Press releases are provided by companies as is and have not been edited or checked for accuracy. Any queries should be directed to the company issuing the release.
CFI Celebrates 35 Years Serving Mexico with New Facilities, Expansion of Cross-Border Services
Company establishes first U.S. consolidation and distribution site in Chicago.
Adds seventh Mexico cross-dock in Nogales, complementing existing operations
JOPLIN, MO – October 6, 2020 – CFI, an operating company of TFI International Inc. (NYSE and TSX: TFII), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, announced today a major expansion of its capabilities and resources supporting shipments between the United States and Mexico. The announcement accompanies CFI’s 35th anniversary of intra-Mexico and cross-border truckload freight services.
A shipper’s freight receives end-to-end service from the US to Mexico with CFI expertise guiding the journey for better service, visibility, and reliability, noted Greg Orr, CFI’s president. “CFI is a proven, trusted and committed player in the cross-border market, providing first and last-mile less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload services within Mexico,” Orr emphasized. “At a time when other truck lines are exiting Mexico, we are stepping up investment by building on our 35 years of experience to expand the quality and scope of services we can provide shippers on both sides of the border.”
The company also announced it had rebranded its Mexico operations under the single banner of CFI Mexico, consolidating the services of the two existing divisions, CFI Logistica and CFI Mexico Truckload for a more unified customer experience.
Expanded Consolidation and Distribution Services Launched
“Chicago is the first of several planned North American consolidation and distribution (C&D) facilities the company will establish this year,” Orr said. At Chicago, U.S. shippers can consolidate LTL shipments originating in the Midwest into truckload moves destined for Nogales, Arizona and the Nogales-Sonoran Mexican Gateway. Similarly, shippers can consolidate LTL shipments originating in Mexico, move them via truckload under CFI line-haul services into the U.S., and then be deconsolidated in Chicago and cross-docked for LTL delivery across the Midwest.
Nogales represents CFI’s seventh C&D cross-dock operation with Mexico, joining Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro and Nuevo Laredo. At these sites, LTL shipments within Mexico are consolidated and routed into the U.S. for delivery. Truckload consolidations from the U.S. arrive at Mexico cross-docks and are broken out for local LTL delivery within the country. CFI, through its own facilities and long-term established partnerships with premier Mexican truck lines, has an owned terminal network in Mexico.
CFI is also in the final planning stages to launch similar C&D services through Laredo, Texas, the company’s largest gateway to and from Mexico.
Orr added that a key advantage of the CFI-backed service is that it is managed through one operating company, providing shippers with exceptional transparency, reliability, and visibility into their shipments in-transit. “We are maximizing CFI Mexico’s capabilities by providing all these services and more by marketing as one entity, continuing a legacy of proven success, trusted service, and commitment to our customers,” Orr said.
“Our enterprise footprint uniquely equips us for this endeavor,” commented Michael Hinz, Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations for CFI. “CFI’s 35 years of experience in Mexico positions us as the preeminent expert in that market.” Hinz added that this operation would not be the typical “highly intermediated” consolidation and deconsolidation offering. Rather, CFI will be providing the linehaul capacity for the project, which guarantees capacity will be available even when the market is tight.
“Consolidation and deconsolidation are long regarded as highly effective supply chain waste reduction tools,” said Jason Dekker, Director of International Business Development at CFI Mexico. “Supply chain experts point out that LTL services can be three times more expensive per mile than the truckload mode and are generally more susceptible to damage. The more miles you can move into the truckload mode, the better off you are.”
CFI employs 2,350 professional drivers, nearly 500 of whom have more than a million miles with the company. The company operates a fleet of 1,850 company owned tractors and 7,300 trailers throughout the U.S. and Canada, with cross-border service to Mexico. The company also contracts with 375 leased independent contractors and more than 80 C-TPAT certified carriers. In 2019, CFI amassed more than 62,000 cross border shipments with Mexico with an additional 27,000 LTL shipments within Mexico, serving some of North America’s leading commercial, industrial, manufacturing and retail businesses.
