Independence Day

Independence Day Graphics @ dazzlejunction.com

We wish everyone a Happy and Safe 4th of July Holiday

Our offices and warehouse will be closed on 

Wednesday July 4th

 in observance of Independence Day

We will have regular business hours on Tuesday the 3rd and Thursday the 4th.

Fact Friday: Texas Nations Top Exporter to Africa

Texas ranks as the nation's top exporter to Africa, selling $7.3 billion worth of goods and services to the continent in 2011, nearly double what it sold in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Potential new markets for Texas businesses exist in infrastructure, transportation, energy, extractive industries, technology, health and tourism and related industries. 

Texas Africa Summit

Caution Ahead: Fledgling CSA program suffers growing pains

The most ambitious truck safety program in a generation is leaving the industry bewildered over the exact nature of the initiative—which, according to analysts, seems to be changing continuously.

 

By John D. Schulz, 

Contributing Editor Logistics Management
April 01, 2012 

 

CSA, which stands for “Compliance, Safety, Accountability,” was rolled out in phases starting in 2011. The program is designed to weed out as many as 5 percent, or 150,000 of the nation’s more than 3 million long-haul truck drivers—those “bad apples” that the government is convinced are disproportionately responsible for too many truck-related accidents and deaths.

It uses a complex system to rate the nation’s nearly 525,000 DOT-registered interstate trucking entities on seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, now known as BASICs. The seven BASICs are: unsafe driving; fatigued driving; driver fitness; alcohol and drugs; vehicle maintenance; cargo security; and crash history.

Carriers are given “scores” in each category; the higher the score, the worse the performance. Carriers are then issued warning letters if their scores range above 65, meaning that only 35 percent of the carriers in their class have worse scores. For hazmat carriers the cutoff score is 60.

Click Here for Complete Article

Facts Friday: Diesel Fuel Costs

We all know how the "fuel surcharge" added to the trucking invoice has been an issure for many, so here's an interesting fact:

DOE: Diesel Prices at 5-Month Low

The national average retail diesel price fell 5.1 cents to $3.846 a gallon – the lowest price in five months – during the week ended Monday, June 4, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. The average price has fallen 30.2 cents in the past eight weeks and is 9.4 cents below the same week last year.

Average retail prices fell in all regions, led by a 6.7-cent decrease on the West Coast, which excludes California, where prices fell 5.9 cents but remained the nation’s most expensive at $4.169 a gallon. The smallest decrease was 2.9 cents in the Rocky Mountain region. The least expensive diesel was $3.746 a gallon in the Midwest.

Complete diesel price information is available on EIA’s website.

Friday Facts: Houston Jobs created

785,000

The most recent economic study shows that more than 785,000 jobs throughout Texas are in some way related to ship channel-related activity.

Time is Money

As a Small Business, we at Dixie Cullen, are aware that TIME IS MONEY.    It's important not only to us, but to our customers and to the truck drivers that service our warehouse facility.   We've all heard about the tightening pool available truck drivers,  and the more time they can spend moving from one point to another means versus sitting in line waiting to be loaded is a WIN, WIN situation for everyone in the supply chain.

Here at Dixie Cullen we believe in having "outbound" loads pre-staged and ready to be loaded from the time that the truck backs into the building.  Allows for timely loading while still following standard safety precautions to protect those that are working to load the cargo,  but to provide a safe load ready to leave our facility and travel on the road to it's final destination.

Export Training from Houston Export Assistance Center

Export News  June 2012

A Monthly Publication of the Houston Export Assistance Center  « 1919 Smith Street, Suite 1026, Houston, Texas 77005 « Export.gov/Texas/Houston

SEMINARS/TRAINING

Export University:  Understanding Export Documentary Letters of Credit – and the 5 Elements to Discrepancy Free Presentations

June 20, 7:30 am – 12 noon

UH Small Business Development Center, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, TX  77002

Cost:  $95.00 Includes Certificate of Completion and Refreshments. Parking is free.

Register: http://www.houstonexportu.org/ 

What do you need to know about Letters of Credit to protect your interests and get paid quickly.

Equatorial Guinea Economic Forum, June 11, 8:30 am – 4 pm

Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston

Cost: $30

Contact:  Kristin Smith at ksmith@houston.org or 713-844-3694

Learn about business opportunities available through the diversification of the country’s economy.  The program will be highlighted a keynote speech from His Excellency Teodoro Obiang, President, Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Zambia: Trade Delegation to Visit Houston, June 25-26

For details, contact Nyamusi Igambi at Nyamusi.igambi@trade.gov or 713-209-3112

Export University:  U.S. Export Licensing and FCPA Requirements, August 16, 7:30 am – 12 noon

UH Small Business Development Center, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, TX  77002

Cost:  $95.00 Includes Certificate of Completion and Refreshments. Parking is free.

Register: http://www.houstonexportu.org/ 

Texas-Africa Summit, September 27-28

International Trade Center, 11110 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX

Contact:  Debra Bann at dbann@texasafricasummit.com or 832-448-0524

Friday Facts: Break Bulk

    65%

The Port of Houston is the nation’s leading breakbulk port, handling about 65 percent of all major project cargo in the U.S.