Everything seems big when you grow up the youngest of seven children, but nothing more so for Earl Taylor than his older brother’s tall royal blue Kenworth tractor, with its tandem axles and twin stacks.
Taylor would be mesmerized as his older brother - an over-the-road driver - would share tales of his adventures driving his sleeper unit over the open road.
Now it is Taylor, a professional driver for Penske Logistics, who has tales of his own to tell, including traveling to the White House to advocate on behalf of the trucking industry as part of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) 2017-2018 America’s Road Team.
“I really didn’t consider being a trucker at the time. One day the opportunity presented itself, and I decided why not,” said Taylor, now in his 20th year driving trucks for Penske Logistics in Orlando, Florida. “I remembered my brother having a good life with trucking as a career, so I gave it a shot.”
Grabbing Hold of a Great Career
While he always loved automobiles, Taylor was introduced to oversized vehicles during his time in the Army as a tactical operations specialist, where he would be required to drive five-ton military vehicles.
After his time in the Army, Taylor worked for a package delivery company, where he received his first taste of truck driving, before joining Penske Logistics as a part-time driver.
“I had never driven farther than 15 to 20 miles in one trip. I wanted to do more with my life and career,” Taylor said. “Penske gave me an opportunity to come on full-time, so I took advantage of that, and I felt like it was the greatest move of my life.”
Penske offered Taylor so many more opportunities that he could not find with another company. He respected the Penske brand and the company’s position as a leader in the transportation industry.
“I became a Smith System trainer. I was also able to further my skills at customer service, being a delivery person and interacting with the general public,” Taylor said. “Penske allowed me to be myself on a daily basis, which made me feel like I was part of something special.”
Beyond that, his job as a professional driver allowed him the flexibility to spend time with his two sons, who were active in sports growing up, including some coached by Taylor.
“Penske allowed me to have some flexibility by enabling me to work at night and have the day to be a part of practice and coach the games for my kids,” said Taylor, who coached youth football and high school track and field.
By far, his biggest professional opportunity was on the horizon.
From Professional Driver to Road Team Captain
Penske Logistics truck driver Earl Taylor (standing) speaks during a visit to the White House as President Donald Trump (seated center) listens.
One day when he was in the break room, he saw a posting about the ATA’s America’s Road Team and the selection of a new class of America’s Road Team Captains.
“I always wanted to do more with my career, so I took this opportunity to get involved. I put my best into it and hoped for the best,” said Taylor, who was attempting to become only the second Penske professional driver to be named a Road Team Captain.
Neil Kirk, the first Penske professional driver to be named a Road Team Captain, served as a mentor to Taylor.
“His influence was instrumental in building confidence in me and helping me believe that I really did have a chance to make this happen,” Taylor said, adding that they worked on mock media training and in mock panel sessions. “I really appreciate his efforts.”
Once Taylor became a finalist, the pair communicated over the phone and by text message as the time approached for the final selections to be made.
“I made up my mind that I could accept it either way because anyone who was chosen of the 33 finalists would be worthy, because they were a great bunch of people,” Taylor said. “When I heard my name called, it was surreal.”
Taylor can now count himself among an elite group of truckers whose role is to promote the trucking industry as well as bring to light issues that impact everyone who shares the road.
One of the early highlights of his tenure came in March when Taylor traveled to the White House with other Road Team Captains and the ATA to meet President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and speak on behalf of the trucking industry (pictured above).
“The president was real open to hearing us and was very concerned about our issues in the trucking industry,” Taylor said. “The president and vice president spoke to each and every one of us and asked us questions. They both wanted our opinions.”
The Road Ahead
After his time as Road Team Captain comes to an end in 2018, Taylor intends to continue to spread his safety message in the community – paying particular attention to young drivers and distracted drivers.
Taylor’s colleagues have applauded his efforts on behalf of the industry and Penske.
“I’ve been very impressed with the way Earl has responded to the challenge of being a Road Team Captain,” said Paul Penatzer, Senior Operations Manager – PL, Orlando, Florida. “He has gained the respect of his peers and his supervisors due to his level of engagement, his tenacity and the way he has accepted the responsibilities of his new role. I believe he’s becoming a great ambassador to our industry and to Penske.”
The road that brought him to his current role has had its own share of detours for sure, but Taylor wouldn’t have it any way.
“I am just beside myself, because I never thought I would make it to this point,” Taylor said. “Things I tried out didn’t work and things that worked out pointed me in this direction. Life has been preparing me for this all the while.”
