5G roll out suspended near US airports

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WTDC Newsletter – January 19, 2022

President’s Corner

In 2022, WTDC will celebrate our 45th anniversary. On a call last week, I was reminded of our family legacy in the logistics industry when my counterpart said that he, his father, and his uncle all worked for my grandfather LR Gazitua, grandmother Mercedes, uncle John, and my father Ralph at Florida International Forwarders (FIF). We consider the history of FIF to be entwined with our Gazitua family history.
We hope to collect more stories like this as we lead into WTDC’s 45th anniversary. If you have a story or photos you would like to share about these times, please reach out. We would love to hear from you.

Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

Village of Palmetto Bay honors WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on MDPD Chaplain retirement
On January 10, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham honored WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on his retirement as Chaplain of the Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD) after 20 years of service. Mr. Gazitua is a resident of Palmetto Bay, FL.
Joining the recognition ceremony were Palmetto Bay Councilmember Steve Cody, MDPD Major and Commander of Palmetto Bay’s policing unit Maria Guerra, MDPD Lieutenant Antonio Rodriguez, and Executive Vice President of South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) David Greenwell.
As an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church for 34 years, Chaplain Gazitua helped meet the spiritual and pastoral requests of MDPD employees and their families, providing counsel in their time of need.

5G roll out suspended near US airports over interference concerns
Last night AT&T and Verizon flipped on the switch for their new 5G technology – just not within 2 miles of US airports. The concern stems from adjacent radio frequencies used by airline altimeters and the radio waves that 5G will inhabit. The altimeter is crucial to pilot navigation in poor weather conditions and the possible interference could have caused equipment malfunctions or outright flight cancellations. Some international flights had already been delayed or canceled flights before yesterday’s announcement at the eleventh hour of changes to the roll out.
NPR: Telecoms delay 5G launch near airports, but some airlines are canceling flights

CDC announces voluntary cruise guidelines for COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that cruise guidelines for COVID-19 will be voluntary after the expiration of the mandates in the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).
Starting this week, cruises can opt to follow the CDC guidelines or introduce their own mechanisms for preventing and responding to COVID-19 infections – but either way, cruises will still be regulated by CDC with prevention and reporting expectations.
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced their intentions last week to continue to follow the now voluntary CDC protocols.
USA Today: The CDC’s new COVID mitigation program will be optional for cruises. Here’s what that means.

WTDC attends Wodapalooza
WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua and WTDC General Manager Vera Gazitua attended the crossfit competition Wodapalooza in Miami’s Bayside Park this past weekend with a group of WTDC employees to cheer on WTDC Intern Brianna Kource. Ms. Kource, pictured below at right, competed in the Elite Women’s Team Division.
WTDC is committed to providing healthy lifestyle opportunities for its staff such as gym memberships, massages, and healthy lunches in addition to Vera’s yoga class three times per week in our company gym. WTDC is a Florida Drug Free Workplace and all employees passed a random drug test in January.
Miami Celebrates a Decade of Fitness, Community, and Life at Wodapalooza

Transloads at WTDC
WTDC manages project cargo and heavy lift transloads in our fenced FTZ yard. Use WTDC for your next PortMiami or Port Everglades transload. We can load and unload standard containers, open top containers, flat racks, flatbeds, and other special equipment. WTDC has crane services for heavy lift cargo. Common commodities include machinery, HVAC, crated merchandise, renewable energy infrastructure, raw materials, and pipe. WTDC can also coordinate the drayage, inland, air, or ocean transportation for your loads as a full service NVOCC, IAC, and IATA certfied freight forwarder.

Biden signs $550 billion infrastructure law

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WTDC Newsletter – November 16, 2021
– Biden signs $550 billion infrastructure law
– PortMiami reports record year for container cargo
– International passengers returning to MIA and U.S. airports
– Florida lawmakers introduce legislation with incentives to divert vessels to Florida ports
– Pajama drive for His House by WTDC

Biden signs $550 billion infrastructure bill into law
On November 15, President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package with $550 billion earmarked for infrastructure improvements over the next 5 years to ports, airports, railways, roads, bridges, public transportation and power grids, among others. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was present at the White House for the historic signing.

“Our airport and our seaport are our economic engines,” says Levine Cava. “If we don’t keep them in the forefront, we will lose out for opportunities on travel and trade.”

CBS 4: Miami-Dade Mayor Says Infrastructure Plan To Help Make Local Roads Safer & Reduce Pollution
SupplyChainBrain: Biden Signed the $550 Billion Infrastructure Deal. Here’s Who Gets the Money.

PortMiami reports record year for container cargo
On November 5, PortMiami announced that it handled a record setting 1,254,064 TEUs (20 ft container equivalents) in Fiscal Year 2021 which ended September 30, 2021.
“PortMiami’s cargo performance is a reflection of the resilience of our community and the critical role played by our seaport,” said Mayor Levine Cava.

“Despite the incredible challenges of a global pandemic, the Port set a record for the strongest year in cargo activity in our history. Miami-Dade County is a major global hub for trade and commerce, and strengthening cargo activity will help us rebuild an even stronger, more resilient economy for generations to come. We welcome more container ships to our Port, to do our part to help global trade move and grow jobs and business opportunities here in our community. PortMiami is ready!”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reports the busiest cargo year in the history of PortMiami and welcomes more container ships

President’s Corner
It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. This year more families will be able to see their loved ones on Thanksgiving with the U.S. lifting coronavirus restrictions on travelers from more than 30 countries. Speaking of family, how amazing is this drawing from my 8 year old son Logan? He surprised me with it last week. – Sean Gazitua, President & CEO, WTDC

International passengers returning to MIA and U.S. airports
On Monday, November 8, Miami and the U.S. began welcoming international air passengers who are coronavirus vaccinated from 39 countries including Brazil, China, England, and India. The New York Times reported that 206,990 international passengers traveled to the U.S. on that Monday, an increase of 40,000 passengers over the the 2020 daily average.

Miami Today: Bookings soaring with return of international travelers

NYT: More than 200,000 people flew to the U.S. on Monday under new rules.

Cruises to benefit from return of international travelers too
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) celebrated the return of international passengers on Twitter with a reminder that 2.5 million international passengers cruise from the U.S. annually.

Florida lawmakers introduce legislation with incentives to divert vessels to Florida ports
Last week Florida Senator Rick Scott and Representative Carlos Gimenez introduced legislation that would redirect unused funds from the CARES act into grants to incentivize vessel owners to redirect their cargo vessels from California ports to Florida ports.

American Shipper: US senator proposes $125M in grants to reroute container ships

Pajama Drive for His House
Our first pajamas donation arrived by mail last week! Join WTDC in our 7th annual Pajama Drive for His House Children’s Home. Until December 17, we will be collecting new boys and girls Youth Size Small to XL and boys and girls adult sizes X-Small to XL. Donations can be dropped off to WTDC Suite 217, WTDC Customer Service office in the warehouse, or list Ginger Diez/PJ Drive with WTDC address for mailed donations.

 

 

 

 

Logistics firm WTDC hires seven FIU Business interns

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Read the original story at BizNews.fiu.edu

(l. to r.) Sean Gazitua, president and CEO of WTDC, with spring 2021 FIU interns Leahanna Sine (U.S.); Jibin Jinu, India; Calvin Mittra, Bangladesh; Julia Leitao, Brazil; Andressa Souza, Brazil; Isabella Palmese, Honduras; and Kristina Khudiakova, Russia.
When junior Kristina Khudiakova isn’t learning international business theory in class, she is putting it into practice as a digital marketing intern at WTDC, a global trade firm. Three days a week, Khudiakova heads into the office to create promotional videos and social media content. She films, edits and writes, working closely with employees and soaking up lessons covering all aspects of international business.

“I’m so grateful for this hands-on work opportunity where I can implement the concepts we study in the field I want to pursue,” said Khudiakova, president of FIU’s International Business Honor Society (IBHS). “They not only give me assignments, but we also talk a lot about other industries. I’m learning so much.”

Khudiakova is one of seven members of IBHS to be hired as a spring intern at WTDC, where FIU Alumni Association board of directors member Sean Gazitua (BBA ‘04) sits at the helm as president and CEO. It wasn’t Gazitua’s original plan to hire seven FIU interns, but he was so impressed by the crop of students he interviewed remotely last semester that he found a place at the company for each of their talents. The group also brings strong international experience to the business, hailing from Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, India and Russia as well as the U.S.

