🛤️ Railway Revamp
Good morning! Welcome to the Kwanza edition of "The Workday Dash," your go-to supply chain and logistics update newsletter! As we embrace the spirit of Kwanza, a celebration of unity, creativity, and community, we bring you the latest insights and trends from the dynamic world of supply chain management.
So, grab your cup of cheer, and let's dive into the Kwanza edition of "The Workday Dash" to discover how the supply chain industry is keeping the holiday spirit alive! ♥️😋
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Key Texas Rail Lines Reopen After Migrant Smuggling Crackdown
Good news! U.S. Customs and Border Protection is giving the green light to reopen two vital rail lines in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, after shutting them down for about five days to tackle migrant smuggling on Mexican freight trains. Industry leaders, like the Association of American Railroads and the National Association of Manufacturers, weren't too thrilled about the disruption it caused in the supply chain and our competitiveness. However, now the AAR and Union Pacific are all smiles about the reopening, saying these border crossings are super crucial for international trade and the supply chain.
Check out today’s featured article from DCVelocity to learn more about why the railways across the Mexican border were closed and why it’s opening back up. Will it close down again? How much money was lost in the last week the railways were closed?
Featured Article
Rail group cheers White House move to reopen Mexico border crossing | DCVelocity
“Customs agency had frozen trains at Mexico-Texas line in bid to stop smugglers moving migrants via trains”
Quit & Employees
Half of Employees Departed Their Previous Job Due to Perceived Lack of Appreciation
Around half of employees chose to leave their previous jobs because they didn't feel appreciated, according to a November survey by Monster, where they looked into two weeks' notice submissions. Other factors for quitting included not getting paid enough (49%), feeling burnt out (34%), seeing no room for career growth (33%), wanting a fresh career path (32%), feeling bored or drained by the job (27%), needing more flexibility (20%), or dealing with ongoing conflicts with colleagues (16%). When it came to giving notice, 57% did it in person, 45% used a formal letter, and 41% went with email.
Interestingly, 10% of workers didn't give an official notice, and 16% didn't stick around for the full two weeks, mentioning issues like a start date clash (46%), a rocky relationship with their boss (40%), or worries about getting let go immediately (33%). And when it came to who they broke the news to first, 79% went straight to their direct manager or supervisor, with none reaching out to their assistant or mentor initially.
Trucking & Money Matters
TFI International Acquires Texas Trucking Company Daseke in $1.1 Billion Deal
TFI International, a big player in the transportation and logistics game, is gearing up to buy Daseke Inc., a Texas-based freight operator, for a cool $1.1 billion. Daseke, with its 4,900 tractors, 11,000 flatbeds, specialized trailers, and one million square feet of industrial warehousing space, will keep running its own show within TFI's Truckload segment. This move is expected to help TFI hit an annual total revenue of around $3.6 billion, turning it into a major player in the specialized equipment truckload scene in the U.S.
TFI's also thinking about shaking things up by possibly splitting its business into two separate public companies. One would be all about the truckload segment, while the other would handle less-than-truckload, package and courier, and logistics. You can expect this deal to wrap up in the second quarter of 2024.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🇮🇷 Iran Resumes Enrichment of Uranium to Near Weapons-Grade. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, has some news about Iran. They've cranked up their uranium enrichment to almost 60%, which is pretty close to what's needed for nuclear weapons. This change follows a slowdown that started earlier this year, and it's got folks a bit worried. Iran says they're not after nukes, but this move is definitely raising some eyebrows.
🌎 Global 2024 Staple Food Supplies Face Strain Due to Dry Weather and Export Curbs. Global food prices have been going up lately, and farmers worldwide are planting more grains and oilseeds to keep up. But brace yourself, because things might get a bit tight on the food front in 2024. Blame it on El Nino, export limits, and the push for more biofuels. Dry weather from El Nino could mess with rice, wheat, palm oil, and more, so keep an eye on your grocery bills.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🚛 Trucking Community Overflows with Acts of Kindness and Generosity in 2023. Let's talk about truckers doing good stuff during the holidays. Besides hauling all our packages and goods, many trucking folks are also spreading the holiday cheer. They're delivering meals, helping out families in need with toys and cash, chipping in for group homes, and stocking up food banks. Trucking isn't just about driving; it's about giving back all year round, especially during the holidays.
🔋 EV, Hybrid, and Gas-Powered: Exciting Cars to Look Out for in 2024. Get ready for some cool new cars in 2024! There's the Chevy Equinox EV, starting at 30 grand, and it can go 250 miles on a single charge. Volvo's got the EX30, their most affordable ride at 35k, with around 275 miles of range. And check this out - Volkswagen's dropping a big version of the ID. Buzz in the US, perfect for seven people and packing 330 horsepower. Plus, General Motors is bringing us the swanky Cadillac Celestiq, starting at a fancy 300 grand.
🔨 Department of Transportation's 'Buy America' Regulations Drive Up Highway Construction Costs. Hey, there's a new government document in town - the Fall 2023 Unified Agenda. It's all about what federal agencies are planning next. One thing to watch out for is the Federal Highway Administration's idea to apply Buy America rules to the stuff they use. It could mean more cash for highway projects, but it might also make construction more expensive, adding to inflation headaches.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🔋 California's Preparedness for Electrifying Transportation: An Assessment. Californians, we've got a heads-up from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). Electric trucks are on the horizon, but there are bumps in the road. The state's power grid isn't all sunshine and rainbows, and you're shelling out some serious dough for electricity. Plus, brace yourself for more trucks on the highway because those big batteries mean less room for cargo.
🧐 Freight Industry Rules Are Being Revamped to Balance Power For Truckers. In the wide world of freight, folks are talking about brokers and insurance. Some say it's time to tighten the rules to protect the little guys driving the big rigs. Right now, fees seem lopsided, and some folks are hoarding all the power. It might be time to rethink the rules that keep things rolling.
👨🏽💼 Recognizing and Celebrating Employee Excellence. Managers can find it tricky to show employee appreciation, but O.C. Tanner's article, '60 Heartfelt Employee Appreciation Quotes to Say Thank You,' offers a variety of sentiments to help. Check out these 10 standout quotes in the article that can make your employees feel valued.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.