In case you missed it, Gretchen Blough and Adam Mook, Managers of the Customs and Compliance division at Logistics Plus, were featured in a recent airing of Business Spotlight on WPSE AM 1450/FM 107.1 Radio. Business Spotlight is a 30-minute program airing Fridays at noon. Each segment focuses on a business or organization that is making an impact across the region.
In this segment, Gretchen and Adam discuss the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, how tariffs effect consumers, the services that Logistics Plus offers, and more. You can listen to a replay of the interview on the Logistics Plus YouTube Channel below.
Logistics Plus was one of four finalists in the top “Commitment to Erie, more than 50 employees” category at the 8th Annual Commitment to Erie Awards held on Thursday, September 19 at the Bayfront Convention Center. We are proud to have been considered for another award in recognition of the commitment that Jim Berlin, and the employees of Logistics Plus, have to the Erie community. Although we didn’t win the top spot, we’d like to congratulate our academic partner, Penn State Behrend, for earning the final award. Also, congratulations to our neighbor, The BrewErie at Union Station, for being a finalist in the “Commitment to Erie, 50 or fewer employees” category.
Shown here is a video that was produced by Erie Time-News, the event host, and played at the event. Also included below is a copy of the nomination submission that earned Logistics Plus a spot among the finalists.
“Commitment is an act, not a word.” –Jean Paul Sartre (French philosopher)
Logistics Plus Commitment to Erie Nomination Entry (click to view)
Logistics Plus Renews with the U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport® Partnership
It’s the ninth consecutive year that Logistics Plus successfully completes its SmartWay emissions reporting.
ERIE, PA (September 17, 2019) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce that it has submitted and received approval for its current data submission to the SmartWay® Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the industry. The SmartWay Transport Partnership provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of goods movement supply chains.
Logistics Plus will continue to contribute to the Partnership’s savings of 248.9 million barrels of oil, $33.4 billion in fuel costs and 119 million tons of air pollutants. This is the equivalent of the annual electricity use in 16 million homes. Each year, performance data is submitted and reviewed to qualify as a SmartWay partner. The EPA recently approved the Logistics Plus annual submission of Partnership reporting requirements for the ninth consecutive year.
“Logistics Plus is committed to the most efficient and clean transportation practices,” said Steve Srnka, compliance attorney for Logistics Plus. “Our continued SmartWay approval confirms to our customers and partners that Logistics Plus is doing its part for environmental sustainability.”
About SmartWay Developed jointly in early 2003 by EPA and Charter Partners represented by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, American Trucking Associations, and Business for Social Responsibility, this innovative program celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2014. Partners rely upon SmartWay tools and approaches to track and reduce emissions and fuel use from goods movement. The Partnership currently has over 3,000 Partners including shipper, logistics companies, truck, rail, barge, and multimodal carriers. For information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership visit www.epa.gov/smartway.
About Logistics Plus Inc. Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence technology, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. The company was founded over 23 years ago in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur, Jim Berlin. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly-regarded fast-growing and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a strong passion for excellence, its 500+ employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Visalia, CA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; Olean, NY; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Winchester, VA; Madison, WI; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
China announced this week the first exclusions from its additional 25% tariff on imports of U.S. goods. After the announcement, President Trump delayed the increase of Section 301 tariffs from 25% to 30% until October 15th on $250 billion worth of goods imported from China.
The China tariff exclusions will take effect on September 17th and remain valid for one year. Chinese importers are eligible for refunds on the additional tariffs paid on these goods and will have six months to apply. The goods include, but aren’t limited too, cold water shrimp, alfala meal, fish meals, lubricating oils and grease, pesticides, and more.
On September 7th, nearly 20 Logistics Plus employees participated and conquered the 2019 Barber Beast on the Bay! As the official medal sponsor for the event, Logistics Plus was proud to help support the Barber National Institute for the work they do in the Erie community. The Barber National Institute helps children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges.
The Beast on the Bay is a challenging 10-mile race that features 30 obstacles in the sand, lake, swamp, and trails. Congratulations to everyone who participated and completed this challenging, yet exciting course.
September 8-14th, 2019 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW). This year, Logistics Plus and National Truckload (NTL) would like to thank the 3.5 million professional truck drivers that are delivering for America. As one of the most demanding and important jobs in America, truck drivers are responsible for delivering our goods safely, securely, and on time, while keeping our highways safe. We ask that you join us this week to celebrate and honor our truck drivers for all of their hard work and dedication.
TRUCKING INDUSTRY FACTS AND FIGURES:
In 2017, the American trucking industry generated just over $700 billion.
Approximately 5.8% of all full-time jobs in America are related to trucking.
Walmart alone employs more than 8,600 truck drivers.
In 2017, trucks moved 10.8 billion tons of freight.
Most grocery stores would run out of food in three days if long-haul truck drivers stopped driving.
There is currently an estimated shortage of 48,000 truck drivers in the U.S.
The average professional long-haul trucker drives more than 100,000 miles per year.
Emissions from current on-road diesel trucks have been cut by more than half over the past decade.
To learn more about National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, visit the America Trucking Association (ATA) website here: www.trucking.org/Appreciation_Week
On September 7th, nearly 20 Logistics Plus employees participated and conquered the 2019 
September 8-14th, 2019 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW). This year, Logistics Plus and 
TRUCKING INDUSTRY FACTS AND FIGURES: