Archives: Press Releases

Program to Provide Employers with Highly-Skilled Pipeline of Logistics Professionals

JULY 20, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the voice of the third-party logistics industry, is proud to announce its new National Apprenticeship Program in partnership with FASTPORT. 

Under this U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) program, TIA provides a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) to all TIA Member companies. The RAP is a proven model of apprenticeship that has been validated by the DOL and State Apprenticeship Agencies. 

Each apprenticeship provides a paid job, focusing on training candidates to become experts in their field. On-the-job training allows the best candidates to become masters of their crafts in the third-party logistics (3PL) industry. 

“We are proud to find another way to support those in the 3PL industry through this apprenticeship program,” said Doug Clark, TIA Interim CEO. “This apprenticeship program will allow member companies to provide their employees with training that can help them advance their careers in the industry, while also establishing a highly-trained workforce for the future.”  

Apprenticeship is an employer-driven, “learn-while-you-earn” model combining on-the-job training coupled with job-related curricula instruction leading to the attainment of national skills standards. It is a direct benefit to employers by increasing retention, lowering recruitment costs, and creating a pipeline of qualified workers. Current retention rates reflect 91% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship are still employed 9 months later.

To learn more about this exciting new program from TIA and FASTPORT – or to get started today – please visit the TIA National Apprenticeship Program page.

FASTPORT, a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Industry Intermediary for the Transportation & Logistics sector, serves as a conduit between employers, other industry partners, and the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship to accelerate program development and assist in brokering collaboration at both the regional and national levels. FASTPORT’s goal is to launch, promote and expand multi-employer Registered Apprenticeship models, scaling Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) expansion opportunities in high-growth industries, including those that have not traditionally used apprenticeship to meet employer and sector needs.”

New Certificate Program Designed to Prepare Current & Future Managers for 3PL Success

JULY 7, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Associations (TIA), the voice of third-party logistics, announced today the launch of the TIA Logistics Academy, designed to prepare current and future industry leaders to manage their companies towards continued and sustained success. The TIA Logistics Academy offers participants the latest in best practices, which are deeply rooted in the fundamentals needed to operate and manage a successful 3PL across core areas of the business.

“During our Sales and Marketing session for the TIA Logistics Academy, Dr. Kenny led an engaging and interactive learning session,” said Mark Fiorini, President of Westgate Global Logistics. “Our group was given an overview of some basic principles as well as techniques and best practices that we could immediately implement upon returning to our companies. I highly recommend this program to all future leaders.”

The TIA Logistics Academy includes three, 3-day classroom sessions over the course of six months. The sessions, held at TIA Headquarters in Alexandria, VA, are then combined with online distance learning in each area and hands-on practical application. Note: due to ongoing health and public safety concerns related to COVID-19, the first round of in-person classroom sessions will be held virtually.

3PL professionals participating in the TIA Logistics Academy are required to attend all three classroom sessions (six modules in total) to successfully graduate from this certificate program. This includes the successful completion of all online distance learning modules assigned for each area, as well as passing the final exam.

TIA Logistics Academy cohorts consist primarily of managers who have been identified as future 3PL leaders. Students will benefit from networking with their peers and gain advanced skills to successfully lead a 3PL business.

Enrollment in the TIA Logistics Academy is available exclusively to TIA Members.

Bill Serves as a Key Legislative Priority for Third-Party Logistics Industry

JULY 2, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the voice of the third-party logistics (3PL) industry, released today the following statement from Chris Burroughs, TIA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, following the introduction of the Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act (H.R. 7457) in the United States House of Representatives.

On behalf of TIA and our more than 1,800 member companies, I want to thank Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Bob Gibbs (R-OH) for introducing this piece of legislation that is vital to our industry. There is a huge safety gap that currently exists in the motor carrier marketplace, with 85% of motor carriers having an unrated safety rating. This legislation will drastically improve safety by requiring entities that are selecting motor carriers to check certain data points prior to tendering a load. There currently is no standard or requirement for entities to check prior to selecting a motor carrier.

