Amazon Moves to Launch Its Own Delivery Fleet

Recent moves by Amazon have led some industry observers to speculate the online retailer is poised to launch its own parcel delivery service soon. Photo: Amazon

As if delivery drones weren't enough, Amazon seems set on causing further disruption in the trucking and logistics industry. Reports emerged late last week that the internet-retail giant is exploring plans to launch its own parcel delivery service.

According to various news sources, including the Wall Street Journal and Money, Amazon, which helped launch the boom in online shopping and has taken the business to incredible heights, has been straining the capability of existing P&D companies with the sheer volume of its online sales. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has expressed repeatedly his desire for fast, efficient package delivery as an integral part of successful online retail sales, which led to the company's now-famous experiments with home delivery drones beginning in 2015.

Now, it appears Amazon may be ramping up to follow through on its previously speculated intention to launch a proprietary P&D fleet. Money reports that the company recently leased 40 air freight aircraft and begun arranging maritime freight shipments from China while quietly building up a new force of urban delivery drivers.

Money notes that UPS and FedEx have downplayed the threat of an Amazon delivery service in the past, pointing out the massive investment and time required to put an air and ground delivery network in place that could rival their own businesses. However, Money also notes that with $178 billion in sales and $3 billion in profit last year, along with cash reserves estimated to be more than $20 billion in cash, Amazon is uniquely placed to launch its own air and land P&D service should Bezos give the marching orders.

Regardless of how aggressive any Amazon move into the P&D space ...Read the rest of this story

Nikola COO Scott Perry Joins Suddath’s Logistics Division

Scott Perry has joined Suddath Global Logistics, leaving The Nikola Motor Company. Photo: Suddath Global Logistics

Scott Perry, longtime Ryder System exec, has been named the president of Global Logistics for the Suddath Companies, after serving as the chief operating officer of Nikola Motor for only a few months.

Suddath hired Perry as the company looks to expand its logistics business and improve its position as a technology leader. Perry was the chief technology and procurement officer for Ryder System, spending 25 years with the company, before announcing in November his move to the hydrogen fuel cell electric truck maker Nikola.

Perry succeeds Dan DeSoto, current president of the Suddath Global Logistics division, who will retire in April.

Suddath Global Logistics offers end-to-end supply chain solutions for domestic and international clients.

“Our Global Logistics unit is one of our fastest-growing business lines, and it was important for us to find a tenured leader with deep experience in transportation, logistics and new technology,” said Mike Brannigan, president and chief executive officer for The Suddath Companies. “Scott is a visionary leader with strong business skills who is also a cultural fit of our values of integrity, trust, innovation, commitment and teamwork. His experience with supply chain and next-generation logistics technology will be a huge asset to our Global Logistics division and our executive leadership team.”

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