ABOUT TFI INTERNATIONAL -- TFI International Inc. is a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, operating across the United States, Canada and Mexico through its subsidiaries. TFI International creates value for shareholders by identifying strategic acquisitions and managing a growing network of wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Under the TFI International umbrella, companies benefit from financial and operational resources to build their businesses and increase their efficiency. TFI International companies service the following segments:
• Package and Courier;
• Less-Than-Truckload;
• Truckload;
• Logistics.
TFI International Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TFII. For more information, visit www.tfiintl.com.
ABOUT CFI -- CFI, a wholly owned operating company of TFI International Inc., is a multifaceted leading transportation provider. Established in 1951, the truckload segment delivers time-definite 53-foot dry-van truckload transportation services. Operations in Mexico add an owned LTL network to the portfolio. CFI offers global logistics solutions to support all modes of transportation including ground transport, air freight, warehousing and intermodal with North American cross-border expertise and bilingual support.
Hamilton Caster & Mfg. Co., a 117-year-old industry leader in heavy-duty industrial casters, proudly announces the enhancement of its legacy Super Endurance Caster (SEC) series, now rebranded as the Spinfinity® Super Endurance Caster (ZFSEC) series. In addition, Hamilton is introducing the all-new Spinfinity® Super Endurance Dual Caster (ZFSEC2) series, both of which feature a new heavy-duty 'V-Style' seal designed to elevate performance in the most demanding environments.
The Spinfinity® Super Endurance Caster (ZFSEC) series replaces Hamilton’s legacy SEC series, setting a new benchmark for kingpinless caster design in extra heavy-duty applications. Central to this upgrade is the heavy-duty 'V-Style' seal, which offers protection against dirt, debris, and moisture. This advanced sealing technology ensures consistent performance and extends the life of the caster, making it the ideal choice for environments where reliability is critical.
"With the introduction of the V-Style seal, the ZFSEC series is engineered to withstand the harshest conditions while providing zero-fix, 100% maintenance-free operation," said Mark Lippert, president of Hamilton Caster. "This enhancement allows our customers to minimize maintenance costs and downtime, further solidifying Hamilton’s reputation for durability and dependability."
The ZFSEC series retains the robust construction that Hamilton is known for, including a swivel top plate and inner raceway made from forged steel, providing superior strength for shock conditions. Sealed precision ball bearings are also now standard in all wheels, contributing to the maintenance-free performance of the series. Notably, the zerk fittings have been eliminated, as the new design makes them unnecessary.
Complementing the ZFSEC series, Hamilton introduces the all-new Spinfinity® Super Endurance Dual Wheel Caster (ZFSEC2) series. This dual wheel series is engineered for extra heavy-duty applications where stability, durability, and maintenance-free operation are paramount. Like its counterpart, the ZFSEC2 series leverages the new 'V-Style' seal, ensuring that each caster is fully protected against contaminants that could compromise performance.
Combined with sealed precision ball wheel bearings, this caster series ensures zero-fix, 100% maintenance-free performance. The dual-wheel configuration enhances stability and allows for a lower overall height, offering a perfect blend of strength and maneuverability.
Casters in both series are finished in a durable HAA polyester platinum powder coat and are available in a wide variety of wheel types, allowing for customization based on application needs. For complete wheel specs and product details check out the Spinfinity® Super Endurance Caster Landing Page and all-new Spinfinity® Super Endurance Dual Caster Landing Page.
ACTON, Massachusetts – September 3, 2024 – New Horizon Soft, LLC (https://www.newhorizon.ai), a global leader in AI-powered supply chain planning software, announced today the release of a new version of its Buyers Workbench procurement planning software. The latest version includes the ability to optimally schedule inbound deliveries, taking into account distribution center (DC) receiving capacity, thus minimizing receiving bottlenecks and lowering inbound logistics costs. A research paper describing the innovative methodology and its deployment at an iconic $10B+ U.S. quick-service restaurant chain was recently published in the peer-reviewed academic journal, the International Journal of Operations Research and Information Systems.
