Over 70 years of logistics excellence, now with a new look!
Universal Logistics is proud to announce the launch of our new and improved website!
The new design is about more than just our sleek, user-friendly interface. It’s about what sets Universal Logistics apart – our unparalleled experience as Canada’s most trusted freight forwarder and customs broker for over 70 years.
At Universal Logistics, we believe that logistics is an essential element of any successful business operating in international trade. That’s why we’re committed to empowering your company to take control and save by making the right logistics decisions for maximum efficiency. Our team of seasoned experts is here to guide you every step of the way – from cross-border shipments and customs compliance to handling complex international freight.
Your success is our success. That’s why we take the time to understand your unique needs and tailor our solutions accordingly. With our deep industry knowledge and vast experience, you can trust us to handle your logistics with precision and care.
We’re proud to be your trusted partners in reliable and responsive logistics. Visit our new website today and discover how our expert team can help elevate your business: www.universallogistics.ca.
Yellow Corp.'s bankruptcy and its effect on the trucking industry
Yellow Corp., the 3rd largest Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carrier in the United States, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection on Sunday, August 6th – a move that long seemed inevitable and one that shuts the doors on a company just short of its 100th anniversary. The collapse of Yellow, a company with USD$5.2 billion in revenue in 2022, is the largest company failure in trucking history.
The immediate impact will be felt throughout the North American trucking industry in various ways, including the tightening of LTL truck capacity, a rise in trucking costs and, in some cases, delays on pick-ups and/or deliveries.
The move takes nearly 12,000 trucks off the roads and temporarily eliminates 30,000 jobs, including 128 positions in Canada.
“Yellow accounted for 10% to 15% of the LTL market share. And its competitors have already indicated they will not be honouring Yellow’s pricing structure”, said Ken Adamo, the principal for global freight market intelligence at DAT Solutions, a freight and shipping analytics company. “If 10% of [LTL] volume is going up 20%, that’s material,” Adamo said, adding that some other trucking companies might also meet demand by slowing pickup schedules.
Yellow was always known as a low-cost, no frills type carrier and as we transition from the slower late summer freight market into a more demanding and robust fall season, clients will need to be on the lookout for new options that are capable of providing the needed service, without having to significantly alter their freight budgets.
For more information, contact William Sanchez, Manager – Truck Services.
China's trade plunges more than forecast
In July 2023, China’s trade plunged by the highest percentage since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. Overseas shipments dropped 14.5% in dollar terms compared to last year, while imports contracted 12.4%. These figures were worse than what economists had expected.
Among the issues plaguing Chinese imports are weak domestic demand due to high youth unemployment, weaker currency rates for the Yuan and a worsening property crisis with large developers on the brink of default in payments to their investors.
The weakened international demand for Chinese goods can be attributed to the threat of recession in the United States and Europe, combined with high inflation.
Exports to the U.S., the largest importer of Chinese goods, dropped by over 23% year-on-year, according to Customs data. Shipments to Europe fell by more than 20% year-on-year, amid tensions over chip technology and discussions by European countries about adopting restrictions on this type of technology to protect their national security against risks from China.
For more information, contact Debbie McGuire, Director – Freight Solutions.
Global Spotlight Quiz
Name the country formerly known as Ceylon
- Nicknamed ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ and ‘Teardrop of India’.
- Home to 123 species of mammals, including the world’s largest marine mammal, the blue whale and the world’s largest land mammal, the elephant.
- Famous tea producer and exporter.
- The national flag is one of the oldest in the world, going back to 486 BC.
- The first country in the world to have a female prime minister.
- The most popular sport is cricket, but volleyball is the national sport.
- The capital city, Colombo is home to South Asia’s tallest tower, the Lotus Tower.
Sigiriya Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, is an ancient rock fortress known
for its massive column of rock that reaches nearly 200 meters high.
For more information about shipping freight to or from this city, contact Debbie McGuire, Director – Freight Solutions.
Quick Tip
Avoid overspending on transportation when it is not necessary
At Your Service:
Susan Sok
Customs Consulting Services
Susan Sok joined our Customs Consulting Services team at head office in January 2022, where she was responsible for processing B2s, drawbacks and certifying new products, with a goal to take on additional tasks.
Susan’s friendly and open personality as well as her attention to detail make her a valuable asset to the team. She is very dedicated to her work and always looking for new challenges.
Susan can be reached by phone (905) 882-4880, ext. 1226 or by email.
Susan Sok
Customs Consulting Services
SMART Logistics
Controlling how freight moves through your supply chain could save you thousands – or more.
Working with us means someone always asks: how can we make this shipment better?
Single-sourced trucking, customs clearance and distribution to expedite your freight shipments between the U.S. and Canada.
Route is produced monthly for the clients of Universal Logistics. Reader comment and story ideas are welcome. Comments of general interest to all Route readers will, with the permission of the writer, be published. Copyright © 2023 Universal Logistics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction for any commercial use is strictly prohibited.
Route is produced by Universal Logistics. Editor: Bettina Scharnberg. Email: bscharnberg@universallogistics.ca While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained herein, Universal Logistics accepts no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions. Written correspondence should be forwarded to:
Universal Logistics Inc.
125 Commerce Valley Drive West
Suite 750, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7W4
Tel: 905-882-4880 Fax: 905-882-2250
Attention: Bettina Scharnberg
