World Trade - February 2009 - (Page 31)

manages the relationship between the two companies. “We work shoulder-to-shoulder,” he adds. Optimizing the commercial ﬂeet goes beyond managing the ﬂeet to discussing how it is affected by other business units. At Xerox, Rossi says the company worked to improve the components that were most often replaced, either redesigning them so customers could replace them easily themselves, or making them more reliable. Xerox also increased its remote diagnostics capabilities. “About 40 percent of the time, issues can be fixed remotely,” Rossi notes. Because these approaches reduce service calls, Xerox can maintain a smaller ﬂeet. UPS also leverages its position as one of the largest commercial ﬂeets in North America by allowing its customers to purchase ﬂeet vehicles through UPS. It’s a win-win situation that helps UPS get better pricing through high volume discounts, and increases customer loyalty by increasing their savings. The dealers, in turn, move more vehicles with less paperwork, increasing their own productivity. Auction action prices, points out Bill James, chief executive, Sydney Consulting LLC (USA). “There are fire sales going on for all types of assets,” James says. WT Contributing Editor Gail Dutton covers transportation and logistics from her base in Washington state. For reprints of this article, please contact Cindy Williams at williamsc@bnpmedia.com or 610-436-4220 ext. 8516. Logistics Conference & Expo April 26-29, 2009 Orlando, Florida USA NASSTRAC. It’s how you’ll survive this economy. If you’re responsible for transportation, you need to attend this event. Find new ways to manage costs, streamline operations, and increase the productivity of your supply chain. Connect with other transportation decision-makers. Expand your knowledge on industry issues. Build relationships with providers at the expo. “We’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of companies with large ﬂeet that are moving to online auctions,” to reduce fleet size or divest themselves of older vehicles, Dan Parsley, CEO of AssetNation, notes. The benefit, he continues, is that companies reach an international audience without the expenses of moving assets to an auction yard or of preparing them for quick sales. Parsley reports strong markets in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and the Philippines for U.S. assets, particularly for damaged equipment, which is refurbished and often resold into the U.S. Most vehicles listed on AssetNation sell within ﬁve to seven business days, he says. “It’s very straightforward.” The optimize results, “Supply as many pictures possible from different angles, including a wide angle shot and the VIN number, and complete details on the maintenance history and condition of the vehicle, “ he explains. “The more information, the easier the sale.” It also helps to give the auctioneer leeway on how to position the asset and, once an item is ﬂagged for auction, to ensure it isn’t being used or its parts cannibalized. On the flip side, “If you have protected cash in preparation for the opportunity afforded in these days of depressed demand, there is an opportunity to come out of the recession with new or near new equipment,” at bargain “NASSTRAC provides market intelligence that can’t be found elsewhere.” Matt Ehlinger Director – Corporate Transportation NCH Corporation Gold Sponsors: Silver Sponsor: For details, to register, to exhibit or sponsor, visit www.NASSTRAC.org or call 952-442-8850 x208 WWW.WORLDTRADEMAG.COM 31 WTM02094Nass.indd 1 1/19/09 4:04:22 PM http://www.NASSTRAC.org http://www.NASSTRAC.org http://WWW.WORLDTRADEMAG.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Trade - February 2009

World Trade - February 2009 Contents Taking Stock in America Confronting Corruption in Latin America Supply Chain Watch Tradewinds Where's the Goods? Where's the Money? Hope on the Horizon Managing Fleets in Turbulent Times The Impact of China's Economic Slowdown on U.S. Supply Chains The Fuel Volatile Supply Chain Getting the Most from On-the-Fly Transactions Managing Supply Chain Risk by Managing China Sourcing Capacity OECD Global Economic Outlook for 2009 'Natural' Agricultural Monopolies No More

World Trade - February 2009

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