| |
Released: September 6, 2007
NASSTRAC Experiences Significant Growth With Broadened Transportation Scope
When NASSTRAC expanded its scope to include education and advocacy issues in all modes of transportation in late 2005, members of the executive committee were certain that such a move would only enhance its value to the industry.
The move has been paying off, with proof of significant increases in membership in the first nine months of 2007. In fact, nearly 60 new Regular Members have joined in that time (Regular Members are manufacturers, retailers, distributors, 3PLs and others that have freight decision-making responsibility). Significant shippers among its newest members include Advance Stores, Alcoa, Casio, ClosetMaid, CNH America, Energizer, Gardner Gibson, Hallmark Cards, L'Oreal, Medpointe Pharmaceuticals, Respironics, Snap-On Tools, SPX Corp., Swindell Dressler International. NASSTRAC is also attracting many 3PLs that are controlling more and more freight and logistics decision-making, such as C. H. Robinson Worldwide, CEVA Logistics, Hub Group, Saddle Creek Corp., Twin Modal, Inc. In addition, more than 30 providers of transportation or logistics-related services such as carriers or technology innovators have joined since Jan. 1, 2007.
So what makes NASSTRAC different from other industry associations in transportation, logistics and supply chain management? It's a group that's focused primarily on the needs of shippers - and it's the only remaining major industry association that retains that focus. It also retains its culture as a smaller organization with close ties among its members. And its focus is on these key areas:
* ADVOCACY on key transportation issues that impact the lives of shippers - whether it's hours of service, security, or calling for increased rail competition with the STB. Stay abreast of these key developments as well as industry news.
* EDUCATION on industry trends - whether it's through the annual conference or regional seminars, such as one focused on outsourcing next week in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
* PROVIDER RELATIONS - NASSTRAC provides a forum where shippers make connections with valuable resources and partners ranging from carriers and 3PLs to technology innovators.
ATA Petitions to Keep HOS
The American Trucking Associations submitted a petition last Friday asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to retain the 11-hour daily driving limit and 34-hour restart provisions of the Hours-of-Service regulations. NASSTRAC is supportive of ATA's petition. The request is in response to a July 24 court decision that vacated the two HOS provisions.
The petition also asks the agency to establish a firm, expedited notice of proposed rulemaking process for addressing the issues identified by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
"There is no compelling safety reason for these two elements of the rule to be vacated," ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Mary Peters last month. ATA has maintained that under the current rules truck drivers would actually have more rest than under the previous rules. The court's decision, however, did not address safety questions directly. Instead it said the FMCSA had not followed required procedures in developing those parts of the rule dealing with driving limits. ATA's petition argues that it will be impossible for the trucking industry to adapt to immediate changes in the daily driving limit and restart provisions without significant and costly impacts upon carriers'
operations.
|
Industry News