Andy Martin - YRC Logistics EU

Integration of Yellow and Roadway remains ahead of schedule

- New YRC brand name built on distinguished heritage of Yellow Transportation and Roadway

- Customer benefits of integration include 21,000 more direct service points

YRC Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: YRCW) has announced that YRC is the new brand name for the combined Yellow Transportation and Roadway network. The company also confirmed that YRC is ahead of schedule to successfully integrate its national networks by early spring.

"With more than 160 combined years of moving big shipments and 38,000 transportation professionals, YRC represents the most collective expertise in the industry," said Bill Zollars, chairman, president and CEO of YRC Worldwide. "More customers rely on YRC for large shipments than any other provider, and one integrated network allows for even greater coverage and shipment density. By integrating Roadway and Yellow, we gain efficiencies and capabilities that position us to support our customers now and as the economy improves."

New brand name and visual identity for Yellow and Roadway

"Back in the 1920s and '30s, Yellow and Roadway established themselves as innovators, the companies that led the developing transportation industry," said Greg Reid, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for YRC Worldwide. "Today, that reputation for innovative excellence and heavyweight expertise carries forward with the new brand name. YRC expresses the combined strength of Yellow and Roadway, and represents our integration of networks, services and capabilities."

"The visual identity for YRC features the highly recognized and trusted orange of Yellow and blue of Roadway," said Reid. "Customers will still see the familiar Roadway and Yellow marks as we transition branding elements, but they'll soon be able to identify with YRC through customer service, sales and other interactions."

Reid says a new customer Web site will debut soon. Roadway.com and My.Roadway.com customers will automatically be directed to yrc.com in early February, and MyYellow customers will be directed to the site beginning in March.

Integration progress

Since October 2008, around 80 shared service centers have been opened to manage the combined YRC network; these serve as a single interface for Roadway and Yellow customers. Upon completion, the combined network will boast around 450 YRC service centers - nearly 100 more service centers than the individual Roadway and Yellow networks. In major metropolitan areas around the country, the nearest YRC facility will be 20 percent closer to customers, enabling quicker pick-ups and deliveries, increased flexibility and reduced emissions.

As a part of the integration process, YRC also has added more than 21,000 new direct service points. The result is the ability to serve more communities and provide customers with improved transit times and additional access to services.

"Our customers are reacting very positively to the integration," said Zollars. "We're delivering and will continue to deliver on our promise to provide them with simple, flexible shipping solutions, prompt pick-ups and greater service quality."

About YRC Worldwide

YRC Worldwide Inc., a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest transportation service providers in the world, is the holding company for a portfolio of successful brands including YRC, Reimer Express, YRC Logistics, New Penn,Holland, Reddaway and Glen Moore. Building on the strength of its heritage brands, Yellow Transportation and Roadway, the enterprise provides global transportation services, transportation management solutions and logistics management. The portfolio of brands represents a comprehensive array of services for the shipment of industrial, commercial and retail goods domestically and internationally. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, YRC Worldwide employs approximately 55,000 people.

Labels: Integration, YRC Worldwide

Labels: Minimum Service Standard, Service

I am able to view our boardroom from my office and enjoyed watching an internal training event hosted by Steve Birch our Ocean Freight Rate Procurement Manager. The training incorporated subjects such as understanding bills of lading, rate procurement, Preparation of quotations, letter of credits as well as learning how to consolidate for improved rates and service for our clients.

The attendees were a cross section of staff and similar events will be held nationally to ensure staff are continually cross trained and refreshed on a varaity of freight forwarding and Logistics subjects. Even in these times of global financial uncertainty, it is important that we keep investing in our staff and utilise the knowledgeable of individuals in our team such as Steve Birch.

Labels: Sea Freight, Training

As a nice distraction from the challenges of business I had a full weekend of football which was great. On Saturday my Cove Youth U16 side trained with Cove FC reserves, as they had no game and were brought in for extra training. The Cove FC reserve manager is a guy called Eric Howard who at 65 years old has spent all his life in semi professional club management and great for our U16 side to work with him. Respect for the energy he shows at 65. On Sunday we played VT Youth from Southampton in the quarter final of the Hampshire County Cup and in a hard fought game we managed to secure a semi final place with a 2-1 victory. I must thank my wife for organising the after dinner buffet, making over 60 rolls on Sunday plus not moaning too much about cleaning the kit or me doing nothing else but talk about football all night on Sunday.

