6 River Systems | September 16, 2020
A spike in e-commerce volumes driven by coronavirus travel restrictions may slow down after a safe vaccine is eventually found, but its impact on fulfillment automation processes is here to stay, according to a top executive at Shopify, an e-commerce platform for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As the pandemic prevented consumers from congregating in brick and mortar stores, so many of them turned to e-commerce shopping that the online retail sector experienced five years’ worth of growth in the past three months alone, Shopify’s chief technology officer, Jean-Michel Lemieux, said today. From less than 1% in 2000, the share of e-commerce retail sales as a percent of total retail sales rose to 5% in 2011 and 10% in 2018 before leaping above 16% during the second quarter of 2020, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. That curve may soon begin to flatten a bit, but the post-Covid “new normal” will feature e-commerce levels in the range of 20%, 30%, or even 40% of all retail, Lemieux said in remarks at Flow 2020, the annual user conference held by autonomous mobile robot (AMR) vendor 6 River Systems. Ottawa, Ontario-based Shopify acquired Waltham, Massachusetts-based 6 River in 2019 for $450 million in a bid to use its collaborative "Chuck" robots to boost fulfillment efficiency for warehouse staffers managing inventory for distribution. That deal looked at first like amazon.com's move to buy Kiva Systems Inc. in 2012 for $775 million, and then take the product off the market, keeping its robots for the sole use of Amazon’s own DCs. But Shopify was quick to say that it will continue selling 6 River’s Chuck bots to the entire logistics market, and Lemieux reiterated that stance today.
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LOGISTICS
Lineage Logistics, LLC | April 18, 2022
Lineage Logistics, LLC (“Lineage” or the “Company”), one of the world’s leading and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REITs and logistics solutions providers, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire VersaCold Logistics Services (“VersaCold”), a leading cold chain solution provider in Canada, from TorQuest Partners (“TorQuest”) and its co-investment partners, The Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (“IMCO”) and OPTrust. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, VersaCold is a cold chain leader that runs 24 temperature-controlled facilities comprising 114 million cubic feet of storage and 361,000 pallet positions. Its strategically-positioned network spans nine provinces and includes properties in Canada’s most populous metropolitan markets—including Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal. VersaCold also offers an integrated, asset-based inbound and outbound temperature-controlled transportation solution that operates out of nine terminals across the country and provides coast-to-coast service capabilities.
Our acquisition of VersaCold represents yet another milestone and an important broadening of our business in Canada,” said Greg Lehmkuhl, President and CEO of Lineage Logistics. In its 80-plus year history, VersaCold has built a stellar reputation by providing customers with differentiated and fully integrated warehousing and transportation solutions across Canada. We are excited to bring them into the One Lineage family and work alongside the VersaCold leadership team to better serve customers across North America. We also look forward to supporting capacity expansion plans at a number of warehouses across key Canadian markets.
"We look forward to embarking on this journey with Lineage Logistics, Lineage has emerged as a world leader in creating innovative solutions to help reduce waste across the temperature-controlled supply chain. Combining our seasoned team and our complementary facility network with Lineage will create an even more dynamic company capable of supporting the growing needs of our customers in Canada and around the globe.”
-Mike Arcamone, President and CEO of VersaCold Logistics Services.
TorQuest has enjoyed our partnership with Mike and the VersaCold team, and the opportunity to provide capital to invest in and reposition its facility network for the future” said Jonathan Fraser, Partner at TorQuest. “VersaCold has thrived under our ownership, and we are very pleased to have Lineage step in to drive the next chapter for the business. We are also excited to be investing in Lineage as part of this transaction and for our investors to participate in future value creation.
The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022 subject to customary closing conditions.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to VersaCold and TorQuest and Stikeman Elliott LLP served as legal counsel. JP Morgan Chase and Scotiabank acted as Lineage’s financial advisors and Latham & Watkins as well as Bennett Jones acted as its legal counsel.
About Lineage Logistics
Lineage Logistics is one of the world’s leading temperature-controlled industrial REITs and logistics solutions providers. It has a global network of over 400 strategically located facilities totaling over 2 billion cubic feet of capacity which spans 19 countries across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Lineage’s industry-leading expertise in end-to-end logistical solutions, its real estate network, and development and deployment of innovative technology help increase distribution efficiency, advance sustainability, minimize supply chain waste, and most importantly, as a Visionary Partner of Feeding America, help feed the world. In recognition of the company’s leading innovations and sustainability initiatives, Lineage was listed as No. 17 in the 2021 CNBC Disruptor 50 list, the No 1. Data Science company, and 23rd overall, on Fast Company’s 2019 list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies, in addition to being included on Fortune’s Change The World list in 2020. (www.lineagelogistics.com)
About VersaCold Logistics Services
VersaCold is one of Canada's leading supply chain solutions companies focused exclusively on the handling of temperature sensitive food products. VersaCold delivers a suite of fully integrated logistics services through its national network of industry leading facilities, transportation fleet and advanced technologies that set the benchmark for accessibility, information visualization, real-time tracking and inventory management. VersaCold is proud to play a key role in ensuring the safety, quality and freshness of some of North America's most beloved food brands, protecting the health and wellness of families across Canada from coast to coast. For more information about VersaCold, please visit www.versacold.com.
