trucking

NACPC - ContainerPort Group, Inc.

Member Spotlight – ContainerPort Group, Inc.

“NACPC is Always Looking Out for MCs – It’s at the Heart of What NACPC Does”

We recently sat down with James R. Kramer, Senior Vice President – Midwest of ContainerPort Group, Inc. (CPG), to learn more about the benefits the shared and premium chassis pools operated by NACPC and how, as a founding member of NACPC, the organization has changed over the past five years.

 

As a founding member of NACPC, how has the organization changed over the last five years?

 

NACPC has stayed true to its mission by keeping the focus on at-cost. We’ve introduced more premium chassis, as well as keeping up with the changing trends in the industry. These things are important to our mission at CPG and we are happy to partner with an organization that feels the same way.

 

As a member, what benefits have you seen by joining NACPC?

At the NACPC member’s rate we are experiencing significant savings compared to the industry standard rate, and that amounts to significant benefits to our organization and to our customers.

 

Why do you choose NACPC? 

 

It’s at the core of what NACPC does. They care about their customers. They believe in the mission. It was a program founded to benefit the motor carriers and its members.

 

Tell us about CPG’s utilization of premium vs shared chassis. What is unique about each?

 

For premium pools, the benefit is decreased M&R (maintenance and repairs) which equates to less down time for the driver. This translates to increased savings overall to a motor carriers bottom line.

 

CPG manages some of NACPC’s premium pools (Columbus, Cincinnati and Detroit). Tell us about that experience.

 

As a terminal operator, it’s important for us to provide a very efficient service for all the motor carriers that come through. The pools that we manage for NACPC are all premium pools. That means those chassis have LED lights, radial tires, anti-lock braking systems and auto-inflation, which is an advantage to all motor carriers in those regions.

in Member Spotlights
NACPC - Intermodal Cartage Company, Inc. - IMCG

Member Spotlight – Intermodal Cartage Company, Inc.

We feature our latest Member Spotlight with Joel Henry, President of Memphis-based Intermodal Cartage Company, Inc., about why chassis pools are important to the transportation industry and what kinds of benefits his company has seen since joining NACPC.

Tell us a little about IMCG – when was the company founded, what is unique about the organization? 

IMCG was founded in 1982. Our company has lots of capacity – we have trucks to service customers of all sizes and are nimble enough to support all types of requests. Our drivers and staff help to differentiate us from our competition. In addition, we spend close to four times the industry average on technology, we operate both company trucks and owner operators, and 100 percent of our fleet has on-board computers deployed in all trucks including Owner Ops.

Why are chassis pools important to the trucking industry?  

Chassis pools help drive efficiencies through better utilization of equipment, space (land) and make it easier for railroads and ports to operate in a gray pool model.

As a member, what benefits have you seen by joining NACPC? 

Higher quality chassis equate to better up time for drivers and better service for customers. Plus, there is the ability to share reduced cost to BCOs, NVOCCs and 3PLs versus other chassis pools, as well as a reduction in chassis splits.

What sets NACPC apart from other gray pools?

Quality equipment, quality of invoicing and PRICE.

Advice for a company looking to join NACPC?

Stop missing out. NACPC is less costly and features better equipment.

in Member Spotlights

Member Spotlight – Devine Intermodal

In continuing to highlight our diverse member base, we present a recent interview with Richard R. Coyle, President of Devine Intermodal (founded as Devine & Son Trucking Co, Inc.), about why chassis pools are integral to the industry and the importance of investing in NACPC.

Tell us about Devine & Son Trucking Co., Inc.

“We go by Devine Intermodal, although we are officially still incorporated as Devine & Son Trucking Co, Inc. since 1923.  We run a combination of company-owned trucks supplemented by independent contractors totaling about 200 trucks altogether. We have terminals in Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and Oakland, California plus a large terminal in Reno, Nevada where most of our recent investment has been.

On the intermodal side of our business, we service international freight transiting the Port of Oakland, plus various rail terminals throughout Northern California and Nevada. Our heavy presence in the agricultural-rich Central Valley of California means we’re deeply engaged with myriad food processors. We haul almonds, rice, raisins, prunes, canned fruits and vegetables, wine, and many supporting and peripheral commodities like wine bottles. We also have a regional truckload division that serves the western states.”

