GLDPartners
Macro forces are reshaping supply chains and global logistics patterns. Rapidly fluctuating energy costs increasing environmental awareness, changes in public policy, landmark infrastructure investments and shifting markets are factors in a changing marketplace. We help our clients position their asset for success.
CASE STUDIES
FROM THE BLOG
Business Opportunities Created By Increased Rail vs Truck Competition
As systemic driver shortages and electronic logging data requirements result in the tightening of trucking supply and therefore trucking price increases, domestic and international cargo owners are starting to look more closely at rail options. This is the case not only for shipments travelling more than 500 miles, but even for shorter distances where rail was once viewed as uncompetitive. Except in high density, long haul rail corridors, ex. Los Angeles to Chicago, there are both opportunities and challenges that require intense logistics management in order to create rail competitiveness, particularly along shorter distances and in less dense corridors. As the problems associated with trucking persist in the US and become more challenging for shippers, we're confident that expanded rail route/products will be offered to meet the need. In California for example, with the added complication of the State's increasing focus on environmental stewardship and reduction in greenhouse gases, we foresee expanded opportunities for market-to-seaport rail logistics. Our 2,000 acre Mid-California International Trade District project is designed to act as an inland port asset to seaports in Los Angeles - handling inbound cargo for inbound distribution and industrial supply chains, and outbound cargo from the massive agribusiness base and from manufacturing. We believe that there are similar opportunities in other strategic settings.
Back to the Future? Truck vs. Coastal/Inland Waterway Marine Highway Shipping
Common wisdom holds that the container shipping revolution was launched in 1956 when industry pioneer Malcolm Maclean decided to ship domestic trailers from Houston to Port Newark aboard the Ideal X, a converted tanker vessel. The modern US interstate highway system was in its infancy at the time, and trucking delays led this industry innovator to create a more cost-and time efficient “mousetrap”. In the intervening 62 years both the US interstate highway system and the container shipping industry have arguably both become victims of their own success, particularly when it comes to “last mile” delivery of international and domestic cargo between metropolitan areas and load center ports along the increasingly congested I-95 and I-5 corridors on the East and West coasts of the US.
GLDPartners Leads California Projects: Enhancing Competitiveness and Reducing Emissions
In Merced, California, GLDPartners has been exploring proactive opportunities to reduce emissions impacts from the Mid California Industrial Trade District (MCITD) and the California AutoTech Testing and Development Center (CATDC) while enhancing competitiveness. The team has had many discussions with strategic public and private sector partners moving forward. Examples include the Port of Los Angeles and how the next wave of goods movement technology might support inland distribution, including hydrogen and electric, and automobile companies and their suppliers to ascertain future automobile charging and fueling requirements.
Announcement: Silicon Valley Autotech Complex Funding Set; Construction in 2019
Funding has been put in-place and the site secured to build a global hub for a large-scale automotive technology testing and development complex in California. The California AutoTech Testing and Development Center (CATDC) is a 700-acre project that is being developed in Merced County which is located near to and directly to the east of Silicon Valley. The purpose-built testbed project is being planned, designed and engineered to be an important asset for developing many of the new technologies and applications that are shaping the future of human mobility. The CATDC is open currently and will complete an major expansion in mid-2019.
Supply Chain Stress in the Aerospace Industry
Recently the WSJ reported that Boeing is running out of space to store unfinished 737s as it waits for critical parts. Actually both Boeing and Airbus are experiencing production delays because of critical tier 1 suppliers that are just having a difficult time in dealing with the stress on their supply chains.
Trade Agreement Challenges Will Impact Automotive Supply Chains In Many Ways
The story below by Paul Eisenstein describes the impacts to automakers about the much-reviewed changes being discussed and negotiated for NAFTA. The current view in protectionist circles about trade agreements generally are classic debates that are framed by too many as one about winners and losers. The temptation to do that is alluring but the interlocking issues and short-term and long-term results require far more complex analytics. As is the case with most complicated things, the debate is generally confused by ignoring basic facts and quite different assumptions and priorities.