Supply chain organizations typically plan purchase orders without regard to DC receiving capacity. This leads to bottlenecks on some days and underutilized staff on others. New Horizon’s methodology, called Master Purchasing Receipt Scheduling (MPRS), uses a novel algorithm to automatically and optimally schedule deliveries. The algorithm plans deliveries at the time of purchase order creation and results in a steady volume of deliveries and lower planning and logistics costs. While first deployed at a restaurant chain, the methodology is applicable to any manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, or foodservice company operating high-velocity DCs.
“With the increasing prevalence of high-velocity DCs, scheduling inbound deliveries can no longer be an afterthought,” said Chao-Ming Ying, Co-founder and CTO of New Horizon. “We developed the new MPRS functionality to address what had been a blind spot in many supply chains. Our customers are now taking advantage of this capability to streamline inbound logistics, increase receiving capacity utilization, and lower distribution costs.”
Supporting Resources
• Research article with case study published in the International Journal of Operations Research and Information Systems
• PDF version of article on New Horizon’s website
• New Horizon blog providing overview of restaurant chain deployment
• New Horizon Buyers Workbench web page
About New Horizon Soft, LLC
New Horizon’s supply chain planning software harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to enable manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to improve forecast accuracy and service levels while minimizing inventory and costs. We help planners make better decisions with cloud-based applications that are easier to use, easier to configure, easier to implement, and lower cost to operate. New Horizon is headquartered outside of Boston and has customers in North America, Europe, and Asia.
New Horizon — The AI Planning Suite™. Learn more at https://www.newhorizon.ai or follow us on LinkedIn.
Media Relations
Mike Liebson
New Horizon Soft, LLC
marketing@newhorizon.ai
+1 857-242-0783
Pennsylvania, United States – August 2024 – Thinkink Packaging, a leader in innovative packaging solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its new line of Custom Frozen Food Boxes. Designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable and durable packaging in the frozen food industry, these new boxes offer a perfect blend of functionality, quality, and eco-friendliness.
The frozen food market is rapidly expanding, with consumers increasingly seeking convenient, ready-to-eat meals that maintain freshness and quality. Thinkink Packaging’s Custom Frozen Food Boxes are specially engineered to meet these needs, offering superior insulation to preserve product integrity from production to the consumer's freezer.
Our boxes are designed with high-quality materials that provide excellent insulation, ensuring that frozen foods remain at the correct temperature throughout the supply chain. Committed to reducing environmental impact, our frozen food boxes are made from recyclable and biodegradable materials, aligning with the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Businesses can personalize their packaging to reflect their brand identity, with a range of sizes, styles, and printing options available. Built to withstand the rigors of transport and handling, our boxes provide robust protection against moisture, ensuring products arrive in perfect condition.
“The launch of our Custom Frozen Food Boxes is a significant step forward for Thinkink Packaging as we continue to expand our product offerings to meet the evolving needs of the market,” said Asim Munir, CEO of Thinkink Packaging. “We understand the importance of packaging in maintaining the quality and safety of frozen foods, and our new boxes are designed to provide optimal protection while also supporting sustainability goals.”
About Thinkink Packaging
Thinkink Packaging, based in Pennsylvania, is a premier provider of custom packaging solutions for a wide range of industries, including food, retail, and e-commerce. With a focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability, Thinkink Packaging has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance their packaging strategies.
For more information about Thinkink Packaging's Custom Frozen Food Boxes or to place an order, please contact us at +1-570-468-1167 or email support@thinkinkpackaging.com.
Thinkink Packaging – Your Partner in Packaging Innovation.
