For immediate release
NATIONAL RETAIL SYSTEMS DEPLOYS CLEAN TRUCK FLEET
IN LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH
Leading Retail Logistics Provider Will Operate 115 Privately-Financed Clean Trucks
To Avoid Additional Fees for Customers
Los Angeles (Feb. 17, 2009) - National Retail Systems, Inc. (NRS), a leading provider of global logistics services to America's retailers, has deployed 115 Clean Air pier trucks to comply with the Clean Truck Program requirements scheduled to take effect tomorrow at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Under Clean Truck Program provisions, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach have created a not-for-profit company called PortCheck to collect a $70 per 40-foot shipping container fee for shipments entering and leaving the port on a non U.S. EPA 2007 compliant truck. Cargo owners will be responsible for paying the Clean Truck Fee beginning tomorrow, payable by credit card or electronic funds transfer, before a loaded container can enter or leave any marine terminal in Los Angeles or Long Beach.
"We primarily serve retailers and our customers just can't incur extra supply chain costs in this economy," said Raymond Wisniewski, President & COO of NRS. "That's why we have been planning since early last year to ensure a smooth transition for our customers. Using our new Clean Air fleet, they will avoid the fees and also help to improve the environment in Los Angeles and Long Beach."
NRS is fully prepared to comply with the Clean Truck Program regulations. Last year, the company applied to participate in the Port of Los Angeles incentive program and immediately began privately financing the acquisition of new trucks that exceed the standards of the Clean Truck Program. These trucks are in full compliance with 2007 guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that exempt them from Clean Truck Program fees. NRS is operating the trucks with company-hired drivers in cooperation with local labor unions.
NRS has deployed a Clean Truck pier fleet with capacity to handle 70,000 TEU imports per year, with plans to increase the fleet to handle 300,000 TEU imports per year by the end of 2009.
"Our new fleet, while reducing cost for our customers, also aligns with our long-term commitment to provide green logistics solutions for retailers," Wisniewski said.
As a partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership, NRS last year received the highest possible score of 1.25 during EPA's SmartWay FLEET performance evaluation. This places NRS among the transportation industry's environmental performance leaders according to the EPA.
ABOUT NRS
Since 1953, National Retail Systems Inc. has pioneered many of the retail logistics processes considered cutting edge today. The company operates an international network of transportation and distribution assets focused on one goal - delivering efficient and reliable logistics solutions to America's leading brands. NRS delivers competitive supply chain advantage - from factory all the way to the store through an exlcusive joint venture with China logistics provider Sinotrans. Together, SinoNRS and NRS offer factory pick-up in Asia; international consolidation; freight forwarding; value-added services; import management; transload; distribution and warehousing; DC bypass; nationwide full-truckload and LTL transportation; pool point services; dedicated fleets; yard management; and store delivery.
Media Contact:
Gordon Forsyth
BSY Associates Inc.
(732) 817-0400 x15
Return to press release index >
|
