Aug 07, 2008
Website of the week: Dublin Airport Authority's Travel Value Airport Shopping – 31/07/08
Posted by : ueb555
Website of the week: Dublin Airport Authority's Travel Value Airport Shopping – 31/07/08Travel Value Airport Shopping is the online portal for the Travel Value and Duty Free shops managed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) at the Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports in Ireland.
DAA is an airport management company in charge of the management, operation and development of the three airports in Ireland, domestic and international airport retail management as well as airport investment.
The company’s vision is ‘to deliver a quality airport travel experience to the best international standards’. On exploration, the website assures us of DAA’s commitment to their vision. Let us take a look at what Dublin Airport* has to offer.
As the websites for Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports are similar, we will only look at Dublin Airport.
Style
The webpage has a simple style and a neat layout. There is no particular reference to an Irish Sense of Place but the colour theme of the site is consistent with the Travel Value brand logo; a nice contrast of red and blue against a white backdrop. (Through the Travel Value Association the theme is repeated in airport retail branding across many European airports.)
There are a lot of links and icons displayed on the front page of the site, but the effect does not overwhelm due to the clean design and clear presentation.
The top right of the page displays links to Airport Choice, Home, Latest News, Contact Us, DAA and Advanced Search with the Travel Value Airport Shopping logo and a promotional banner below it.
The remaining components of the front page consists of a horizontal navigation panel, a welcome message by DAA, a product search tool, a link to the airport shopping map and a neat grid of image-accompanied links to Featured Products for nine categories.
DAA is an airport management company in charge of the management, operation and development of the three airports in Ireland, domestic and international airport retail management as well as airport investment.
The company’s vision is ‘to deliver a quality airport travel experience to the best international standards’. On exploration, the website assures us of DAA’s commitment to their vision. Let us take a look at what Dublin Airport* has to offer.
As the websites for Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports are similar, we will only look at Dublin Airport.
Style
The webpage has a simple style and a neat layout. There is no particular reference to an Irish Sense of Place but the colour theme of the site is consistent with the Travel Value brand logo; a nice contrast of red and blue against a white backdrop. (Through the Travel Value Association the theme is repeated in airport retail branding across many European airports.)
There are a lot of links and icons displayed on the front page of the site, but the effect does not overwhelm due to the clean design and clear presentation.
The top right of the page displays links to Airport Choice, Home, Latest News, Contact Us, DAA and Advanced Search with the Travel Value Airport Shopping logo and a promotional banner below it.
The remaining components of the front page consists of a horizontal navigation panel, a welcome message by DAA, a product search tool, a link to the airport shopping map and a neat grid of image-accompanied links to Featured Products for nine categories.
Ryanair responds to the DAA monopoly’s claims
Posted by : ueb555
Ryanair responds to the DAA monopoly’s claims Ryanair responded to the DAA monopoly’s claims as follows: DAA’s charge of EUR15.00 per departing passenger is the same as EUR7.40 x 2 . This is more than the EUR10 one way fare paid by 40% of Ryanair’s winter traffic. 2. The DAA monopoly is Ryanair’s second most expensive base and far more expensive than other main airports such as Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan and Marseilles.
3. The DAA monopoly’s EUR15.00 charge is not avoidable. Ryanair’s baggage fee, credit card fee, check-in desk fee are all avoidable. Airport charges at the DAA monopoly are paid by Ryanair not passengers. When Ryanair sells 1 million EUR1 seats, Ryanair still pays the DAA monopoly EUR15.00 per departing passenger, not the passenger.
4. Airport charges at Ryanair’s 25 other cheaper bases than Dublin Airport, cover those airports operational costs: 24 hour fire brigade, passenger security employees, etc. The airport charges also pay for those airport’s investment programmes.
5. The DAA’s check-in rentals have been confirmed by the Useless Regulator as a double charge on the airlines, because the airlines already pay for the terminal building and the check-in desks through the DAA’s expensive passenger charges
3. The DAA monopoly’s EUR15.00 charge is not avoidable. Ryanair’s baggage fee, credit card fee, check-in desk fee are all avoidable. Airport charges at the DAA monopoly are paid by Ryanair not passengers. When Ryanair sells 1 million EUR1 seats, Ryanair still pays the DAA monopoly EUR15.00 per departing passenger, not the passenger.