Interested in a driving career with Penske? Visit gopenske.com/drivers for employment opportunities. The company offers competitive wages and a wide range of benefits. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Bernie Mixon
For the second consecutive year, Penske Logistics received the Lowe’s Gold Carrier Award. The award recognizes trucking companies that provide a consistent high-level of service exceeding 99.5 percent on-time delivery. In addition, gold status carriers must exemplify outstanding customer service and advanced supply chain solutions.
“Being recognized by our customers is one of the highest compliments we can receive,” Penske Logistics President Marc Althen explained. “The acknowledgment highlights our safe, professional truck drivers and their commitment to customer service and providing solutions that help customers achieve their business objectives.”
Displaying the Lowe's Gold Carrier Award are (from left) Penske Logistics associates Sean Falcone, general manager; Carlo Grilletto, senior operations supervisor; and Howard Sircus, operations manager.
Penske Logistics provides dedicated contract carriage services for a Lowe’s regional distribution center in Pennsylvania that serves stores in the Mid-Atlantic region. Penske delivers a variety of home improvement products for the leading retailer, including appliances, tools, construction materials, and home and garden items.
“This recognition is a true testament to our people. They work hard to deliver forward-thinking and efficient solutions that enable Lowe’s to meet the needs of its own customers,” said Jeff Jackson, senior vice president of operations eastern region for Penske Logistics.
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Preparation is a key ingredient in successful supply chain management as suppliers and manufacturers seek to move goods from warehouse to marketplace.
For logistics companies, like Penske Logistics, the recipe for solving customer supply chain issues is equal parts mathematics, engineering and logic.
The math and logistics connection takes on special significance every March 14 as math enthusiasts around the nation observe “National Pi Day,” which celebrates pi – 3.14159265 or 3.14 for short – also known as the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
The movement to celebrate all things pi began 29 years ago by physicist Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium, which still celebrates Pi Day to this day. A slice of pi trivia: Albert Einstein’s birthday falls on Pi Day.
In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing March 14 as National Pi Day.
According to the San Francisco Exploratorium, “the first calculation of pi was done by Archimedes of Syracuse (287–212 BC), one of the greatest mathematicians of the ancient world.”
Using Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to Move the World Forward
Spatial calculations are at the heart of logistics, which is why math is so important, said Amy Ilyes, vice president of logistics engineering at Penske Logistics.
“It is a traditional applied mathematical optimization problem. How do I move something through a network with the least distance and the least cost?” said Ilyes, who holds a doctorate in operations research. “Logistics is about trying to minimize waste as you move products.”
Managing costs has become more important as the supply chain has expanded over the years.
“The whole world has become smaller. Everything seems more global. The supply chain has lengthened, so I think that is part of the reason why there is so much of a need for logisticians,” Ilyes said. “It used to be that all the goods you consumed were manufactured in the U.S., and that’s not true anymore.”
As the logistics industry has grown, so has the need for people with advanced mathematics and engineering skills. Penske Logistics has outstanding in-house logistics engineers to address the needs of customers.
“These are the people who are either developing software based on mathematics that solves problems for our customers or our operations. Or they are using optimization software that we licensed to solve these kinds of problems,” Ilyes said.
Ilyes and her colleagues are doing their part to inspire the next generation of logistics engineers by hosting high school and college students to give them a feel for what logistics has to offer.
“When I was in high school and college, I had no idea what I was going to do with a mathematics degree,” Ilyes said. “I knew I could teach mathematics or maybe do computer programming or could become an actuary. I had no idea that you could use mathematics to solve logistics problems.”
Want to join in with the Pi Day fun?
These are some ways to mark Pi Day, courtesy of the National Day Calendar:
For more pi celebration ideas or more information about pi, visit the San Francisco Exploratorium.
By Bernie Mixon
Since the economic upturn began post-recession, overall warehouse demand within the supply chain has outpaced supply. Many industry insiders believe that supply is beginning to catch up with demand. Yet managing inventory, warehouse space and transportation remains important.
Inventory control and warehouse management are among the top ways transportation management drives a competitive advantage in the ever-challenging economic and commercial landscape. To help reduce costs, streamline the supply chain and provide reliable service, Penske Logistics has developed the ClearChainTM technology suite. ClearChain connects transportation providers with the warehouse to provide a more comprehensive view of the overall supply chain.