Labels: Cove U16, Football

With our aggressive expansion plans across the UK and mainland Europe, YRC Logistics is looking for talented people and the best teams in the industry to come and share our vision.
Are any of the below applicable to you or your team?

• Not receiving the rewards you deserve?
• Concerned about your future prospects?
• Are you looking to be a part of a larger company?
• Have you recently been made redundant?

Then you may be what we are looking for! To arrange a confidential meeting, please telephone James Clark on +44 (0)1784 480100 or email james.clark@yrclogistics.com

Labels: Procurement, Sales, Staff

Much of the first few weeks has seen my time focus on the 2009 sales plans for the UK. It was great to hear about several new clients trading with us already and it was really pleasing that as well as competitive freight pricing, other value added services like European Transportation, Purchase Order Management, Customs Compliance are being well received.

The biggest pleasure I get though, is when I hear that a client recently said during trial shipments that they have noticed a significant reduction in their shipping departments time in calling to ask questions about shipments, the reason for this is because the information has been received via our shipment audit system.

On a not so good point, it is disappointing that a valued, long term client with a good credit rating has been driven into administration. This client was not only good for YRC Logistics in terms of revenue but like a personal friend to the YRCL office so the sadness is doubled.

Labels: Powerview, Sales, Service

Effective January 26, 2009, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires an Importer Security Filing (ISF) 24 hrs prior to ocean vessel loading at foreign ports. This ISF filing is separate from and in addition to the existing advance cargo declaration (24 hr Rule) and Customs Entry requirements.

Required from shipper -
manufacturer name / address
Seller name / address
Country of origin ( manufactured )
Buyer name / address
Ship to name / address

What are YRC Logistics doing on this?

Our USA Compliance team are actively working with all of our offices and partners around the world and will be starting the testing in January, to ensure that come the go live date, all operational personnel are fully trained and any issues with the system have been ironed out and every scenario has been tested to ensure compliance with USA Customs and Border Protection.

If anyone would like to discuss how this impacts them please feel free to telephone 0800 6129374 or email uksales@yrclogistics.com

Labels: Imports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USA

Changes to the NIRU control of the above reliefs which will take effect from today 8th Jan 2009

 

The main changes, for both reliefs, are as follows:_

 

·         Every Trader, on making their first import to either relief, will receive a letter advising them of the legal requirements of using the relief.

·         If a return has not been made to NIRU within the throughput period – normally 6 months for PCC and 12 months for Goods for Test – the Trader will receive a further letter reminding them of their obligations. If an extension is required a written request should be sent to NIRU before the end of the throughput period.

 

If a return is not received, or the conditions of the reliefs are not complied with, then a Customs debt may be incurred or a demand for suspended duty/taxes issued.

 

Further information can be found at Customs Notice 237 for PCC and Customs Notice 374 for Goods for Test, available on the HMRC website. Or you can contact one of the YRC Logistics Customs Compliance team.

 

(Source: NIRU, HM Revenue and Customs, www.hmrc.gov.uk)

Labels: Customs Compliance, Global Trade Management, NIRU, PCC

The special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance, known as GSP+, offers additional tariff reductions (more generous GSP rates of duty) to support vulnerable developing countries in the ratification and implementation of international conventions.

CIP (08) 47 stated that all current beneficiaries of the GSP+ arrangements (Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Sri Lanka and Venezuela) must re-apply by 31 October 2008 to continue to benefit from the more generous GSP rates of duty.

The European Commission had until 15 December 2008 to make a decision on their eligibility to continue to benefit from the arrangements.

The Commission published on 9 December 2008, the list of countries that will be eligible for GSP+ for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. These are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.

Although El Salvador and Sri Lanka were included in the Commission’s decision, questions remain over the degree of effective implementation of certain United Nations (UN) and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions in these countries.