Specifically, H.R. 7457 would require entities to ensure that any carrier they contracted to transport a load of freight on behalf of their customer:

• Is properly registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA);
• Has obtained the minimum required insurance; and
• Has not been placed out-of-service at the carrier level for any reason.

H.R. 7457 has been introduced on a bi-partisan basis and is a fair, common-sense approach to improving safety in the supply chain. This legislation helps all entities in the supply chain ensure that only the safest motor carriers are selected to haul freight across this great nation. Simply put, this legislation is about public safety on our roads.

I want to thank the leaders from both parties by authoring this safety legislation.

Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the professional organization of the $214 billion third-party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials and international organizations.

Doug Clark, Established Industry Executive & TIA Honorary Life Member, to Lead TIA During Executive Search

JUNE 12, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the voice of the third-party logistics industry, announced today that Douglas G. Clark has been named Interim CEO of TIA, effective June 10, 2020.

Clark joins TIA with more than 40-years’ experience in the transportation and logistics industry, having started his career in 1979 at produce brokerage firm Golman-Hayden, where he would end up serving as Executive Vice President. He would later go on to become President of Greatwide Freight Brokerage Division following the acquisition of Cargo-Master by Greatwide Logistics Services in 2005.

“I have worked alongside Doug for more than 15 years and I am more than confident that he is prepared and equipped to serve as Interim CEO of the association,” said Brian Evans, TIA Board Chair and CEO of L&L Freight Services. “His extensive industry knowledge and commitment to TIA over the past several years puts him in the perfect position to lead the association while our Board of Directors conducts an extensive search for the next President & CEO of TIA.”

Clark succeeds Robert A. Voltmann, CAE, who announced earlier this week that he was stepping down from his role in leading the association after nearly 23 years.

“As the current Chair of TIA’s Legacy Committee and former Chair of TIA’s Board of Directors, I have experienced and contributed to the good work that TIA has done over the years to establish a voice for our members in Washington and around the world,” said Doug Clark, Interim CEO of TIA. “As Interim CEO, I am committed to continuing to support policies and strategies that expand our relationships, educate our members, and most importantly support, the 3PL industry as a whole.”

ABOUT DOUG CLARK:

As Executive Vice President at Golman-Hayden and President at Cargo-Master, Clark was responsible for supervising the operations of 26 transportation brokerage offices nationwide. He also was responsible for managing revenues in excess of $160 million and helped to oversee all daily operations.

Clark resigned from Greatwide in 2009 and following the expiration of his non-compete in 2012, was named Vice-President of Business Development for the Allen Lund Company. He served in this position until 2016, when he entered the transportation consulting sector, working with many of North America’s leading brokerage companies.

Clark currently serves as the Chair of TIA’s Legacy Committee and previously held the positions of TIA Services Chair (2015-2018), Executive Committee Member (2003-2013 & 2015-2018), Education & Program Committee Chair (2011-2020), and TIA Board of Directors Chair (2007-2009). He was also presented with TIA’s Heritage Award in 2011 and is an Honorary Life Member of TIA.

Clark now proudly serves as the Interim CEO of TIA, while the Board continues their search for a permanent replacement.

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Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the professional organization of the $214 billion third-party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials, and international organizations.

TIA President & CEO Robert Voltmann, CAE, Has Served the Organization for 23 Successful Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: [email protected]

JUNE 10, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the voice of the third-party logistics industry, announced today that after a long and successful tenure, President & CEO Robert Voltmann, CAE, will be leaving the association at the end of September 2020. Voltmann joined TIA as CEO in June 1997.

“While this was a difficult decision for me, I have accomplished everything I was hired to accomplish,” said Voltmann. “Together, we took TIA from a fledgling organization with weak finances and turned it into an association worthy of the dynamic third-party logistics industry. TIA is now clearly recognized as the voice of third-party logistics and has the financial strength to continue to grow and change with the industry. It is time for me to continue to change and grow myself by taking on a new challenge and for TIA to transition to a new leader.”

