Border Lines

A roundup of North American news:

-- Logistics Management, 3/1/2001

Less than two months after José Guzman Montalvo was installed as director general of Mexico's Customs Service, he replaced all of the agency's regional directors. Guzman has vowed that scandals such as the recent import of an undocumented circus elephant—whose crossing was facilitated by dispensing bribes to customs officials—are a thing of the past. Such vows are not new and they have rarely been effective. But Guzman seems intent on showing that U.S. business should take him seriously. He will be a featured speaker at the international trade conference organized byLogistics columnist Dr. James Giermanski, scheduled to be held April 2–3 at Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N.C. (See also " href="index.asp?layout=articleWebzine&stt=001&articleid=CA68563&pubdate=03/01/01"
>Up Front" of this issue.)
It's not quite what they were hoping for, but businesses along the U.S.-Canada border are cheered by a provision in the current U.S. Customs Service's budget that requires that agency to submit a "Northern Border Security Report" for FY2002. The Champlain-Hudson (N.Y.) Trade Corridor and Gateway Coalition reports that business groups would like to see additional funding to address security problems but are pleased that Congress has requested a formal report on the situation from the Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and other agencies that operate at border crossings.
The Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance, a public-private partnership devoted to facilitating cross-border commerce, had a busy year in 2000. The group, led by Executive Director Jim Phillips, can claim many accomplishments last year. These include playing a major role in the repeal of Section 110 of the U.S. immigration laws, which would have imposed additional requirements for documenting travelers entering the United States; participating in the formation of the Canada-U.S. Partnership, a new initiative of the U.S. State Department and Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and being appointed to select a focus group that will advise the Immigration & Naturalization Service on restructuring and redirecting priorities. Can/Am BTA, as it's often called, will hold its semiannual meeting with top Canadian policymakers in Ottawa May 6–8. For more information, contact Phillips by phone at (716) 754-8824 or by e-mail: canambta@aol.com.
NAFTA Notes: Jevic Transportationhas expanded its "Heat Fleet" heated trailer service from Toronto and Montreal to the rest of Canada's Central and Eastern provinces. Canada's Clarke Inc. has acquired four U.S. companies: Focus Carriers of Memphis, Tenn.; Kenley Trucking of Atlanta; Creative Logistics of Ripon, Calif.; and Brandywine Consolidators of Philadelphia. The acquisitions will double the size of Clarke's logistics division. Roadway Express S.A. de C.V. has opened a new terminal in Toluca, a manufacturing center west of Mexico City. Bill Hay International has opened an office in Laredo, Texas. The company moves all types of truck shipments to and from Mexico, including oversized loads and project cargoes. Saul Gonzalez has been promoted to vice president–Mexican carrier relations for CFI, and Roberto Lopez has been named director of sales for Mexico. Carlos Casellas is now president and general director of CFI's Mexican logistics subsidiary, CFI Logística.