c089798eb63c5e98d73" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="70a9c" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjc4Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MjY2NzUxNn0.pjdNEV6ZPIX3jhzZsqmB3JgkeJZkHMRlPuTFrnmiZKs/img.jpg?width=980"/>“The site work is progressing,” explained Chuck Looper, the vice president of facilities for Penske. “Stone base for the pavement is being placed and landscaping will begin soon. In the building, the service bay floors are in, the heating and ventilations systems are being put in. Drywall and finishes are going on in the office area. At the fuel island, the canopy is going up and the piping and the electrical work is making progress.”</p><p>The facility is expected to be operational in early 2011.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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CSA's Safety Measurement System Data Goes Live
December 13, 2010
The Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) is a U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities. Various phases of this program have already been implemented throughout this year, but full implementation will not be completed until 2011, according to the FMCSA. Data from the program's Safety Measurement System (SMS) has now gone live.
<p><strong>Safety Measurement System Data Now Available</strong></p><p>Under <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/safety/comprehensive-safety-analysis.html">CSA</a> motor carriers can now view their Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) Assessment, which include on-road performance and investigation results.</p><p>Each month, the Safety Measurement System (SMS) will measure the previous two years of roadside violations and crash data and calculate a score in the seven BASICs. Recent roadside violations and violations that correlate most with crashes will be weighted more heavily with others.</p><p>The FMCSA released information in late Nov. stating they intended to stay <a href="http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/whats_New.aspx#26223">on schedule</a> with the program’s expected national rollout in spite of recent court challenges by groups seeking to prohibit the public release of CSA data until the FMCSA met certain requirements.</p><p>On Fri., Dec. 10, a federal appeals court denied a request for an emergency stay and by Sun., Dec. 12, FMCSA had gone live with the SMS data. <em>(You can read more details in this update from <a href="http://www.ccjdigital.com/court-refuses-to-block-csa-data-release/">Commericial Carrier Journal's Avery Vice</a>.)</em></p><p>In a <a href="http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/whats_New.aspx#27002">press statement about the program's launch </a> U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood explained: “The CSA program will help us more easily identify unsafe commercial truck and bus companies. Better data and targeted enforcement will raise the safety bar for commercial carriers and empower them to take action before safety problems occur.”</p><p><strong>Who is tracked?</strong></p><p>All interstate carriers that have a U.S. Department of Transportation number – regardless of type – and their drivers, including:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>For hire (common or contract)</li> <li>Private<ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Construction</li> <li>Utility</li> <li>Ag exempt</li> <li>Non-CDL</li></ul></li></ul><p>The FMCSA has also developed a Safety Fitness Determination (SFD) approach to replace the current system, which is only dependent on onsite compliance review results. The SFD will expand the use of on-road performance as calculated in the SMS and include results of all investigations. It will allow fitness to be determined on a larger segment of the industry.</p><p>The FMCSA and its state partners will use measurement results to identify carriers for interventions. The interventions will offer expanded tools, ranging from comprehensive on-site investigations to warning letters that supplement the labor-intensive compliance review to addressing the specific safety problems identified. CSA investigators will be equipped to thoroughly evaluate why safety problems are occurring; to recommend remedies; to encourage corrective action and where corrective action is inadequate; and to invoke strong penalties.</p><p>A free downloadable booklet and an online video overview about CSA are available from Penske Truck Leasing <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/safety/comprehensive-safety-analysis.html">here.</a></p><p><em>[Editor's note: This program was originally named Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 or CSA2010. The program has now been renamed Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA).]</em></p><p><em>By Kathleen Walter and Randy Ryerson</em></p></div>
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New Penske Facility Outside Buffalo, N.Y. Progressing Nicely
December 10, 2010
A state-of-the-art facility forcommercial truck leasing, commercial and consumer truck rental, and contract maintenance that Penske Truck Leasing is constructing in Cheektowaga, N.Y. is on schedule. Cheektowaga is located near the Canadian border and is Buffalo’s largest suburb.
<p>About the new location: it’s on eight acres, is approximately 14,000 square feet, and will contain a two-lane fuel service island and four bays (three for service, one for wash).</p><p>“The building is progressing well,” said Chuck Looper, the company’s vice president of facilities. “They are getting ready to pour the concrete service pit and the service area floors. In the office area, they’re putting in the electrical, plumbing and HVAC services.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9e21a2c19ec7635f241ba2e13e5bc0f5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="b9db7" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjc4My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMDMzNTM0MH0.mi9Ft4X2QBp0yi54dIIY1hn3sAw2UF7lKQd67LWTl38/img.jpg?width=980"/>He noted that the parking lot and landscaping are about 90 percent complete. At the fuel island, the piping and underground tank is complete, and the canopy is going up.</p><p>The building’s exterior painting will take place early next year, when Western New York thaws out.</p><p>The facility is expected to be operational in early 2011.<ins cite="mailto:ptl" datetime="2010-12-07T14:04"></ins></p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p> </div>
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Guest Editorial: Standardize My Supply Chain Mess and Run it for Less
December 09, 2010
Supply chain and logistics outsourcing is rarely an easy decision for large companies to make, yet it may be an increasingly necessary step for some especially during these challenging economic times.