Voltmann and TIA Board Chairman Brian Evans, CTB (President & CEO of L&L Freight Services), made the announcement to TIA Members and staff, adding, “We are forever grateful to Bob for his leadership, vision, and dogged determination to drive TIA to success,” said Evans. “When Bob started, TIA’s annual budget was $721,000 and last year it was $7.5 million; we had negative net assets and today we have reserves sufficient to carry us through the current crisis and meet the demands of the future; we had a very limited voice in Washington and now it strong and clear. While it is never a good time to change a winning lineup, we agreed that now was the best opportunity to do so for both TIA and Bob.”

Under Voltmann’s leadership, TIA membership more than tripled and now represents nearly 80 percent of the market by value, with a 92 percent annual retention rate or better. TIA is a leading and respected voice in Washington and around the world, and the TIA Political Action Committee was established to enhance TIA’s lobbying efforts.

The TIA Foundation was created to provide educational resources to TIA members and new market entrants, along with the TIA Leadership Academy that provides executive education to rising company stars. TIA also supports the business needs of its members through the TIA Services Corporation, providing insurance and other products to members as well as legal guidelines, including litigation, model contracts, and best practices.

“I have loved every minute of working with TIA Members and will miss the many friends I have made over the years. As Brian said, there is never a good time, sometimes we have to just take the plunge,” Voltmann said.

“We wish Bob every success and know that wherever he lands, that organization will be lucky to have him,” Evans added.

Doug Clark, a longtime industry executive and TIA Honorary Life Member, will serve as TIA’s interim President & CEO while the Board of Directors conducts its search for a new chief executive.

Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the professional organization of the $214 billion third-party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials and international organizations.

June Is TIA Member Appreciation Month in Conjunction with National Logistics Day on June 28

JUNE 1, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the voice of the third-party logistics (3PL) industry, announced today that it has designated June as TIA Member Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the significant and often under-appreciated role of the logistics industry within the greater transportation ecosystem. TIA’s month-long campaign will highlight the logistics industry and culminate in the celebration of the 2nd Annual National Logistics Day on June 28, 2020 – an annual day to recognize and appreciate the importance of the logistics industry.

“To say it has been a trying last few months for our members and the industry would be a vast understatement,” said TIA President & CEO Robert A. Voltmann, CAE. “From the massive disruptions and economic impact on the nation as a result of COVID-19 to the recent attacks on brokers by owner-operators over rate transparency, it can feel like it’s just been one hit after another. It is important to remember, however, the symbolic role that TIA Members, their businesses, and the 3PL industry play in the national and global economies.”

The 3PL industry in the United States has an economic impact in excess of $214 billion and employs more than 126,000 men and women with a payroll exceeding $7.5 billion annually. For reference, the 3PL industry’s economic impact is more than 1.7 times that of the beer industry, 2.4 times the size of the bottled water and soft drink industry, and 4 times the size of the candy industry.

TIA Members serve tens-of-thousands of shippers every day and play a key role in domestic and international commerce, with one out of every three of the largest shippers using one or more 3PLs to help them arrange for the movement of their freight. 3PLs arrange the shipping of all types of goods by cargo ship, airplane, truck, and rail. They do so economically, adding value to the supply chain through cost savings. They also do this efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions.

Throughout the month of June, TIA will be sharing member testimonials, information, facts, and figures across social media highlighting the important role played by the logistics industry and TIA’s 1,800 member companies. We encourage everyone to like and share these posts with your networks, being sure to use the dedicated hashtags #3PLProud and #NationalLogisticsDay!

TIA has also created a dedicated page just for National Logistics Day. In addition to providing background and information on the logistics industry and National Logistics Day, the page also includes promotional materials that members can share with their customers or display on their own websites and social platforms!

