Even though National Logistics Day is a very recent development, first celebrated in the year 2019, the links that make up the modern world of logistics have been in place for centuries – for as long as people began trading with each other.
“Considering the important role that logistics plays in supporting economic growth in the U.S., Prime Fresh Handling joins in this long-overdue practice of celebrating National Logistics Day on June 28 every year,” said Cristina Moscoso, PFH West Coast manager in Los Angeles.
With a global network spanning six continents, Miami-based Prime Fresh Handling helps to manage delivery of time- and temperature sensitive goods for manufacturers, farmers, and forwarders to retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, and cruise lines across the six continents of the world.
“National Logistics Day is a great opportunity to not only honor our hard working team at Prime Fresh Handling, but to pay tribute to all of the unsung heroes of the economy all across the country,” she added.
Logistics plays a huge role in the progress of the economy, especially in a country as large as the United States. Everything consumers order online reaches you through a vast network of distributors, shippers, and transporters who take care that you receive the correct item on time and in perfect condition, regardless of the distance or weather.
The People of Logistics
What is most important thing in international logistics? For Moscoso, it is the people. “We normally know very little about the hard work that logistics professionals put in to make our lives comfortable.
“Many of them spend days on the open sea or working long back-to-back shifts at warehouses and air cargo and shipping ports – especially during holiday periods – instead of being with their families They must undertake continual education and recertification to satisfy industry and government regulations – and to stay on top of their game for customers. National Logistics Day helps us recognize and appreciate the dedication of these people.”
Looking Back
It is believed that in ancient times, trade between China and Europe was carried out through caravans that traveled across Central Asia and by sea through a chain of ports spread throughout the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. It would take months for valuable goods like silk, porcelain, and spices to reach merchants in Europe after making stops in the East Indies, India, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Pioneers and explorers such as Vasco Da Gama and Christopher Columbus played a valuable role in finding new trade routes. Innovations such as the steam engine helped to reduce the time required to ship goods. Modern preservation methods ensure that products do not get spoiled during transport, which makes it possible for Americans to enjoy goods produced in any part of the world.
What is an International Logistics Company?
Look no further than Prime Fresh Handling! Whether it’s a box, a pallet, or a companywide logistics operation, PFH is skilled in achieving safe on-time delivery of temperature-sensitive material and products between any point of origin and destination around the globe.
A global leader in perishables transportation of fresh produce, fish, cut flowers, and plants PFH operates state-of-the-art facilities in Europe, South American, and across North America.
Key Dates in Global Logistics:
Origin of the Term “Logistics” – The Frequently Mentioned “Logistics” originated from the word “logistique” or “loger” in French which mean storage. Logistics in English refers to a system that transports goods, information, and resources from a place of origin to a destination according to customer’s needs.
Ancient Civilizations – China, Egypt, Rome & Greece were probably the first to utilize logistics as an efficient way to expand their influence through trading and warfare. Adequate methods were necessary for the transport of goods to distant parts of the known world. However, they were also looking for solutions to deliver weaponry and provision supplies to their conquering armies.
Middle Ages – The Medieval Era, a 1,000 year period which began around 476 A.D., saw the use of elaborate supply systems, roads, and warehouses, as forts and castles became storage depots supported by the economy of the surrounding countryside.
1760 to 1840 – During the Industrial Revolution, a period of transition from creating goods by hand to using machines, logistics advanced greatly with the addition of railways and ships.
1869 – The Suez Canal Opens. Greatly reducing the distance between Britain and India by some 4,500 miles so that ships no longer needed to travel round southern Africa, the Suez Canal opened on Nov. 17, 1869
1914 to 1918 – World War I further increased industrial capabilities. The internal-combustion engine gave rise to widespread use of motor transport.
1939 to 1945 – World War II was characterized by dramatic advances in transportation and communication. U.S. shipyards performed at an unprecedented pace to expand the merchant marine that engaged in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the U.S.
1904 – The Panama Canal is Constructed. The 50-mile Panama Canal is constructed for maritime trade, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America.
1910 – Air Cargo Begins in the U.S. The first air cargo flight took place between Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. Philip Orin Parmelee piloted a Wright Model B aeroplane 65 miles (105 km) carrying a package of 200 pounds of silk for the opening of a store.
1956 – The Container Ship is Invented. American entrepreneur Malcolm McLean, who started out as a truck driver, is widely hailed as the inventor of the intermodal shipping container, which has since revolutionized shipping and global trade.
2001 – Prime Group is Established. Quito-based freight forwarder gets to work initially by handling the shipping needs of the fresh-cut flower industry in Ecuador via air cargo to markets throughout the U.S.
Recent years – How Technology Impacts Logistics. Increasing Technology Innovations are making big waves across the logistics industry in areas like artificial and augmented intelligence, advanced analytics, and automation, to name just a few. These technologies have evolved faster than ever while startups with even newer solutions and innovations continue popping up at a rapid rate. Logistics companies are being forced to either adapt or fall behind.
Prime Fresh Handling uses industry leading technology such as vacuum cooling, sorting, repackaging, barcoding, labeling, and temperature monitoring to guarantee consistent, safe, and fresh delivery of a wide range of other perishable goods to their final destination.
National Logistics Day FAQs:
- Which is the most common logistics transport?
- More than 70 percent of goods are transported on trucks of different sizes.
- What is the fastest form of transport?
- Other than the use of spacecraft to transport material and equipment into orbit around the earth, aircraft are presently the fast way to get goods from point A to B, here on Earth.
- What is the function of international logistics?
- Certainly one of the key functions – and benefits – of international logistics is that it supports local businesses such as farms and factories situated near our communities. It helps small, local businesses to flourish without having to spend large amounts of money on transporting their products “by their own steam,” to distant markets and communities.
- What is the most cost efficient mode of transport?
- For the transportation of goods, shipping is the cheapest option, even though it is not as fast as air cargo or land transport.
- Do logistics firms use drones?
- Drones are becoming quite popular for making local deliveries of small items because they help in avoiding traffic and other problems.
Contact Prime Fresh Handling
Cristina Moscoso, PFH-West Coast: 323-328-8650 or via email at infopfh@prime-fresh.com. Also visit www.prime-fresh.com.
