Given the increasing complex nature of today's vehicles with their components that have tighter tolerances, the role of maintenance to the successful operation of a fleet is more important than ever.
If you have not yet computerized your maintenance operations, here are some reasons why you should do it today.
read more
...Read the rest of this storyDaimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced the addition of two new parts distribution centers over the past two months.
The addition of the new facilities in Grimes, Iowa, and Whitestown, Ind., will allow DTNA to service its customers more effectively and efficiently.
“Our customers drive the best product on the road and are deserving of the best service experience as well,” Jay Johnson, general manager, Supply Chain Network. The opening of the Indianapolis facility and the start of construction on the Iowa facility further demonstrate the commitment of Daimler Trucks North America to providing an industry-leading service experience.
The new facilities will hold more than $15 million of inventory and over 20,000 parts. The addition of the parts distribution centers is another building block in the DTNA supply chain strategy. The DTNA supply chain system has been architected to be anticipatory in nature. The goal is to have the part at the service location when the customer needs it. In the event that a part isn't there, DTNA's Dedicated Delivery and Variable Cut-Off processes will enable a part to be delivered to the service location as soon as the same day.
“Every minute counts during a service event. DTNA is not only investing in brick and mortar, but we are also investing in processes and tools to ensure that parts are in the right place, at the right time,” continued Johnson
The facility in Grimes will be completed January 2018 and the Whitestown location will be fully operational at the same time.
Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter
...Read the rest of this storyA wide-open road in Mexico. Photo:México Secretaria de Comunicación y Transportes
">A wide-open road in Mexico. Photo:México Secretaria de Comunicación y Transportes
">The trucking market in Mexico, despite its complexities, presents opportunities to third-party logistics providers, contends a new report released by market-research and consultancy firm Armstrong & Associates Inc.
Trucking in Mexico totaled $60 billion in 2016, according to a new report just released by Armstrong & Associates. The report, Trucking in Mexico: Navigating the Opportunity, which states that last year trucking was a $60 billion industry in the country. It quantifies the Mexican trucking market, presents U.S. and Mexico export and import activity, and outlines the current shipment process for shippers and truckload carrier/3PL providers. In addition, Ryder and a dozen other U.S.-Mexico truckload carrier/3PLs are profiled in the report.
“Trucking in Mexico remains complex and heavy with requirements, but there are many 3PL providers that have the process down to a science,” according to Richard Armstrong, chairman of Armstrong & Associates. “This report summarizes the market opportunity and identifies the key players and the process by which to follow.”
Armstrong divides the Mexican trucking market into intra-Mexico and cross-border import/export trucking with the U.S. Domestic trucking's core is the Mexico City area, connecting to such major cities as Monterrey and Guadalajara. Cross-border traffic is dominated by export/import activity involving the U.S., with the busiest cross-border port being Laredo, TX.
“Proximity to the United States, low wages, increases in manufacturing competencies, and retail investments throughout Mexico are keeping trucking in Mexico afloat,” the report states. “While trucking in Mexico is bobbing relative to the United States due to currency fluctuations, the complexities of intra-Mexico and cross-border trucking with the United States requires expertise.”
The report points out that major retailers, such as Walmart, are expanding into Mexico to gain for shorter lead times as “ocean transit cannot react as quickly to ...Read the rest of this story