ABOUT NATIONAL LOGISTICS DAY:

In 2019, TIA Member and Erie, Pennsylvania-based Logistics Plus Inc. (LP) formally registered “National Logistics Day” on June 28th as an official holiday for the Registrar at National Day Calendar. LP also obtained official, government endorsements from the Mayor of Erie; the County Executive of Erie County; the Governor and House of Representatives of Pennsylvania (H.R. 395); the States of Ohio and South Carolina; and from members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation (by Congressional Record). In 2020, LP sought to take National Logistics Day (NLD) to the next level and partnering with TIA, the voice of the third-party logistics industry to reach a broader base of supporters. Additionally, a formal proclamation request filed by LP is currently being reviewed by the White House.

“I am proud of our team and our industry,” said Jim Berlin, founder, and CEO of Logistics Plus, a former truck driver and 45-year logistics industry veteran. “While we might have started the NLD movement last year, this really is an industry-wide appreciation event. This year more than ever, logistics companies across the nation and around the world, including drivers, dock workers, dispatchers, staffers and all the rest, have really demonstrated their essential importance to the economy by pulling out all the stops to keep supply chains moving, and to get much-needed PPE and medical supplies to our front-line heroes.”

Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the professional organization of the $214 billion third-party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials and international organizations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: [email protected]

MAY 18, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the largest association representing third-party logistics (3PLs) companies, has released its First Quarter 2020 TIA 3PL Market Report and this quarter report paints a picture of a market sliding towards recession, a conventional recession, we thought – probably a mild recession, reports TIA Chief Economist, Noël Perry. One disappointment is the drop in margin percent, something that has not happened on the approach to recession before.

The report represents more than 1.3 million shipments and over $2.6 billion in total revenue for Q1 2020:

TIA’s 3PL Market Report contains rolling eight-quarter trends and fuel price comparisons, allowing 3PLs and industry observers to view how the industry is performing as well as to compare their business to companies of a similar size. Additionally, the report includes detailed 3PL activities by transportation mode and measures comparative volume, revenue, margin, and margin percentages, quarterly, and year over year.

The publication is based on monthly data submissions and surveys of TIA Members who provide current operating data and answer questions on business conditions affecting the 3PL industry. TIA’s efforts provide a comprehensive report on the trends and practices of the 3PL industry.

For additional questions, contact Cindy Amos ([email protected] 703.299.5710).

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Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is the professional organization of the $214 billion third-party logistics industry. TIA is the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce. TIA is the voice of transportation intermediaries to shippers, carriers, government officials and international organizations.

• Continued Teleworking Procedures
• Commuting Policies
• Cleaning Procedures

Please use this information along with your own personal resources; nobody knows your business like you do. TIA hopes this helps you and your staff stay safe as you begin to re-open. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information or perspective. This is a very fluid process, and this is a living document that can be constantly updated with the latest information and trends.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: [email protected]

MAY 8, 2020 – ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Transportation Intermediaries Associations (TIA), the largest association representing third-party logistics (3PLs) companies, released today the following statement from President & CEO Robert A. Voltmann, CAE, in response to President Donald J. Trump’s comments regarding perceived price-gouging by transportation brokers:

We were disappointed to see President Trump’s comments this morning in response to a question from Ainsley Earhardt of Fox & Friends regarding perceived price-gouging by transportation brokers during the COVID-19 crisis. This position could not be further from the truth. As the President should know, real estate agents don’t determine the sales price of buildings, the market does. The same is true in trucking.

As the voice of the 3PL industry, TIA welcomes the opportunity to discuss the situation with the Administration, as well as with all parties involved, in a formal setting – not through completely misconstrued and misrepresented statements across social media and other channels.

We too love the truckers. Our members can’t survive without them, and they need our members too. No American business is doing well right now. What independent truckers need right now is access to federal relief funding, and President Trump should direct the SBA to take action to support them rather than pointing fingers at other American small businesses, the vast majority of which also support President Trump.

3PLs and transportation brokers are not price-gouging – there is simply not enough freight to support all of the carriers. In this case, we simply aren’t shipping much of anything and there are too many trucks chasing too little freight. This has been further exacerbated by the Department of Transportation’s relaxing of the hours-of-service regulations, which have created more artificial capacity in the marketplace.