<p>By managing their own logistics operations, companies have become stagnant in their processes, yearning for out-of-the-box thinking but unsure of how to get there.</p><p>Supply chain and logistics managers may simply be overwhelmed by keeping up with each country’s ever-changing regulations and solving today’s problems to spend time truly innovating. At the end of the day, they’re also seeking to cut costs to keep pace with their competitors. But outsourcing is so much more than running it for less. It’s about better processes and more visibility.</p><p><strong>European Supply Chain and Logistics Perspectives</strong></p><p>In a survey of <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/europe/">European logistics </a>and other chief executives <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/newsroom/2010_9_27_ceo.html">conducted by Dr. Robert Lieb</a>, it was noted that pricing pressures are top of mind for the supply chain industry. In an environment where projected regional industry growth for 2010 is only 4.8 percent (after being -1.4 percent in 2009), every resource is vital.</p><p>Recently, <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/europe/">my colleagues and I</a> met with senior supply chain executives from a leading global manufacturer. We discussed the merits of outsourcing to a 3PL. During our discussion, one executive succinctly stated their intentions: “standardize our mess, and run it for less.”</p><p>The company desired to spend less energy worrying about carrier options, warehouse management and route optimizations. They sought to devote more face-to-face time with customers. They wanted their supply chain to be a competitive advantage, flexible enough to quickly adapt to the needs of a recovering European Union and other broader markets.</p><p>How does a company shift from a decentralized and fragmented supply chain -- to one with visibility, standardized processes and an innovative environment?</p><p>A <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/europe/services.html">third-party logistics provider (3PL)</a> can often help tap into a new world of ideas and best practices that have helped invigorate supply chains for other top global corporations. Typically, companies benefit from consultative logistics partners that can aid in the firming of the company’s supply chain vision, and take the lead in delivering needed change in this new normal.</p><p>Traditional European companies feature country-centric management structures, a range of ERP systems, decentralized procurement, division and factory P/L’s, and a host of multiple processes. A 3PL can standardize and centralize their supply chains and introduce new costs measures.</p><p><strong>Supply Chain Centralization Unlocks Synergies</strong></p><p>In my opinion, centralization, whether constructed internally or through a 3PL, will unlock a host of streamlined synergies. Within each of the company’s profit centers are smart ideas that a company’s supply chain team has implemented. The question is – how do these processes become visible on a corporate level, and repeatable across the entire organization?</p><p>The first step is to move execution to a consolidated platform. This consolidation will provide the visibility to allow process synchronization, data to understand how good flows really work, and a better understanding of which processes drive logistics execution. Once execution is on a consolidated platform, it is time so seek the global optimum, rather that the local optima.</p><p>When moving to a consolidated platform, a corporation needs the buy-in of its stakeholders. Today, supply chain conversations have moved from the backroom to the boardroom. It is imperative to build a business case, showing local P/L owners what the advantages are. The logical next step is to seek out reams of data.</p><p>Some companies, upon closer inspection, discover that local systems do not possess sufficient data on local carriers – such as rates and performance levels. Typically, in-house systems store customer order data, and do not record how the order was actually shipped. Are there volume deviations? Did production planning changes lead to different transport service requirements or modes?</p><p><strong>Supply Chain Data Quality is Critical</strong></p><p>Not having this crucial carrier data leads to gross overestimations or underestimations of a company’s freight expenses, leading to cost uncertainty of as much as 50 percent. An easier route may be to look at benchmarking. How does the company stack up against its competitors? The company needs to compare their supply chain footprint. How many warehouses are in the network? How much inventory needs to be carried? How many different providers are used? What are the processes that lead to inbound and outbound shipments? If the company is considering outsourcing, one needs to closely examine professional references of potential outsourcing partners.</p><p>When a company has reached the point of shipping their products via a centralized platform, they can easily transfer the processes across the entire supply chain in repeatable actions. While transferring to the centralized environment, it is important to create metrics that are well documented and track potential improvements.</p><p>After all transactions have been transferred to a centralized platform, the supply chain manager can standardize the process, but has to be a strong change agent for these much needed improvements to modify long-time behavior.</p><p>Now, this is when innovation can begin to take shape and dynamically transform the organization. When visibility has been achieved, that is when insights can be generated. Those insights will lead to new ideas, which further go down the road of incremental improvement. Setting aggressive targets through a solid governance model will drive disruptive and radical improvements.</p><p><strong>Avoiding Supply Chain Centralization Pitfalls</strong></p><p>The value in centralization of supply chain processes is unquestionable. So the answer to “will you standardize my mess and do it for less?” is a resounding yes -- but you have to ask the harder question before you start: do you have the commitment it takes to make it work? Let me warn companies, and their supply chain managers: there are potential pitfalls in getting there. In an effort to avoid these speed bumps, I recommend being vigilant in the following areas:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Be aggressive with the timeline, and support the project with senior governance</li> <li>Change management and fresh communications are paramount</li> <li>Resource for innovation, and empower the team to drive change and innovation</li> <li>Select a partner that focuses on the company, a logistics partner with the capacity to analyze</li> <li>Have a collaborative relationship and a strong plan of attack</li> <li>Allow for true gain sharing and incentives; for most companies there is so much value they wish not want to share</li> <li>Create a contract with the outsource service provider that is broad enough to be based on business outcomes</li></ul><p>If your company and supply chain leadership are willing to accept the reality of the circumstances, adopt pragmatic approaches, centralized supply chains, and the move to innovation, then the benefit to the company’s supply chain will be substantial. So much so, executives will wonder why they waited so long to get there.</p><p><em>By Erik van Egmond</em></p></div>
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Discovery Forum Concludes Next Week in Ontario
December 06, 2010
The final stop on the Penske Truck Leasing Discovery Forum 2010 tour will take place on Dec. 14 in Mississauga, Ontario.
