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January 31, 2013 
In this Issue
Where's Your Focus?
Current & Important News

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Contact Information
Steve Hull, Editor
Allen Lund Company
Manager - Portland Office
(800) 999.LUND (5863)

About Allen Lund Company: Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 330 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to transport dry, refrigerated, and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has an international division, ALC International, which is licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC, and a logistics division, ALC Logistics.

Where's Your Focus?

 

Many business publications seem to be forecasting the exact same challenges for 2013 as those faced in 2012. Headlines are dominated by news of multiple economies on the brink of collapse, erratic fuel prices, and growth looking relatively flat across the board. Just as uncertain is the transportation industry with its continued unpredictability, volatility and sweeping government regulations. It seems that what many tried to characterize as an anomaly or aberration is now the new norm in the shipping and transportation landscape. 

 

After coming to grips with this reality, the question for logistics companies, shippers and carriers alike is: how does one navigate and succeed in this environment? Where does one even start?

 

James Welch, CEO of YRC Worldwide, answered these questions best when he said in an address to his staff (as reported by Chris Brooks, executive editor of the Journal of Commerce): "to focus on what we can control.*" At first glance, the notion sounds like some rubbish you might read in one of those self-help books. However this simple concept, when followed, can truly help pinpoint the practices and operations an organization uses on a daily basis. Perhaps, even more importantly, it then implores us to analyze and improve upon them. For example, if you are a driver, these operational practices may include properly servicing your equipment, using safe driving techniques and improving communication with dispatcher and shipper. 

 

An outsider looking in to our industry might say all that seems to matter in transportation is "capacity and fuel prices." Chris Brooks further explains that "at times, the transportation industry is held captive by external factors" and such factors tend to paralyze transportation organizations. So, stop dwelling on the external factors in the current business climate that continue to vacillate and instead center your attentions on what you, as a carrier, can control. 


Kevin Peterson

Transportation Broker, Los Angeles Office 

kevin.peterson@allenlund.com

Kevin Peterson earned a bachelor's degree in Business from Loyola Marymount University in 2009. Following graduation he began working full time for the Allen Lund Company, in both the dry and refrigerated divisions of the Los Angeles Office.


 Current & Important News

   

 

 California Trucking Groups Continue Legal Battle Against CARB, EPA

 

 ATA Asks FMCSA to Delay New HOS Until After Court Decision

 

Split Sleep Schedule Found Better than Daytime Sleep 

 

House Transportation Committee Sets Agenda 

  

National Diesel Fuel Rates  

 

National Traffic & Road Closures 

  

 

 

To reach an office near you call... 

 

NATIONWIDE OFFICES TO ASSIST YOU!

(800) 404-LUND

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We Want to Hear From You! 
Dear Readers, 

Our team is dedicated to providing you with a bi-weekly newsletter that provides you with news and discussions that are both informative and relevant to the industry. If you have an idea for a topic you would like explored in a future edition, please let us know.  Your feedback is appreciated!
 
You may send any requests or suggestions to our editor, steve.hull@allenlund.com

Sincerely, 

Your Carrier Connection Team



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