4. Airport charges at Ryanair’s 25 other cheaper bases than Dublin Airport, cover those airports operational costs: 24 hour fire brigade, passenger security employees, etc. The airport charges also pay for those airport’s investment programmes.
5. The DAA’s check-in rentals have been confirmed by the Useless Regulator as a double charge on the airlines, because the airlines already pay for the terminal building and the check-in desks through the DAA’s expensive passenger charges
DAA to request changes to runway planning conditions
Posted by : ueb555
DAA to request changes to runway planning conditionsOUTRAGED Northside residents have slammed the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) moves to have planning conditions on the controversial new runway changed.
An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development last year subject to 31 strict conditions.
However, the DAA now plans to apply for a change to two of the conditions which restrict the number of flights using the runway between the hours of 11pm and 7am.
The DAA says the conditions would cause delays and inconvenience for airlines and passengers between 6-7am, which is the busiest hour for departures, and from 11pm-midnight, one of the busiest arrival hours.
But according to Adrienne McDonnell of the St Margaret’s Concerned Residents’ Group, the appeal is an insult to locals and to the planning process.
“Those regulations were set down to give us some noise-free hours in which to sleep,” she told Northside People.
“We know that the An Bord Pleanála conditions put a major spanner in the works for the DAA but it should respect the ruling.”
Ms McDonnell questioned how the DAA could appeal the planning board’s decisions.
“There is a reason why those conditions were set down,” she continued.
“It would be absolutely detrimental for us if these conditions were scrapped.
“We would be extremely angry and disappointed if An Bord Pleanála entertained this appeal which goes against the transparency of the planning process.”
According to the DAA conditions three and five would “significantly reduce its operational capacity at peak travel periods and cause delays and inconvenience for airlines and passengers.”
Condition five stipulates that the average number of overall night-time landings and take offs at the airport should not exceed 65.
However, the current number of night-time flights from the airport is 72. The DAA argues that An Bord Pleanála’s condition would affect the airport’s current schedules and future capacity for the new runway.
“The number of departing aircraft during 6am and 7am has doubled since 2003, consequently this busy hour is already over-subscribed in terms of slot allocation,” a DAA spokesperson said.
“Since our initial planning application in 2003 the two biggest airlines at Dublin Airport have collectively added more than 110 new routes and services including 70 new routes and services since 2006.
“Not only would these planning conditions restrict flights at the airport below current levels, it also has the potential consequence that existing slots could be withdrawn from many operators.”
Robert Hilliard, director of Dublin Airport, clarified the DAA position even further.
“The delivery of a new parallel runway is of national importance to the economy of the island of Ireland,” he stated.
“While the DAA is conscious of the concerns of some of Dublin Airport's neighbouring communities, it also needs to ensure that it maintains an appropriate balance in meeting the operating requirements of our airlines and passengers.
“Once an Environmental Impact Statement has been compiled the DAA will arrange for copies to be made available to interested parties.”
It is understood that An Bord Pleanála will now assess the DAA's pre-application submission under the Strategic Infrastructure Act to establish how the request for changing the conditions should be handled.
The Chambers Ireland Transport Users’ Council also argued that the planning conditions imposed on the DAA would directly affect business travellers.
“Ireland’s time zone is one hour behind that of mainland Europe, so any provision which has the potential to impede the departure time of business flights to Europe will directly shorten the working day of Irish executives and aviation transport users seeking to build business opportunities on the continent,” a spokesperson said.
“Accordingly, we support the application by the DAA for a modification.”
An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development last year subject to 31 strict conditions.
However, the DAA now plans to apply for a change to two of the conditions which restrict the number of flights using the runway between the hours of 11pm and 7am.
The DAA says the conditions would cause delays and inconvenience for airlines and passengers between 6-7am, which is the busiest hour for departures, and from 11pm-midnight, one of the busiest arrival hours.
But according to Adrienne McDonnell of the St Margaret’s Concerned Residents’ Group, the appeal is an insult to locals and to the planning process.
“Those regulations were set down to give us some noise-free hours in which to sleep,” she told Northside People.
“We know that the An Bord Pleanála conditions put a major spanner in the works for the DAA but it should respect the ruling.”
Ms McDonnell questioned how the DAA could appeal the planning board’s decisions.