Why are chassis pools important to the trucking industry?  

“Because the geography we service covers a vast area, including the Sierra Nevada mountain passes, we have a fleet of several hundred of our own chassis outfitted with the very best components and tires to minimize problems and to make the jobs of our drivers easier.”

As an investor, why was it important to invest in NACPC? 

“The overarching objectives of NACPC are sincere: Better equipment for fair and reasonable prices. If the equipment is owned and operated by TRUCKERS then it will indeed fulfill the objectives. Equipment owned and operated by non-trucker investment pools will be motivated by profit and less motivated by quality.”

Advice for a company looking to join NACPC? 

“Do it.”

 

in Member Spotlights
The North American Chassis Pool Cooperative - NACPC Premium Chassis

JOC: A Focus on Our Houston Premium Pool

We were recently included in the Journal of Commerce where Senior Editor Joe Bonney spoke about the launch of our Houston Premium Chassis Pool.

“The new Houston pool will…[make] premium 40-foot chassis available for short or long-term rental to NACPC members. ‘This particular solution will ensure that our customers have access to a premium-quality chassis each and every time,’ [NACPC President & Chairman Dave] Manning said.”

JOC subscribers can read the full article here.

in Media
The North American Chassis Pool Cooperative - NACPC Premium Chassis

NACPC Remains Committed to At-Cost Chassis Rental Pricing as Competitors Increase Rates

NASHVILLE, TN (July 1, 2016) – The North American Chassis Pool Cooperative (NACPC) has committed to maintaining the most cost-effective chassis rental rates in North America despite competitors raising rates consistently since 2013 as follows:

  • DCLI: $16.12 to $18.50
  • Flexi: $15.30 to $19 SACP/$19.25 MCCP
  • TRAC: $16.39 to $19.50

*Rates sourced from DCLI, Flexi-Van & TRAC Websites as of 6/30/2016

NACPC will maintain at-cost member pricing as follows:

  • MCCP: $14.25
  • COCP: $14.25
  • SACP: $12
  • GCCP: $12

Regarding this decision to maintain at-cost pricing, NACPC President and Chairman Dave Manning states: “Our mission at NACPC is to support motor carriers with an expansive and modernized chassis fleet. This should not come into conflict with our customers’ bottom line – we are here to drive their business and our industry forward and remain committed to doing so with this decision.”

NACPC’s pricing has helped many customers save upwards of $1,000,000 per customer/annually. “Our goal,” says Manning, “Is to invite more customers to learn about NACPC in order to help them positively impact their business’ bottom line. Increased rental rates do not have to slow business down – NACPC is the secret weapon our customers have come to rely on.”

in Industry News / Press Releases
NACPC Takes the Lead In Chassis Innovation: Company Launches Chassis Tracking with Asset Intelligence

NACPC Takes the Lead In Chassis Innovation: Company Launches Chassis Tracking with Asset Intelligence

NACPC, The North American Chassis Pool Cooperative, is quickly becoming an innovation leader within the intermodal industry. NACPC is partnering with Asset Intelligence to deploy its VERIWISE® Chassis fleet management solution on 270 chassis in NACPC’s fleet, allowing their members and users access to heightened performance.  NACPC President, Dave Manning strongly believes this new technology will provide substantial business value.

“Having the ability to track our chassis will allow us to leverage the multitude of information we receive from continual asset tracking,” said Manning. “We envision the future of chassis logistics as heavily relying on this tracking information instead of solely depending on gate activity. As an organization that is dedicated to keeping our assets in a closed loop, this tracking will assist us in this endeavor by helping us quickly locate a chassis should they slip out of the closed loop.”

