Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

outbound

Pause, reflect, honor

We urge all who knew, or knew of, him to take a moment to pause, reflect, and honor the memory of Jock Menzies.

Have you noticed a recent spike in e-mail from LinkedIn? Daily updates. Weekly updates. News about folks in your network. Postings from groups you've joined. Notifications that you've been endorsed by a connection.

Life in the age of social media means being inundated with information—some welcome, some not. But making liberal use of the delete key isn't always the answer. The messages occasionally contain useful bits of information—the kind that helps you stay abreast of market developments or stay connected to friends and colleagues. Some even cause you to pause and reflect.


Such was the case for me earlier this month. April 4, to be precise. I received a message alerting me to a friend's birthday, complete with a link I could use to send along good wishes. I had last enjoyed the friend's company over lunch at an industry conference back in June. We were joined that day by another good friend, Yossi Sheffi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the three of us spent a pleasant hour catching up.

Sadly, it turned out to be the last time Yossi and I would speak with our friend. A few weeks later, tragedy struck, taking the life of one of the most distinguished players in the logistics and supply chain world.

The friend was Jock Menzies, and as LinkedIn reminded me, he would have—make that should have—turned 70 on April 4. But on Aug. 17, 2013, Jock died suddenly at his home in the Annapolis suburb of Arnold, Md. He was descending a 300-foot hill in a private cable car when the car malfunctioned, sending Jock falling about 200 feet. He was taken to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he died of his injuries the following day.

A tragic loss, pure and simple.

Although he had a successful career as a warehouse executive, Jock will be best remembered for his accomplishments on the humanitarian front. As we noted in the obituary we published last August, Jock "co-founded the nonprofit American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. Starting with the self-evident precept that logistics services were paramount to supporting rescue and recovery efforts, Menzies helped develop a model for an online pOréal allowing relief groups and individuals to post critical supply chain needs, which would then be matched to the capabilities and resources of industry providers." In that piece, we noted that he "transformed the way the logistics community, relief organizations, and individuals respond to natural disasters around the world."

Coincidentally, around the same time the LinkedIn reminder arrived, we received word of what we think is a most appropriate and fitting tribute to Jock.

The International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), an organization with which Jock worked closely in connection with ALAN, announced that it would name its most prestigious award for him. At its annual meeting, the newly named Jock Menzies IWLA Distinguished Service and Leadership Award was presented to another of Jock's many friends, Joel Anderson, IWLA's former president and CEO.

"[Jock] was a gentleman in every sense of the word and a model for us all," IWLA chairman Paul Verst said of Menzies. "His legacy will continue to live on."

Jock's brother, Scott Menzies, presented the award to Anderson, noting that his brother's work continues. "Jock would thank you for your friendship," he told Anderson, "and he would say to winners of this award 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

We urge all who knew, or knew of, Jock to take a moment to pause, reflect, and honor the memory of Jock Menzies. We pledge to never forget how fortunate we—and indeed, the entire logistics community—were to have our lives touched by such a fine man.

The Latest

More Stories

penske truck leasing site with rooftop solar panels

Penske activates solar panels at three truck leasing sites

Penske Truck Leasing will activate rooftop solar-powered systems at three U.S. locations by 2025 that handle truck leasing, rental, and maintenance, and plans to add seven more sites as part of an initiative to boost efficiency, minimize energy costs, and reduce emissions.

Penske said today that its facility in Channahon, Illinois, is now fully operational, and is predominantly powered by an onsite photovoltaic (PV) solar system, expected to generate roughly 80% of the building's energy needs at 200 KW capacity. Next, a Grand Rapids, Michigan, location will be also active in the coming months, and Penske's Linden, New Jersey, location is expected to go online in 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

retail store tech AI zebra

Retailers plan tech investments to stop theft and loss

Eight in 10 retail associates are concerned about the lack of technology deployed to spot safety threats or criminal activity on the job, according to a report from Zebra Technologies Corp.

That challenge is one of the reasons that fewer shoppers overall are satisfied with their shopping experiences lately, Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Zebra said in its “17th Annual Global Shopper Study.”th Annual Global Shopper Study.” While 85% of shoppers last year were satisfied with both the in-store and online experiences, only 81% in 2024 are satisfied with the in-store experience and just 79% with online shopping.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mobile robots, drones move beyond the hype

Mobile robots, drones move beyond the hype

Supply chains are poised for accelerated adoption of mobile robots and drones as those technologies mature and companies focus on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across their logistics operations.

That’s according to data from Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Mobile Robots and Drones, released this week. The report shows that several mobile robotics technologies will mature over the next two to five years, and also identifies breakthrough and rising technologies set to have an impact further out.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse automation systems

Cimcorp's new CEO sees growth in grocery and tire segments

Logistics automation systems integrator Cimcorp today named company insider Veli-Matti Hakala as its new CEO, saying he will cultivate growth in both the company and its clientele, specifically in the grocery retail and tire plant logistics sectors.

An eight-year veteran of the Georgia company, Hakala will begin his new role on January 1, when the current CEO, Tero Peltomäki, will retire after a long and noteworthy career, continuing as a member of the board of directors, Cimcorp said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Securing the last mile

Although many shoppers will return to physical stores this holiday season, online shopping remains a driving force behind peak-season shipping challenges, especially when it comes to the last mile. Consumers still want fast, free shipping if they can get it—without any delays or disruptions to their holiday deliveries.

One disruptor that gets a lot of headlines this time of year is package theft—committed by so-called “porch pirates.” These are thieves who snatch parcels from front stairs, side porches, and driveways in neighborhoods across the country. The problem adds up to billions of dollars in stolen merchandise each year—not to mention headaches for shippers, parcel delivery companies, and, of course, consumers.

Keep ReadingShow less