“As a leading provider of transportation and logistics solutions, our stakeholders expect us to be stewards of real-world efficiency and sustainability,” stated Ryder Chairman and CEO Greg Swienton. “We take this expectation seriously and will continue our commitment to achieving results the right way, and delivering on our promises with character and accountability.”

Ryder’s Corporate Sustainability Report is available online at www.ryder.com in the “About Us” section. Highlights in the report include:

Governance, Ethics & Compliance:

– Achieving recognition from GovernanceMetrics International as one of The 20 Most Responsible Companies.

– Completing more than 12,000 online compliance training lessons with employees around the world.

Environment:

– Implementing a first-of-its-kind heavy duty natural gas vehicle project for commercial rental and lease fleets in Southern California.

– Reducing energy and water consumption across U.S. and Canada operations.

Safety & Security:

– Launching a Sleep Apnea Wellness program to reduce the effects of fatigue among affected professional truck drivers at Ryder.

– Completing certification as a Third Party Logistics Provider (3PL) in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program for logistics operations in Asia.

People & Community:

– Making a $1 million commitment to become a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program.

– Redesigning the Company’s Leadership Competency Model and linking hiring, performance management, and professional development to four key leadership behaviors: character, judgment, relationships, and results.

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500(R) commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company. Ryder’s stock R +0.02% is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has recognized Ryder as a top third party logistics provider and included Ryder in its 2011 and 2010 “Green Partners” listing. Ryder has also been ranked two years in a row as one of the top 250 U.S. companies in the Newsweek Green Rankings. In addition, Security Magazine has named Ryder one of the top companies for security practices in the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and warehousing sector. Ryder is a proud member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information, visit www.ryder.com and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Ryder System, Inc.

Ryder System, Inc.
Cindy Haas, 305-500-4526
Cindy_Haas@Ryder.com
or
Marilu Del Toro, 305-500-3161
Marilu_DelToro@Ryder.com

A $1 million RFP for coal has been posted to Ariba Discovery®, the premier service for matching business buyers and sellers globally offered by Ariba, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARBA), the leading provider of collaborative business commerce solutions. Is it a coincidence? Or is the Indian manufacturing company behind the posting performing the work of elves?

“If the number of folks on his naughty list has grown, Santa may need to beef up his coal supply,” said Rob Mihalko, Vice President, Ariba Discovery. “And with Christmas just five days away, he’ll need to do it fast.”

As companies around the world have found, Ariba Discovery is the fastest, most efficient way to find new suppliers and lock in deals.

Delivered via the Ariba Network, Ariba Discovery is a unique cloud-based service that automatically matches buyer requirements with seller capabilities. Buyers using Discovery get access to a high-quality supply base and can reduce the time and cost of seller qualification by up to 90 percent, and overall project spend by 15 percent on average. Sellers can build relationships with real decision-makers in the world’s leading buying organizations and deliver valid buying opportunities faster than other marketing methods, boosting overall sales and marketing success.
In the past 12 months, more than 15,000 matches between buyers and sellers for more than $3 billion in business have been made through Ariba Discovery.

To learn more about the service and how your organization can benefit from it, visit http://discovery.ariba.com.

About Ariba, Inc.

Ariba, Inc. is the leading provider of collaborative business commerce solutions. Ariba combines industry-leading technology with the world’s largest web-based trading community to help companies discover, connect and collaborate with a global network of partners – all in a cloud-based environment. Using the Ariba® Commerce Cloud, businesses of all sizes can buy, sell and manage cash more efficiently and effectively. Over 700,000 around the globe use the Ariba Commerce Cloud to simplify inter-enterprise commerce and enhance results. Why not join them? To get on the path to Better Commerce visit: www.ariba.com/commercecloud/

OTHER RECENT QUIRKY POSTINGS ON ARIBA DISCOVERY:
• $100,000-$500,000 worth of gearbox housings
• $100,000 worth of towels
• $1 million to $5 million worth of fresh meat or poultry
• $10,000 worth of straw
• $1 million to $5 million of boilers
• $10,000 worth of genetics research services
• $10,000 worth of dolls
• $50,000 to $100,000 worth of gates
• $500,000 to $1 million worth of treats for cats or dogs
• $50,000 worth of hydrological surveys
• $10,000 to $50,000 worth of costumes
• $5 million worth of price tags
• $100,000 to $500,000 worth of energy conservation

On September 12, 2011, staff proposed additional modifications to the regulatory text in the Second Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text and Additional Documents and Information (Second 15-Day Change Notice). These modifications addressed comments ARB staff received in the first 15-day Change Notice and are the result of additional staff analysis and stakeholder engagement. The public comment period for the 2nd 15-Day Change Notice ended September 27, 2011.