The European Commission launched investigations in May (El Salvador) and October (Sri Lanka) in order to ascertain whether or not the two countries fulfil the conditions to continue to receive GSP benefits.

However, while the investigations are ongoing the countries continue to receive preferential access, but depending on the findings of the investigations they could be temporarily withdrawn from the GSP scheme sometime in 2010, which will mean that no preferential rates of duty will be available for their goods.

Changes to the current list of GSP+ Countries

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Paraguay will receive GSP + benefits for the first time.

However, due to the lateness of the Commission’s decision it will not be possible to update the customs computerised entry processing system (CHIEF) with the more generous GSP + rates for those countries in time for 1 January.

It is anticipated that the system will not be fully up to date until 1 February 2009.

Consequently, there is a risk that you could overpay duty on goods released to free circulation under the GSP between 1 January and 1 February.

In order to avoid this possibility, importers, agents and forwarders should use the tax override facility on CHIEF and manually calculate the GSP rate of duty payable on goods from the three countries concerned.

Panama did not reapply for GSP+ benefits. Consequently, it will become a standard GSP beneficiary with effect from 1 January 2009. Standard GSP rates of duty (see column 6 in the schedule in Volume 2 of the HMRC Tariff) will apply to Panamanian goods which are released to free circulation on or after 1 January.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_029103

(Source: customs.hmrc.gov.uk)

Labels: GSP, HMRC, Tariff Preference

The notion of a “recession-proof” industry is counter intuitive because it implies that the industry can continue to behave the same way and still weather the storm. This isn’t true, and any belief that it might be is very dangerous indeed. I don’t believe that any vertical market is 100% recession proof, but there are certain industries that in a recession slow down slower than the rest or still continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate than they did before. I think that it is worth considering which vertical market our prospects are in when selling through a recession, to help aid discussion, I have listed a few I think may be “recession proof” and would welcome any feedback or debate.

 

1) Healthcare (Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment) – People will still be ill

2) Education – We still have schools and colleges that need text books and other learning materials

3) Military - 

4) Food (non luxury)

5) Oil & Gas Industry

6) Aerospace/Aviation

I am not advocating that we should only focus on safer verticals; I just think that when we look at a prospect client, we should be more conscious of the vertical that they reside in, I would welcome any feedback, comments and other peoples opinions.

Labels: Recession

Is it me being old fashioned or is the world getting harder to deal with in terms of home shopping. We purchased a Electronic items for my son and it had to be returned for repair after a few months use.


Because it was Internet purchased we had to arrange courier to France, arrange all the paperwork, chase the repair and then trace it when it was UTL (unable to locate). Actually my son did a great job asking the courier company for an audit trail, who signed for it, when and were etc so perhaps he has a future in logistics.


Eventually he got it back after loads of time and effort and guess what, it still didn't work so it has needed to be returned again. Going to a shop, purchasing with a guarantee, paying a bit extra sounds very appealing to me.

Labels: Courier, Internet

The integration of Yellow and Roadway in USA is fascinating to observe. These operating units have been keen rivals for generations but the integration will provide increased value for all YRC Worldwide clients.

The integration is ahead of schedule and some key points include: -

The successful establishment of 60 shared service centres, with a goal of having 430 of these facilities fully operational by March 2009. This approach is moving us to the strongest, most reliable network in the industry. Compared to the individual Yellow and Roadway networks, our integrated network will feature more than 100 additional service centres, enabling the addition of approximately 21,000 direct service points.

Creation of a single service portfolio, combining the best of Yellow and Roadway, along with Reimer Express in Canada. With the ability to efficiently bring more capabilities together, we can provide easier access to comprehensive solutions, and faster introduction of new solutions and services.

An easier way to do business, with a single sales point of contact.

A simplified YRC pricing agreement, with a single contract, invoice, etc. We'll be contacting customers soon to discuss the change and benefits for their pricing arrangements.

Streamlined EDI interchange, with a common YRC EDI approach. This enhancement is planned for March 2009; we will provide detailed information before the new approach is implemented.

Expanded customer service, allowing for quicker answers to questions and resolution of any issues.

Labels: Integration, YRC Logistics, YRC Worldwide