Effective transportation management carefully considers material availability and order fulfillment requirements, thus ensuring warehouse capacity and effective resource utilization. Attempting to “levelize” the flow through a distribution center or inbound to manufacturing can help control overall logistics costs. Additionally, some level of predictability helps source carriers.
View shipping updates in real time
With individual loads, ClearChain can drill down to the part-level details so people within the supply chain can see what is being shipped, where it is, compare the quantity ordered to the actual number that shipped, and track and trace loads to monitor their status. Penske also can configure ClearChain so customers receive real-time notifications related to loads, such as when a load is picked up, enters a certain geographical area or is delayed. The end user can choose an alert preference—email or text. This will allow the warehouse to be ready when a load arrives.
In addition, GPS technology allows Penske Logistics to track a load every step of the way, and it can provide advance notices to the receiver if discrepancies exist between what was ordered and what was shipped.
Make informed labor decisions
Improved visibility also allows users to optimize the warehouse's labor force. Warehouse labor can be planned by working backward from the shipment dispatch time provided by the transportation manager, ensuring employees are available when and where they are needed.
In today’s operating environment, transportation management is no longer just about moving freight at the lowest possible cost. Instead, it’s about value. ClearChain provides numerous applications that collect and share data to deliver value and help you make actionable decisions.
Get strategic
Bob Daymon, vice president of freight management operations at Penske Logistics, identified warehouse management as one of 10 key strategies Penske Logistics uses. Combined, these strategies turn data into actionable, value-added information, shape advance planning, enhance strategic decision making, and allow you to minimize disruptions and streamline operations.
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Penske Logistics Europe has received an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) license from the Tax and Customs Administration in The Netherlands, which will benefit the import and export needs of its customers. The company has been designated with an AEO-Full (AEOF) license, which combines both customs simplification (AEOC) and security and safety (AEOS).
Based in Roosendaal, The Netherlands, Penske Logistics Europe has now voluntarily met a “wide range of criteria work in close cooperation with customs authorities to assure the common objective of supply chain security and are entitled to enjoy benefits throughout,” the European Union, as explained on the European Commission Taxations and Customs Union website.
Here is an example of what the license provides: a customer is receiving a shipment of automotive products from the United States to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the country’s main airport. Before receiving the license, it may take two to three days to clear customs, in the event of an inspection. Now, that same shipment with the AEO-Full license can typically receive customs approval within a day, and without physical inspection.
“Having the AEO license acknowledges that we are an integral part of the secured supply chain,” explained Iris de Beule, senior contract manager for Penske. “Our associates understand best practices in handing freight in a safe way. This will provide for easier shipping within the EU, and will streamline the process of receiving shipments from across the world. It positions us well within the marketplace while serving as an important value add for our customers.”
Penske Logistics Europe nu houder een AEO-Full-certificaat
Penske Logistics Europe heeft van de Nederlandse Belasting- en Douanedienst een AEO-certificaat (Authorised Economic Operator) ontvangen, wat positieve gevolgen zal hebben voor de import- en exportbehoeften van Penskes klanten. Het bedrijf heeft een AEO-Full (AEOF)-certificaat ontvangen, een combinatie van douanevereenvoudigingen (AEOC) en het beveiliging- en veiligheidscertificaat (AEOS).
Penske Logistics Europe is gevestigd in Roosendaal, Nederland en heeft nu vrijwillig voldaan aan een “breed scala van criteria om nauw samen te werken met de douaneautoriteiten om de gemeenschappelijke doelstelling van de beveiliging van de toeleveringsketen te waarborgen. Penske kan nu profiteren van de vele voordelen binnen” de Europese Unie, zoals toegelicht is op de website van de Belasting- en Douane-unie van de Europese Commissie.
Hier volgt een voorbeeld van deze voordelen: een klant ontvangt vanuit de Verenigde Staten een zending autoproducten. De zending arriveert op Schiphol. Zonder de vergunning kan het twee tot drie dagen duren voordat de zending is ingeklaard, met name wanneer er een controle uitgevoerd moet worden. Nu kan diezelfde zending met het AEO-Full-certificaat en gewoonlijk zonder fysieke inspectie, binnen één dag geklaard worden.