ADDISON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Unlimited Service Group, a group of local foodservice equipment repair providers, today announced the launch of USG Connect, an innovative new repair and maintenance management platform designed to streamline and simplify the repair and maintenance of commercial kitchen equipment.
USG Connect provides commercial kitchens with a one-stop solution for hassle-free and scalable equipment service. The exclusive platform offers a user-friendly digital experience that allows restaurants, hospitals, hotels and more, to consolidate and manage their service requests into a single maintenance management system. No matter the size of the organization, USG Connect brings the power of 35+ trusted local service brands with more than 125 locations into a consistent service experience for our customers, ensuring seamless and effective management of all foodservice equipment service requests in one, easy-to-use online platform.
The platform empowers operators to effortlessly schedule and monitor foodservice equipment repairs and maintenance. Users can submit work orders for multiple locations at any time, free of charge, through USG Connect. The tool offers 24/7/365 access to detailed, real-time updates, allowing operators to stay informed about the status of their service requests. With robust, strategic insights, customers can understand exactly what is happening with their foodservice equipment, enabling smarter decisions that save time and money.
“Our team is excited to launch USG Connect, our latest innovation. We believe service is best done in your hometown and USG Connect allows restaurant owners and other commercial kitchen operators to manage their service needs across all our unique local brands,” said Kristen Nowak, President of Field Service of Unlimited Service Group. “Our goal with USG Connect is to transform the way commercial kitchens manage their equipment installations, repairs and maintenance. It’s more than just a service platform, it’s a commitment to operational excellence.”
USG Connect is powered by Unlimited Service Group, a community of over 35 local service companies with over 1,600 manufacturer-trained technicians across North America. For more information about USG Connect or to see if your company qualifies for the platform, visit www.unlimitedservice.com/usg-connect.
About Unlimited Service Group
Unlimited Service Group is a community of over 35 commercial foodservice equipment installation, repair and maintenance providers that believes service is done best in your hometown by local technicians and team members providing expert service with differentiated parts access and local stock. Unlimited Service Group looks to support its team members, customers and manufacturers by bringing the leading hometown brands into the group to facilitate best practice sharing, and to unite the group in areas that create real value for all. Wherever there is a problem with commercial foodservice or HVAC equipment, Unlimited Service Group is there to help.
For more information, visit https://www.unlimitedservice.com/.
Contacts
Adam Gasper
adam.gasper@finnpartners.com
(989) 928-4462
Atlanta, GA – Auguse 28, 2024 – Aquatio Software, a leader in supply chain management solutions, announces the launch of its new Digital Documentation and Supply Chain Visibility Platform. This innovative platform is designed to streamline supply chain operations, improve visibility, and enhance efficiency for businesses globally.
Addressing Critical Supply Chain Needs
The need for real-time supply chain visibility and efficient documentation processes has become increasingly important. Aquatio's new platform meets these needs by providing digital tools that replace manual processes, automate shipping workflows, and enable seamless logistics handoffs.
Key Features of the Aquatio Platform:
Electronic Bills of Lading (eBoL): Digitizes the shipping documentation process, reducing errors, minimizing dwell times, and speeding up workflows.
Real-Time Visibility: Provides a comprehensive single view of the shipment transaction, related events and corresponding documents, thereby facilitating better decision-making.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Enhances communication and collaboration with suppliers, ensuring a more coordinated and responsive supply chain network.
A Significant Step Forward for the Industry
Aquatio's Digital Documentation and Supply Chain Visibility Platform marks an important advancement in supply chain management. By integrating advanced technology with seamless multi-party interfaces, Aquatio enables businesses to manage the complexities of modern supply chains more effectively.
"Aquatio Software is dedicated to transforming how businesses manage their supply chains. Our new platform enhances visibility and efficiency, providing the tools needed to turn potential disruptions into growth opportunities. Embracing digital transformation in critical business functions like shipping workflows allows companies to achieve high levels of operational excellence and resilience," said Juan Cora, Founder and CEO of Aquatio Software.