“There is a reason why those conditions were set down,” she continued.
“It would be absolutely detrimental for us if these conditions were scrapped.
“We would be extremely angry and disappointed if An Bord Pleanála entertained this appeal which goes against the transparency of the planning process.”
According to the DAA conditions three and five would “significantly reduce its operational capacity at peak travel periods and cause delays and inconvenience for airlines and passengers.”
Condition five stipulates that the average number of overall night-time landings and take offs at the airport should not exceed 65.
However, the current number of night-time flights from the airport is 72. The DAA argues that An Bord Pleanála’s condition would affect the airport’s current schedules and future capacity for the new runway.
“The number of departing aircraft during 6am and 7am has doubled since 2003, consequently this busy hour is already over-subscribed in terms of slot allocation,” a DAA spokesperson said.
“Since our initial planning application in 2003 the two biggest airlines at Dublin Airport have collectively added more than 110 new routes and services including 70 new routes and services since 2006.
“Not only would these planning conditions restrict flights at the airport below current levels, it also has the potential consequence that existing slots could be withdrawn from many operators.”
Robert Hilliard, director of Dublin Airport, clarified the DAA position even further.
“The delivery of a new parallel runway is of national importance to the economy of the island of Ireland,” he stated.
“While the DAA is conscious of the concerns of some of Dublin Airport's neighbouring communities, it also needs to ensure that it maintains an appropriate balance in meeting the operating requirements of our airlines and passengers.
“Once an Environmental Impact Statement has been compiled the DAA will arrange for copies to be made available to interested parties.”
It is understood that An Bord Pleanála will now assess the DAA's pre-application submission under the Strategic Infrastructure Act to establish how the request for changing the conditions should be handled.
The Chambers Ireland Transport Users’ Council also argued that the planning conditions imposed on the DAA would directly affect business travellers.
“Ireland’s time zone is one hour behind that of mainland Europe, so any provision which has the potential to impede the departure time of business flights to Europe will directly shorten the working day of Irish executives and aviation transport users seeking to build business opportunities on the continent,” a spokesperson said.
“Accordingly, we support the application by the DAA for a modification.”
Out of Dog House and into the Bed
Posted by : ueb555
Out of Dog House and into the BedA few years ago one of those polling groups that ask if you'd rather have sex with your spouse or go out to eat in a restaurant and what kind of mouthwash you'd take to the moon made some startling discoveries about dog owners: A surprising number called their answering machines during the work day to talk to their dog. SEARCH NZ JOBS Search Businesses FindA For all your PROPERTY needs An even larger number slept with their dog--unapologetically. All but two percent celebrated their dogs’ birthdays with gifts and parties. No poll was required to know that a lot also kiss their dogs on the mouth. (see: mouthwash; choices) In the last year dog books like Merle’s Door, Marley & Me, Good Dog. Stay and Rescuing Sprite have been the rage. But humorists have been riffing dogs for years. Columnist Erma Bombeck used to say dogs were the last of the optimists. They rush the door when the bell rings but it's never for them. And they can't wait to go for a car ride but they never go anywhere but the vet. (Isn’t doing the same thing and expecting different results also the definition of insanity?) US comic Gary Shandling observed that the only thing a dog likes more than getting in the car is getting out and if we opened both doors they'd pass through all day long, happily. Of course dogs' simplified triage system--if you can't eat it or mate with it pee on it--has provoked many X rated jokes. But so has their tendency to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Comedian Buddy Hackett used to recount hearing the dog yawning at the edge of the bed while he and his wife were getting busy. "Am I boring you," he asked the dog in jest. "A little," replied his wife. And of course Woody Allen recalls asking his mother where babies came from and she replied, thinking he'd said rabies, "dogs." While Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Old Yeller, White Fang and even Benji were brave and heroic figures, Snoopy from the cartoon Peanuts introduced the era of the sage and sardonic dog who was actually a philosopher. Suddenly names like Rover and Fido were passé--not to mention terms like "master" and "command"--and the dog moved from the dog house to the foot of the bed. Or better. He wasn't a pet or companion; he was a bona fide member of the family. You weren't his master or owner; you were his Caretaker and it was a privilege to be so. This marked the era of mixed breed dogs named Fred with bandanas around their neck and their own web site. They ate food we would eat ourselves, received acupuncture and went to day care even if they belonged to average people, not Leona Helmsley. But there's another reason for Americans' rising love affair with dogs: their falling love affair with the institutions of marriage and family. Not only are people marrying later in life if at all--the Searching Twenties turning into the Searching Thirties and sometimes Searching Forties--when they do take the plunge, the marriages don’t last because they’ve become so set in their ways. (See: what was I THINKING) Marriages often don't even last as long as a dog's life anymore which explains the bitter custody suits over Jake or Max. Plus even at their best, new spouses can't inspire a grown man or woman to get down on hands and knees in a business suit after work and beseech wildly "come to Daa-Daa." Since it’s been a whole hour since they called the answering machine.
