Man Attempts to Use Courier To Smuggle Drugs

The courier industry is a fairly safe business to be in. Most of our deliveries are business to business. But there are also some dangers couriers encounter on a daily basis, such as delivery of drugs, which is exactly what occurred in New Delphi.

Tarun Jain, businessman in Rohini, attempted three times to use a courier to smuggle a very large amount of liquor from city to city last week report Yahoo News. "On July 16, we received a tip-off that a huge quantity of illicit liquor was being smuggled with the help of couriers and courier companies operating in Paharganj area. We were asked to keep a lookout," said police commissioner DC Shrivastava. Jain's business was not doing well, so he decided to smuggle liquor. Couriers can deliver small pick ups of alcohol if they are licensed in certain areas. However, a large quantity of alcohol is not the legal for couriers to make.

Another incident of drug traffic by a courier occurred in 2008, when Luc Bolea, a courier in Montreal, Canada, agreed to participate in the illegal activity. Bolea delivered $375,000 to Vancouver, picked up the drugs and returned to Montreal. "Mr. Bolea was entrusted to take $375,000 across the country," said prosecutor Martha Devlin. She also stated, "Then he was entrusted to examine the 50 kilograms of cocaine and confirm for his co-conspirators that the cocaine was all there."

Undercover cops were able to spoil the drug deal. Unlike other attempts, Bolea was well aware of what he was involved in. He was arrested and will receive at least 3 years in jail. Delivery Services can not take their profession and use for illegal causes. The industry has enough people trying to use courier for the wrong purpose as is. Courier companies must take strong precautions and handle their safety protocol seriously.

Courier services like A-1 Express advise their staff to always question anything that is suspicious. If the business has large freight and has a high dollar value, that is an indicator to ask more questions about the freight. A-1 Express is the recognized leading provider of same-day transportation and distribution services across the country. We assure we have qualified driver personnel who will deny pick up of any suspicious packages as well. As a courier, we must always be mindful and aware of drug activity because 100% safety is our goal.

References: 7.18.12, yahoo news, HT Correspondent/Hindustan Times-Man held for smuggling liquor; 7.19.12, Keith Fraser,Vancouver/Province Drug courier deserves eight years

Oil Prices Decreasing, Means Saving With Couriers

If anyone would have said oil prices would be dropping this summer, instead of rising, that would have been challenging to believe. However, the tables have drastically turned and things are looking a lot brighter for the everyday gas consumer.

CNN Money reported late last week that oil prices dropped to $78.58. This is the first time the price of oil has been below $80 per barrel since October of last year. "The steady decline in oil prices isn't unusual for this time of year. June is a weak month for oil prices," said Dan Dicker, known oil trader and author. "Now, you're adding that to negative growth, and that's having an impact".

The negative growth Dicker speaks of us the slow down in global economies, such as America, Japanese and European manufacturing. The US is now increasing crude oil production, which have helped prices fall also. Jobless claims have not improved, therefore, had an impact in the the dropping prices of oil.

As a result of the significant drop in oil prices, gas prices are decreasing as well. The AAA has reported the current pump price average is $3.47 per gallon. This has been a sigh of relief for consumers, who have endured four months of gas prices of $3.50 and above. Kloza, the AAA data firm, forecasts prices will continue to fall well into the $70's per barrel in the upcoming weeks.

With lower gas prices, consumers probably can expect lower pricing with couriers. A Courier service like A1Express always has the customer is mind to provide the most competitive pricing available. This same-day delivery messenger has the best combination of service and price Nationwide. With spending less at the pump, businesses and individuals can put their money where it matters most. A1Express can help your company make successful deliveries, meet document deadlines, and save money, all at the same time.

References: June 6, 2012, CNN Money, Emily Jane Fox, Oil Prices Continue Their Slide

GotTransmissions.com Agree To Deliver Used Transmissions Same-Day

Same-day delivery proves to be beneficial not only in reducing transit time, but ultimately creating operational efficiencies, shorter delays within the supply chain, and quicker responses to error shipments.  With used car sales increasing, national dealer GotTransmissions.com agrees to performing same-day shipping of used transmissions.

In a press release in YahooNews on Friday, GotTransmissions.com announced they will ship used transmissions from Ford and Chevy via same-day shipping through long haul freight transportation.  The online national retailer has selected two large corporate carriers to assist in their new initiative.  The goal is to reduce delays from city to city, and the report stated transit time will be reduced by approximately 50%.  This shows in the long-term, same-day transportation can lead to the success businesses are after.

Business Consultant for the company, Mike Rohn, stated in the announcement, “Our decision to go with long haul freight companies was not solely a logistics decision.  We feel that increasing our delivery times and stepping up shipment safety will benefit us and our customers equally although this comes at an increased cost for us."  The new agreement is effective immediately and will help with used vehicle repairs this year.

