Schenker to Expand Direct Operations in the Philippines With Local Partner Acquisition Schenker AG will expand its operations in the Philippines on January 1, when it acquires the operations of local partner CPI Transport, Inc. CPI has represented Schenker in that country for nearly 20 years. At the same time, Schenker will integrate the activities of BAX Global, another recent acquisition. The activities of BAX and CPI will be merged into one company, operating under the Schenker name. It will have a staff or more than 500 employees and combined revenues of around $60m. Services to be offered include international freight forwarding for both air and sea, distribution, value-added activities, customs brokerage, project cargo and household removals. CPI began international freight-forwarding activities in 1982, signing an exclusive agency agreement with Schenker in 1988. It has 180 employees in the Manila area and in Cebu. BAX Global has been operating its own offices in the Philippines since 1995. It has 340 employees and some 6,800 square meters of warehouse and logistics space. According to Karl-Heinz Matthes, Schenker's regional director of Asia Pacific, the move fulfills the company's strategy to have a comprehensive, owned network in all markets. http://www.schenker.com/
DHL Hooks Up With Polar Air Cargo in U.S.-Asia Services DHL has forged a strategic partnership with Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. The block-space agreement gives customers of DHL Express additional capacity on trans-Pacific air routes. It will run for up to 20 years, providing DHL Express with guaranteed access to aircraft capacity in key global markets. DHL will also have access to aircraft capacity from Atlas Air, Inc. Both Polar and Atlas are subsidiaries of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. From Polar's perspective, the deal means a long-term revenue stream, strengthening its position as a source of main-deck freight capacity. Under a letter of intent signed by the two parties, DHL will invest $150m to acquire a minority 49-percent equity stake in Polar. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in late 2006 or early 2007. Polar will continue to operate as an independent company, and there will be no integration with DHL or any of its business units, the companies said. http://www.dhl-usa.com/
TrueDemand Releases Version 2.0 of Retail Forecasting App TrueDemand Software Inc. has released TrueDemand 2.0, the latest version of the vendor's software for retail forecasting and replenishment. The tool lets consumer goods companies utilize all downstream data to manage their entire supply chains. Version 2.0 introduces exception-driven workflows, allowing users to anticipate problems with product availability. It draws on multiple sources of demand-signal and inventory-movement data, including point of sale, radio frequency identification and retailer collaboration. The software generates root-cause analyses of stockouts, along with tasks that can increase shelf availability and market share, TrueDemand said. Version 2.0 also allows customers to manage the introduction of new products, and transition old products from the retail channel. TrueDemand 2.0 is SAP NetWeaver-certified, providing out-of-the-box integration with mySAP ERP and SAP Advanced Planning & Optimization. http://www.tdemand.com/
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RedPrairie, Babush Team Up for RFID Technology, Services A new RFID (radio frequency identification) Technology center is the result of a joint effort between RedPrairie and Babush Material Handling Systems. Located in Milwaukee, Wisc., the 3,200-square-foot center provides visitors with hands-on experience in the application of RFID. In the process, they can acquire a better understanding of the components required to install a successful RFID system. RFID tags are used with integrated material-handling systems, allowing customers to view the process under real operating conditions, and decide about the value of the operational processes they can deploy. The center is equipped with high-speed conveyor systems to allow tag-placement testing. The equipment can test product-read speeds of up to 600 feet per minute, and accurately apply labels as rapidly as 60 cases per minute, the companies said. RedPrairie's RFID technology provides for the commissioning of Electronic Product Code numbers; application, tracking and aggregation of tags using automated equipment, and logistical operations using vehicle-mounted readers. Babush is a supplier of material-handling systems that allow for pre-integrated, high-speed RFID labeling and operations. http://www.redprairie.com/
OAG Cargo Launches Information, Rates Portal for Canada OAG, a provider of air travel and transportation information, has launched its OAG Cargo service in western and eastern Canada. The service allows airlines and other aviation service providers to post announcements directly to notify freight forwarders of new routes, flight schedule changes, security and surcharge amendments and related information. Forwarders can register and highlight the type of information they wish to receive. An Air Freight Rates (AFRA) application provides a secure environment for rate information, supplying forwarders with a single source for all rate data. Other tools offered by OAG Cargo include route building, real-time information on flight arrivals and departures, and road feeder schedules. Partners can also use the service for online bookings, volume calculation and information on dangerous goods regulations, airport codes, pallet and container sizes, world maps, time zones and public holidays. OAG Cargo already claims some 30,000 registered freight forwarders and airline users in 22 locations worldwide. http://www.oagcargo.com/
SAP Consolidates Partner Programs; Eases Euro-Pay Process SAP AG will unify its various partner activities in a single program known as SAP PartnerEdge. The new program will encompass thousands of partners that resell, build, implement or provide services for SAP products. In addition, it enhances the SAP Partner Service Benefits Package, through additional training, marketing and other resources. In another company development, SAP said it will provide enhancements to mySAP ERP (enterprise resource planning), to help companies and banks reap the benefits of the upcoming Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). The program is intended to boost the efficiency of cross-border electronic payments within Europe. SEPA seeks to harmonize the conditions, rights and obligations for more than 450m citizens in the European Union, three European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland. The enhancements will be made available to SAP customers as extensions to mySAP ERP 2005.
