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The Georgia Ports Authority is celebrating its front-line customers in the motor carrier industry during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

“Our partners in the trucking industry are a critical link between our global vessel services and the domestic supply chain,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. “At Georgia Ports, every week is trucker appreciation week.”

To acknowledge drivers’ contributions, GPA employees will hand out safety gloves, bottles of water and chicken sandwiches at the terminal truck gates Thursday.

Lynch said GPA works daily to ensure a positive trucker experience, noting that gate and yard efficiency at the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal help drivers complete more container moves each day.

It takes only 8 minutes, 12 seconds on average for a driver entering the terminal to go from the biometric reading station, complete the check-in process and depart the gate canopy. The Port of Savannah achieved total truck turn times across July and August of only 34 minutes for a single-container move and 54 minutes for truckers delivering an export and picking up an import container.

Approximately 80 percent of truck transactions at the Port of Savannah involve such double moves, compared to only 30 percent at major West Coast ports.

“Savannah’s ability to quickly handle these dual transactions reduces the number of truck trips required to move the same cargo, avoids diesel emissions and allows drivers to be more profitable by handling more containers per day,” Lynch said. “Drivers in Savannah can make up to eight truck turns per day, compared to two per day at Southern California terminals.”

Garden City Terminal averages approximately 14,000 truck moves each weekday, or around 7,000 trucks in, 7,000 trucks out, according to the most recent figures from the Georgia Ports Authority.

Lynch said truck turn times at the Port of Savannah are among the fastest of any major port.

“Our 1,500-acre single-terminal model in Savannah means drivers do not have to go through multiple gate transactions when handling cargo from two different shipping lines,” Lynch said.

Georgia is investing both on- and off-terminal to accommodate the free flow of cargo.

“Whether it’s across the terminal or across the state, Georgia Ports provides the infrastructure and customer service necessary to ensure freight moves safely and without congestion,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain. “The Peach State understands the importance of a reliable logistics network.”

The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Partnership) today announced the four regions selected for the 2024 cohort of its Community Research Grant program.

The Community Research Grant program is a competitive process that supports teams of university researchers and local governments by providing funding, expert advice, project management, access to the Partnership’s Summer Internship Program, and a network of peers, on year-long pilot projects. 

The 2024 cohort, announced September 6 at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, includes five communities from three states, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. The cohort features projects that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information system analytics to improve emergency infrastructure networks and save lives. Project teams include 10 researchers from four universities, six local governments and four K-12 partners. 

“At Georgia Tech we believe in our mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition,” Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera said in a video message at the event. “We are committed to giving everyone in our state the opportunity to benefit from technological innovation that can make their communities more secure, sustainable, resilient and equitable, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.”

Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia (Habitat-NCG) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Roswell based business, Atlanta Home Theater; industry pioneers in custom electronics integration.  This collaboration has already made a significant impact on Habitat-NCG’s operations with a generous donation of cutting-edge technology. In September, Atlanta Home Theater donated and installed a much-needed 85-inch big screen TV in Habitat-NCG’s conference room, dramatically improving the organization’s meeting capabilities. Katherine Ortwerth, Director of Philanthropy at Habitat-NCG, expressed her gratitude: “Our conference room was previously inadequate for accommodating more than a few team members at a time, and the lack of technology hindered our operations. This upgrade will significantly enhance our capacity for collaboration and effective communication, we are so grateful for AHT and what they have provided our organization.”

Alex Evans, owner of Atlanta Home Theater, remarked on the partnership: “We are genuinely pleased to contribute to our local community. Our commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s mission allows us to leverage our expertise in a way that supports those who serve others. We are excited to embark on this partnership with Habitat for Humanity – NCG and look forward to assisting our neighbors in achieving homeownership. This partnership aligns perfectly with Habitat-NCG’s mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope”.

Habitat – NCG has been serving North Fulton, Cherokee, Forsyth, and Dawson counties for years, providing affordable housing solutions to families in need. “Atlanta Home Theater’s contribution will significantly improve Habitat-NCG’s operational efficiency, allowing the organization to better serve its community. This partnership exemplifies the power of local businesses supporting nonprofit organizations to create a stronger, more connected community and we look forward to a continued partnership” added Ortwerth.

A series of events across Georgia will highlight the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and how it can transform communities and jobs. 

Georgia AIM Week, which takes place Sept. 30-Oct. 4, is hosted by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM). The week kicks off at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Tech Green with the debut of the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio. The vehicle will tour the state during the week to showcase how a wide range of organizations, including public schools, manufacturers, and technology startups are using AI. The week will conclude on Oct. 4, National Manufacturing Day, at the University of Georgia in Athens. 

Funded by a $65 million federal Economic Development Administration grant, Georgia AIM launched in September 2022 and connects 16 projects across the state, all working to develop a manufacturing workforce skilled in smart technologies and to deploy innovation in the manufacturing industry. Georgia AIM is believed to be one of the largest federally funded initiatives of its kind in the country to connect economic development with AI in manufacturing to foster advancements in innovation and workforce development. The grant project is led by the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).

