• U.S. Rep. Shuster Releases Blueprint to Improve Nation's Infrastructure
• Don’t Rely on Third-Party Vendors for Your 2018 UCR Registration
• TIA Members Are Making a Difference
• ‘What Does a Trucker Look Like?’ It’s Changing, Amid a Big Shortage
• There's Still Time to Register for the Third Quarter CTB Online Study Course
• Reserve Your 2019 Conference Exhibit Space
• 2017 Compensation Report Now Available

Truckstop.com has announced the acquisition of Grizella. New Plymouth, Idaho-based Truckstop.com offers online freight matching and load board solutions.

Based in Hebron, N.D., Grizella makes the SaferWatch carrier monitoring and research tool and the PostEverywhere load-posting and truck-posting service for freight brokers, logistics providers, intermediaries, freight-forwarders, shippers, and carriers.

"The merging of Truckstop.com and Grizella is an exciting step for the entire freight community. The two companies have similar missions: to empower the freight community with innovative technology solutions," said Paris Cole, CEO of Truckstop.com. "We are excited about this acquisition for many strategic reasons and look forward to having the entire Grizella team join the Truckstop.com family while they continue working from their office in Hebron, North Dakota."

If you have news you would like to share with other TIA members, send it to us, and we'll place it in the next issue of Logistics Weekly.

3PL Technovations is a new meeting laser-focused on the rapid changes in technology affecting the 3PL industry. This highly energized event will feature rapid presentations by technology providers discussing the latest industry trends and issues as well as presentations and information sessions led by thought leaders. 3PL Technovations is designed to keep leading 3PLs operating at the top of their game.

November 6-7 
JW Marriott Starr Pass
Tucson, Arizona

For more information and to register, visit the 3PL Technovations site.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, introduced a discussion draft intended to further the national conversation about the current state of America’s infrastructure. It also highlights some of the major roadblocks to funding and improving the nation’s infrastructure network.

TIA has received several emails from members regarding a letter from several vendors concerning 2018 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) payments and registration. Most of these vendors are not associated with the UCR. You should register directly with the State of Indiana, who administers the program. The annual cost for a 3PL/broker is $69.

As the U.S. Senate continues to work towards passing its version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, TIA members and staff continue to focus on ensuring the National Hiring Standard provision, which is contained in the House-passed version, is kept in the FAA Reauthorization bill when it reaches the President’s desk.

America’s booming economy has a problem: a shortage of truck drivers.

The industry – historically reliant on older, white male drivers – is facing a record shortage with an estimated 50,000 more drivers needed to meet demand, according to the American Trucking Associations. The lack of available drivers is rippling through the supply chain, causing a bottleneck of goods that is delaying deliveries and prompting some companies to increase prices.

Read the full New York Times article.

The national average van rate edged down to $2.30 per mile during the past week, which is only a penny lower than the average for June. The rolling average for July is still trending down, but it’s not likely to move a lot more before August restarts the clock on Wednesday. That makes this a remarkably strong July, which has historically been a quiet month for trucking freight.

Has your career or business hit a road block? TIA’s Mentorship Program will match your needs with successful members in a 6-month program personally designed to help you achieve your goals. This unique program is intended to help you overcome the challenges of the highly competitive 3PL industry while also helping you increase your revenue potential.

Budgeting for 2019 events? Don’t wait and accidentally be one of those exhibitors who gets left out. Reserve your space today to guarantee you have a spot at the 2019 TIA Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition, the only show designed for 3PLs.

All booth applications will be accepted on-line for 2019 with payments via credit card. Please be sure to apply early. We anticipate booth space to sell out quickly again for 2019.

Register for your 2019 TIA Conference Booth/Kiosk, view the Floor Plan and review other pertinent information at www.tianet.org/2019exhibit

Important Dates:

• After September 14, 2018 – Booths will be assigned on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis.
• October 2, 2018 - Final payment due. No refunds will be made after October 2, 2018.

Questions?
Please contact Valerie Sumner: vsumner@vrsevents.com.

• Sept. 9-12: Houston, TX - TMW User Conference
• Sept. 11-12: Chicago, IL - North American Supply Chain Executive Summit
• Sept. 12-14: Cleveland, OH - International Factoring Association Transportation Meeting
• Sept. 16-18: Long Beach, CA - Intermodal EXPO
• Sept. 25-26: Portland, OR - DAT User Conference
• Oct. 16-18: Toronto, ON - Multimodal Americas
• Nov. 6-7: Tucson, AZ - 3PL Technovations
• April 10-13, 2019: Orlando, FL - 2019 TIA Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition

Registration is now open for the CTB Online Study Course that started July 2. The course includes new updates and utilizes the 5th edition of the Foundations of Business textbook. The study course contains more than 80 hours of content, tailor-made to prepare you for the CTB Exam to be held Sept. 29.

3PLs are quick to sign and return the form contracts that customers provide, but either fail to ask if the customer accepts revisions to its contracts or fear that even asking the question will result in the loss of business.

With TIA’s know-how, this course is designed to provide a powerful understanding of the many intricacies of a profitable, third-party brokerage logistics operation and how to serve its customers successfully. It is useful for both inexperienced and experienced brokerage professionals. This course introduces you to the world of an independent contractor and covers marketing and sales, the finer points of an independent contractor’s job, information on load assignments, and even day-to-day office operations.

Learn More and Register.

TIA's innovative member-only video production service is designed to assist and enhance commercial outreach efforts. For as little as $700, you can have professionally produced videos to complement your marketing strategy.

Are you taking advantage of the TIA Advantage program? As part of TIA’s commitment to help its members grow and succeed, TIA has partnered with several companies to offer its members products and services at special savings including but not limited to:

• Special year-round discounts on auto rentals and parking
• Discounted subscription for cargo theft and prevention programs
• Many more promotions

TIA's Compensation Report provides invaluable information about logistics firms’ salaries and compensation, their organization, and job descriptions. More than 80 companies participate in the survey, providing data on more than 30 different job positions. The 2017 paper version of the Measure Up survey is available for $295 per TIA Member.

Purchase now