In This Issue

Registration Now Open For Annual Convention & Expo

Free WFLO Training Webinar Has the Answers

Latin America Conducts Industry Survey

Current Practices with Loss Allowances

Reminder: Request for Presentations at Convention

LA Cold Store CIO, Ray Quiton, Passes Away

Time Running Out to Advertise in Directory

Free Legal Webinars in December

Cold Storage Industry News

Food Industry News

Government News

The world is yours – grab hold of it! Our “World-Wide, World-Class” 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo, taking place 28 March - 2 April at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California, USA, is the world’s largest refrigerated warehousing and logistics event. This event gives you the opportunity to connect with 800 participants, take advantage of over thirty education sessions, and partake of the industry’s biggest expo. There’s a world of opportunity out there – register for it today to save with our Early-Bird Special.

Do you know what percentage of North American PRWs receive product on the weekends? (78%) What percentage utilize RF technology? (56%) What percentage use mechanized or automated order selection equipment? (2%) These answers and hundreds of others can be found in the 2008 IARW Productivity and Benchmarking Survey Report, the ultimate guidebook to operational and financial data of the North American PRW Industry. The best way to learn about this report and navigate its findings is to connect directly with the authors. Sign up for the free WFLO Training Webinar “Unlocking the 2008 IARW Productivity and Benchmarking Report”, on Wednesday, 10 December 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST. Learn more and register today – it’s free!

IARW’s Latin-American office has conducted a regional survey on Lift Truck Safety, Turnover, and Energy (English versions).  Among the findings of the survey, it was found that 75% of companies provide training on forklift safety. The survey noted that the type of reported accidents varied, but occurred mostly during night shifts and involved part-time or seasonal employees. Turnover rates are recorded by 63% of companies with 60% calculating the cost of these turnover rates. Regarding energy charges in Latin America, a 44-66% increase in costs has been seen. Companies plan to recuperate this loss with an increase in prices. For more information contact, GCCA Latin American Director Debbie Corado at dcorado@gcca.org.

Are shrinkage and loss allowances driving you nuts? Maybe so, judging from the number of requests IARW is receiving from members who are looking for guidance with respect to industry practice involving shrinkage allowances and loss allowances. Some warehouses have contracted with their customers for both types of allowance, and often the terms are used interchangeably. In response to the growing number of queries, we consulted with John Horvath and polled some of our best operators to determine what they are doing and how they are doing it. Read our findings.

As we prepare for the 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo. We are currently accepting presentation proposals for the focus sessions. Focus sessions will be 30 to 45 minutes. It is important for these sessions to be primarily educational versus sales pitches.

Proposals should include the presenter’s names, organizations, and job titles; title of the presentation, a presentation summary and learning objectives. We will contact you if your presentation is selected. Please submit your proposal to Colleen Caster at ccaster@gcca.org by Friday, 5 December 2008.

Ray Quiton, Los Angeles Cold Storage CIO, passed away on 19 November 2008 due to recent health problems. Ray, LACS Head of Administrative Services, worked for LA Cold Storage since 1986. Although gone, those who knew Ray will never forget his quick smile and happy laugh. Ray leaves behind his wife Vanessa, daughter Genevieve and son Andrew plus many other family members. We all join in expressing our deep condolences to Ray’s family.

Would you like to showcase your company's products and services in front of 5,500 industry decision makers? By placing an ad in the 2009 Global Cold Chain Directory, widespread industry exposure is exactly what you are going to get. The deadline to reserve ad space is 12 December 2008.  To reserve space or to receive the new GCCA Media Kit, contact James Rogers at jrogers@iarw.org or +1 703 373 4300. Find out more.

Fisher & Phillips LLP is offering free webinars to help employers understand new regulations interpreting the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). These are the first significant changes to the regulations since FMLA's "final" regulations were issued in 1995 and will affect every employer subject to the law. The webinars are free but require registration. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Nall at anall@laborlawyers.com or + 1 404 231 1400. Find out more.

Great West-Teeuwissen, LLC is in the process of buying out York Cold Storage with help from a $334,000 loan.  See full story from The York News Times.

During a raid of three cold storage facilities owned by Solivar Trading in Valenzuela City, Philippines, P100-million worth of "hot meat" from China and Brazil was seized.  See full story from The Philippines Daily Inquirer.

The Sampson Morris Group has acquired a 330,000-square-foot cold storage complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.  See full story from CoStar Group.

A government committee in Madurai, India has recommended the establishment of massive cold chain facilities in various districts.  See full story from The Hindu.

Frozen food stocks in refrigerated warehouses on 31 October were greater than year earlier levels for turkey, chicken, pork and cheese. See full report from the USDA.

USDA's cold storage report was released 21 November at 3:00 pm EST. See full report.