2006 Year That Was

     The rapid pace of globalization has been reshaping the U.S. shipper community for some time now.
     But 2006 was in many ways a landmark year for new collective strategies and cooperation.
     As recently as last November, for example, The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) and the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) announced an agreement on a model shipper-3PL contract.
     The “Shipper-3PL Model Contract” comports with the recently adopted
     Shipper-Carrier Model Contract developed by the NITL and the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The Shipper-3PL Model Contract will also comport with the expected 3PL-Carrier Model Contract which is being developed by TIA and ATA.
     “This effort points out the importance of collaboration in the transportation industry.
     It is a natural next step from our efforts with the ATA to develop an agreement that provides the backdrop for the commercial relationship between shippers and 3PLs,” said John Ficker, NITL President and CEO.
     The National Retail Federation, meanwhile, continues to extend its reach as world's largest retail trade association.
     Currently, its membership comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services.
     In order to better serve its constituents during the peak shipping seasons, the NRF has partnered with Global Insight Inc.
     This privately held company provides exclusive economic intelligence through a variety of forecasting tools.
     “It’s slow season now, but we’re still expecting growth,” Global Insight Economist Paul Bingham said. “Even as volume trails off over the winter, we’ll still see an increase in volume when compared to the same month a year ago.
     In the meantime, the truck and rail systems are now improving performance following the peak months.
     Collaboration between nations and economic zones was also last year’s theme for The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which encouraged U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi to build on the candid, constructive talks held in Beijing as part of the first Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED).
     “The opening round of this Dialogue is an important first step in tackling critical issues in our bilateral relationship,” said Chamber president and CEO Tom Donohue (right).
     “We look forward to the second round in May in Washington and strongly encourage both sides to use the Dialogue to produce tangible, measurable results.”
     The Chamber believes the Dialogue can be an effective means of addressing issues like exchange rate flexibility, intellectual property rights protection, investment, the further opening of Chinese markets to American products and services, increasing the role of consumption in the Chinese economy, energy security, and providing health care and a social safety net for aging populations.
     “This Dialogue, at the highest levels of the U.S. and Chinese governments, is the best opportunity for both sides to aid China's successful integration into the global economy,” said Donohue.
      “We are encouraged that significant efforts are underway to address the important and challenging issues in this relationship.
But, at the end of the day, it's results that count.”
     The U.S. National Association of Manufacturers was focused on a different kind of “dialogue,” with its president John Engler (left) offering praise and gratitude to the 109th Congress.
     “In their final hours, members of the 109th provided America’s manufacturers a legislative shot in the arm, enacting important measures we have sought for the past two years,” Engler said.
     Engler endorsed a number of key trade initiatives, including the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), the Generalize System of Preferences (GSP), the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) and Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Vietnam.
     “These are all critical trade programs for U.S. manufacturers and our trade partners in the development world,” he said.
     “By sending the President legislation that increases our economic security and strengthens our competitiveness in the global marketplace, Congress has helped level the playing field for manufacturers,” Engler said.
     “This legislation is good for business and consumers.”
Patrick Burnson