The VERIWISE® Chassis fleet management solution from Asset Intelligence enables chassis fleet operators to:

  • Improve fleet utilization, including more rapid redeployment of dormant chassis, resulting in increased revenue;
  • Improve cargo turnaround times, from dispatch and pickup to delivery;
  • Improve billing accuracy with reliable data that shows when assets move and when the billing clock starts and stops
  • Decrease time and fuel costs spent searching for chassis by eliminating manual yard checks and enabling the nearest chassis to be utilized;
  • Reduce chassis maintenance costs by performing preventive maintenance based on actual mileage rather than calendar schedules;
  • Improve verification of intermodal container returns.

Matt Harris, Sr. Vice President of Sales for Asset Intelligence, stated: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with NACPC, a leader in chassis pool management. Our solutions will provide NACPC with critical visibility and fleet status, and we believe will ultimately help them maximize the efficiency and productivity of their chassis pool.”

Mr. Harris added that the ability to track chassis with accurate, real-time information can provide NACPC with an operational advantage. “Our solution gives NACPC visibility into the location and status of their assets, allowing leased chassis to be kept in the proper lanes for their customers.  VERWISE Chassis also provides valuable data and insight to increase asset utilization and ensure chassis fleets are sized appropriately to meet customer demand.  Additionally, tracking improves billing accuracy, giving chassis pool operators the hard data needed to resolve billing disputes, a common industry challenge.  All of these benefits give NACPC an advantage in serving their customers.”

The chassis pool industry is poised to see tremendous growth in the use of tracking technology in coming years. Traditionally, tracking has been primarily used by truckload carriers for their dry van fleets, however the industry is now seeing early adoption on chassis fleets. “NACPC is certainly well ahead of the industry with this trend, and will be able to have a leg up on their competition by realizing the benefits of tracking.  We’re thrilled to partner with an innovative leader in the industry, and continue to prove the value chassis tracking provides to pool operators.”

 

in Industry News / Press Releases
The North American Chassis Pool Cooperative - NACPC Chassis - ATA

NACPC President Dave Manning Appointed to ATA Leadership Position

We’re excited to announce that our President – Dave Manning – has been appointed to 2nd Vice Chairman with the American Trucking Associations! We recently sat down with Manning to discuss this honor and talk about what it means to him.

This is quite the acknowledgement of your commitment to the trucking industry. What excites you about your appointment? 

“It is a tremendous honor to be elected to serve in a leadership capacity at ATA. Not many people have the chance to serve as Chairman of this influential organization and I am humbled that my peers have elected me to serve in this role. Trucking is a people business and in this role I have the opportunity to travel throughout the country speaking to my fellow motor carriers about what ATA is accomplishing on their behalf.  [My wife] Betsy and I have already met a lot of great people and look forward to the many more that we will meet in the coming years. It is also exciting to be a part of the leadership team that will be responsible for selecting and nurturing the transition of a new CEO of ATA.”

It sounds like this type of industry participation – outside of the office – is very fulfilling to you. Tell us: What do you admire most about ATA? How is this organization moving the industry forward?  

“ATA is the voice for our industry at the national level. Without the ATA representing our industry before Congress and the Regulatory Agencies, trucking would have no voice regarding the laws and regulations that impact our industry. I admire the platform from which ATA advocates for our industry. ATA promotes that trucking is safe – reducing fatal accidents by -40% over the last decade. Trucking is essential – handling 70% of the nations tonnage and the sole transportation provider to many communities. And trucking is sustainable (green) – having invested billions of dollars over the last decade effectively turning our trucks into air cleaners.”

What does your path with ATA look like in the future?

“This is my 4th year serving as an officer of ATA. Three years as a Vice Chairman and this year as 2nd Vice Chairman. There are 4 more years of service required. One as 1st Vice Chair, one as Chairman, one as Chair of the Executive Committee and one as Chair of the Nominating Committee. So, as you can see, it is a significant commitment of time – but one that I enjoy deeply given my commitment to this industry.”

in Industry News
Ohio Valley Premium Pool

North American Chassis Pool Cooperative (NACPC) Launches Premium Chassis Pool in Ohio Valley

NASHVILLE, TN (January 11, 2017) – Following the successful launch of the Southeast and Gulf Premium Pools, NACPC will begin offering premium chassis product in the Ohio Valley starting January 16, 2017.

