Jacobson Purchases 259 Fuel-Efficient Mack Trucks from Housby Mack in Des Moines

One of the 259 new Jacobson Companies fuel-efficient Mack trucks from local dealer Housby Mack, Inc.

Jacobson Companies recently purchased 259 new fuel-efficient Mack trucks from local dealer Housby Mack, Inc. The new trucks will be deployed across Jacobson’s U.S. locations. The purchase of these new environmentally friendly units reflects Jacobson’s continuing sustainability efforts to further reduce its impact on the environment while growing its business to meet the needs of Jacobson’s customers.

“These new units will replace older model trucks, and will refresh our fleet with new technology and improved fuel efficiency,” said Scott Temple, President of Jacobson’s Transportation Logistics Services. “The new Mack tractors are EPA 2010 compliant and will significantly reduce our environmental footprint with respect to both enhanced fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. Additionally, because driver safety and retention continue to be major priorities for Jacobson, these tractors will come equipped with outstanding features for driver safety and comfort. The reliability of these new Mack tractors will enhance our ability to continue to provide outstanding Jacobson ‘Can Do’ service to our valued customers.”

Housby Mack, Inc., the local Mack truck dealer serving Des Moines area, specializes in delivering high quality new or used Mack trucks, as well as service, parts, paint and body, and offers a truck lube center. Housby’s excellent service and support structure ensures the relationship between Jacobson and Housby will continue for years to come.

“Jacobson Companies has been great to work with,” said Kelly Housby, President of Housby. “When Jacobson approached us with their intention of refreshing their fleet with fuel-efficient trucks, we appreciated the opportunity to work with them again. We’ve done business before, but nothing of this magnitude and reach, and we are happy to be able to play such an important role in helping Jacobson with its environmental sustainability initiatives. Their continued commitment to support local businesses has been an admirable quality of their company for many years. The people of Des Moines and the State of Iowa are extremely fortunate to have a business like Jacobson Companies headquartered here.”

“We sincerely appreciate the support and expertise that Housby has provided throughout this purchase process,” Temple said. “While Jacobson has grown to be a large company with a global reach, we were founded in Des Moines, and remain committed to our community and the State of Iowa. We are very pleased work with a local Des Moines business.”

Global Transportation Services is Now Jacobson Global Logistics, Inc.

Des Moines, IA – December 12, 2011 – Jacobson Companies is pleased to announce the official name change of our Global Transportation Services, Inc. division to Jacobson Global Logistics, Inc. Jacobson Global Logistics will continue to offer the full suite of products previously delivered by Global, including international freight forwarding (air and ocean, FCL and LCL), buyers consolidation and deconsolidation, custom house clearance, domestic transportation and project cargo.

“This name change is more than mere branding,” said Peter Knapp, President of Jacobson Global Logistics, Inc. “It reflects the latest step in Jacobson Global Logistics’ commitment to integrating and streamlining our international and domestic logistics services. The integration of Global Transportation Services, Inc., into Jacobson Global Logistics has enhanced the offerings to our customers by delivering the same high quality transportation services we built our reputation on as a group during the past 43 years, while adding the ability to provide our customers with true end to end solutions.”

Jacobson Global Logistics will provide a full range of international logistics services to and from the United States, and within Asia, including freight forwarding (Ocean & Air), PO management, procurement & consolidation, origin value-added services, customs brokerage, bonded warehousing, deconsolidation and DC Bypass, Trans-load and bonded hubs, in addition to international multi modal transport services.

“The Jacobson Global Logistics division and team represents our continued success in providing the complete, end-to-end supply chain that our customers need to ensure their products reach their end markets in a timely and cost efficient manner,” said Brian Lutt, President and CEO of Jacobson Companies. “Our current global customers will continue to receive the same high levels of service they have come to expect, and now have the added benefit of an innovative and fully integrated logistics service partner for their other 3PL needs.”

Jacobson Companies Participates in Adopt-A-Highway

A group of Jacobson employees poses for a quick photo before participating in Adopt-A-Highway at the intersection of I-80 and NE 14th St. in Des Moines. The group picked up approximately 70 bags of litter.

On October 5, a group of Jacobson employees in Des Moines, Iowa, volunteered their time to the Adopt-A-Highway program. The group collected approximately 70 bags of litter at the intersection of I-80 and NE 14th Street in Des Moines, much of which would have taken decades to decompose.

Adopt-A-Highway is an innovative program developed by the Iowa Department of Transportation to increase public awareness of environmental needs along Iowa highways by making sections of roadsides available for “adoption.” An average of 1,274 groups participate in Iowa’s Adopt-A-Highway program, keeping approximately 32 percent of the state’s roadways litter-free.

