Sheeler to Speak at Annual Portland Cement Association Conference

 

Nazareth, PA – Randy K. Sheeler, President & CEO of F.T. Silfies Inc., will be speaking at the Annual Portland Cement Association Meeting in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, September 12, 2006.

 

“I am delighted to be on a panel with several of the nation’s leading dry bulk cement carriers to address industry barriers with several of the world’s largest producers of cement and related dry aggregate products.  The group of carriers have selected several industry related issues in an effort to seek advice and guidance from shippers to prevent future barriers with a product that continues to be a rare commodity, “ stated Sheeler.

 

“In many markets, appointment deliveries are important for the customers, particularly independent ready mix operations.  Often however, a first out is the standard when in actuality an end of prior day delivery would be just as effective.  Pushing that a step farther, inventory management at the cement user facility is not only an issue for the cement user, but for the transporter as well.  After hours/extended hours deliveries can greatly increase asset utilization for the carrier and keep costs lower for the consignee/shipper.  This is not a well appreciated fact with many customers because of established practice, but is certainly a fact nonetheless.  Developing systems with consumers to accomplish this is a very effective way of increasing delivery capacity with existing fleets,” added Sheeler.

 

“Another issue that will be addressed at the conference is whether cement transportation is an industry segment drivers want to work in?   Issues such as pay versus other driving jobs.  Due to weather, seasonality, and general utility, we find cement drivers overall are generally not compensated to the same level as drivers in other commodities. Additionally, work conditions negatively impacting the driver, such as variable work hours, seasonality, weather impact, backing and maneuvering, handling of hoses, and generally not a "clean" environment with dust and dirt,” stated Sheeler

 

Asset utilization today is more than just "equipment" utilization; it is driver and equipment utilization (emphasis on driver).  Not only must we give a driver an adequate day's pay today, we must give him/her an adequate and consistent week's pay this week, next week, and every week, in order to keep him/her interested in working in a dusty/dirty environment (we must also do a better job improving the environment).  If we can't give him/her an opportunity to earn an adequate and consistent pay check, carriers serving other industries will provide those opportunities for our drivers.  In most cases, manufacturing and construction industries already offer positions which will provide those opportunities.

 

“Additionally, our equipment isn’t cheap with over $85k to $90k being spent on a new tractor, the rise in the price of aluminum has catapulted new dry bulk cement trailers to over $60k, along with a powerful PTO blower at $6k makes investing in new lightweight equipment difficult to find a decent ROI for some companies,” added Sheeler.

 

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