Warning for airport travellers
Posted by : ueb555
Warning for airport travellersBank Holiday travellers passing through Dublin Airport are warned to give themselves extra time when checking in.More than 350,000 passengers are expected to travel through the capital's airport over the next four days, a 3% rise on last year. Over 2,400 flights will arrive and depart between Friday and Monday, including 240 charter flights, which have been added to the normal schedule.Passengers should arrive at their check-in desk at least 90 minutes before their flight departure time and allow a further 30 minutes if they are using one of the long-term car parks. Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) also reminded customers that the departures road is a passenger drop-off area only, with clamping and tow-away procedures in place.
Dublin flights cancelled over radar fault
Posted by : ueb555
Dublin flights cancelled over radar faultDAA A fault in the air traffic control radar system at Dublin Airport is continuing to cause major flight disruption and delay thousands of passengers.The Irish Aviation Authority says the airport is operating at around 65% capacity.Airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair have cancelled dozens of flights.AdvertisementThe IAA said this evening that a glitch in the hardware of the radar system has been identified.It is waiting on an engineering report to assess if this fault is the main cause of disruptions to the radar system. It emerged today the system has been faulty for as long as four weeks.The Authority has apologised for widespread disruption and cancellation of flights to and from at Dublin Airport due to a safety-based decision to ground flights earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Ryanair have called for a Government investigation into the failure of the radar system.Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said Ireland is effectively closed for business because of the failure of the system and the lack of a back up system or contingency plan.He said 74 Ryanair flights had been cancelled and 13,000 passengers have been affected by the systems failure.Mr O'Leary said it is impossible to know if there will be a knock on effect to tomorrow's schedule as a result of today's disruption.Earlier, all flights in and out of the airport were grounded for a time because of safety reasons.Ten flights were diverted to Shannon, Belfast and Cork. A bus service has been provided for those passengers to get them to Dublin.A spokesperson for Aer Lingus says it is too early to say whether today's disruption will have a knock-on effect to flights tomorrow but she said the airline hopes to restore a full schedule tomorrow morning.Affected Aer Lingus passengers can rebook their flights free of charge, via the website, www.aerlingus.com, or by calling reservations on 0818 365 044. Passengers that choose not to travel may avail of a refund.At around 11.45am this morning, a problem occurred with the air traffic management system. Due to a technical fault, air traffic controllers were unable to identify aircraft.This problem lasted for ten minutes before the system returned to normal. In that time, all departures were held on the ground and some aircraft in the air were asked to remain where they were.A spokeswoman for the IAA said the cap on flights was put in place as a result of this incident and in the interests of safety.Passengers are advised to check with their airlines.