“Sponsoring this section of highway is a great way to contribute to our community and is a natural fit with our business,” commented Environmental Coordinator Susan Dalton. “Beyond our stated dedication in our environmental policy, this program shows the strong desire Jacobson and our employees have in making a positive impact on the environment.”

Jim Stillings named Chief Human Resources Officer

JHCI Holdings, Inc., parent of the Jacobson Companies, announced today that Jim Stillings has been named Chief Human Resources Officer of the leading global third party logistics firm. Mr. Stillings joins Jacobson after a 20 year career with GE, and 15 years of Human Resources consulting.

Brian Lutt, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very pleased to have Jim Stillings join Jacobson as Chief Human Resources Officer. Jacobson Companies’ strategy and growth trajectory require a holistic approach to all aspects of our business, tightly coupled with our plans to add breadth and depth to our already strong team of associates. Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team and will lead an added focus on talent development, organization design, Human Resource planning, and training.”

Mr. Stillings began his career with GE in 1977, and held numerous HR positions in GE’s Power Systems Business, GE’s Corporate Headquarters and GE Capital. Since 1997 he has provided HR consulting services across many industries including Warehousing and Distribution, Consumer Services, Financial Services, Private Equity, Technology, Commercial Real Estate and Health Care. He has consulted with Jacobson on a variety of projects since February 2008.

“While there have been a number of occasions to return to a corporate position, it wasn’t until I was approached by Jacobson that my interest was truly sparked,” Stillings said. “Having consulted with Jacobson for the past 3 years, I’m clear on their vision and excited by their growth strategy and prospects. The quality of their leadership combined with their willingness to invest in continuing to strengthen their talent base made this decision an easy one.”

Mr. Stillings assumes his responsibilities in September and will relocate to Jacobson’s worldwide corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

To read the complete press release, click here.

Jacobson Companies Acquires G-Link Express Logistics

Jacobson Companies has acquired Singapore-based G-Link Express Logistics. The acquisition allows Jacobson to continue to expand its international platform throughout the Asia Pacific region.

JHCI Holdings, Inc., parent of the Jacobson Companies, a leading third party logistics provider, has acquired substantially all of the assets of G-Link Express Logistics (G-Link), an international freight forwarding group based in Singapore effective August 31, 2011. Jacobson has retained all offices, operations and services of G-Link’s Express Network in Asia.

G-Link is a fast growing and experienced ocean and air freight forwarding group with offices strategically located throughout the Asia Pacific region offering international logistics services including customs clearance, local delivery and transportation, warehousing, and cargo management. The acquisition of G-Link allows Jacobson to supplement its existing offerings in Hong Kong and China, as well as expand its capabilities in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Effective immediately, G-Link Express Logistics will begin doing business as Jacobson Global Logistics.

“Our strategy to develop our international logistics business continues in the Asia Pacific region through this acquisition,” said Brian Lutt, President & CEO of Jacobson Companies. “G-Link has built solid customer relationships based on a foundation of customer service excellence, best-in-class operations and value adding end-to-end solutions. The integration of G-Link into Jacobson Global Logistics will strengthen our Asia operations and add new country locations to support the expanding service requirements of our customers.”

Click here to view the entire press release.

Jacobson Recognized by Esteemed Top 3PL Lists

This month, Jacobson received recognition from three different publications for being a leading 3PL provider.

SupplyChainBrain named Jacobson to its 2011 100 Great Supply Chain Partner’s lists. The list is compiled by supply chain professional to provide vendors and service providers whose solutions have made a significant impact on their company’s efficiency, customer service and overall supply chain performance.

Jacobson was also recognized on the 2011 Top 3PL by Inbound Logistics, a leading publication for demand-driven logistics. Jacobson has been named to the Top 100 3PL list for six years in a row. The list serves as a qualitative assessment of service providers that are best equipped to meet and surpass evolving outsourcing needs.

Food Logistics also recognized Jacobson on the 2011 Top 100 3PL and Cold Storage Providers list. This list consists of 3PL and cold storage providers that are helping food, beverage and CPG companies gain a competitive logistical advantage.

Jacobson Companies thanks all of our customers for their support in nominating us for these awards!

Jacobson’s Newest Facility Serves as Gateway to Latin America

Meet the Miami Team! Pictured Back row (L to R): Tamara Villavicencio, Javier Vidal, Nathalia Volpato, Jim O’Melia, Phillip Schwab, Alayn Robaina and Inaisy Valdez. Front Row (L to R): Jennifer Backoff, Minerva Bello, Maria Salmon and Ines Morales.

Energized by a multicultural staff with decades of solid import and export experience – and a dose of their strong Cuban coffee – Jacobson Global’s Miami facility is becoming the premier gateway for Jacobson customers to reach the burgeoning markets of Central and South America as well as the Caribbean basin.