“The interns are amazing,” Gazitua said. “They bring a breath of fresh air. We’ve been doing this for a long time so we know what we are doing, but at the same time, technology is changing everything, so we want their opinions.”

Gazitua doesn’t have a preconceived list of internship slots to fill. Instead, he gauges student interest and comes up with individualized plans. When a current intern mentioned his interest in renewable energy, a lightbulb went off in Gazitua’s mind because he wants WTDC to become a green company. The intern is analyzing the company to find ways to reduce electricity consumption, as well as researching best practices employed by other companies.

The relationships that start as internships often evolve professionally. Gazitua has hired former interns into full-time jobs, and has used his connections around the world to help others find jobs in their home countries. He has found that international students often have language skills and a cultural understanding of markets WTDC works with as a global logistics provider.

David Wernick, teaching professor and faculty advisor IBHS, has helped connect FIU students with the company for years.

“I know these interns are going to get an amazing hands-on experience and be treated exceptionally well,” Wernick said. “They learn valuable lessons on teamwork, communication, and execution from a company on the front lines of the global economy. And WTDC gets a steady stream of students who are energetic and eager to learn, so it’s a win-win!”

Logistics: WTDC’s diversification from core business delivers added benefits

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Read the original story at Travel Markets Insider

Miami’s family-owned Foreign Trade Zone company WTDC, which specializes in logistics for spirits for the duty free/travel retail and cruise industries, diversified its business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua tells TMI that this expansion away from its core duty free/travel retail business has strengthened his company and better positioned it for the future.
“The commodity that we handle is spirits for the duty free and travel retail industry and this virus shut it down. In April and May last year there were a hand- ful of spirits cases that left the warehouse. Typically there are tens of thousands of cases. So that was an eye-opener for us that it would be a good idea to diversify a little bit,” says Gazitua.

“Obviously our bread and butter is spirits for the travel retail industry and will continue to be in the future, but 2020 gave us an opportunity to look at our business and diversify.”

WTDC saw a way to both stay busy and contribute to the greater good by handling logistics for needed medical supplies. WTDC assisted companies with the hazardous transportation of hand sanitizer, foreign-to-foreign shipments of COVID-19 test kits, masks, medical equipment, and PPE imports.
“We were able to help companies and countries handle the supply chain management for medical supplies. That was pretty gratifying that we were doing something good during the pandemic and were able to handle business. Our normal pipeline of business froze because we had been focusing on spirits and cruise lines.”

Medical supplies were one of three key verticals WTDC focused on during the pandemic. The other two were the creation of WTDC Chile and logistics for renewable energy.

In October WTDC announced a strategic partnership with Empresas Per- rot Group Inc., a premier Trucking and Logistics Provider in Santiago, Chile to create seamless connectivity for customers across their complementary domestic and international logistics networks in the USA and Chile. WTDC and Empresas Perrot will be exclusive agents within each other’s countries as part of the agreement.

“The Gazituas are Chilenos. We’re from Chile. A partner contacted us to open up WTDC Chile. Empresas Perrot are one of the largest trucking companies in Chile and they wanted to expand internationally. Our family always wanted to open a busi- ness in Chile. Like us, they are a family business, and have been around for 80 years. We started speaking to each other via zoom and we just connected: their family values, our family values, their company culture, our company culture. It just aligned perfectly. As a result, we have really been growing that trade lane from Chile to the USA,” says Gazitua.

Renewable energy is the third vertical WTDC focused on in 2020.

“We identified renewable energy as a good business for the future. We are focusing on solar, hydro, and wind and are providing ocean freight, warehousing, and U.S. Customs brokerage.”

WTDC signed an agreement with ProChile and its partners to create seamless connectivity for customers across their complementary domestic and international logistics networks in the USA and Chile.
2021: Back to normal?
Even as WTDC has diversified this past year, travel retail/duty free spirits logistics will remain its core business, and Gazitua says there is reason for optimism.

“Now it is closer to normalcy. In 2021, business has begun bouncing back. In November and December last year higher volumes started leaving the warehouse and we saw a spike going up. We thought it was just for the holiday season,” he says.

