The Daily Recruiter

ATC Technology Corporation is headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois. The Company provides comprehensive engineered solutions for logistics and refurbishment services to the consumer electronics industries and the light-, and medium- and heavy-duty vehicle service parts markets.

Domino’s Pizza recently announced the appointment of John Macksood to Executive Vice President of Supply-Chain Operations. Macksood is a 24-year veteran of Domino’s. He was previously second-in-command of the supply-chain operation.

NYK Logistics (Americas) recently appointed Anthony Chiarello as their executive vice president and chief operating officer. This change was effective on January 12, 2010.

PetSmart has recently promoted Bruce Thorn to senior vice president, supply chain. In his role, Thorn will oversee all areas of supply chain including inventory replenishment and planning, supply chain solutions, transportation and the company’s network of distribution centers.

Thorn has previously held roles for LESCO Inc., Gap, Inc., Cintas Corporation and the U.S. Army.

Touchstone Wireless repair and Logistics recently laid off 200 employees at the company’s Fort Worth location at the beginning of February 2010.

In a letter to the Texas Workforce Commission, Touchstone’s CEO John K. Cowles said the company hopes the workforce reduction will not be permanent, but added that Touchstone has no plans to recall laid off employees.

“Touchstone is committed to building our business over the next several years,” Cowles wrote.

TrueAction, the digital marketing services unit of GSI Commerce, recently appointed Stuart Bogaty as its new vice president of interactive marketing services. Bogaty has previously served as EVP and global managing partner at Universal McCann, where he was responsible for driving all North American digital media for Johnson & Johnson.

Bogaty will focus on executing new media opportunities to drive incremental revenue for clients. In addition, he will oversee the development of clients’ media plans, as well as build and manage new and existing New York relationships.

Fresh King, a grower and shipper of tropical and exotic fruits and vegetables, plans to expand shipments on CHEP pallets in the near future. It continues to experience customer service improvements from the use of the CHEP pallet pooling system.

The grower now uses CHEP pallets to transport avocados, coconuts, miniature vegetables, limes, lychees, mangos, yellow tomatoes, carambola, sugar-snap peas, snow peas, and French green beans from its warehouse south of Miami FL to supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and other wholesale distributors.

Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the United States, will buy Duane Reade, a drugstore chain with 257 locations in metropolitan New York, in a deal valued at approximately $1.075 billion. The move will allow Walgreens to expand its presence in the New York City area.

FreightCenter.com, a third-party logistics provider and web-based freight solutions company, recently announced the emergence of a new brokerage logistics division within its corporate identity. This new division strengthens their transportation services offering to include a larger base of carriers and enhanced solutions for truckload, air, intermodal, and international shipments; thus becoming a more all-inclusive, extensive transportation solution for customers and carriers.

“Our online quoting system will continue to be the ideal solution for individuals and the more casual shipper,” says Matthew Brosious, president and founder of FreightCenter. “With this new logistics division, we will be able to answer the needs of our commercial and corporate customers in a more complete manner - offering full-circle solutions tailored to their individualized and unique needs.”

Fast Lane Transportation, Inc., a provider of intermodal transportation and equipment services throughout California, has acquired an 80-acre intermodal cross dock and equipment depot to serve rail logistics providers, trucking companies and equipment leasing companies.

The new facility in Adelanto sits just off Interstate 15 - 30 miles north of the major intermodal rail hub in San Bernardino. Just 100 miles northwest of the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex, Adelanto is an excellent location for medium- to long-term equipment storage due to the site’s competitive fee structure versus locations closer to the ports.

International Paper executive Mary Laschinger was recently named president of the company’s Xpedx unit, and will also serve as a senior vice president for IP.

Laschinger was most recently president of IP’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operations. Since joining International Paper in 1993, she has been vice president for the wood products and pulp businesses, and general manager of the Industrial Papers segment. She is also IP’s lead director on the board of a joint venture with Russian firm Ilim Holding SA. Laschinger formerly held senior management positions with Kimberly-Clark, and James River Paper Co.

