Global Trade This Week

Iliff Aircraft, #1 in the #2 Business – Uptime Logistics

Today on the Uptime Logistics podcast, Doug Draper interviews Brent Wells - president of Iliff Aircraft Repair & Services. They talk about uptime and logistics in the aircraft industry with a special emphasis on Iliff’s expertise in airplane lavatory repair and services. They are #1 in the #2 business!

Watch or listen to learn more about what Iliff Aircraft does for its clients, why they love aircraft lavatories so much, and the importance of aircraft uptime.

https://www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/9/2/iliff-aircraft-1-in-the-2-business-uptime-logistics

USMCA Takes Effect. What Does It Mean? – Uptime Logistics

Today - July 1st, 2020 - marks the beginning of the USMCA taking effect. Sometimes referred to as NAFTA 2.0, this free trade agreement updates, modernizes, and extends trade rules between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Many are celebrating the news – as designing and negotiating international trade agreements can be challenging, though expanding quality trade relationships can provide a lot of extra value and benefits.

To dive into this topic, Doug Draper is joined by Stéphane Lessard, Consul General of Canada in Denver. Stéphane has been in this position for the last four years helping, representing, facilitating, and developing relationships between Canada, Colorado, and other US States in the region including Montana, Utah, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Doug and Stéphane start off the USMCA discussion with adopting a longer time frame perspective – looking at the origins and benefits of NAFTA and even earlier trading. As Stéphane notes, “Our people, our countries have always traded. We’ve traded for centuries.” Then with NAFTA in particular, the three countries changed the way they trade and began actually making things together by integrating the other countries more deeply into their supply chains. In this collaborative way, North America as a whole has become more competitive with other trading regions around the world. As one example statistic of this prosperity, in 2019 US-Canada trade was roughly $2 billion each day!

Doug then asks the broader questions about what will change for businesses and citizens as the new USMCA agreement takes effect. As it is a continuation of free trade, it appears that not too much will change between NAFTA and the USMCA – or CUSMA as it’s known in Canada. In the early process of negotiating and renegotiating, there was a lot of uncertainty which introduced risk and costs for everyone involved. So broadly speaking, the main benefit of this new agreement resides in reintroducing certainty, predictability, and stability – allowing businesses and investors to do what they do best, while more fully connecting the the countries citizens and companies.

Watch or listen to the full show to learn more about the big picture of the USMCA, as well as some of the specific new changes impacting labeling requirements for auto manufacturing, increased market access for grain & dairy producers, and new rules encompassing digital trade. Additionally, there are some new features on dispute settlements as well as higher labor & environmental standards

More information about the Consulate General of Canada in Denver, United States can be found at their website here:
https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/denver.aspx?lang=eng

Customs Clearance & Crossing at the Mexico Border – Uptime Logistics

On today's episode, Doug Draper is joined by Fernando G. Noriega, president of BTS Group, Inc. They specialize in certain activities in freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, and Mexican customs documentation preparation and are headquartered in Laredo, TX with presence in El Paso, TX and Nogales, AZ.

The two discuss Fernando's career background, the scope of BTS group, and then dive into what actually happens during the border clearance process, step by step. There are many variables and considerations to factor into the equation, though the episode today provides quite a lot of good insight.

Additional expertise can be found by contacting Fernando Noriega and CAP Worldwide:
fernor@nadglobal.us

https://www.capwwide.com/

 

Full show post link: www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/6/25/customs-clearance-amp-crossing-at-the-mexico-border-uptime-logistics

Mexico Manufacturing 101: How to develop a Successful Manufacturing Strategy – Uptime Logistics

On this episode of Uptime Logistics, Doug Draper of the Denver Transportation Club interviews Veronica Contreras, President of Zavero Consulting, Inc.

Doug introduces Veronica and they dive in to discuss the trends, considerations, opportunities and pathways of manufacturing in Mexico. Veronica’s company helps US Manufacturers that are in the process of evaluating whether or not they want to set up a factory in Mexico. She generally works with the owners or CEOs, CFOs, and presidents to help them gather all the information they need to decide if it makes good business sense to move their supply chain to Mexico.

This helpful information can include financial analyses, major steps in the process, and projected timelines. She also explains what a “shelter” company is in the context of the maquiladora program. This allows US manufacturers to partner with Mexican factories in a very short period of time, becoming fully operational as quickly as 2-3 months. The shelter company provides liability protection for the US manufacturer as they take responsibility. This type of program can have favorable trade agreement benefits.

To find out more about Veronica and Zavero Consulting, you can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-contreras-60a2386/

The video podcast can be found on the full show post: https://www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/6/9/mexico-manufacturing-101-how-to-develop-a-successful-manufacturing-strategy-uptime-logistics

Musings from a 3rd Generation Miner – Uptime Logistics

Today on Uptime Logistics, Doug Draper with the Denver Transportation Club interviews a 3rd generation miner and logistics professional, James Hillman.

They discuss his career journey and then go into what mining technology looks like in 2020, the crucial role of uptime logistics to the mining industry, and how the mining industry's products positively impact people's daily lives around the world – "if it's not grown, it's mined."

James shares how small incremental improvements through technology, process design, and uptime logistics can have a huge impact on productivity - and ultimately the bottom line. "Logistics is life."

RFID & Retail Supply Chains – Uptime Logistics

Today on Uptime Logistics Doug Draper interviews Brian Kilcourse with RSR Research about retail logistics and the use of RFID in Retail Supply Chain. While some of the technology has been around for years, overall the technology has been coming a long way in recent years. As a former technical-level developer, innovator, and implementer and now as a systems level advisor, Brian has unique skills and perspectives to share with everyone on RFID technology for retailers, including both challenges, and opportunities.

The video podcast can be found on the full show post: www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/5/18/rfid-amp-retail-supply-chains-uptime-logistics

Manufacturing Supply Chains and Logistics with Susan Pfuetze of Otterbox – Uptime Logistics

Today on Uptime Logistics, brought to you by CAP Logistics, host Doug Draper of ACME Distribution and the Denver Transportation Club visits with Susan Pfuetze, Global Logistics Manager at Otterbox. Otter Products is a leading producer of protective cases for smart phones and other equipment for outdoor enthusiasts.

They first explore Susan's background and the history of Otterbox before diving into product development and supply chain strategies for manufacturing and distributing consumer goods globally. The key importance of time-to-market for newly designed smart phone cases emphasizes the importance of uptime in the entire supply chain.

They also discuss the changing trade relations with China and other countries before answering questions from the audience. Susan shares valuable insights and advice from the front lines to her colleagues working today, as well as to students looking to get into the industry.

The video podcast can be found on the full show post: https://www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/4/21/manufacturing-supply-chains-and-logistics-with-susan-pfuetze-of-otterbox-uptime-logistics

Trucking Insurance Trends with Dave Young – Uptime Logistics

Today on Uptime Logistics, Doug Draper visits with Dave Young with USI Insurance and also CU Denver Business School. He’s been in property and casualty insurance for 32 years and is a specialist in a variety of trucking, industrial, and enterprise risk. They discuss ELDs, trucking insurance, enterprise risk mitigation, future trends and unknowns with AI beginning to drive trucks, and finally some of his recommendations.

In addition to insurable property and casualty damage, Dave explores other business risks that aren’t always associated with insurance though ones that are still risks needing to be mitigated such as damage to reputation, supply chain failure, and financial risks that could be hedged.

David sees the future of the trucking insurance market to become more competitive, with rates increasing across the board to the point where it could a major differentiating factor for trucking carriers and many other businesses out there. Those that are best in class will have better access to affordable coverage for themselves and their customers. While there are still many unknowns with automated trucks, it currently seems like they might have a lower risk on incident. Dave recommends getting creative in anticipating risks and designing more efficient risk transfer programs to protect the trucking and client companies.

The video podcast can be found on the full show post: https://www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/4/17/trucking-insurance-trends-with-dave-young-uptime-logistics

US / Mexico Shipments with Mexpress – Uptime Logistics

Uptime Logistics, a podcast powered by CAP Logistics, focuses on reliability in business operations and transportation. Today, host Doug Draper of the Denver Transportation Club visits with Mike and Pat Gamel of Mexpress, a transportation partner of CAP Logistics.

They discuss how US-Mexico cross border shipping has and hasn’t changed over the years, the latest with the USMCA trade agreement, and some unique options to keep in mind that are available to shippers today.

Watch today’s episode to gain both a basic understanding of how US - Mexico shipments work and why customer can benefit from using CAP Logistics and Mexpress. Call CAP Logistics at +1 (281) 443-7911 or request a quote online today.

The video podcast can be found on the full show post: https://www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/3/27/us-mexico-crossborder-shipments-usmca-mexpress

Refinery Turnarounds, Shutdowns, and Outages with Mark LaCour – Uptime Logistics

Uptime Logistics, a podcast powered by CAP Logistics, focuses on reliability in business operations and transportation. Today, host Doug Draper of the Denver Transportation Club visits with Mark LaCour, Editor-In-Chief of Oil and Gas Global Network and Founder of modalpoint.

Doug and Mark discuss all things turnarounds, shutdowns, and outages for the refinery industry. Their combined experience in transportation and oil & gas provides listeners with insights about the importance of quality turnaround management and quality transportation for minimizing downtime and increasing uptime. Uptime ultimately drives the bottom line.

Watch today’s episode to gain both a basic understanding of how refinery turnarounds work, how transportation can support success, and also how new technology is increasing the capabilities of refinery managers and technicians - now and into the future.

Some examples include QR codes, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and even an augmented reality wearable made intrinsically safe specifically for the oil & gas industry.

The video podcast can be found on the full show post: https://www.caplogistics.com/cap-logistics/2020/3/19/refinery-turnarounds-shutdowns-and-outages-uptime-logistics