What a mess, DAA
Posted by : ueb555
What a mess, DAAAfter a very pleasant flight with Aer Lingus from Gatwick to Dublin at the weekend -- no delays, a quiet flight etc -- it was disappointing to arrive at Dublin Airport to discover chaos in the passport control area. It appeared that about five flights had landed at once and about 200 people (or maybe more) had all converged on the one area. There was no-one there to deal with the situation and it really was a bit of a free-for-all. Bad show, Dublin Airport Authority. DAA
Modem draws ultralow power from USB port
Posted by : ueb555
Modem draws ultralow power from USB portRadicom Research Inc. has introduced a compact USB dongle modem dubbed V92HU-E2 that processes data using its own hardware and does not utilize any processing power of the host computer. Because it is a hardware modem, the V92HU-E2 dongle modem can be easily adopted in non-x86 CPU and non-Windows OS-based systems. The modem will operate with any system that has a USB CDC (Communication Device Class) driver. The V92HU-E2 dongle modem measures just 0.55-inch x 0.75-inch x 2.50-inch, weighing less than 1oz, it can be easily tucked away in the smallest of notebook cases and enables consumers to easily connect their notebooks and desktops to the Internet over standard telephone lines. The USB dongle modem contains a hardware controller, a data pump and an International DAA (Data Access Arrangement). The International DAA in these modems does not draw power from the telephone line, but only draws low power from the USB port. They operate reliably when line current is low due to long lines or poor line conditions. The modem provides 300bit/s to 56Kbit/s data rates, 14.4Kbit/s fax, on line voice playback and recording, and a hot swappable USB interface. Other features include caller ID, modem-on-hold, caller waiting detection, data/fax/voice call discrimination, quick connect, and extension pickup detection. Modem customization is available through patch code that can be stored in modems on board memory. The V92HU-E2 is designed to meet global Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards, including IEC60950-1 and CE marking. It meets RoHS compliance directives, and conforms to telecom standards required for immediate shipping to the U.S., Canada, Europe and other major industrial countries around the world. Pricing begins at $49 each. Devices are available now.
Aug 06, 2008
Raising the Roof at MCG
Posted by : ueb555
Raising the Roof at MCGIN 2007 the Paarden Eiland-based Metal Closures Group (MCG), foundthat their finished goods warehouse could not hold sufficientstock. The warehouse was 9 metres to the rafters and had fixedracking for 569 pallets. Production capacity also needed to be increased, and the warehousewas the only area available for expansion. The problem of increasing storage capacity while at the same timereducing the storage volume was given to site engineer AndrewCousins and logistics manager Alfie Danster. Their solution was to raise the roof on one portion of the buildingand create a storage area. A mezzanine floor was installed overpart of the existing warehouse and the ground floor was used toaccommodate the new machinery. Storax Mobile Racking, supplied by local company Barpro Storage,was installed in the remainder of the warehouse volume. The storagecapacity of the mobiles is 855 pallets compared to the 569 palletsthat could be stored previously. This represents a 50% increase ina warehouse where the volume had been reduced by just under 40%. Capacity could have been further increased if the roof of theexisting warehouse had been raised. However, it was agreed thatthis additional capacity was not required. Raising the roof was not a simple matter, and the poor winterweather didn’t help. Keeping the storage and productionprocesses operating while the building work was taking placerequired a huge amount of patience and managementskill. The project was completed in February this year. Warehouse foreman Ivan Fredericks is delighted with the results.“I am over the moon with the mobile racking. It is easy touse, I have sufficient additional capacity and can access anypallet quickly by moving the mobiles. Stock control has greatlyimproved,” he says. “I have labelled the pallet slots and all stock must be putaway as nothing can be left in the open aisle. I have also beenable to consolidate all my stock in one place. Previously I wasusing three offsite warehouses,” he says.
TDG extends LPR pallet facilities
Posted by : ueb555
TDG extends LPR pallet facilities As part of its contract with pallet pooling operator LPR, TDG hasinvested in two pallet maintenance facilities to meet increasingdemand. LPR currently makes 4.7 million pallet movements in the UK eachyear. Since 2003, TDG has handled all contracts in the area,including delivery, collection, sorting, repairing andreconditioning. The purpose-built pallet sorting facility in Stretton nearWarrington has a throughput of around 26,000 pallets a week formoderate repair and conditioning, as well as measuring the moisturecontent of each pallet to ensure it meets specific contractualcustomer requirements. The company uses an automated system using rollers and vacu-liftsbefore re-introducing the pallets into the supply chain. Any additional repairs are carried out at the newly extendedrecycling facility at Carnforth in Lancashire, where surplus woodis turned into compost for domestic use or used as fuel at theLockerbie power station. Alex Clarke, TDG contract manager for LPR, said: SLPR"s pool ismanufactured from sustainable sources, and we work hard to ensurethey stay in first class order. Pallets are returned to our sortingfacility after every trip, so we can carry out maintenance at anearly stage, constantly extending the life of each pallet andensuring they meet the specification required for the FMCG supplychain.
Independent Study Confirms iGPS' All-Plastic Pallet Is ...