On October 20, 2011, the Board adopted the final cap-and-trade regulation. As part of finalizing the regulation, the Board considered the related environmental analysis (i.e. functional equivalent document) and written responses to environmental comments. The Board also approved the adaptive management plan. The final regulation must be filed with the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) by October 28, 2011.

The final rulemaking package will include the Final Statement of Reasons (FSOR). In the FSOR, staff will respond to comments received on the record during the initial 45-day comment period, comments presented at the December 16, 2010 Board hearing both orally and in writing, comments received during the first 15-day Change Notice and the second 15-day Change Notice. The Administrative Procedure Act only requires that staff respond to changes that are noticed. Once final, those documents will be posted on the rulemaking web page.”

See the California Environmental Protection Agency: Air Resources Board website for more details and resources.

The warehouse is part of ScottsMiracle-Gro’s high-service distribution model that the Company began implementing across the U.S. in 2009. Construction of the warehouse is scheduled to be completed in early 2012. The Company currently employs 40 associates in Lebanon, a number that is expected to increase modestly with the warehouse addition.

“We are excited to extend our improved distribution model to the Northeast because it will provide quicker service to our large retailers and benefit consumers in this key market,” said Dave Swihart, senior vice president, Global Supply Chain, ScottsMiracle-Gro.

“In our operations, we are striving to reduce our environmental footprint, and this distribution model is a significant contributor to that objective. This effort reinforces our belief that we can simultaneously grow our business in a way that supports our commitment to becoming a more sustainable company,” Swihart stated.

Since 2009, when ScottsMiracle-Gro began implementing its new distribution model, the Company has reduced the number of miles traveled to ship products to home center customers by approximately one-third. This translates into an annual decrease of 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel, keeping more than 500 tons of carbon emissions a year out of the atmosphere.

A Closer-Look at the Improved Distribution System

ScottsMiracle-Gro is consolidating the warehousing and distribution of its bagged products that are shipped to home center stores. This consolidation is occurring by placing warehouse facilities at existing locations, such as Lebanon, Conn. Previously, bagged lawn fertilizer products were shipped from third-party warehouses, while bagged growing media – potting mixes, soils and mulches – were distributed directly from ScottsMiracle-Gro’s operations that produce the growing media.

By consolidating the shipment of bagged fertilizer and growing media goods into regional on-site warehouses, the Company has been able to:

• Maximize truckload space, reducing overall delivered mileage and transportation costs.
• Improve inventory turns at retail by reducing fertilizer order minimums.
• Reduce overall operating costs by having the warehouse space connected to the Company’s existing low-cost infrastructure.
• Create a regional distribution network that puts ScottsMiracle-Gro’s lawn and garden products closer to the retailers for faster delivery and improved customer service.

“We have improved our order cycle time by one day, and we have also increased our peak shipping capacity in the locations we converted to this model since 2009,” Swihart added.

ScottsMiracle-Gro currently has warehouses connected to operations for the co-distribution of fertilizer with growing media products at 16 locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Through these facilities, the Company serves approximately two-thirds of its home center retailers and plans to continue rolling out this distribution system over the next few years.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, the Company’s brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

Media Contact:

Anne Kreuser
Edelman
Email: anne.kreuser@edelman.com
Phone: 212.704.4593
Cell: 646.769.8918

“We live and work in every neighbourhood in Canada,” said Tom Schmitt, President and CEO of Purolator. “So it just makes sense that our dedicated team of 11,500 teammates are committed to our communities and the environment. We are also proud of our collaborative relationship with Echo Global Logistics and remain committed to finding environmentally sustainable solutions to get shipments across Canada and around the world.”

As a non-asset based logistics provider, Echo leverages Purolator’s comprehensive distribution network and environmentally friendly solutions to deliver on its commitment to customers. From freight consolidation services to electronic invoicing, Purolator’s efforts in driving sustainable solutions across the supply chain have been instrumental in Echo’s continued focus to reduce its carbon footprint.

“Echo relies on its carrier relationships to achieve the sustainability goals of its clients,” said Doug Waggoner, CEO of Echo Global Logistics. “Purolator’s commitment and capital investment in environmental systems and technologies have enabled us to assist suppliers in achieving their green initiatives.”

In addition to operating the largest green fleet in North America, Purolator has implemented a number of environmentally friendly initiatives, including a strict no-idling rule for its drivers, environmentally responsible packaging and a route optimization program that reduces overall distances travelled by vehicles.

Logistics Quarterly’s Sustainability Study and Awards Program supports innovation in sustainability and celebrates Canadian and American business supply chain excellence. The awards program evaluates 3PLs on their strategic vision regarding corporate sustainability performance, as well as their economic, environmental and societal performance.

