People in our industry see that technology is going to be our future and a lot of people want to be on the leading edge of it. The Germany-based forwarder also recruited two executives from rivals to fill new regional vice president positions. California-based Fritz Cos. also hasn't escaped the tight job market. Chief Operating Officer Raymond Smith says fewer employees than anticipated accepted a recent relocation package when Fritz chose to centralize its customs brokerage operation in Dallas. With large operators upping the ante, it gets even tougher for smaller forwarders.
Human equity is a major challenge.
Recruitment problems have even kept many small and mid-size U.S. forwarders from expanding with the booming domestic air cargo market. They're in the catbird seat. At least Venghaus is trying to entice executives to Stevens headquarters in sunny Las Vegas rather than the rust belt. Growth Streak wo years of big capacity gains have run their course at Continental Airlines, but that won't necessarily end the airline's streak of cargo revenue growth. For 2000, however, Boisen expects his capacity to be relatively flat, including over the trans-Atlantic.