Posted by : ueb555
Independent Study Confirms iGPS' All-Plastic Pallet Is ...Independent Study Confirms iGPS' All-Plastic Pallet IsEnvironmentally Superior To Multi-Use Wood PalletsCopyright 2008 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved 2008-08-04 ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive, independentstudy comparing the environmental impacts of iGPS' all-plasticpallet and the typical pooled multi-use wood pallet hasunequivocally documented that iGPS' pallet is far superior. Inevery measured dimension -- including global warming, ozone layerdepletion and acidification -- iGPS' plastic pallet was shown tohave a significantly lower environmental impact. "This independent life cycle analysis confirms withoutqualification that we have developed the environmentally superiorproduct we set out to create," said iGPS Chief Executive OfficerBob Moore. "Not only is our 100% recyclable plastic pallet lighter,stronger and safer than the typical pooled multi-use wood pallet,but even using the most conservative assumptions, it's also fargreener. The facts speak for themselves." The analysis, conducted by Environmental Resources Management(ERM), a global leader in environmental consulting services, is thefirst study to measure the total life cycle impact of both iGPS'plastic pallet and the typical multi-use wood pallet. The study, utilizing internationally recognized methodology,measured environmental impacts, taking into account palletdurability and useful life, material composition, trip distancesand weight. The ranges of environmental impact differences betweeniGPS' pallet and the typical multi-use wood pallet, usingconservative and more realistic assumptions for the impactcategories studied, were -- -- Abiotic depletion: iGPS' pallet had 25% - 35% less impact --Global warming: iGPS' pallet had 65% - 70% less impact -- OzoneLayer Depletion: iGPS' pallet had 91% - 92% less impact --Photochemical oxidation: iGPS' pallet had 60% - 65% less impact --Acidification: iGPS' pallet had 60% - 65% less impact --Eutrophication: iGPS' pallet had 75% - 80% less impact -- Aquaticecotoxicity: iGPS' pallet had 50% to 55% less impact -- Terrestrialecotoxicity: iGPS' pallet had 90% to 92% less impact "This study sets the record straight with respect to the claim thatthe pooled multi-use wood pallet is the most environmentallyfriendly pallet solution," Moore said. "The dramatically smallerenvironmental footprint of the iGPS pallet establishes it as thetrue benchmark of sustainability for pallet systems. We are proudto offer the world's supply chain a lighter, stronger, safer andgreener platform, and we look forward to the day when our forestswill no longer be sacrificed unnecessarily for wood pallets." A summary report of the ERM life cycle analysis can be viewed at ,where visitors can also calculate the greenhouse gas emission reductions and fuel savings made possible by converting to iGPS'lighter, plastic pallets. About iGPS iGPS is the world's first company to provide manufacturers andretailers with an all-plastic pallet pool with embedded RFID-tags.iGPS's state-of-the- art pallets are 30% lighter than wood, whichsaves on transport costs, are easier to handle and eliminateprotruding nails and splinters that cause workplace injuries anddamaged equipment. In addition, embedded RFID tags enable shippersand receivers to track and trace shipments in real time. Launchedin March 2006, the company is led by pallet and supply chainveterans with decades of experience. iGPS () is headquartered inOrlando, FL., with offices in Dallas, New York and Bentonville,Arkansas. Pegasus Capital Advisors, a private equity fund manager withoffices in New York and Cos Cob, CT, retains a majority interest iniGPS. Founded in 1995, Pegasus provides capital to middle marketcompanies across a wide range of industries, with particular focuson businesses that make a meaningful contribution to society bypositively affecting the environment, contributing tosustainability and enabling healthy living.Glossary of life cycle analysismeasures: Abiotic depletion is related to the extraction of scarce mineralsand fossil fuels and is arrived at by comparing amounts extractedto remaining reserves. Acidification is the reaction of acidic gases such as sulphurdioxide that react with water in the atmosphere to form "acid rain"which can cause ecosystem impairment. Aquatic ecotoxicity is the impact of manmade and natural materialsand activities on aquatic organisms, from the subcellular, throughindividual organisms, to communities and ecosystems. Eutrophication is the increase in chemical nutrients -- typicallycompounds containing nitrogen or phosphorus -- in an ecosystem. Itmay occur on land or in water. The impact may include excessiveplant growth and decay, resulting in a lack of oxygen, impairedwater quality and increased stress on fish and other animalpopulations. Global warming potential (GWP) is the ratio of heat trapped by oneunit mass of the greenhouse gas to that of one unit mass of CO2over a specified time period. This trapping of heat has beenimplicated in climate change. Ozone depletion potential (ODP) is the relative value thatindicates the potential of a substance to destroy ozone gas ascompared with the potential of chlorofluorocarbon-11 (CFC-11) andhas been connected with the destruction of stratospheric ozone,increasing the amount of harmful UV light hitting the earth'ssurface. Photochemical ozone creation (summer smog) is due to nitrogenoxides and volatile organic compounds combining in the presence ofsunlight to form low- level ozone. At low level, it is implicatedin impacts such as crop damage and increased incidence of asthma. Terrestrial ecotoxicity is the impact of manmade and naturalmaterials and activities on terrestrial organisms, from thesubcellular, through individual organisms, to communities andecosystems.
