Today's Pickup: Fullbay Cares Launches To Help Support Those In Need

Fullbay has launched Fullbay Cares, a charitable initiative designed to help the heavy-duty repair community.

Fullbay provides shop management software for heavy-duty repair shops.

Throughout May, every time a U.S.-based shop signs up with Fullbay, Fullbay Cares will make a donation to Feeding America; for each Canadian-based shop that signs up, Fullbay will contribute to Food Banks Canada. Both hunger-relief organizations stock hundreds of food banks across North America, helping to feed hungry families and raise awareness.

Jacob Findlay, CEO and co-founder of Fullbay, sees Fullbay Cares as an opportunity to support the community in a time of need.

"This isn't just the right thing to do; it's the only thing to do," Findlay wrote in a blog posting. "Those in the heavy-duty community continue to put themselves on the front lines to ensure trucks keep running and people keep receiving food and supplies. We knew we had to do something."

Feeding America is the biggest hunger-relief organization in the United States, stocking over 60,000 food pantries and 200 food banks across the nation. Food Banks Canada operates a network of over 500 food banks and 10 Provincial Associations.

The company said it expects Fullbay Cares to continue even after the pandemic subsides, and it will look for ways to contribute positively for those in the heavy-duty repair community.

Did You Know?

U.S. non-retail store sales jumped 20.5% in April even as overall retail sales dropped 9%, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Grocery sales rose 13%, but apparel retailers saw sales decline 89%.

Quotable:

"You have no new drivers coming into the industry, with the same amount or even more leaving. Many drivers want to be home with their families or may not be comfortable being on the road right now. If you shut down the pipeline and the number leaving accelerates, you can be down 20,000 or 30,000 drivers pretty quickly."

– Eric Fuller, president and CEO of U.S. Xpress, on the number of driving schools that are currently shut down due to COVID-19.

In Other News:

HEROES Act Would Make $15 Billion Available For State DOTs

State departments of transportation would receive $15 billion under the House-passed HEROES Act, but that is far below the $50 billion experts say is needed to cover shortfalls. (AASHTO)

Texas DOT Hacked

The Texas Department of Transportation is a victim of a ransomware attack, becoming the second state agency in the past week to be hacked. (Daily Independent)

Dynamic Route Planning More Important Than Ever

As the COVID-19 pandemic rolls out, transportation managers are learning the value of dynamic route planning for adjustments on the fly. (Transport Dive)

ISM Report Reflects COVID-19 Reality

The latest Institute of Supply Management's Economic Forecast has taken a decidedly different turn following a rosy outlook in December. The new report said that 58% of respondents expect revenues to decline in 2020 on average 21.2%. (Logistics Management)

Demand For PPE Disrupts Supply Chain Norms

The demand for personal protective equipment has disrupted the global supply chain, leading to orders being filled based on an auction process, experts said. (CBC)

Final Thoughts

The COVID-19 pandemic is altering supply chains, with respondents in a Thomas survey of manufacturing and industrial sector professionals expecting more near-shoring of manufacturing. The survey found that 64% overall believe more companies will bring manufacturing back to the U.S., with 28% of manufacturers saying it was "extremely likely." This is good news for jobs, but potential bad news for consumers. Many companies moved manufacturing offshore to counteract higher production costs and wages domestically. A shift back in the other direction may create jobs, but it could lead to higher prices. Is that a tradeoff Americans are willing to make?

Hammer down, everyone!