About TorQuest Partners
Founded in 2002, TorQuest Partners is a Canadian-based manager of private equity funds. With more than C$3.5 billion of equity capital under management, TorQuest is currently investing from TorQuest Partners Fund V, a C$1.4 billion fund that closed in March 2020. TorQuest invests in middle market companies and works in close partnership with management to build value. To learn more about TorQuest, please visit www.torquest.com.
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SUPPLY CHAIN
E2open | April 26, 2022
E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ETWO), a leading network-based provider of a cloud-based, mission-critical, end-to-end supply chain management platform, announces that its strategic alliance partner, KPMG LLP is building a new E2open practice to help clients transform their enterprise with supply chain technology.The KPMG E2open practice will be focused on creating positive business outcomes and a more connected supply chain through technology adoption, services and expertise.
“We’re thrilled to strengthen our alliance relationship with KPMG and launch a dedicated E2open practice to drive more value for our mutual clients, This is yet another step in our stated strategy to expand our partnerships and partner ecosystem to best serve clients.”
-Michael Farlekas, chief executive officer of E2open
KPMG LLP Supply Chain Advisory Leader Rob Barrett, said, We look forward to servicing our mutual clients in building more connected, resilient supply chains through digital transformation. Our E2open practice will help guide that journey, from technology roadmap and operating capabilities to the skills and internal adoption that drives ultimate success.
“Our goal is to help clients achieve better results in managing their supply chains, and our alliance with KMPG is instrumental in that endeavor. We’re excited that KMPG is opening up a practice, which will include expanded transportation and logistics capabilities from E2open’s most recent acquisitions.”
-Heather Generes, general manager, channel and growth at E2open
KMPG recently received the CONNECT 2022 Strategic Alliance Partner of the Year Award from E2open at its annual client conference.
About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP is the U.S. firm of the KPMG global organization of independent professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 145 countries and territories and has close to 236,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity, and eradicating childhood illiteracy. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.
About E2open
At E2open, we’re creating a more connected, intelligent supply chain. It starts with sensing and responding to real-time demand, supply and delivery constraints. Bringing together data from customers, distribution channels, suppliers, contract manufacturers and logistics partners, our collaborative and agile supply chain platform enables companies to use data in real time, with artificial intelligence and machine learning to drive smarter decisions. All this complex information is delivered in a single view that encompasses your demand, supply, logistics and global trade ecosystems. E2open is changing everything. Demand. Supply. Delivered.™ Visit www.e2open.com.
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TRANSPORTATION
TuSimple Holdings, Inc. | February 04, 2022
TuSimple (Nasdaq: TSP), a global autonomous driving technology company, today announced that Union Pacific Railroad, the largest Class I railroad in the U.S., will become the first customer to move freight on TuSimple's fully-automated trucking route between the Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona metro areas. Union Pacific is leveraging Loup Logistics (Loup), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to coordinate the freight shipment and support seamless movement between rail and the critical first and last mile. Starting this spring, TuSimple plans to carry Driver Out freight for Union Pacific, utilizing groundbreaking AV (autonomous vehicle) technology to deliver goods to their destination faster and more cost-effectively.
Partnering with TuSimple allows us to extend our operations beyond our rail hubs and serve our customers faster and more efficiently, This groundbreaking autonomous driving technology and our partnership provide us a significant opportunity to scale the technology in our network, proactively reducing global supply chain congestion."
Kenny Rocker, Executive Vice President – Marketing & Sales, Union Pacific.
Building on its accomplishment of the world's first Driver Out semi-truck run on December 22, 2021, TuSimple is today reporting an additional six successful fully autonomous runs. The seven total runs covered over 550 cumulative miles on open public roads without a human in the vehicle, without any teleoperation, and without any traffic intervention. Runs were conducted in various roadway conditions, including dense early-evening traffic and "back-to-back" runs on the same night.
Going forward, TuSimple plans to continue its 'Driver Out' program and progressively expand its scope to incorporate daytime runs and new routes while making regular improvements to its proprietary AV technology. By the end of 2023, TuSimple plans to achieve commercial viability by initiating continuous 'Driver Out' paid freight operations in a significant shipping area such as the 'Texas Triangle.'
Our repeatable and scalable 'Driver Out' operations marks a significant inflection point in our company's history. We are the world's first to complete all of the features of AV trucking technology, We are proud of our on-time delivery of this historic milestone and are excited to shift our full focus to commercializing our ground-breaking technology on an accelerated timeline."
Cheng Lu, President, and CEO, TuSimple.
TuSimple continues to advance autonomous freight lanes across the sunbelt, making the movement of freight safe, fast, and efficient. To scale its operations in preparation for a nationwide expansion, the company recently provided technical specifications to commercial real-estate developers to prepare for future autonomous trucking operations, including a million square foot state-of-the-art facility within a 27,000-square-acre development as part of the AllianceTexas.
To date, TuSimple has over 11,000 unique mapped miles in its Autonomous Freight Network and plans to continue to scale its operations to support its distribution partners.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations.
About TuSimple
TuSimple is a global autonomous driving technology company, headquartered in San Diego, California, with operations in Arizona, Texas, Europe, and China. Founded in 2015, TuSimple is developing a commercial-ready, fully autonomous (SAE Level 4) driving solution for long-haul heavy-duty trucks. TuSimple aims to transform the $4 trillion global truck freight industry through the company's leading AI technology, which makes it possible for trucks to see 1,000 meters away, operate nearly continuously, and reduce fuel consumption by 10%+ relative to manually driven trucks.
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