RK Logistics appoints new head of semiconductor engineering
Saucier brings more than 30 years of experience in complex supply chain operations and business development. His appointment aligns with RK Logistics' strategic expansion into cost-effective third-party solutions tailored for the semiconductor industry.
In his new role, Saucier will advocate for the benefits of strategically outsourcing engineering and campus support operations to Silicon Valley companies, aiming to help reduce operational costs by 25–35%.
'Brian's appointment represents our strengthened commitment to delivering transformational economic value to the semiconductor engineering community,' said Joe MacLean, CEO of RK Logistics Group, in a news release emailed to FreightWaves. 'Outsourcing isn't just about cost savings—it's about converting fixed costs into variable ones, accessing specialized expertise, and elevating operational performance in ways that would be cost-prohibitive to achieve internally.'
Saucier has held senior roles at leading logistics firms, including vice president of business development at XPO Logistics and logistics lead at AECOM.
'The semiconductor and technology sectors require a level of operational excellence that surpasses conventional approaches,' Saucier said. 'RK Logistics' 40-plus years of experience serving Silicon Valley, coupled with our Six Sigma+ performance standards, offers a unique value proposition for companies looking to streamline operations, expand their footprint, and achieve significant cost savings.'
According to RK Logistics, its strategic shift toward outsourced engineering and campus support services can reduce labor costs by 30–50% and cut facilities and administrative overhead by 15–25%.
'The economic case for outsourcing has never been stronger,' MacLean added. 'Our clients typically realize total operational cost reductions of 25–35% within the first year, while also improving service quality and operational performance. This is about doing things smarter—not just cheaper.'
The post RK Logistics appoints new head of semiconductor engineering appeared first on FreightWaves.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Tips to Choose the Right Quality Management Training
Delivering consistent quality is now anticipated in today's cutthroat business environment. And the individuals who create the product or service are the first to exhibit consistency. Putting money into quality management training for staff members is a great method to improve internal standards and create stronger teams. However, not every training course offers the same benefits. To guarantee that your workforce acquires useful skills rather than merely theoretical knowledge, choosing the best one requires careful thought. These five well-considered suggestions will assist you in selecting the ideal quality management training skills for employees . Tips to Choose the Right Quality Management Training for Employees Pay Attention to Practical Uses, Not Just Theory A good training program needs to go beyond the frameworks and concepts found in textbooks. The most effective quality management programs are based on actual business problems. Seek out courses that provide practical projects, case studies, and examples unique to your industry. In this manner, staff members not only learn about quality management, but also how to use it in their jobs. Whether they are used in administration, customer service, or manufacturing, real-world application guarantees that the knowledge is retained and results in quantifiable gains. Search for Trainer Qualifications and Industry Experiences The success of the training greatly depends on the individual doing it. Simply having a well-prepared presentation is insufficient; the trainer must also have real-world experience. Find experts who have experience in a variety of high-quality positions in various industries and who know how to modify their approaches for various settings. Strongly qualified instructors with a track record of practical accomplishment, such as those with ISO or Six Sigma certifications, can contribute insightful information that increases the training's impact and relatability. Verify That the Program Complies with Your Business Objectives Prior to choosing a training program, think about your company's quality-related goals. Is lowering manufacturing faults your goal? Raise the ratings for customer satisfaction? Fulfil legal requirements? Your chosen training should be in line with those objectives. The greatest programs provide customisation or modular learning pathways that correspond with the particular needs of your business; they are not one-size-fits-all. Because of this connection, you can be sure that your investment will directly benefit the areas that matter most. Give Interactive and Captivating Learning Formats Priority Employee retention from training is significantly influenced by their level of involvement. Change is seldom sparked by passive lectures. Participation is advocated, and gaining knowledge is made greater memorable via interactive schooling. Engaging formats, whether supplied online or in character, keep workers engaged and growth the likelihood that they will use what they've learnt when they go back to work. Assess Follow-Up and Post-Training Assistance The training session shouldn't be the end of learning. Good programs include follow-up sessions, mentor access, or support resources to help reinforce important ideas. Employees may use what they've learnt and face obstacles in the real world with more assurance thanks to this ongoing assistance. It also shows that the trainer is dedicated to long-term outcomes rather than a one-time occurrence. Prior to committing, always enquire about the post-training support that is covered. Conclusion There is more to selecting the best quality management session for employees than just checking a box. It's an investment in the individuals who will represent your company and influence your results. You provide your staff all the resources they need to promote continuous excellence when you prioritise relevance, expertise, alignment, engagement, and follow-through. Quality is ultimately an attitude rather than merely a department. And your team as a whole can embrace it with the correct training. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Trump sets new tariffs on global trade partners, stock market drops
