Trucking news and briefs for Friday, July 31, 2020:
Plan ahead if hauling loads into tropical storm’s path to prevent cargo theft
Cargo theft recording firm SensiGuard issued a notice Thursday warning shippers and carriers that may be sending or hauling loads into the path of Tropical Storm Isaias.
The storm is currently projected to make landfall along Florida’s east coast as early as Saturday, though the forecast for the storm beyond the Caribbean is largely uncertain. The National Hurricane Center projects the storm will bring wind speeds upwards of 70 mph and potentially strengthen to hurricane status before it reaches Florida.
SensiGuard recommends monitoring developments into the weekend and confirming with destination facilities that they will be accepting freight. The firm suggests having alternate plans for secure staging locations outside the storm’s path, as well as using GPS tracking to mitigate the risk of theft.
A. Duie Pyle adds to Massachusetts distribution center
Pennsylvania-based A. Duie Pyle has added a new accessory transfer and distribution center to its Westfield Integrated Distribution Center in Westfield, Massachusetts.
The expansion includes a 35,500-square-foot service center and an 8,800-square-foot fleet maintenance facility. The facility now features 53 LTL cross-dock doors, and the fleet maintenance facility has a three-bay shop and truck wash. The additions were built on Pyle’s existing 67-acre campus, which is already home to three warehouses comprising over 820,000 square feet.
“We’re excited to increase capacity and services at our Westfield Integrated Distribution Center as it provides us with additional capacity to better meet the needs of our LTL, warehouse and dedicated customers,” said John Luciani, COO of LTL solutions at A. Duie Pyle. “Pyle’s first commitment is always our customers, and this expanded facility gives us an opportunity to make significant strides in improving transit times while providing greater operational flexibility for the western Massachusetts communities we service.”