“But in January, the numbers consistently stayed up and in February the numbers have remained consistent. Now that we are in March, the numbers leaving the warehouse have not gone down. It feels good to see these numbers of cases leaving the warehouse. I feel like we are trending in the right direction. There is some good news out there. There are orders. We are busy and we appreciate it.”

Prior to the pandemic, WTDC was experiencing a record year.
“2019 smashed every other year. January and February 2020 were incredible months. We expected 2020 to be stronger than 2019.”

Gazitua says his family company is prepared for a return to better times.
“We are speaking with companies that are interested in coming into the market. We have the know-how. We celebrated 44 years in business on March 8. We’ve been handling spirits for 15 years for this market. We know the processes specific to this commodity. This is what we know and we are good at it.

“Our competition are these huge multi-national corporations. If you need to have a decision done, you have to talk to your supervisor, the manager, the director, all the way up the ladder. Here if you want to get something done you speak to me and we can get it done right there. We move quickly. I think that is one of the reasons we were able to survive the pandemic. Because we saw this business potentially slowing down and pivoted and started handling medical supplies and renewal energy. But we are here and we are open for business.”
WTDC Health & Wellness Program
WTDC began its health and wellness program in 2017 with the goal of encouraging all its employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which promotes improved mental and physical wellness. During the pandemic, WTDC has expanded this program.

“We can make sure our employee morale is high. We’ve implemented a health and well- ness program, with a multi-purpose health and wellness room. We zoom in there, and when we are not using it for zoom it is used for yoga room. We also have a masseuse come every Wednesday to give massages in our special massage room. We even have a prayer/meditation room. We really believe in having a sound mind, sound body, especially in a year like last year. We want to make sure that WTDC is a safe place for our employees. That’s part of being a family business,” says Gazitua.

Record January and shore power for PortMiami

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WTDC Newsletter – March 2, 2021

  • President’s Corner – Empresas Perrot and WTDC visit Doral Mayor JC Bermudez
  • January marks another record cargo month for PortMiami
  • Tai Chi demonstration for WTDC Health & Wellness
  • Shore power for PortMiami
  • Merck to produce Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • WTDC Interns model for CAPHEINA clothing line
President’s Corner
This week WTDC welcomes our Chilean logistics partner Empresas Perrot to our offices. Today we met with City of Doral Mayor JC Bermudez (photo above) to discuss our strategy to grow the Chile-US trade lane. Next week on March 8th, WTDC will celebrate our 44th year in business. Our 43rd year was certainly like none other but we are grateful for the lessons learned, the customers who await the return of the Duty Free and Travel Retail markets, and of course our employees. Stay healthy, Sean Gazitua President & CEO
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua
 
PortMiami handled 113,835 teu (20 foot container equivalents) in January 2021, a 21% increase from January 2020’s 94,064 teu handled. The top 5 commodities were furniture, marble, cigars, melons, and vegetables, in that order. Many of the top 5 imported commodities climbed double digits in their import rank during January.
Container Management: PortMiami sees record cargo activity in January
 
Tai Chi demonstration for WTDC Health & Wellness
On February 26th, WTDC employees and tenants were treated to a Tai Chi demonstration by Reza Ray Dehbozorgi from Minuteman Press of Miami. Ray taught those in attendance Tai Chi movements and breathing exercises as part of WTDC’s Health and Wellness Program. Are you interested in learning more about Tai Chi? Ray offers free instruction at the 77th Ave entrance to Coral Reef Park on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. Feel free to join him!
Shore power for PortMiami
On February 17th, the office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced that the County, Florida Power & Light (FPL), and six of the biggest cruise lines will create a working group to determine the most effective way to bring shore power to PortMiami. New ships are being build with shore power electricity capabilities but PortMiami does not currently offer the service that would allow cruise ships to turn off their diesel engines while in port and draw electricity from the shore.
Miami-Dade County: Joint statement regarding shore power at PortMiami
Biscayne Bay Tribune: Mayor Levine Cava announces plans to bring shore power to PortMiami
Merck to produce Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
Today the White House announced that Johnson & Johnson will be assisted in their COVID-19 vaccine production by Merck, the pharmaceutical supplier of the measles, mumps, and rubella childhood vaccines, among others. Merck will dedicate one facility to producing the vaccine and another facility for “fill-finish” services, placing the vaccine in vials and packaging for distribution.
Washington Post: Biden to announce ‘historic partnership’: Merck will help make Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, officials say
 
