Logistics

Third party logistics provider XPO Logistics completed its acquisition of Pacer International making it the largest provider of cross-border intermodal services with Mexico.

Instacart said it launched its same day grocery delivery service in the Los Angeles area this week as part of a nationwide rollout to urban markets.

In late March, the company began offering its service in the New York area. Instacart employs a crowd-sourced business model which matches grocery orders with personal shoppers who deliver products using their own vehicles in as little as one hour.

New York -- Discount supermarket operator Aldi has acquired a 55-acre site in Moreno Valley, Calif., on which it will build its Southern California regional headquarters. The planned 800,000-sq.-ft. facility would serve as Aldi’s West Coast regional office and distribution center as it looks to expand into the Southern California market.

In December, Aldi announced plans to open 650 stores in the United States during the next five years.

To survive the long, bumpy ride through the recent recession, many retail logistics executives focused on cost reduction. This necessary objective drove important changes in supply chain strategy, from network right-sizing to innovative warehouse automation and energy-efficiency tactics. A “lean and mean” supply chain model arose, and quickly became vital to survival.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores plans to break ground on the company’s second distribution center in November 2014. The facility will be located in Terre Haute, Ind.

Consumer goods manufacturer SC Johnson continues to make progress on an ambitious waste reduction goal by securing “zero landfill” status at its eighth global manufacturing facility.

The company has set a target of reducing its global manufacturing waste by 70% by 2016. From 2000 to 2012 the company reduced its waste by 62% as a ratio to production.

Oakland, Calif. - The Society for Research of Synergies (SRS) and its company members will place their supply network onto the GT Nexus platform to optimize global transportation costs representing $247.7 million per year. SRS is a global synergy organization representing the interests of 20 European retailer groups, including Groupe Auchan, Groupe ADEO, Pimkie, Orsay, Kiabi, Happychic, H.T.M., Mobivia, Ephigea and Tapis Saint Maclou.

Quincy, Mass. — The Grossman Cos. and Summit Development LLC have joined forces to acquire a 5,728-sq.-ft. retail building in Westport, Conn., for $2.7 million.

Located in one of Fairfield County’s most affluent towns, the building is adjacent to the Westport Metro North train station and offers easy access to an exit from Interstate 95.

Approximately 131,000 vehicles pass the building on I-95 every day, followed by another 14,000 vehicles on Route 33. Average annual household income in Westport is $170,000.