About Purolator Inc.

Purolator is Canada’s leading integrated freight and parcel solutions provider. We are celebrating 50 years of delivering Canada and continue to expand our reach to more people, more businesses and more places across our country. We’re proud of our Canadian heritage and of the company we’ve built. But most of all, we’re proud of our people. Their talent and commitment have made us one of this country’s most respected companies and admired corporate cultures. And it is our people who will ensure that we deliver Canada for the next 50 years.

Purolator is well-positioned for future growth and success in business and in the communities we serve. We are delivering Canada to and from more markets in the U.S., and growing globally in a sustainable manner while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we live, work and play.

For more information on Purolator, visit: www.purolator.com.

About Echo Global Logistics

Chicago-based Echo Global Logistics is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services, delivered on a proprietary technology platform, serving the transportation and logistics needs of its clients. Echo’s web-based technology platform compiles and analyzes data from its network of over 24,000 transportation providers to serve its clients’ shipping and freight management needs. This year, Echo has procured transportation and provided logistics services for more than 22,700 clients across a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing, construction, consumer products and retail.

For more information on Echo, visit: www.echo.com.

For more information, please contact:

Karen White
Director, Corporate Communications
Purolator Inc.
905-712-1084 ext. 23241
karen.white@purolator.com

Heather Mills
Marketing Coordinator, Investor Relations
Echo Global Logistics, Inc.
312-276-3222
hmills@echo.com

Despite its claim to be a leading promoter of corporate ethics worldwide, the maker of iPads and iPhones came joint bottom among 29 major IT firms in a transparency study drawn up by a coalition of China’s leading environmental groups.

“Behind their stylish image, Apple products have a side many do not know about – pollution and poison. This side is hidden deep within the company’s secretive supply chain,” claims a statement by the 36 groups involved in the Green Choice Initiative.

Their report – the fourth to look at the impact of global brands on China’s environment – considers the openness of IT firms and their responsiveness to reports of environmental violations at suppliers.

It follows a series of workplace poisonings, heavy metal contamination incidents and suicides at Chinese factories that supply materials and components for mobile phones and computers.

Many leading brands outsource production to little-known Chinese firms, where labour costs can be lower, safety standards weaker and environmental regulations more lax than in the west.” See full article at The Guardian

Adrian brings decades of both practitioner and industry analyst experience. Previously, he directed the Governance, Risk Management & Compliance Roundtable for the Object Management Group, founded the IT Compliance Institute and Atelier Research, and held executive R&D management positions at Giga Information Group, New Science Associates, and Yourdon, Inc. Bowles has also held academic appointments in business and computer science at Boston College, NYU, Drexel University and SUNY-Binghamton. He began his career with research and application development roles at IBM and GTE Laboratories. Adrian is also the founder and President of Sustainable Insights Group (SIG411).

Adrian will expand Constellation’s coverage to include:

• Pragmatic models of enterprise energy and carbon management
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC)
• Sustainability best practices
• Clean technologies

“I’m excited to join a great team and collaborate with thought-leaders in areas such as social business, government, supply chain, and mobility. Joining Constellation opens up so many creative opportunities, I can’t wait to get started.” said Adrian Bowles.

“Corporate social responsibility has moved from trend to board room priority. Our clients seek pragmatic solutions to solving the sustainability challenges that lie ahead whether it be energy or carbon management” stated R “Ray” Wang, Principal Analyst and CEO.

Adrian’s been a force in the technology industry analyst community. His original firm, Atelier Research, was acquired by Gideon Gartner in 1995 at the inception of Giga Information Group. Adrian’s multi-disciplinary approach complements Constellation’s collaborative research culture.

Please join us in welcoming, Adrian Bowles to the Constellation Research family!

COORDINATES
Twitter:@ajbowles
Blog: http://sig411.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajbowles
Geo: Westport, Connecticut, USA

About Constellation Research, Inc.
Constellation Research is a leading research analyst and advisory firm guiding organizations and their leaders through the hype and buzz of the latest disruptive technologies. Constellation takes a holistic approach touching board members, marketing, technology, operations, human resource, and finance executives.

The firm’s analysts deliver pragmatic, creative, and disruptive research focused on business value, profitability, and market differentiation. Research analysts bring real world experience, independence, and objectivity to our clients. Most analysts bring over 2 decades of hands-on experience in working with senior leaders in enterprise organizations.

Constellation serves the needs of buyers and end users who seek insight, guidance, and advice in dealing with a dizzying array of disruptive business models and technologies. The firm provide the bridge between legacy optimization and future innovation. Constellation also advises sellers from both the buyer‚s point of view and how to deliver value to their customers.

