Description of Committees

Construction/Codes Committee (IACSC-IARW)

The principal resource in drafting and reviewing technical publications and addressing technical questions submitted by industry members. Deals with all aspects of warehouse construction, including design, cost, materials, and codes. Resource guests include codes officials and associate members in construction.

Education and Research Committee (IARW-WFLO)

Convened in response to both IARW and WFLO strategic plans and responsible for identifying training needs in the PRW industry and recommending the development of educational programs, including workshops, the WFLO Institute, regional training programs, and distance learning. Also recommends and monitors WFLO research projects and keeps members informed of the latest issues in food science.

Finance and Administration Committee (IARW)

Provides a forum for identifying, gathering and communicating financial and administrative information pertinent to the industry, IARW and its members. The committee oversees the operating cost report, the salary and benefits survey, the industry benchmarking report, the property tax assessment program, and other industry programs.  At this year's meeting, Kae Zulager, Founder and CEO of The Bill Police LLC, will present “Managing Your Exploding Wireless Costs.” With wireless devices, i.e. cell phone, PDAs, laptop computers, etc. all connecting to the Internet, corporations of all sizes are seeing triple percent increases in their wireless telecom expense line. Kae, formerly with Nextel Communications, addresses how to control these costs without limiting your employees’ newfound productivity.

Government Affairs Committee (IARW)

Charged with monitoring and influencing federal legislation and regulations which affect the public refrigerated warehouse industry in the US, including USDA and other government inspection programs. Also monitors international regulations impacting meat and poultry products in the distribution chain and relevant issues which affect the import and export of refrigerated products. Resource guests include government representatives, legal counsel, and IARW partners. Chaired by Jerome Scherer (USCS) and assisted by vice chairman/recorder Anitia Lydiard (SCS) will take up a variety of important legislative, regulatory, and state issues and feature several prominent resource guests.  John Satagaj, president of the Small Business Legislative Council, will provide an inside analysis of Congressional matters which will impact business, in general, and the PRW industry specifically. Among the topics he will discuss are the Employee Free Choice Act (which could make it easier for workers to unionize), health insurance, and immigration. Pat O'Connor, lead lobbyist at Kent & O'Connor, will brief members on the status of California air quality initiatives which are likely to work their way into other jurisdictions. Assistant FSIS Administrator Karen Stuck will cover the recent Korea export fiasco, the status of negotiations w/ the Russians, and other international issues. Tim Weigner, FSIS, Office of Food Defense and Emergency Response, will describe the work of his office and their interest in warehouses. IARW associate member Tom Henry (ComPSM) will offer informed opinions and advice on the new DHS chemical security requirements which will impact many PRWs in the US. There will also be a discussion dealing with state gross receipts taxes, a subject of concern to PRWs and customers alike.

Insurance and Warehouse Law Committee (IARW)

This committee studies and oversees the IARW Insurance Programs developed by the association and its allied partners in order to provide the best coverage and risk management for member companies. Resource guests include IARW’s partners Lockton Companies and claims attorney John Horvath. The new IARW Insurance Program be presented and John Horvath will present “Trends in Claims, Losses and Warehouse Law.”  Also, Steve Bassett will introduce the new Crisis Management Manual and explain how to make best use of this invaluable resource.

Refrigeration and Energy Committee (IARW-WFLO)

Established to address the efficient use of energy and oversee the IARW Energy Services program. Provides guidance to maximize efficient, effective, reliable, safe and economical refrigeration. Maintains the Energy Conservation Manual. Resource guests include energy and refrigeration technology specialists, as well as other industry representatives. Subjects that the committee plans to address include current regulations, state deregulation initiatives, case studies of successful energy savings programs, solar energy, refrigeration systems inspection schedules, chemical security (including compliance with new DHS requirements for Site Security Plans and Vulnerability Analysis), and the future of the use of carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.

Technology Committee (IARW)

Presents timely reports and comments on generic or broad concepts in the technology driving the logistics of the PRW industry. Keeps IARW members informed about the availability and value of technology and of various information logistics systems. Provides guidance in the development and implementation of IARW’s Internet site and industry electronic commerce. At this year's meeting Ed Krupka of Burris Technologies will present on Voice Picking, Phil Obal of IDII will present on KPI's, and Ross Elliot of Accellos Inc. will give a talk on Dashboard Technology.

Transportation Committee (IRTA)

Examines all issues affecting transportation of refrigerated commodities and relationships between shippers, carriers, forwarders, ports, and others involved in refrigerated trade and transportation. Led by Chairman John LaRue (Port of Corpus Christi) topics to be included on this years’ agenda include a discussion on the current status of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) implementation, current capacity of refrigerated trucking, and an end-users perspective on the railroads contribution to refrigerated logistics.  Jim O’Neal, President & CEO of O&S Trucking and Chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association, will be covering trucking industry capacity, trends, and issues.  A representative from the Port of Wilmington will be addressing TWIC Implementation. John Williamson will be speaking on cargo insurance. Don Newton, Senior Manager of Rail Operations, with J.R. Simplot, will address end-user rail logistics. Finally, L. Patrick Hanemann will be speaking about the Dispute Resolution Center.

Trends and Industry Relations Committee (IARW-WFLO)

Examines, in general terms, what is happening in the public refrigerated warehousing/logistics industry today and factors which are likely to impact PRWs in the future. Also attempts to forecast opportunities (and threats) facing the industry, and oversees industry marketing programs and industry/trade press relations.

This year’s meeting, chaired by Michael Black of VersaCold (US), will focus on labor and human resources issues, examining the challenges of managing today’s labor force in terms of immigration, different cultures, various languages, generational perspectives and more. Hank Friedman, Human Relations Director for VersaCold, will present on this topic. Jeff Plaster, Publisher of Refrigerated and Frozen Foods magazine, will also lead a discussion of “Critical Trends in the Industry” in this meeting. This will be an open forum to share views and ideas on a range of issues, including labor, construction, energy, transportation, legislation/regulation, customers, and more.

 

Warehouse Operations Committee (IARW)

The primary body generating information and answers to operational questions for the industry. Responds to member questions and monitors and revises the IARW Operations Manual. Addressees all aspects of physical operation in the warehouse, with the exception of matters specifically covered by other committees. Employee safety and food safety are included in its scope of activity.

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Materials from 2006