Logistics Technology News

With technology seeming to increase in sophistication by the month, logistics companies are poised to play an even more bigger role in the shipment of goods in North America and worldwide. This will prompt third-party logistics providers to work out new — and improved — relationships with companies that own freight-moving assets.

India’s Allcargo Logistics Ltd., through its subsidiary Ecu Line, has acquired a majority stake in FCL Marine Agencies, a Netherlands-based non-vessel-owning common carrier operating primarily in trades between Europe and North America.

NOL Group has appointed Beat Simon as president of subsidiary APL Logistics, effective March 1, 2014.

Benefiting from an improving economy, strong e-commerce sales, and profit initiatives launched last year, FedEx raised both bottom and top lines in its latest quarter. The second-largest U.S. transport company expects even better from 2014.

CEVA Logistics has been beefing up its global operations with the expansion of a health care distribution center in Leipzig, Germany, and a new warehouse complex in Queensland, Australia.

Universal Truckload Services will acquire Westport Axle from a Brazil-based industrial group, gaining new inroads into truck manufacturing and access to more industrial freight.

Dachser has established a joint venture in Indonesia as part of its global expansion strategy.

CEVA Logistics has signed a three year contract with Swedish automotive industry manufacturer Scania to manage the delivery of spare parts in Spain and Portugal.

UPS, DHL Express and FedEx have published new rates for 2014.

Pacer International has predicted its revenue in 2014 will range between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion, representing an expected increase of 10 percent to 18 percent from its 2013 results.

Allcargo Logistics Ltd., India’s leading international freight forwarder and port-based logistics provider, said its consolidated net profit in the second fiscal quarter, which ended Sept. 30, was $6.7 million, falling 28 percent from $9.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2012-13.

CEVA Logistics today reported a net loss of $54 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared with a net loss of $78 million in the same period last year.

The 50 largest transportation and logistics companies worldwide grew more slowly in 2012 as the global economy sputtered, increasing revenue only 2.6 percent compared with a more robust 8.4 percent combined growth rate in 2011.

Frank Appel has seen his share of turmoil and volatility. As the CEO of Deutsche Post DHL, Appel has navigated his company through a global recession that saw its DHL express unit pull out of the U.S. market, and more recently has wrestled with uncertainty over the direction of two major rivals, UPS and TNT.

CEVA Logistics today announced that Marvin O. Schlanger will retire as CEO on Jan. 2, 2014, and will be succeeded by Xavier Urbain.

The International Warehouse Logistics Association’s board of directors named Steve W. DeHaan as its new president and CEO.

Damco’s profit collapsed to $1 million in the third quarter of 2013, from $15 million a year ago, driven by higher restructuring and overhead costs.

CEVA Logistics has continued its strategic development of operations in Asia with the introduction of its new aerospace storage area in Singapore.

Agility reported profit of 12.1 million Kuwaiti dinars (about US$42.7 million) in the third quarter of 2013, representing a jump of 26 percent year-over-year from 9.6 million dinars.

DF Young has introduced a new business division, DF Young Specialty Logistics.

Major Japanese international freight forwarder Kintetsu World Express Inc. (KWE) said on Nov. 7 that its net profit tumbled 15.9 percent in the first half of fiscal 2013, which started on April 1, from a year earlier to ¥4.064 billion ($41.2 million) on a consolidated basis.

Zenith Global Logistics has expanded its Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, warehouse.

C.H. Robinson reported its net income in the third quarter of 2013 was $107.7 million, decreasing 8.0 percent year-over-year from $116.3 million.

Kerry Logistics has signed a deal to provide a range of services to support the expansion into China of UK-based fashion retailer ASOS.

Expeditors International of Washington reported its profit in the third quarter of 2013 was $92.4 million, improving 4.4 percent year-over-year from $88.5 million.

Transport Corp. of India reported a net income of $2.13 million in its second fiscal quarter, ending Sept. 30, 2013, which was flat compared with the same period last year.

Norbert Dentressangle reported its total revenue in the third quarter of 2013 was €1.0 billion (about US$1.4 billion) increasing 6.2 percent from €967 million...

Major Japanese international freight forwarder Yusen Logistics Co. said its group net profit plunged 79.0 percent year-over-year in the first half of fiscal 2013, which began on April 1, to 282 million yen ($2.9 million) despite a big jump in operating revenue.

CEVA Logistics has appointed Peter Dew as president, Asia Pacific.

China’s HNA Group has completed the acquisition of TIP Trailer Services, Europe’s largest truck and trailer leasing company, from GE Capital.

DSV’s profit declined in the third quarter as the Danish global transport and logistics group saw low growth and tougher competition in ocean, air and land transport.

Property giant the Goodman Group has signed an agreement to develop a 108,000 square foot facility for BMW Brilliance Automotive in Hebei Province, China.

Ceva Logistics is targeting further growth in Asia, according to Inna Kuznetsova, the company’s chief commercial officer.

A shorter holiday shopping period and a consumer shift towards e-commerce may be the drivers behind U.S.-based courier delivery companies’ predictions for...

Gateway Distriparks Ltd., India’s leading port-based logistics provider, reported its consolidated net income in the second fiscal quarter, which ended Sept. 30, was $5.5 million, increasing 12 percent year-over-year.

Damco has named Hanne B. Sørensen as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps summer fellowship program has expanded to include logistics operations in the U.S....

Container Corp. of India reported its net income in the second fiscal quarter, which ended Sept. 30, was $40 million, climbing 5 percent from $38 million in the year-ago period.

Universal Truckload Services reported net income of $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2013, falling 8.7 percent year-over-year from $15.1 million.