Constellation builds partnerships with its clients. The client and their organization‚s success is Constellation’s only mission.

Press Contacts:

Contact the Media and Influencers relations team at press@ConstellationRG.com for interviews with analysts.

Sales Contacts:

Contact David Stanley, Vice President of Business Development and Sales for more information on how to engage with Constellation Research, Inc.
• Email: david@ConstellationRG.com
• Office: 719.357.7826
• Twitter: @kiwigate

What does this mean for those involved in procurement, sourcing and managing supply chains? As pressure on companies to redefine their practices and make their processes environmentally-friendly as well as human-friendly, continues to grow from global behemoths like Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble, what opportunities lie ahead for students, job seekers and career changers?” Link to full article on Forbes

You rarely think of what totes add to shipping and storage demands. So let’s look at the different totes available and their pros and cons.

Nesting

Description: Most totes on the market, when they are empty they can “nest” inside one another.

Pro: Results is in lower shipping and storage cost when empty

Con: You lose storage space; because this totes design has sloping walls to fit inside one another.

Stackable

Description: Another common option, have a greater storage capacity than nesting (roughly 20%) because of the straight walled sides.
Con: Require the same amount of space whether they contain product or not.

Collapsible

Description: Innovative option that avoids both of these limitations; a straight-walled collapsible tote.

Pro: It has the storage capacity of a stackable and when collapsed they have a smaller space requirement than nestable totes.

Con: Collapsible totes are roughly 4 times the cost of nestable.
So why would you but the collapsible? The answer is that their ROI is impressive.

Here a quick cost comparison to illustrate possible returns. I have made some assumptions to establish the parameters.

A. No storage in totes – they are purely for distribution
B. Daily volume distributed: 14.125 cu. ft (estimated 40 truckloads a day with no cube loss) small distribution center
C. 5 day pipeline (A complete set of boxes empty, being loaded, in transit, being emptied, being returned)
D. Assume price of $ 12.00 for Collapsible, $ 3.00 for nesting
E. Bulk loading and round up to the highest cubic volume number for the nesting (1.5)
F. Standard footprint and height of the boxes

ROI Comparison

Are you interested in learning more about new ideas in distribution?

Please comment with your thoughts on these methods and ideas!

Travis Baker

Erling Johns Nielsen, Damco’s Director & Global Head of Supply Chain Development as well as Jordi Avellaneda, Global Head of Green Logistics spoke on how Damco envisions a future in which technological advances, consumer pressure and regulatory requirements will shape the role of the 3PL as supply chain sustainability advisors. The central theme of Damco’s presentation was that sustainability is a good business case for companies as it helps to find efficiencies, reduce costs and generate additional revenue by developing innovative products. Some companies still see sustainability as a hurdle, but over the past five years Damco has observed that companies are moving up the sustainability ladder, using it initially as a source of efficiencies and finally as a source of competitive advantage.

“Ultimately reaching the final stage of competitive advantage – the so-called eco-advantage companies, requires board level commitment and consequently sustainability is embedded in the way the organisation behaves and does business. Damco’s green logistics portfolio, which includes carbon footprint reduction and monitoring, packaging optimisation, and horizontal collaboration assists its customers in embracing the new sustainability megatrend and in becoming sustainability winners,” said Erling Johns Nielsen.

About SupplyChain CarbonCheck™
Damco’s SupplyChain CarbonCheck™ helps companies assess and reduce their supply chain carbon footprint. Since late 2007, Damco has conducted SupplyChain CarbonCheck™ projects for a wide range of companies globally. Our 5-step methodology has proven that CO2 reductions can be achieved through increased supply chain efficiency, which also translates into reduced supply chain costs and improved service levels. To learn more about our green logistics services, please contact us at environment@damco.com

The SupplyChain CarbonCheck™ has been referenced in a white paper by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stressing the significant value of detailed information in carbon footprint calculations.

To read more about this study and its findings, go to www.damco.com

For more information on Damco’s green logistics services, please contact Jordi Avellaneda, Global Head of Green Logistics, at +45 (3363) 5392 or e-mail at jordi.avellaneda@damco.com

About Damco

Damco is the combined brand of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group’s logistics activities.

Damco offers a broad range of supply chain management and freight forwarding services to customers all over the world, and has 10,500 employees in over 280 owned offices across 90 countries with representation in 120 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America.

In 2009, the company had a net turnover of over USD 2.0 billion, managed more than 2.3 million TEU of ocean freight and supply chain management volumes and air freighted more than 60,000 tons.

Damco is an independent business activity within the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group.

For more information, please visit www.damco.com
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