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday steep tariffs on exports from dozens of U.S. trade partners that have not confirmed a trade pact in advance of a Friday deadline. About 40 countries that the U.S. runs a trade deficit will now face a minimum 15% duty rate on exports. Some U.S. trade partners will be hit with even steeper rates, such as 50% for goods from Brazil, 39% for Switzerland, 35% for Canada, 25% for India and 20% for Taiwan, according to a presidential executive order. U.S. stocks were sinking in early trading on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping around 1.6%, the S&P 500 down 1.73%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 2.33% as of 10 a.m. EST. The latest round of 'reciprocal' import tariff rates will start around Aug. 7, White House officials said. Trump, in a phone interview with NBC News following the order, said he would be open to more trade negotiations, but it was 'too late' for other nations to avoid tariffs set to kick by next week, CNBC reported. 'It doesn't mean that somebody doesn't come along in four weeks and say we can make some kind of a deal,' Trump said. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he was 'disappointed' by the increased tariff on Canadian goods shipped to the U.S. 'While the Canadian government is disappointed by this action, we remain committed to the [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], which is the world's second-largest free trade agreement by trading volume,' Carney said in a statement posted on social media. 'While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on our trading relationship, the Canadian government is laser focused on what we can control: building Canada strong.' Canada ranked No. 2 for trade with the U.S. in May at $57.6 billion. Exports from Canada to the U.S. that could be impacted by the tariffs include aluminium, steel, lumber, cars and auto parts. Goods that are covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will not be affected by tariffs, according to authorities in Canada and the U.S. The post Trump sets new tariffs on global trade partners, stock market drops appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
For-Hire Trucking Index shows fourth month of volume declines
The for-hire trucking industry faced its fourth consecutive month of declining volumes in June, according to ACT Research's For-Hire Trucking Index. The diffusion index is based on a survey of carriers and measures the degree and direction of changes in their operational statistics. A reading above 50 shows growth; below 50 is degradation. The Volume Index posted a seasonally adjusted 41.5 in June, down from 42.5 in May. This downturn stems from tariff-related effects, particularly the early April tariffs and persistent overcapacity, extending the current freight market downcycle. Volumes are expected to improve, with the release noting, 'Volumes should improve in July and August following the tariff reprieve, but the pull-forwards in freight demand in the first half of the year will result in paybacks.' Particularly noteworthy is the Driver Availability Index, which tightened to 47.9 from 50.9, the first deterioration in driver supply in 38 months. 'Given the duration of the downturn, current uncertainty, and a weaker freight outlook due to tariffs, we would expect the driver market to continue to tighten in the near term,' the report notes. 'While a tighter driver supply is a potential catalyst for a new cycle, demand is needed too.' Other causes of tightening driver availability include cost-cutting measures, which are beginning to take drivers and driving schools out of the market. Fleet purchase intentions rose 15.6% month over month in June, with 43% of respondents planning equipment purchases in the next three months. However, this remains significantly below the 54% long-term average as fleets deal with financial constraints and rising equipment costs. The report adds, 'Overall, buying sentiment is expected to remain below the long-term average as we enter the 13th quarter of a for-hire downturn, compared to the six- to eight-quarter historical average. Fleets are cash-strapped, and many are delaying or forgoing new equipment purchases altogether.' The Pricing Index fell 3.6 points to 44.2 in June from 47.8 in May. The persistent overcapacity remains evident in soft spot trends during typically strong seasonal months. While volumes should improve following the tariff reprieve, multiple pull-forwards in freight demand earlier in the year will likely result in payback periods. The Capacity Index increased slightly to 46.8 in June, up 0.4 points from May, but capacity continued to decline overall as publicly traded TL carriers' profit margins remain near their lowest levels since 2009. The Productivity Index showed a substantial 16.3-point decrease to 47.6 in June, as the loosening capacity returned following May's temporary tightness during Roadcheck week. With tariff impacts expected to weigh on volumes through 2025, recovery prospects remain limited despite ongoing capacity attrition. The post For-Hire Trucking Index shows fourth month of volume declines appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio
