Meeting Notes 3/26/08

Featuring: Guest Speaker Sandy Gillett of APL Logistics

• Educational Background

  • High school education

  • No university education
     

• Professional background

  • Entered logistics industry by responding to a newspaper ad

  • Has been in the industry for over 20 years

  • Currently holds the position of Customer Satisfaction Specialist at APL Logistics

• Insight into the logistics industry - key points

  • Everything depends upon supply chain - no matter what field of business you are in.

  • Importing easier than exporting - all of the paper work is done, all you have to do is receive the shipment

  • Exporting is much faster; it moves quickly and is more exciting. You are responsible for the product from when it leaves until it reaches the buyer.

  • International Business is all about details - letters of credit, bill of lading, etc. must be perfect!

  • Transportation laws change everyday!

  • Charlotte - a good place for logistics, in need of people for supply chains

  • North Carolina develop shipping containers!
     

• More detailed information about logistics

  • Steamship line -comes to port, unloads containers, containers are then taken from pier to different locations

  • When containers are unloaded from the steamship, they are stacked like "leggos" so they wont fall.

  • NVOCC - Non - Owner Vessel Common Carrier; act as steamship line

    • Charge per cubic meter (size vs. weight)

  • SAP is now commonly used in many logistics companies

    • Allows for anyone to see shipment progress at any time

    • Very slow! If information is not correct, SAP programs slow things down significantly
       

• Other useful information

  • U.S. is now exporting more than improting

    • Used to have a trade deficit, but things are slowly changing

    • Relationships with steamship lines, carriers, and other people involved in the supply chain are essential - Relationships are key!

  • Most powerful government agency is U.S. Customs

    • Have power to deny your product, investigate you and / or your product

    • Can take a part products as part of an investigation

    • Maersk and APL - competing for best steamships