“Georgia AIM Week allows us to showcase the incredible work that we have accomplished in partnership with a range of organizations over the last two years,” said Georgia AIM co-director Donna Ennis. “Artificial intelligence and smart technologies are game changers for small and medium manufacturers, and learning these technologies opens doors for our workforce. Georgia AIM is working across the state to ensure Georgia can take advantage of these new technologies, and Georgia AIM Week is highlighting these efforts.

Along with the kickoff and wrap-up events, Georgia AIM Week events will occur in Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Dawsonville, LaGrange, McDonough, Moultrie, Savannah, and Warner Robins. Two virtual “Hour of Coding” activities for 6^th to 12^th graders are also planned for the week. 

Manufacturing-focused events will be hosted by the Georgia MBDA Business Center, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility located at Georgia Tech. 

Georgia AIM’s work across the state includes K-12 initiatives to connect STEM and problem-solving activities to students; new labs and equipment at Technical College System of Georgia campuses, a new program for cybersecurity training at the Cyber Innovation & Training Center with Augusta University, and new workforce development programs that include training and apprenticeships and fellowships that align with local manufacturing needs. Overall, more than 3,000 students and 1,500 teachers in K-12 schools have connected with new science-based challenges. New programs are connecting Southwest Georgia career academies to advanced technologies, and the number of robotics programs for K-12 schools in Middle Georgia have doubled. 

Georgia AIM funding created the AI-Enhanced Robotics Center at the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center in Warner Robins, where 24 students so far have received AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing Specialist technical training certificates. Georgia AIM has also connected with dozens of manufacturers and communities across the state, assisting with technology implementation and pilot projects to help incorporate smart technologies.

Abigail Martin of Georgia Power talks about their focus on business owners and what factors may impact your rates.

Tupperware Brands Corporation (“Tupperware” or the “Company”) (NYSE: TUP), an iconic global brand, today announced that the Company and certain of its subsidiaries have voluntarily initiated Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”).

Tupperware will seek Court approval to continue operating during the proceedings and remains focused on providing its customers with its award-winning, innovative products through Tupperware sales consultants, retail partners and online. The Company will also seek Court approval to facilitate a sale process for the business in order to protect its iconic brand and further advance Tupperware’s transformation into a digital-first, technology-led company.

Following the appointment of a new management team within the last year, Tupperware has implemented a strategic plan to modernize its operations, bolster omnichannel capabilities and drive efficiencies to ignite growth. The Company has made significant progress and intends to continue this important transformation work.

“Whether you are a dedicated member of our Tupperware team, sell, cook with, or simply love our Tupperware products, you are a part of our Tupperware family. We plan to continue serving our valued customers with the high-quality products they love and trust throughout this process,” said Laurie Ann Goldman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tupperware.

“Over the last several years, the Company’s financial position has been severely impacted by the challenging macroeconomic environment. As a result, we explored numerous strategic options and determined this is the best path forward. This process is meant to provide us with essential flexibility as we pursue strategic alternatives to support our transformation into a digital-first, technology-led company better positioned to serve our stakeholders,” added Goldman.

In its annual US retail holiday forecast, Bain & Company predicts sales growth to slow this holiday season. The firm forecasts a subaverage 3% growth in US retail sales—significantly lower than the 5.2% ten-year average. However, interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve could help to bolster consumer confidence in the months ahead.

In-store sales to remain relatively flat, growth will vary across categories
Bain estimates US retail sales will reach a total of nearly $941 billion during November and December.

The firm predicts in-store sales will remain relatively flat, at a growth rate of just 0.5% year-over-year, the lowest rate since the Great Recession, with the strongest instore growth coming from general merchandise (excluding department stores), clothing and accessories, and grocery. Bain expects department stores, sporting and hobby stores, and furniture, building and gardening stores will experience negative single-digit growth.

Despite dropping slightly this year, Bain predicts nonstore sales to grow 9.5% year-over-year, driving about 90% of the growth.

Headwinds pose a challenge, but some tailwinds may boost sales 
Bain’s proprietary Consumer Health Index reveals US households across all income cohorts reported worsening fiscal outlook, with upper-income households who represent more than 50% of spending, reporting the steepest declines.

Retailers continue to face challenges that may stifle holiday sales this season, as shoppers allocate more of their wallet to costly non-discretionary spending—including housing and healthcare—and face growing credit card delinquency rates and lower savings rates.

“It’s been a relatively slow year for US retail, as consumers have grappled with rising costs and growing unemployment,” said Aaron Cheris, partner in Bain & Company’s Retail practice. “Yes, we saw stronger-than-expected retail sales in August, but that’s mostly due to expectations being so low. August sales actually saw a deceleration from July. Nonetheless, interest rate cuts and a strong stock market performance could help to bolster consumer confidence, potentially contributing to at least modest sales growth. If retailers want to beat these gloomy expectations, they will need to get an early start, emphasizing value and finding ways to delight shoppers during a stressful season.”

5 tips for retailers to outperform this holiday season

1. Emphasize value, no matter the price point
2. Entice consumers with intuitive search tools, personalized marketing, relevant gift lists, and timely promotions
3. Showcase exclusive products, collections, brands, and partnerships
4. Delight shoppers during a stressful season with upskilled holiday staff and more fulfillment options, including fast shipping and easy returns
5. Make omnichannel easier — utilize excess store capacity to meet digital demand