“Het AEO-certificaat toont aan dat we een integraal onderdeel van de beveiligde toeleveringsketen zijn,” aldus Iris de Beule, senior contractmanager bij Penske. “Onze medewerkers hebben een goed begrip van best practices met betrekking tot het, op een veilige manier, omgaan met het goederenvervoer. Hierdoor zal het gemakkelijker worden om binnen de EU goederen te verzenden en het zal het proces voor het ontvangen van zendingen vanuit de hele wereld stroomlijnen. Het zal ons goed op de markt positioneren en het zal belangrijke waarde voor onze klanten toevoegen.”
By “Move Ahead” Staff
Within the supply chain, disruptions are inevitable. When handled improperly, they can affect service levels and add costs. That’s why it’s critical to proactively identify disruptions. By implementing a robust process and taking action when shipments don’t go as planned, you can effectively manage distressed loads.
In the last two months alone, record rainfall, an avalanche, a landslide and a snow and ice storm have caused road closures and traffic diversions.
Even without weather-related disruptions, traffic congestion can wreak havoc on a scheduled route. The American Transportation Research Institute estimates that congestion adds nearly $50 billion annually in operational costs to the trucking industry. The group recently released its list of the top 100 congestion-related freight bottlenecks nationwide. Topping the list are I-285 at I-85 in Atlanta; I-95 at SR 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey; and I-290 at I-90/I-94 in Chicago.
Break through the bottlenecks
Effective transportation management provides visibility into shipments and communicates en-route deviations, creating a competitive advantage. Because the supply chain includes multiple moving parts, each link within the chain must work both independently and in sync for the network to function properly. The sooner a customer knows about a potential disruption, the better. Timely updates allow for advanced planning and strategic decision making that could minimize further disruptions.
To improve visibility and communication, reduce costs and streamline the supply chain, Penske Logistics has developed the ClearChainTM technology suite. Through ClearChain, Penske Logistics tracks every product for a shipper every step of the way by providing real-time status updates and insights that can drive decisions.
See weather delays in advance
To identify potential disruptions, ClearChain overlays weather patterns from the National Weather Service as well as traffic information from the Department of Transportation over the areas it serves. If Penske Logistics suspects a disruption, it can work with suppliers to pull ahead materials as close to the plant or retail outlet as necessary, ensuring customers have the supplies they need.
ClearChain also can provide advance notices to the receiver if there is a discrepancy between the orders sent to fulfillment and the orders shipped due to shortages.
Find better service and cost savings
Bob Daymon, vice president of freight management operations at Penske Logistics, identified the ability to proactively address service disruptions as one of 10 Penske Logistics uses to address transportation management. Combined, these techniques result in better service and cost savings.
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Saying “I Love You” with candy and flowers this Valentine’s Day has become a little easier thanks to Penske Logistics’ Transportation Management Services.
U.S. consumers are expected to spend about $18.2 billion this Valentine’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). That includes $2 billion on flowers and $1.7 billion on candy alone, according to estimates.
Making sure perishables like candy and flowers arrive from warehouse to marketplace in top condition is a key role of Penske Logistics as well as the company’s team of professional drivers.
“If there is any delay in transit, you will have a problem, or very poor flowers and chocolates,” said Bob Daymon, vice president of transportation management for Penske Logistics. “Products like flowers and chocolates need to be moved via temperature-controlled equipment, and that equipment can be a challenge to find because it’s not as common as dry van.”
Whether managing perishable supply chains or dry goods and materials, Penske Logistics recognizes timing is key for all customers. The company takes steps to identify the best freight modes, consolidate shipments, manage carriers, and optimize air, sea and ground routes.
Through these efforts, Penske Logistics can offer customers reduced costs, improved labor productivity, better asset utilization and superior customer service.
The company takes special care when it comes to perishables.
“We are connected with hundreds of temperature-controlled carriers. This allows us to meet the capacity demands for those customers who require temperature-based equipment. We also have the ability to monitor real-time location and temperature of the equipment,” Daymon said.
“This allows the end customer to know when their product arrives; plus monitor the temperature while the product is in-transit,” he added. “We assure the customer the product will arrive on-time and in perfect condition.”
Penske Logistics’ experience in temperature-sensitive deliveries has grown by four times over the last three years, mainly driven by the company’s growth as a leader in the food and beverage space.
“The learnings, as skills from the food and beverage vertical, can be applied to moving flowers and chocolates,” Daymon said. “We pride ourselves on applying industry knowledge gained in one vertical and bringing best practices into other verticals to support our growing customer base.”
