IAMC News Briefs—Week of March 6, 2023
By John Salustri
SUPPLY CHAIN DIVE—FedEx has unveiled a strategy to enhance its delivery methodology. The shipper will focus its aircraft fleet on priority packages and rely on third-party providers for less urgent shipments. The explosion of e-commerce business has produced a jump in parcels with more flexible transit expectations. “When you look at the demand profile, there’s going to be increasing demand for deferred traffic, so when we structure our network, we will focus on agility, flexibility and technology,” says President and CEO Raj Subramaniam.
https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/fedex-express-drive-other-air-carriers-deferred-volume/643312/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202023-02-27%20Supply%20Chain%20Dive%20%5Bissue:48340%5D&utm_term=Supply%20Chain%20Dive
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS—The caring spirit of America can be felt in Turkey and Syria, a month after more than 50,000 people were killed in a massive earthquake. Through NAM Emergency Response Committee Partners Project HOPE and Good 360, US makers of all types were reportedly among the first to send aid. Included in this largesse were major contributions from the foundations of IAMC members. These include: UPS’ $1-million commitment to global logistics support and employee contribution matches; FedEx, Novartis and Siemens each donating $1 million; Boeing’s $500,000 donation; and Caterpillar’s $400,000 in relief efforts.
https://www.nam.org/manufacturers-lend-a-hand-in-turkey-syria-21248/
GLOBEST.COM—Another major manufacturer is betting on nearshoring as Tesla moves on plans to construct a $5-billion gigafactory in the North Mexican town of Nuevo Leon. Construction is slated to start in three months, and when the dust clears, the plant will employ some 5000 people. But that’s just a start. When fully operational, the plant will boast double that number as it starts producing some one million vehicles a year—a third of the firm’s global output.
https://www.globest.com/2023/03/06/tesla-is-the-latest-company-to-invest-in-mexico-can-the-us-industrial-sector-keep-up/
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY EXECUTIVE—Full service real estate firm Burton Katzman, in a joint venture with DRA Advisors, has recapitalized a 2.2-million-square-foot portfolio of Midwest industrial assets. The pack, now valued at $240 million, consists of 24 light industrial assets and is 99% leased to more than 40 businesses. Going forward, the JV plans to snap up Midwest industrial assets going for below-market rates to take advantage of value-add opportunities. Newmark put the joint venture together and arranged for the recap financing.
https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/burton-katzman-dra-advisors-recap-2-2-msf-industrial-portfolio/
TRANSPORT DIVE—Big G Express, the employee-owned trucking firm, has acquired RTR Transportation Services. The acquisition, the price of which was undisclosed, delivers to Big G an additional 100 drivers, expanding its service routes and positioning the firm to “gain market share with blue-chip customers in the automotive industry,” according to a statement. Big G now can boast a reach that expands from 11 states to 48 plus Canada.
https://www.transportdive.com/news/carrier-big-g-express-acquires-rtr-transportation-services/644305/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202023-03-08%20Transport%20Dive%20%5Bissue:48624%5D&utm_term=Transport%20Dive