Global markets provide solid footing during soft U.S. economy
Even as the U.S. economy begins to show signs of weakness, material handling companies not directly tied to fuel prices are realizing that overseas markets in China, Asia and Europe are allowing them to sustain a steady level of growth, even as other industries trend downward. Several factors are enabling this including:
1. Internet and Improvements in system communications.
2. Standardization of system designs.
3. Partnerships between suppliers, end users and equipment manufacturers.
4. The acquisition and consolidation of the material handling industry.

As Schneider Electric’s global material handling segment manager, I continue to monitor the effects the US economy is having on foreign markets and look for ways of improving our customer’s competitiveness overseas. Below are several news items I’ve compiled in the past few weeks that illustrate this strength in the material handling marketplace globally. To learn about how Schneider Electric can help your company take advantage of this shift overseas, please contact me or your local sales representative.

Fuel Prices Ground FedEx Profit
FedEx cut its quarterly-profit forecast again, citing unrelenting fuel-price increases and soft demand. The shipping company's warning is the latest sign of continued weakness in the U.S. economy.

U.S. Retail Sales Rose in April
U.S. retailers rang up higher sales in April than a year earlier, posting their biggest increase in months.

U.S.-based 3PLs crack $100 billion mark for third straight year
Revenues for United States-based third-party logistics providers (3PLs) eclipsed the $100 billion in 2007 for the third consecutive year, according to a report by Armstrong & Associates, a supply chain consultancy.

Deutsche Post Says 1Q Business Satisfactory
FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)-Postal and logistics giant Deutsche Post (DPW.XE) Monday said its first-quarter business was "very satisfactory", adding that its Deutsche Postbank (DPB.XE) unit recorded "a good operating result."

Vietnam To Spend $858 Mln On Capital Airport Upgrade
HANOI (AFP)--Vietnam plans to spend $858 million to upgrade the capital Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport by 2020, the communist government said Wednesday.

Visit us at: http://www.us.schneider-electric.com/materialhandling
Contact us: mh@us.schneider-electric.com