Here are some sweet Valentine’s Day facts:
Learn more about Penske Logistics and how it can offer custom-fit transportation solutions for your business here.
By Bernie Mixon
America’s railroad system winds along 140,000 miles of track, traveling through communities large and small and meeting truck drivers and passenger motorists at one of 212,000 railroad crossings each day.
While many trains make their way through railroad crossings without incident, statistics show that about once every three hours a person or a vehicle is struck by a train, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Railroad safety advocates like Operation Lifesaver, a national non-profit rail safety education organization, say taking a few precautions when approaching railroad crossings can help drivers avoid accidents with trains.
“One of our biggest concerns is people don’t always act safely near railroad crossings. We want to empower drivers to know how to act safely,” said Libby Rector Snipe, director of communications for Operation Lifesaver. “Distraction is a major cause of incidents at railroad tracks.”
Nearly two-thirds of public crossings are active with gates, bells or flashing lights, while the remaining third are passive, meaning they feature signs and markings but do not have active warning devices, according to the FRA.
Operation Lifesaver recommends that motorists do not stop any closer than 15 feet to the crossing. In the event you are caught in traffic, do not go forward unless you can clear the crossing.
“It is important to understand that trains overhang the tracks by approximately three feet on each side,” Snipe said. “Even if the bumper of your truck is not technically on the track, there is still the potential for the train to hit the truck.”
In the event that a truck or car is stuck on the tracks, a train does not have the ability to steer around it. It has to stay on the tracks and may not be able to stop in time.
“It can take a freight train traveling 55 miles an hour a mile or more to stop,” Snipe said. “That is the length of 18 football fields, so you can understand that it is very unlikely that they will be able to stop in time if something is in their way on the tracks.”
If a truck or car is stuck on the track, drivers are urged to exit the vehicle immediately and call the number on the emergency notification sign posted at every railroad crossing. Drivers should move away from the crossing as soon as possible.
“We advise people to run in the direction the train is coming from, but at an angle away from the tracks,” Snipe said. “If there is an impact between the train and the truck, and you are running along where the train is coming, you could be hit by debris.”
Operation Lifesaver has educational programs and tools for truck drivers and passenger motorists to make them aware of the potential dangers of railroad crossings.
The “ProDriver Challenge” is a videogame format e-Learning tool for professional drivers to review situations that drivers can experience when approaching train tracks, including how to maneuver their truck over railroad crossings.
“One of the issues is that non-retracted trailer jacks can become stuck on crossings,” Snipe said. “We encourage professional drivers to make sure the jacks are in the ‘up’ position.”
In addition, the organization has a safety campaign called “See Tracks? Think Train!” to encourage people who are near railroad tracks to expect a train at any time.
“The train does not always run at a set schedule, and it is hard to predict,” Snipe said. “People think certain tracks are out of service. You know a train can come at any time, so we tell people to look, listen and live.”
Safety is key for Penske Logistics’ more than 4,000 professional drivers and that includes being safe around railroad crossings.
“Smith System lies at the core of what we, as a motor carrier, focus on when it comes to driver safety and safe operations of the vehicle, which would include operating around a rail line,” said Rob Helstrom, director of safety and training for Penske Logistics. “Of course, railroads pose unique challenges and dangers; however, if the professional driver practices the Smith System Keys, they will identify and mitigate any hazards that arise.”
The focus on safety is not limited to logistics drivers.
Safety is also key for Penske Truck Leasing, a leading provider of full-service truck leasing and truck rentals to businesses and consumers, which operates and maintains a fleet of more than 240,000 vehicles.
“We encourage fleet operators to remind their drivers about the importance of rail-crossing safety,” said Don Mikes, Penske’s senior vice president of rental. “We also encourage our consumer truck rental customers to take extra safety precautions while driving and to heed all safety warnings near railways.”
The FRA offers the following additional tips for motorists when approaching a crossing:
As you begin to cross:
By Bernie Mixon
As fans prepare for football viewing parties across the country, snacks and drinks are sure to make it on the guest list. About 45 million Americans are expected to host gatherings to watch the big game Feb. 5 in Houston, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
Thousands of Penske Logistics drivers are working hard to make sure party fixings make it from warehouse to marketplace in time for the big game.
“At Penske our customers across the food industry rely on us not just for what we do reliably every day, but for what we do to support their busiest days when volumes surge,” said Andy Moses, senior vice president of global products for Penske Logistics.
