The congress offered some 3,100 attendees and 180 exhibitors a broad spectrum of presentations, discussions and networking opportunities over three days. Highlights of this year’s event included an inspiring speech by Joachim Gauck at the gala evening, remarks by former US ambassador John C. Kornblum and an urgent appeal by Walgreens’ executive Randy Lewis to offer employment to the disabled.

Strengthening transatlantic relations
On the closing day, former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer spoke about “Europe and the Future of Transatlantic Relations,” emphasizing the role of the United States as one of Germany’s most important economic and trading partners. Dr. Fischer argued that America’s attention will increasingly be focused on the Pacific region, but the rise of new powers such as China, India and South Korea is no reason for Europe to feel threatened. Fischer also feels Europe must ask itself what political or strategic value it can contribute to transatlantic relations.

“Humanitarian logistics”
Walgreens logistics director Randy Lewis enthralled listeners with a unique concept. In his acclaimed presentation “The Future of Sustainable Retail Logistics,” the Senior Vice President Supply Chain & Logistics of the US drugstore chain made the case for more humanity in logistics. For years, Lewis has worked hard to create jobs for the disabled at the company’s logistics centers. “Disabled employees are just as productive as others—and our customers don’t care how the merchandise is delivered,” said Lewis, summarizing his outlook.

AEB creates connections
This was the motto with which AEB presented itself as an exhibitor and lighting sponsor. The German Logistics Congress also gave AEB a platform to make new contacts and strengthen relationships with partners and the press. Head of Product Development, Markus Meissner: “AEB is generating more buzz. This strengthens our resolve to return next year. An important step for us: The companies that make up the Supply Chain Execution advisory council will continue to address the topic of operational excellence in supply chain execution and intensify their focus in the coming year.”

The United Kingdom’s standard VAT rate will return to 17.5 percent on January 1, 2010. This will end the temporary VAT reduction to 15 percent in effect between December 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. For more information about VAT standard and reduced rates, please refer to the UK government’s “Directgov” website

DB Schenker has one of the largest and densest land transport networks in Europe—for general cargo, packages, partial loads and full loads. What makes DB Schenker’s European land transport especially interesting for customers is the approximately 32,000 scheduled line operations for general cargo that DB Schenker offers each week. If you utilize the carrier interface to DB Schenker in your ASSIST4 installation, this news is for you: The new routings for international consignments with DB Schenker are now available in ASSIST4. This will help your international consignments reach their destinations even faster. Contact the AEB support team if you have any questions about how to install and use the new international routing in ASSIST4. Talk to your AEB sales representative if you’re interested in the DB Schenker carrier interface.

Many carriers use different delivery terms codes for consignments to different countries. To meet these requirements, you have to maintain different country-specific terms of delivery in ASSIST4. The next standard service pack for ASSIST4 will make it possible to use more than one terms of delivery list per carrier. The right terms of delivery are automatically selected based on the consignee’s country. Contact the AEB support team if you have any questions about how to set up these terms of delivery lists. We’ll be happy to assist you.

On 4 November Mr Andrew Jackson, owner of Doncaster-based L Jackson & Co, was given a 2 year, 8 month jail term at Southwark Crown Court after admitting breaking an arms embargo by selling military vehicles to Sudan without a licence. An employee of L Jackson received a suspended jail sentence of 35 weeks plus 150 hours of community service. Jackson had applied for an export licence to send 15 of these vehicles to Sudan in September 2005 but this was refused. He then shipped the vehicles to Norway, evading controls by deliberately and wrongly using an open general export licence which is usually reserved for UK military surplus vehicles. Peter Millroy, Head of HMRC’s specialist unit on military exports: “This was a flagrant breach of UK export controls in order to supply military equipment to Sudan in blatant contravention of an arms embargo. Today’s result shows that HMRC will relentlessly pursue and seek to prosecute those who flout the UK’s export controls in this way.” Full press releases issued by HMRC and the RCPO providing further details about the case are available on the Government's News Distribution Service.

A growing number of inquiries about the scope and applicability of US re-export law in past months shows that this area of law is garnering increased attention among exporting companies. In a series of newsletter articles, we wish to address frequently asked questions and shed some light on this essential but often unfamiliar area of law. We will focus on the export and re-export of dual use goods, which is subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is responsible for implementing the EAR (www.bis.doc.gov).
The upcoming newsletter issue will examine the following topic: How does US (re-)export control law affect me as a non-US company?

AEB is a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistic (CILT) since September 2009 and Hannah Beckett, Sales Representative, has attended the Annual Awards for Excellence Dinner in the London Marriott Hotel on October 22, 2009, one of the major highlights of the Institute's calendar. BBC TV presenter Declan Curry hosted the ceremony attended by over 450 guests.
The Awards are designed to promote and encourage best practice within logistics and transport and the ceremony was attended by many top names from both industries. Graeme McFaull, President CILT (UK) & Chief Executive, Wincanton plc, presented the winners with their awards. Please refer to CILT’s website on www.ciltuk.org.uk for details from the event including finalists and winners for all categories. Hannah Beckett: 'Since becoming member with CILT, this was AEB’s first official event with CILT and our first opportunity to meet some high level members and industry decision makers. Being currently a rather unknown brand in the market, this was an excellent opportunity to network in this logistics forum, make new contacts and start getting our name out more.'

AEB Asia Pacific has now officially been confirmed Ordinary Corporate Member of the Singaporean-German Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (www.sgc.org.sg). Dr. Torsten Mallée, Director Business Development of AEB Asia Pacific Ltd.: “This membership is expected to provide a new platform of representation for AEB and importantly open new market and network opportunities.” The first opportunity to network will be on December 1st at the 'Meet the Chamber' Cocktail Reception hosted by the German Ambassador in Singapore.