Dan M First, the good news: The US economy grew 3.9% in the third quarter — from July to September — according to a report issued last month by the US Commerce Department. That rapid growth rate comes on the heels of an even more astonishing 4.6% growth rate during Q2, from April to June. That rosy … Read more
The US Postal Service is projected to lose $5.5 billion during 2014, despite increasing operating revenues by more $569 million thanks to a January rate hike and the continued strong performance of its package handling group. But can the world’s oldest and most reliable postal service continue to operate at a loss, especially when fewer … Read more
Modern warehouses operate more efficiently by taking advantage of their vertical footprint, rather than expanding horizontally. Building up rather than out reduces floor space, decreases property taxes and reduces maintenance and care. But there are inherent risks with storing products one or more stories in the air. Without adequate safety devices, products and workers can … Read more
When the widening and deepening of the Panama Canal is completed next year, it will allow significantly larger cargo container ships — known as “Panamax” ships — to pass from the Atlantic to the Pacific. But representatives of the union representing tugboat pilots working in the canal say one particular stretch known as the Gaillard … Read more
One of the unintended side effects of the rapid growth of digital communications and affordable Internet-accessible devices is a rise in electronic waste, or eWaste. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, in the period between 1999 and 2009, the number of electronic devices sold in the US doubled from about 215 million to 438 … Read more
In an effort to attract more cargo container ships, port operators in Seattle and nearby Tacoma announced that they were forming a strategic alliance that would unify their cargo terminal management. “We must make it clear that this is not a merger,” said Tara Mattina, a spokeswoman for the Port of Tacoma. Instead, the new … Read more
One word that definitely can’t be used to describe workers at one Australian workplace is “patient”. Frustrated that a car had been parked while apparently blocking a driveway, rather than waiting for a tow truck, some frustrated and outraged workers used a forklift to lift the vehicle out of the way. The forklift listed the … Read more
Here is a special sneak preview of some of the stories you will find on the Bahrns blog this week: You’ve heard about e-Commerce, e-Mail and probably even e-Learning. But what about e-Waste? It’s a growing problem that could put people at risk, especially children. We’ll tell you why … The US Postal Service is … Read more
Longshoremen, stevedores and other dock workers at at West Coast ports have been working without a contract since June and while collective bargaining continues with dock owners, the two sides appear to be drifting further apart. Earlier this month, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) issued a statement claiming the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) … Read more
With the US economy finally shaking off the effects of the Great Recession, retailers, manufacturers and industry leaders are hoping today’s Black Friday sales will mark the beginning of the first blockbuster holiday shopping season since the mid-2000s. All signs are positive so far, according to the National Retail Federation. Holiday sales have grown by … Read more