Penske Logistics is a leader in the food and beverage logistics space, and helps its customers solve supply and delivery challenges to perishable staples that include milk, bread, eggs, and many other food items.
The company offers temperature-controlled supply chain solutions – featuring uninterrupted cold chain dedicated trucking and warehousing – as well as sophisticated equipment tracking, delivery coordination between vendors, distribution centers and stores as well as local sourcing of the freshest products.
Penske Logistics assists national and regional grocers to convenience stores and retail takeout customers with their logistic needs.
The buildup to the week’s big game “causes surge activity for our customers in the grocery, restaurant and convenience store sectors of the food and beverage industries,” Moses said. “Working together with our customers means collaborating on advance planning, and having the resources and expertise to react so they can capitalize on unexpected opportunities.”
Of those who plan to watch the game, about 80 percent say they will purchase food and beverages, according to the NRF study. In addition to snack aisle staples, take-out orders are expected to be brisk on game-day.
Here are some food and beverage stats for the big game:
Are you looking for some fun recipes to score a touchdown with your guests? These are some of the most-searched for game-day foods in every state.
Learn more about Penske Logistics and its work serving grocers, convenience stores, quick-service restaurants and the wider food and beverage industry here.
By Bernie Mixon
On roads and highways across the country, motor vehicles large and small – including an estimated 12 million commercial vehicles – find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder on the same beaten path.
With so many vehicles sharing the road, safety has taken on special significance.
Recognizing this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed the “Our Roads, Our Responsibility” program featuring road sharing tips for passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.
Special emphasis is paid to improving driving behavior, learning to coexist on the same roadways, and working together to reduce crashes.
FMCSA tips for commercial drivers include:
Safety tips for driving around commercial vehicles include:
Keeping its 4,400 drivers in the U.S. and Canada safe, as well as safety of the public, is of special significance to Penske Logistics, according to Dennis Abruzzi, senior vice president of safety.
“At Penske, it is a professional truck driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle in a safe manner at all times. There are many factors that can impact operating a commercial motor vehicle safely, such as being prepared for the work day, understanding the equipment/technology (and how to safely operate it) and being familiar/compliant with the hours of service regulations,” he said.
A key aspect of being safe on the road is anticipating the actions of other drivers.
“By anticipating these actions, a skilled driver will be able to operate their vehicle in the safest possible manner, thus avoiding potential accidents,” he said.
By Bernie Mixon
Penske Logistics is again the premier sponsor for this month’s Automotive Logistics Mexico Conference (#ALMexico) scheduled to take place at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City from January 31 to February 2. This conference connects automotive OEMs, tier suppliers, policy-makers and logistics service providers, where they will share best practices for running more efficient auto supply chains. Penske will be also be an exhibitor and serve in speaking roles.
Alex Graniewicz, Penske Logistics Mexico.
“The Automotive Logistics conference provides our organization with the ability to connect with current customers, meet with prospective clients, and to forecast industry trends,” stated Alex Graniewicz, Penske Logistics Mexico managing director.
Graniewicz’s deep industry expertise will be on display for two sessions at the conference. In Session 4, Ensuring World Class Logistics in Mexico, the panelists will look to provide insights as to how the use of automation and data will maximize growth and efficiency.
In the last session, 20/20 Vision, Graniewicz will join other panelists as they look ahead at the near future of the Mexican automotive logistics business.
“I believe the event provides a vital forum for OEMs and tier suppliers to meet with their LSPs and with policy-makers,” said conference chairman and publisher of Automotive Logistics, Louis Yiakoumi. “This year’s changes to the North American political landscape, added to the economic and technology trends already sweeping through the industry, make Automotive Logistics Mexico 2017 especially significant. We appreciate the support of partners like Penske in helping bring all parties together.”
La conferencia de Automotive Logistics México se llevará a cabo este mes en México
Penske Logistics vuelve a ser el principal patrocinador de la Conferencia de Automotive Logistics México este mes (#ALMexico), la cual está programada para llevarse a cabo en el hotel Marquis Reforma, en la ciudad de México, del 31 de enero al 2 de febrero. Esta conferencia permitirá que se reúnan fabricantes de autopartes originales, proveedores de nivel, formuladores de políticas y proveedores de servicios de logística, y compartan las mejores prácticas para operar cadenas más eficientes de suministro de automóviles. Además de presentarse como expositor, Penske será también orador.