This new pool, managed by Consolidated Chassis Management (CCM) on behalf of NACPC, will be domiciled at ContainerPort Group, Inc. depots in the Ohio Valley cities of Columbus and Cincinnati. These units are new and come equipped with radial tires, LED lights and auto tire inflation systems.

“This expansion into the Ohio Valley represents NACPC’s commitment to the region and the opportunity for customers to access state-of-the-art intermodal chassis in the market — optimizing their business,” says Richard Mazur, Vice President of Sales, NACPC.

With their superior chassis solution, NACPC is the benchmark for equipment, customer service and fair pricing in the industry. Our fleet of off-dock premium chassis, the newest and safest on the market, is available using our at-cost pricing model. Customers receive quality equipment and pool management (including maintenance). Cooperative membership is open to qualified motor carriers.

in Industry News / NACPC New Market Announcements / Press Releases

Member Spotlight – Eagle Systems, Inc.

We enjoy featuring our diverse member base and present a recent interview with Jeff Lang, CEO, and Dave Hensal, President, of Washington-based Eagle Systems, Inc., about why chassis pools are integral to the transportation industry and the importance of investing in NACPC.

Eagle Systems, Inc. (originally Eagle Livery & Transfer) has been around since 1903. Tell us about that legacy.

Eagle Systems, Inc. provides intermodal drayage to and from port and rail yards in 22 markets throughout the United States. We successfully moved over 133,000 containers last year. As a leader in the industry, we are proud to have built a reputation for providing quality drayage services with exceptional resources and personnel. Our employees have the same dedication, professionalism and commitment to service as the pioneers who founded Eagle Livery more than 100 years ago.

What advantages does NACPC give your company?

Operating a safe motor carrier and consistently providing a dependable on-time service are key objectives for the management group of Eagle Systems. In order to meet this objective, Eagle utilizes highly trained, dedicated professionals, the latest technology (TMS and apps) and reliable well-maintained equipment.

What sets NACPC apart from other gray pools?

NACPC, being a trucker-owned chassis provider with the same objective as Eagle Systems, has high quality dependable service and seemed like the perfect chassis provider. NACPC is not in business to make a profit – it is in business to provide a high quality chassis at a sustainable price. NACPC has helped Eagle meet its key business objectives.

in Member Spotlights

Member Spotlight: More Profit, Less Loss: How TCW Realizes Big Savings With NACPC Chassis

We recently sat down with Scott George, CEO of NACPC member company TCW, to learn more about how NACPC has been able to transform their bottom line. Here’s what he had to say:

What was the challenge that TCW faced and how did NACPC help you address it?

SG: The challenge for TCW and the industry is the poor quality of intermodal chassis and the corresponding cost associated with substandard equipment.  Radial technology replaced bias ply in 1975. LED lights have 25 times the life span of conventional lighting, yet much of the intermodal equipment provided by leasing companies still uses bias ply tires and conventional lights.

In addition to being more modern, why should trucking companies care about utilizing chassis with radial tires?

SG: Bias ply tires are not rated to carry the weight of international cargo that is legal with state issued overweight permits. The maximum bias ply rating is 3,880 pounds less than the minimum radial rating across an axle.

What has the use of NACPC’s chassis with radial tires meant to your operating costs and schedules?

SG: It costs TCW $.027 more per mile, not including the cost of driver’s valuable time, to run standard chassis versus the NACPC chassis equipped with radial tires and LED lights. In April, we had 2 flat repairs and 1 tire failure running almost 300 NACPC chassis equipped with radial tires. The other providers chassis with bias ply tires incurred 107 flat repairs and 131 tire failures in the same period.

What impact do you feel NACPC’s modernized chassis offering will have on the trucking industry?

SG: As an industry, we should not push the cost of inferior and outdated equipment to the cargo owners who ultimately pay for it. NACPC chassis bring lower cost and efficiency to the supply chain. No fleet owner specs their own trailers with bias ply tires or conventional lights so every intermodal company can benefit from reduced cost, more reliable customer service and improved driver satisfaction with NACPC chassis.

in Member Spotlights / TCW