Lost in Translation
Posted by : ueb555
Lost in Translation By Rick LeBlanc Date Posted: 8/4/2008 Whether it is in the pre-dawn squalor of a wet and crowded produceterminal loading dock or the polished black walnut of theboardroom, the wondrous importance of the pallet rarely benefitsfrom an adequate translation. Just like the late RodneyDangerfield, the pallet never seems to command much respect. I wasreminded of this in a couple of ways over the last few weeks. First off, there was a new Italian pallet study on 3rd PartyLogistics providers released in mid-June. It is written inItalian, but with the power of Google Translate, it was revealed tome in that charming, semi-coherent manner that free translationsoftware offers. Case in point is the description of EPAL palletexchange:In Italy the most common management pallet is the exchange at parpallets EPAL: interchange provides for the refund instant a numberof pallets equivalent quantity and quality to pallets received. In other words, the most common pallet management approach in Italyis a one-for-one exchange of like quality EPAL pallets at the timeof delivery. The study itself is the second Pallet study in as many years by theCentre for Research Carlo Cattaneo, sponsored by Assologistica, anational logistics association in Italy. The subject is the impactof the EPAL pallet exchange system for mainstream 3PL providers,including the likes of DHL, Kuenne and Nagel, and others. The results are predictable to a North American audience. The 3PLproviders dont like exchange very much. At many locations, theyhave trouble getting pallets back. This is true for a number ofreasons, including black market activity as well as the lack ofstorage capacity at many smaller outlets (and Italian groceryretailing is still quite fragmented and predominates to smallerformats in comparison to the U.S. market.) In some circumstances, exchange works quite well, particularlywhere exchange is deferred until full load quantities of sortedpallets are picked up at a distribution center to return to theproduct manufacturer. But non-recovered pallet rates are quite high as much as 10% forone of the seven cases presented. The study determined a cost pertrip for 3PL providers ranging from $1.19US to $1.86US per trip. (This is in addition to pallet costs felt by other supply chainparticipants such as product manufacturer, carrier, anddistributor.) Keeping in mind that typically a 3PL provider isgoing to receive a pallet under load and then ship it out, thepallet cost comes predominantly from fulfilling pallet returnobligations to its client, the product manufacturer. The study says that the 3PL providers do not have a very privilegedposition in the supply chain, which makes them vulnerable to theinefficiencies of the pallet exchange system. It caught my eye thatof the data presented from seven 3PL operations, the one with thelowest cost per trip was the one that spent the most money onpallet administration. Over half of $1.19 spent per trip ($0.64)was attributable to administrative efforts. This operator more thanmade up for the expenditure by accumulating extra pallets to sellinstead of having to purchase pallets to cover shortfalls inretrieval. Here is my point - why is it still so counter-intuitiveto pallet users that investment in pallet management will pay foritself? The second story I want to tell quickly has to do with a C-storedelivery program in the United States. The distributor noted thatit didnt seem to be getting its pallets and assorted reusablecontainers back from the various outside trucking firms it wasusing to make the deliveries. This negative trend prompted thedistributor to launch a tracking program to ensure it would get theassets back. The new system provided notice to the drivers on the dock. Thesales group that ran the program was assigned to forward theinformation to the C-store customers and the management at thetrucking companies to make sure everybody knew about the assetmovements. Pallet tracking software was introduced. At the end of the firstmonth, reports were run, and the result was downright scary. Veryfew of the pallets were coming back. It was projected that thepallet and container loss for the modest program would reach wellinto six figures per year. The ledgers were faxed or emailed to the carriers by the DC palletcontroller. Carriers were encouraged to make the returns so as toavoid deductions from their checks. The controllers phone startedringing as every carrier account manager phoned to say that no onehad told them, but now they were aware of the problem. Carrierscommitted to try to comply as best they could, as long as theC-stores could safeguard the assets for return. Apparently none ofthe C-stores knew about the problem either. The sales group, predictably seemed distracted by all this talk,and began to calculate if they could tweak up the margin enough tonot bother with this tracking nonsense at all. No respect, like Isay. Or as my friend Mr. Google translates in Italian, &nonrispetto.