“La conferencia de Automotive Logistics permite que nuestra organización se ponga en contacto con clientes actuales, conozca a clientes potenciales y anticipe las tendencias de la industria,” afirmó Alex Graniewicz, director general de Penske Logistics México.
Durante dos sesiones de la conferencia, Graniewicz tendrá la oportunidad de demostrar su enorme experiencia en la industria. En la sesión 4, Garantía de logística de clase mundial en México, los panelistas buscarán presentar ideas sobre cómo el uso de datos y la automatización maximizará el crecimiento y la eficiencia.
En la última sesión, Vista 20/20, Graniewicz se unirá a otros panelistas para analizar el futuro cercano del negocio de la logística automotriz en México.
“Creo que este evento abre un foro esencial para que los fabricantes de autopartes originales y los proveedores de nivel se reúnan con sus Proveedores de servicio de logística (LSP) y con los formuladores de políticas,” afirmó Louis Yiakoumi, presidente y editor de Automotive Logistics. “Los cambios que se presentaron este año en el panorama político de Norteamérica, sumados a las tendencias económicas y tecnológicas que ya están recorriendo la industria, hacen que Automotive Logistics México 2017 sea especialmente importante. Agradecemos el apoyo que hemos recibido de socios como Penske para ayudar a reunir a todas las partes.”
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Penske Logistics professional truck driver Earl Taylor (pictured above and below) has been named to the American Trucking Associations 2017-2018 America’s Road Team. Taylor, based in Orlando, Florida, is the second associate in company history to become a Road Team Captain. He succeeds Neil Kirk, a team member from 2015-2016.
In a story published on the Transport Topics website, ATA President Chris Spear stated: “ATA is proud to select these respected drivers as the newest America’s Road Team captains, and we are thankful that they will continue to tell their important stories throughout the country. Their companies, friends and families should all be incredibly proud of these drivers for dedicating themselves to spreading a positive message about trucking.”
Taylor will be one of 20 “trucking industry ambassadors,” a term the trade association commonly uses. He will continue working full-time for Penske while traveling the country for ATA and speaking to various groups and attending transportation conferences.
Taylor said: "I'm very excited to be named a Road Team Captain. I can't wait to get started and share my experiences."
By “Move Ahead” Staff
The prominence of supply chain management in the boardroom continues to grow, and there are some great reasons. Let’s start with the relentless corporate quest for year-over-year cost reductions. Then there is the competitive opportunity side, where supply chain agility enables a business to gain an advantage over others in their industry. Finally there is the risk management side of the equation, where the mitigation of potential supply chain disruption is a top priority.
So let’s recap. Your supply chain has a key role in growing the bottom line, growing the top line, and in protecting the brand. We’re talking about lofty stuff!
With all this at stake, the need for improved productivity and efficiency is obvious, and there has been a proliferation of supply chain software to help companies with these challenges. Of course this software in and of itself is just software, and there are no guarantees it will enable shippers to shine in financial statements. So what’s the key to making the most of technology?
Three must-haves to reap the benefits of supply chain technology
First you must have appropriately robust underlying core systems in all the right areas, such as transportation, warehouse, labor, yard and fleet management. Think of this as table stakes, but it’s not enough.
While there are some great off-the-shelf software products out there, we haven’t seen any that constitute more than a 70 percent or 80 percent solution for any given shipper, based on the nuances of their business and overall situation.
So to fill that gap you are going to need more - a number of highly specific complementary applications, and those have to be seamlessly integrated into your core systems. Not easy.
Finally, to drive results in your business -- results that can be seen on financial statements -- you are going to need best-in-class analytics, metrics and dashboards in easy-to-digest formats that aren’t buried six clicks deep in systems for your users to find.
Get to the suite spot in your supply chain without the hassle
Here is the good news. Penske Logistics has already completed the drive to build an integrated suite of supply chain technology, which we call ClearChain™. So you can reap the benefits now. That’s right now.
Drawing on decades of experience in supply chain management, Penske has acquired the best off-the-shelf software available.
What’s different is that Penske has also developed and integrated a few dozen additional supporting applications, creating unique functionality not available in off-the-shelf software. But that’s not all.
We’re a 3PL, not a software company, and shippers hire us to get results in their business. To make that happen we’ve developed a series of portals, dashboards and scorecards to drive tangible value for our customers.
We’ve made the technology investments, and by outsourcing supply chain activity to Penske, you really can avoid the hassles of buying and implementing software. You can avoid the challenges of finding, developing and training supply chain IT talent.
