Top industry supporters named for quality awards

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, March-April, 2002

Several firms receiving recognition as MTMC Quality Award winners for 2001 were honored for their work in responding to terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11.

FedEx Corp., of Memphis, Tenn., and Navigant International/Rocky Mountain Region, of Englewood, Colo., were specifically cited in their nominations for work supporting the War on Terror. The two firms were among 10 receiving MTMC Quality Awards March 27 at the 2002 MTMC Training Symposium, in Dallas.

All 10 winners were praised by Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky, Commander.

"The great success we achieve in the Military Traffic Management Command would not be possible without the support of our industry partners," said Privratsky.

FedEx was nominated by the Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin, Stockton, Calif.

"In the days following the September 11th terrorist attacks, FedEx surpassed our expectations when called upon to handle emergency material release orders," said Gene Maier, of the San Joaquin Depot, in his nomination.

In one critical shipment to "Ground Zero," the firm flew cargo to the nearest open airport in the Greater New York City area, said Maier. FedEx then trucked the material right to its destination to ensure an on-time overnight delivery.

Navigant International/Rocky Mountain Region was nominated by the 460th Logistics Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

"In the aftermath of September 11th, Navigant superbly executed 120 short-notice travel requests for our warfighters called upon to support Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom," said Jimbo Pehan, Chief of Transportation, in his nomination

Other MTMC 2001 Quality Award winners included:

Albert Moving & Storage, of Wichita Falls, Texas -- Selected for its professional packing, loading and moving of the personal property of the nation's service members. The firm meets last-minute requests with enthusiasm and trains employees before they are sent to a site. Among Albert's innovations is an innovative Web site that speeds information flow to customers.

APL, of Oakland, Calif. -- Selected for partnering with Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin in direct booking of ocean cargo. This initiative has assisted the depot in putting overseas bound containers on the next available ship sailing. The booking of ocean cargoes has been cut from two hours to five minutes. APL is expanding direct booking to all destinations in Japan, Okinawa and Korea.

BAE Systems Technical Services, Inc., of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. -- Selected for being a model contractor in its efficiency in the movement of 22,000 tons of ordnance annually supporting 175 Navy ship sailings and hundreds of training exercises in the mid-Pacific Ocean region. By process improvements and cross training, the firm has achieved a $5.3 million savings for the government.

Daisy Tours & Conventions, of San Antonio, Texas -- Selected for an accident-free record since 1997 in moving 40,000 Lackland Air Force Base recruits annually. Following Tropical Storm Allison, Daisy Tours chose alternate routes for the safe movement of Lackland students. When the 59th Medical Wing was alerted to send a field hospital for flood relief, the firm delivered three busloads of medical personnel in less than 24 hours.

Landstar Ligon, of Jacksonville, Fla. -- Selected for its outstanding customer service. After arranging for a 34-truck shipment with another carrier, seven trucks were cancelled at 10 a.m. on the day of the pickup. After notifying all other carriers on the route, Landstar Ligon was the only carrier that, on short notice, could have seven trucks in place by 2 p.m. The firm aggressively makes creative use of numerous media within Internet technology.

S.A. Minian Transports International, of Rota, Spain -- Selected for its professional and efficient movement of personal property for military service members assigned to the U.S. Naval Station, Rota, Spain, and other U.S. government offices. The firm's prompt communications of deliveries within one day of arrival allows for many direct deliveries. Emergency situations are accepted with enthusiasm by the firm's 67 courteous and experienced employees.

Pilot Air Freight, of Lima, Pa. -- Selected for its efficient movement of weapon systems' parts from U.S. Navy ships to repair facilities. Pilot's tailored freight consolidation grid speeds deliveries and helps assure fleet readiness. The firm's innovative process and automation initiatives have applicability across the Department of Defense's national and global distribution process.

TTX Company, of Chicago, Ill. -- Selected for its partnership with the Department of Defense, TTX is the nation's largest supplier of rail chain tie-down flatcars, intermodal and automotive equipment. As part of an Association of American Railroad/ MTMC study, TTX Company made the investment and maintenance commitment to extend the life of the fleet.