NVC Logistics will be appointing Bill Dugan as Vice President-National Accounts. He will be responsible for ensuring that operational, financial and service levels for all clients are met and exceeded, while also integrating new clients with NVC’s proprietary technology and financial systems.

Dugan is four year veteran with Rockleigh, NJ-based NVC, a company that primarily provides specialized transportation and delivery of high-value, oversized items to homes and businesses nationwide, as well as reverse logistics, asset recovery, installation logistics, strategic warehousing, and distribution services.

Manheim, a provider of automotive remarketing services, has selected UPS to oversee its entire supply chain for moving millions of used vehicles each year to the wholesale market. UPS was selected because of its reputation as a global leader in supply chain and freight services, expertise in transportation logistics, experience in moving vehicles and excellent customer service.

“After an extensive review of our vehicle transport operations, we identified opportunities to improve efficiencies and deliver a more consistent experience for our customers,” said Brett Franklin, senior director, Manheim. “Working with UPS, we found a partner that understands the type of logistical expertise, coordination and quality of service required and offers the best transport solution for us and our customers.”

JDA Software Group and i2 Technologies recently announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for JDA Software to acquire i2 Technologies, Inc for an enterprise value of approximately $396 million. The combination of the two companies creates a global leader in the market for supply chain planning and optimization. On a pro-forma trailing 12-month basis, the combined company has annual revenues of approximately $617 million, including over $275 million of annual maintenance and recurring subscription fees.

A new business will soon be occupying an existing building at the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park, bringing with it 46 new jobs to the region, says the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re pleased to announce that CHEP has made a multi-million dollar investment in locating its new operations in the former PFI building,” said Todd Davis, 2009 Chamber chairman. “With its third-party provider, CLM Pallet Recycling, having already completed its hiring process, we’re excited to watch this business grow and flourish in Bowling Green.”

The JM Smucker Company’s board recently approved the appointment of its finance and supply chain chiefs. Mark Belgya has been promoted to SVO and chief financial officer, while Dennis Armstrong has been promoted to SVP, supply chain logistics and operations support.

Armstrong has served in a variety of positions at the company over his 30-year career, while Belgya has worked in Smucker’s accounts department since 1985.

Kinaxis recently named Michael Festa to the position of vice president of mid-market sales operations. This executive position was developed to support the growth and expanded direction of the company into new, strategic markets. Michael and his team will be primarily responsible for sales within the mid-market.

“Michael is a dynamic and successful sales leader with a proven record of generating revenue in extremely competitive markets,” said Douglas Colbeth, CEO of Kinaxis. “We are looking to Michael to utilize his breadth and depth of expertise to strategically position Kinaxis as we expand our reach into new markets. His addition to our leadership team will ensure an innovative sales strategy and help to build upon our strong customer relationships.”

Printer and copier maker, Lexmark International, recently cut 825 jobs in order to cut costs. Affected areas include manufacturing, supply chain, delivery service, marketing and sales support, corporate, and development.

GameStop Corp. said Friday it has named Michael Mauler senior vice president of its international operations.

The job puts Mauler, previously senior vice president in charge of the company’s international supply chain and support operations, at the head of GameStop stores in 15 countries outside North America.

Northern Power Systems, Inc., a next-generation wind turbine company and leading manufacturer of community wind turbines, today announced it named Taylor Robinson to the position of Vice President of Global Supply Chain. Mr. Robinson will apply decades of international supply chain experience and background in the wind industry to help Northern Power manage its supply chain network for its industry-leading permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) turbine technology.

“We’re exceptionally pleased to bring a world-class executive on board who has the experience and track record to lead Northern Power Systems’ supply chain expansion to support the company’s rapid growth,” said John P. Danner, President and CEO of Northern Power Systems.