Same-day deliveries is a strategic business direction to turn toward for any industry.  It helps to achieve overall quality service.  Most importantly, the end customer gets the reliability and dependability they expect.  

GotTransmissions.com decided to go long-haul due the freight business being currently profitable with bulk loads.  However, there are other viable options for same-day delivery of auto parts, even transmissions.  Courier Services like A-1 Express Delivery Service provide same-day part deliveries to meet auto industry needs.  Whether an online auto retailer, auto manufacturer or dealer, parts must arrive fast.  A-1 Express can assist your logistics supply chain with fast deliveries of small parts to motors nationwide.  With the same-day service level, part dealers can change with the current business trends for the betterment of the industry.

References:  5.4.12, Yahoo News, PR Web-Used Transmissions from Ford and Chevy Now Shipped Same Day at GotTransmissions.com

Could Amazon.com Become A Courier?

It sounds strange at first, but it could very well be true.  Amazon is after the momentum that Apple has and are analyzing what they can do to issue more blows to their greatest competitor.  Amazon's next possible move is to become a courier.

Amazon is the world's largest retailer; doing business online with products we have come to love crave for.  The kindle fire sold an estimated $5 million units last year and is doing well the first quarter of 2012.  The company sell e-books by the millions and has control of this  specialty market.  The online business industry grew over 15% and Amazon is one reason why.  The online giant shows dominance in the retail world.

A recent Forbes reported how Amazon already performs Fed-ex like services to its' customers.  They provide third-party logistic services to businesses that utilize Amazon for selling their products.  They also spent over $4 billion last year building 17 fulfillment centers.  This enabled Amazon to offer their retail business clients warehousing and shipping services for product stored.  According to the Mercent Corporation, online sales specialty company, Amazon commissions about 10 percent on any item sold by a third party as 100 percent profit and also charges fees to those same retailers that utilize their warehousing.

Amazon is providing services just like shipping giant Fed Ex, which is a global courier.  Colin Gillis, a BGC Partners LP analyst, stated in an interview, "They're building out fulfillment because they realize that fast and predictable delivery of product is a huge driver of their business".  Essentially, Amazon can meet all their customers' needs.  The only service left is the actual physical transportation and product delivery.  It would make sense to gradually begin to deliver their products to the end user themselves.  The Forbes report mentions Amazon is testing pick up stations where customers can have packages delivered.  

Either way, Amazon's success is only complete when that product arrives at the customer's front door.  Even if Amazon does not involve itself in delivering product themselves, the consumer wants it fast and desires no delays in their shipment.  This type of fulfillment within the supply chain is ideal for using couriers like A-1 Express The company is a nationwide courier and can provide same-day delivery, which is very beneficial when it comes not only the order fulfillment, but shipment returns and replacements.    

References:  3.24.12, San Francisco Chronicle, Danielle Kucera, Associated Press-Amazon.com wrings profit from fulfillment. 3.26.12, Forbes, Michael Canellos-Will Amazon Become The Next FedEx?

Prescription Drug Distributor Set To Buy Courier

The prescription drug industry may not be as headlined as others when it comes to shipping, but this time it has.  AmerisourceBergan has released they will buy World Courier Group for $520 million in cash to increase their market in North America and abroad.

In the recent Business Journal report, AmerisourceBergan's primary strategy for the purchase is to increase their service range to drug manufacturers.  “The acquisition of World Courier adds a new premium specialty service to our existing portfolio of market leading pharmaceutical manufacturer services,” said president and CEO of AmerisourceBergen Steven Collis. “The addition of World Courier’s unique capabilities and expertise to our existing commercialization services further strengthens our offerings to global pharmaceutical manufacturers, and provides an established platform for the introduction of our specialty services outside North America.” 

The prescription drug giant expects the buy to impact their 2012 sales right out the gate.  World Courier Group forecasts to bring $500 million in revenue this year.  World Courier Group is a logistics specialty courier in the biopharmaceutical industry, providing deliveries of prescription drugs, blood samples, medical supplies, and machines.  AmerisourceBergen's deal is set to close around June.

The buyout constitutes the benefits of courier use.  In most cases, companies within the industry, not only distributors, but hospitals and medical technology firms, require deliveries that have to be shipped on-demand and rapidly.  The shipments are very critical can mean life or death for customers and patients.  This includes sending couriers to deliver medicine to jails, prisons, and nursing homes daily.    

Without question, courier services are necessary in the industry and will continue to thrive.  Courier Services such as A-1 Express can be trusted to help prescription drug distributors with same-day deliveries on a regular basis and can provide these on-demand services nationwide.  The move by AmerisourceBergan appears to be a great move and could be the beginning of more drug industry shipping initiatives.  It definitely shows couriers are the perfect fit for servicing prescription drug companies and the medical industry worldwide. 

References:  3.6.12, Philadelphia Business Journal, John George, AmerisourceBergen to buy World Courier for $520M