Newly domiciled in a state-of-the-art 26,000 square foot warehouse facility, Miami has fully-staffed import, export, customs house brokerage (CHB) and warehousing teams. Combined with the solid local and regional transportation service providers and a growing network of overseas agents, the Miami team can provide top-flight delivery services right to our international customers’ doors.

“With an emerging middle class and double-digit economic growth, Latin America will continue to be an area of growth for the foreseeable future,” commented Director of Operations for Latin America Phillip Schwab. “Given the U.S. government’s goal of doubling US exports by 2014 and nearly 20 percent growth since 2009, our national trading partners to the south present an excellent opportunity for international transportation.”

The Miami team also boasts an enormous amount of experience. Operations Manager Minerva Bello, a 15-year industry veteran, has spent seven years with GTSI. Miami’s three operational teams of professionals are also led by experts each with a dozen or so years of industry success – Tamara Villavicencio running exports, Jennifer Backoff heading up imports and Javier Vidal on customs brokerage along with Jim O’Melia, director of business development.

To learn more about Jacobson’s Miami facilities, contact Phillip Schwab.

Case Study: Jacobson’s Experience in the Food Industry Contributes to a Successful Partnership

After acquiring a leading branded pasta company in the United States and Canada, a multinational food group in the rice, pasta, sugar and dairy businesses, needed a third-party provider to help merge the two businesses together. For this customer, bringing the pasta company into the same distribution center would be the first step in optimizing supply chain synergies for the two companies.

To meet the time-sensitive demands of the client’s supply chain process, Jacobson used experienced associates, project management teams, managers and supervisors to meet the initial challenge of successfully establishing the first combined distribution center for these two leading food companies in Pennsylvania. Although the customer had a compressed timeframe for startup, Jacobson was able to bring the companies together without disruption to business. Jacobson began operation of a 424,000-square-foot facility, complete with a workforce (5/24 schedule with a weekend crew, employing over 70 associates), and customer service group, all while exceeding the customer’s expectations.

Commenting on how impressed they were with the start-up, the director of distribution and transportation for the company said, “The Jacobson ‘CAN DO’ attitude has been nothing short of a blessing to work with!”

Jacobson’s northeast locations, experience in the food industry and campus resources all contributed to the success of this partnership. As a result, the food group was able to leverage its purchasing power in distribution and transportation for the first time, reducing its logistics costs.

To read the entire case study, click here.

Jacobson Companies Names Terry Solvedt as new Executive Vice President of TLS Operations

Terry Solvedt, EVP of Operations (TLS)

Jacobson Companies has recently named Terry Solvedt as its new executive vice president of operations for its transportation and logistics services business unit. Solvedt will be based in Des Moines, IA, Jacobson’s corporate headquarters.

In his position, Mr. Solvedt will provide operational and strategic leadership for the over-the-road, regional fleets and dedicated asset business as well as carrier services and the Des Moines-based freight management segment.

Scott Temple, president of Jacobson’s transportation and logistics services business unit, commented, “Terry is a fantastic addition to our TLS team, and he is going to play a key role in our continued growth and success.”

Mr. Solvedt comes to Jacobson with 30 years of experience within asset management and maintenance as well as operations and executive management. In previous positions, he was the senior vice president and general manager of Ruan Transport Corporation from 2004 to 2007 before holding the position of vice president at RoadLink USA from 2008 to 2010. Before coming to Jacobson, Mr. Solvedt was an industry advisor with Landes Trucking.

“I am very pleased to join the Jacobson team,” Mr. Solvedt commented. “This company has an outstanding track record of profitable growth and excellent customer service. I appreciate the ‘Can Do’ attitude of every associate, and I look forward to furthering Jacobson Companies’ success.”

Click here for a print version of this press release.

From the Recycling Bin to Safety Wear

Jacobson Employee Lance Ward shows off one of the new safety shirts funded by the Seattle facility's recycling efforts.

Jacobson’s Seattle area facilities have been recycling for years, and recently, during a Warehouse and Trucking Safety Committee meeting, decided to take their aluminum cans to a paying recycling center to fund safety related items. Specifically, the facilities are purchasing t-shirts with high visibility striping, each requiring funds from 26 pounds worth of aluminum cans. It takes 34 cans to weigh one pound, which equates to 884 cans per t-shirt purchased.

“Our goal by the end of 2012 is to have one shirt for each member of the warehouse and trucking team,” commented Operations Manager Allan Barrie. Based on this goal, the Seattle operation plans to recycle 23,868 cans during this fundraiser. Recycling instead of throwing away these cans will save 1118 gallons of gas and reduce CO2 emissions by 7000 lbs. Last month the Seattle area operations were able to fund two shirts with aluminum can recycling money.

“The shirts recognize the recycling efforts of our crew in Seattle and help to improve ‘being seen’ when worn,” noted Barrie.