4th Annual Moving Metals Conference

Registration & Exhibits Open

Welcome Reception

Registration, Breakfast & Exhibits Open

Keynote Presentation - A Look at Commodity Flows & Freight Transportation Activity

Our conference opens with a discussion on how the Department of Transportation’s data collection and analysis of freight activity can help you make informed decisions to your logistics plan.

• Learn how to stay connected to your supply chain by partnering with the Department of Transportation

• Gain a greater knowledge of the challenges and issues facing the transportation sector

• Improve operations through advanced technology

Roundtable Discussion - Perspectives from a Logistic Manager

Our panelists from leading mills discuss the challenges and opportunities to manage cost-effect transportation during a downturn in the economy and the much anticipated return to normalcy.

Topics for discussion include:

• What are the keys to establishing good relationships between shippers and their customers?

• How can viability in the supply chain be maintained in difficult economic times?

• What are the major capacity issues of the day?

• How are freight costs impacting shipping material within, to and from the U.S.?

• Understanding regulations – the true key to successful transport

Coffee Break

Rail Outlook

Rail shipping volumes appear to be stabilizing after more than 12 months of notable decline in usage. Rail shippers are taking this opportunity to improve margins through better efficiencies. Yet some challenges remain. With the credit crunch changing the dynamics between shippers and customers, will rail be able to hold its own against the trucking industry? Our panelists will discuss those issues impacting the demand for rail services.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Rail versus truck, how the credit crunch changed customer’s shipping needs

• Is rail poised to be first to respond to an uptick in demand?

• Pricing volatility and trends

• Gondola car availability; how soon will the fleet be back on line?

• Rail consolidation and acquisitions

• The challenge of moving raw materials, coke, coal, iron ore and scrap

• Lowered mill capacity and reduced coal consumption

• Legislation hampering scrap movement

• Lack of funding sources to build, improve and maintain the infrastructure

• Outlook for carload transport

• Public Support for carload options

Networking Lunch

Barge & Water Borne Commerce Outlook

Carriers are plagued with issues such as sluggish demand, obsolete vessels, an aging infrastructure, limited lock capacity and port congestion. Our panelists discuss the need for efficiencies, capital investments, and government funding to improve the inland waterways.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Pricing trends, barge availability and demand

• Obsolete fleets, replacement costs and other indicators for diminished capacity

• Moving raw materials, coke, coal, iron ore and scrap efficiently and economically

• Demands placed on an aging infrastructure

• Inland waterway congestion

Coffee Break

Ports and International Freight Outlook

While the weak US dollar has opened more export markets, it has placed a strain on vessel capacity, infrastructure, security and the environment. Logistics managers are challenged to understand the new port security regulations, fluctuating global economies, freight routes, vessel availability and rising fuel costs. This panel investigates issues currently influencing international cargo and effective cost reductions.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Rising rates and availability of vessels

• Investment in technology, automation and infrastructure to improve efficiencies and competitiveness

• Containerized scrap versus bulk moves demand to smaller ports

• Repositioning of vessels to address changing global demand; will the ships be there when you need them?

• Port congestion and security

Truck Outlook

The downturn in the economy has forced the trucking industry to reinvent itself. Consolidations, bankruptcies and asset sell-offs have drastically reduced capacity. Infrastructure development and maintenance can’t keep pace with demand as users wait for the economic stimulus funding to materialize. Our final panel examines the constraints of the trucking industry and the outlook for this sector.

Topics to be addressed include:

• Investing in supply chain relationships – a sure path to the future?

• Fleet ownership versus commercial contracts, what is the best investment for your company

• Driver shortages and backhaul issues

• Overcapacity

• Bankruptcy and asset sell-off

• Legislation and regulations that raise the cost of driving the roads

• Low demand means fewer trucks on the road, how will your next shipment get to your customer

• Highways turning into parking lots; how infrastructure maintenance slows the speed of business

Conference Close