Pallets finish season undefeated
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Pallets finish season undefeatedlocal roundupAugust 4 Pallets finish season undefeated The Times Leader staffThe Wyoming Valley Pallets completed a perfect season by beathingSweet Valley 12-6 in the 14-16-year-old division championship.Dave Drahus led the Pallets with a double, two singles and threeruns scored. Kevin Bott had three hits. Chris Murphy and Ken Sorickeach had a double and a single.Murphy picked up the win in relief of Drahus, striking out six infour innings of work.Sweet Valley was lefy by Adam Paulauskas, Justin Cornell and JoshEverett who each collected two hits.Kyle Levalley, Dylan Wasylyk and Tom Smith each had hits for SweetValley.
Grocer Users & Pallet Leaders Unite,Industry Leaders Launch Block ...
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Grocer Users & Pallet Leaders Unite,Industry Leaders Launch Block ... Grocer Users & Pallet Leaders Unite,Industry Leaders Launch BlockPool Initiative By Chaille Brindley Date Posted: 8/4/2008 Pallet management has been the next big thing for wood pallets forthe last ten plus years. But it has yet to materialize in theUnited States in a big way due to the fragmentation of the whitewood pallet industry. That may all be about to change. The Board of Directors of the National Wooden Pallet and ContainerAssociation (NWPCA) assigned a blue-ribbon task group to explorethe concept of an industry-wide pallet management system uniquelytailored to the needs of the U.S. grocery market. This group hasworked closely with representatives of the U.S. grocery industry togauge customer interest and to iron out a few specifics. A lot ofdetails are still in the draft stage. Here is what we do know. The effort will be coordinated by anot-for-profit organization that is governed by both palletcompanies and pallet users. The pool will utilize a block palletthat is tracked using secure software on an individual palletbasis. Similar to the EPAL and CPC pools, the pallets will be madeand repaired to a specific quality standard. The NWPCA stated thatpallet quality will be guaranteed through rigorous and continuousthird-party inspections by qualified inspection agencies. The NWPCA intends to operate the tracking system in cooperationwith pallet suppliers and owners. According to the NWPCAannouncement, the program will be ISPM-15 compliant. Modern Materials Handlings Web site recently carried a news article on the program. BruceScholnick, president of the NWPCA, told Modern This will be a guaranteed buyback system, so once its up andrunning it will be a nominal cost program funded by itsparticipants. Well repair the pallets and the pallets will belongto the system. The participants will own a fraction of the system. A buyback system is unique compared to the CPC and EPAL systemsalthough some EPAL producers offer their own buyback programs forcustomers. Much of the particulars about how the system is going towork have yet to be decided. Currently, the task force behind theinitiative is looking for input and participation from both palletcompanies and users. Contact the NWPCA directly at 703/519-6104 ore-mail bscholnick@palletcentral.comto share your thoughts. A presentation and discussions on theconcept will occur at the upcoming NWPCA Recycling and PackagingConference & Exposition, held September 10-12, 2008 inMinneapolis, Minn. One thing that makes this initiative different is that the groceryindustry appears open to the idea. Concerns over pallet quality aswell as rising demand in some sectors for block pallets could beforming the perfect situation for an industry cooperative programto work. MaterialsHandling.Net will have more analysis and information onthe new pallet management initiative as plans develop in the nearfuture.
Get Trucking: Is Plastic the Future After All?
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Get Trucking: Is Plastic the Future After All? Thats the pitch from iGPS, an Orlando, Fla.-based company thatsays plastic shipping pallets could do for the trucking industry what Congress so far hasnt:provide