You can avoid the lengthy implementations and distracting upgrades that come with a do-it yourself supply chain IT strategy. As part of our supply chain solutions, we can handle the technology through the strength of ClearChain. And that frees you up to focus on driving business results.
This blog post was contributed by Andy Moses, senior vice president of global products for Penske Logistics.
Penske Logistics is the recipient of a 2016 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine.
“We always appreciate receiving formal recognition for helping our customers reach their sustainability goals,” stated Drew Cullen, Penske senior vice president of fuels and facility services. “With 26 percent of the U.S. carbon footprint emanating from transportation, it is vital that we guide our customers towards environmentally responsible choices in this space.”
According to the logistics publication, recipients are celebrated for making sustainability a part of their supply chain strategy.
“Our honorees are showing that the bottom line and corporate responsibility are not mutually exclusive,” explained magazine editor Ronnie Garrett.
Penske Truck Leasing is an affiliate partner in the U.S. EPA SmartWay program and Penske Logistics is a partner in the trucking carrier and logistics categories. Penske Truck Leasing is also an affiliate partner in the Canada SmartWay Transport Partnership, which is administered by Natural Resources Canada.
By “Move Ahead” Staff
Earl Taylor, a Penske Logistics professional truck driver in Orlando, Florida, is hoping to keep the company’s streak alive and become the second associate in Penske history to serve as a Road Team Captain for the American Trucking Associations. He is seeking to succeed Neil Kirk, who is wrapping up his two-year term.
On October 24, Taylor was announced as one of 33 finalists.
“These professional drivers were chosen as finalists for America’s Road Team because they are proven industry ambassadors with long safety records and professionalism that projects a positive image of our industry’s 3.5 million truck drivers,” new ATA President Chris Spear told Transport Topics magazine.
Road Ahead for Taylor
The next step for Taylor is to visit ATA’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, in January to make his case before a panel of industry experts.
“I’m really excited and I would like to thank the ATA for this opportunity,” Taylor explained (the image above was taken from his submission video). ”It gives me a chance to express my true feelings about this industry. I really do have a passion for what I do.
I think I would be a good Road Team Captain because I’m committed, I love teaching and I love sharing what I know about my profession with others.”
If Taylor were to make the team, he would promote trucking in 2017 and 2018 before groups that include school-age children and industry professionals.
He would still work full-time for the company while taking time off occasionally to serve as a Road Team Captain.
Taylor’s days are currently spent making deliveries of newspaper inserts, appliances and retail merchandise in central Florida, and across the state’s major markets.
Taylor Great Example for Truck Drivers
Paul Penatzer, Taylor’s senior operations manager, noted: “Earl has been an excellent employee for us over the last 19-plus years. He gets the job done and gets it done safely. Earl is very supportive of our safety processes and policies. He is a Smith System certified instructor, training our current drivers, and qualifying new driver applicants via road tests."
Taylor served in the U.S. Army as a tactical operations specialist – it was there that he first gained experience driving vehicles of all weights and sizes, including 5-ton mobile tactical centers, jeeps and tanks.
In total, he has amassed over 32 years of truck driving experience.
Captain Kirk’s Time Coming to a Close
Neil Kirk, Penske Logistics truck driver, made company history when he was named the organization’s first-ever ATA Road Team Captain. Here he is at a conference in April 2016.
Based in Montgomery, New York (outside of New York City), Kirk has grown as a person during his captaincy and got to see new parts of the country and try new things. “It has been a privilege and honor to represent Penske Logistics,” Kirk said.
“My favorite type of event was without a doubt the Share the Road program at high schools,” he recounted. “I found it gratifying to share our message of highway safety with the youth of our nation. It was great to start an open dialogue about what everyone’s responsibility is out on the road.”
Possible New Penske Road Team Captain
Taylor has stressed the importance of readiness for drivers. He wants them to follow his lead by eating well, exercising regularly and getting the right amount of sleep. “I want to see drivers be safe and be prepared,” he said.
Most importantly, Taylor implores his fellow drivers to “have a clear head when coming to work and coming prepared to drive a truck,” and to limit personal distractions that may affect a driver on the road.
The present Road Team Captain has some advice for the hopeful.
“To Earl, I say give it your best shot,” Kirk said. “Remember that you represent Penske Logistics and that your actions will have a lasting impression on everyone you meet. “
By Alen Beljin