<p>Located near Toronto, Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city, with a population nearing 730,000.</p><p>Space is still available for this free educational event, so please call 888-216-9365 to reserve your spot. Advanced registration is required.</p><p>Penske’s Certified Transportation Professionals and other fleet experts and key vendors and suppliers will be on hand during this educational open house to discuss a wide range of topics, which includes the latest engine technologies, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">preventive maintenance</a> programs, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/teamlease/">finance</a> options and <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/tracking-performance/">onboard fleet</a> technologies.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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Penske Discovery Forum in La Mirada, Calif. A Successful Event
December 02, 2010
Penske Truck Leasing today hosted a Discovery Forum 2010 event in the L.A. suburb of La Mirada that was well attended and chock full of information.
<p>“Penske always puts on a great forum,” said John Blanco, a transportation coordinator for Goodwill Industries of San Diego County. “It was very informative.”</p><p>With new U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance regulations changing how the government will measure and address commercial motor vehicle safety, Penske’s Rick Scott, a safety specialist, presented to customers and prospects the intricacies of <a href="http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/">CSA 2010</a>. CSA stands for Comprehensive Safety Analysis.</p><p>Ralph Stockmayer, manager of sustainability – sales for Penske, provided an update on 2010 engine emission technologies. He highlighted both Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Enhanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (E-EGR) technologies in his presentation. Stockmayer noted in general that there’s been a significant reduction in Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) since 1994.</p><p>Those in attendance also received information on the various <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/tracking-performance/">Fleet I.Q.</a> offerings, which included CyntrX and PeopleNet. They also learned more about <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/tracking-performance/myfleet.html">MyFleetAtPenske</a>, a customer fleet management solution, and <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/driver_training.html">Smith System</a> driver training. A representative from Volvo was also on hand.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ddcad113647d04a9a8849f8cf17e35ce" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1a28b" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjc4MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMjUyNzk4N30.pQrUSn04PgHKzrvBdLS6KdW3xn8_pqzcZ0DNBQpZcYE/img.jpg?width=980"/>Customers offered thoughts on the <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/lease/penske-discovery-forums-continue-into-december/">Discovery Forum</a>.</p><p>Sal Lopez, fleet manager for American Textile Maintenance stated: “I wanted to learn more about the SCR technology and CSA 2010. I also wanted to network with other fleet managers and see how they’re managing their fleets.”</p><p>Aaron Blake is a distribution manager for a national restaurant chain with a fresh food facility in Ontario, Calif. “I wanted to learn more about DEF (diesel exhaust fluid).”</p><p>Bob Gilardoni, senior manager of fleet and compliance for Las Vegas LA Express “gained a greater insight into the differences of the two technologies on the engine side and which way we might want to go with future equipment.”</p><p>Rick Pytlik is the area vice president for Penske Truck Leasing, and he was very pleased with the turnout of approximately 150 people. “It is an opportunity for us to get together with our customers and our prospects,” he said. “In the changing world of transportation, it is important that we provide them with the knowledge to run their businesses.</p><p>“There is a lot of work that goes into these events, and our staff did a fantastic job. There were a few deals that were put together and finalized.”</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin, from La Mirada, Calif.</em></p></div>
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Discovery Forum 2010 Makes Phoenix Stop
December 01, 2010
The second-to-last Penske Truck LeasingDiscovery Forum 2010 event will take place on Dec. 7 in Phoenix.
<p>“This is a great opportunity to reach out to our customers and future clients,” said Joe Hill, area vice president for Penske Truck Leasing. “There are topics of interest to commercial fleet owners and managers.”</p><p>Penske’s Certified Transportation Professionals and other fleet experts and key vendors and suppliers will be on hand during this educational open house to discuss a wide range of topics, which includes the latest engine technologies, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">preventive maintenance</a> programs, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/teamlease/">finance</a> options, EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership and <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/tracking-performance/">onboard fleet</a> technologies.</p><p>Space is still available for this free educational event, so please call 888-216-9365 to reserve your spot. Advanced registration is required.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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