PartnerEdge: http://www.sap.com/
Euro Payments: http://www.sap.com/
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Demica Unveils Citadel SCF, Tool for Supply-Chain Financing Demica has introduced Citadel SCF, software that supports supply-chain finance activities. According to the vendor, the tool streamlines execution through complete automation of the financing process. It gives buyers, suppliers and lenders the ability to track individual invoices, payments and final settlements in real time. The platform allows for the definition of invoice eligibility and selection criteria, then collects, consolidates and displays all payables data from single or multiple buyers or suppliers into both consolidated and granular forms. The fully hosted software requires no on-site installation. The product is based on Demica's reporting platform, which has already been deployed in invoice finance markets worldwide. Demica offers software applications to investment banks, private equity sponsors and global corporations. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the J.M. Huber Corp. http://www.demica.com/
Intermec Offers Extended Service Coverage for Equipment Intermec Inc. has introduced an extended service coverage program for its data-collection equipment. Called Medallion Complete, the program covers eligible Intermec devices against incidental damage experienced in the work environment. It is available in 14 countries. Under normal industry practice, damage to data-collection equipment, as opposed to normal wear or component failure, is not covered by standard service agreements, Intermec said. Repairs due to damage typically involve the most expensive components of a device, such as a touch screen or LCD. Medallion Complete covers virtually all repairs, including those required due to incidental equipment damage. The coverage is available on most Intermec data-collection devices, including handheld mobile computers, scanners, fixed and mobile radio frequency identification readers, printers, and many accessories. Customers who purchase new, qualifying equipment with a three-year Medallion prepaid service agreement on or after Oct. 1, 2006 are automatically enrolled in the Medallion Complete program. http://www.intermec.com/
IDII Publishes New Edition of Supply Chain Terms Glossary Industrial Data & Information, Inc. has issued the fourth edition of its Glossary of Supply Chain Terminology for Logistics, Manufacturing, Warehousing & Technology. Some 40 percent of the update consists of new content, IDII said. It includes new entries in every section, including business, computer, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, purchasing and standards. All sections have been greatly increased in size, the vendor said. Additions include standard country codes, and barcodes with examples. The previous edition added sections on radio frequency identification, Edifact and Incoterms. The glossary covers 15 areas of relevance to the supply-chain professional; each has its own glossary, and the main glossary includes all terminology. Single copies of the fourth edition are available for $59.95, from either IDII or Amazon.com. http://www.idii.com/
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Confidex Develops Gen 2 RFID Tags for Harsh Environments Confidex, a designer and manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, has created a transponder that can operate in harsh conditions. The Ironside unit works on metallic objects and at temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to more than 100 degrees Celsius. It can also withstand mechanical stresses found in the petrochemical, automotive and maritime industries. The equipment's passive UHF technology makes it suitable for use in the aerospace industry, where users can safely communicate with transported assets and components, both on the ground and in the air. When mounted into metallic surfaces, either with industrial adhesive or pop rivets, Ironside has a read range of four to six meters. In a related development, Confidex has created Steelwave, a UHF EPC Class 1 Gen 2 RFID tag for indoor tracking and asset management. Unlike standard RFID labels, the Steelwave tag works also on metal-based objects. Like the Ironside transponder, it has a read range of four to six meters. Uses include the tracking of parts in assembly lines, locating of components in warehouses and safeguarding of assets via an RFID-based surveillance system.
Ironside: http://www.confidex.fi/
Steelwave: http://www.confidex.fi/