WTDC Interns model for CAPHEINA clothing line
WTDC’s Interns had some fun out of the office last week collaborating as models for our tenant CAPHEINA, see photo above. CAPHEINA is a designer clothing brand that specializes in one-of-a-kind pieces, with headquarters located at WTDC. The brand is best known for its “Around the World Jackets”, which focus on sourcing handmade textiles directly from artisans in Latin-American countries (such as Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador) to ensure fair trade; while at the same time sourcing their denim jackets from top quality retailers (such as Levi’s and Lee). The company works with existing inventory thereby reducing its environmental footprint.
CAPHEINA
 

Valentine’s Day flowers highlight floral boom at PortMiami

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WTDC Newsletter – February 16, 2021

  • President’s corner – WTDC Internship Program & the Gazitua family
  • Valentine’s Day flowers highlight the floral boom at PortMiami
  • PortMiami staying afloat despite cruise line halt
  • Brexit impact on spirits industry
  • JetBlue begins daily flights to and from MIA
  • Join us March 30 for the virtual Live Like Bella Superhero 5k

President’s Corner  
Last week I shared how impressed we are with WTDC’s Interns this spring. I invited my mother, father, and brother to join us last Friday for our team building exercise (literal exercise, we did soccer drills with a trainer!). Photo included above.

WTDC’s Internship Program was my father Ralph’s vision and he now visits the office on Fridays just to sit with the Interns and offer them guidance. I now have the pleasure of working with each of the Interns to see their projects come to fruition in Operations and Customer Service, marketing our new door to door logistics service between Chile & USA, as well as between Brazil & USA, creating videos for social media, and implementing green initiatives for the company. I welcome the opportunity to speak with your company about beginning and maintaining an Internship program. Sending warm wishes to all our friends in cooler places today!

-Sean Gazitua, President & CEO  
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua

    Photo: PortMiami Twitter
Valentine’s Day flowers highlight the floral boom at PortMiami  
Miami has been the main hub for flowers entering the US since the 1990s but now PortMiami is seeing a dramatic increase in floral imports, traffic that was previously almost entirely routed through Miami International Airport. PortMiami imported 41.6 million flower stems in 3 weeks pre-Valentine’s Day 2021, a dramatic increase considering the port imported only 8.6 million stems during the same period in 2019 and in 2017 just over 50,000 stems were imported for the entire year. Advances in cold-chain technology, dedicated shipping lanes, and Miami’s abundance of refrigerated warehouses create the infrastructure for flower stems to reach Florida and Georgia overnight and the entire East Coast and Midwest in 3 to 4 business days after arriving at PortMiaimi.  
Floral Daily: PortMiami brings 2021 Valentine’s Day flowers in record numbers PortMiami Twitter: 41.6 million flower stems    

PortMiami staying afloat despite cruise line halt  
Record container volumes and a little belt-tightening are helping PortMiami offset the cruising halt that began in March 2020 and will continue until at least April 2021. By bailing out the cruise ships by waiving their operator guarantees and berthing fees until March 2021, the County is missing out on approximately $7 million in monthly revenue. The port can continue to operate until the end of the fiscal year without dipping into savings thanks to cost-saving efforts such as a hiring freeze, pausing marketing and unnecessary capital projects, and eliminating overtime.   Miami Today: With cruises halted, PortMiami keeps it head above water    

Brexit impact on spirits industry  
The Spirits Business interviewed Miles Beale, chief executive of Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), to discuss how Brexit has affected the spirits industry including short term challenges such as labeling and long waits to process cargo through two Customs systems.

One of the more interesting topics discussed was the UK’s decision to create new geographical indications (GI) to not only protect established products like Scotch whisky but to create and promote new categories such as Welsh whisky.

Beale discussed how the last minute trade agreement between the UK and EU resolved many trade and tariff issues and that over 50 trade continuity deals were were put into place by the UK government. The UK may consider joining the CPTPP trading bloc which would further reduce or eliminate tariffs for the spirits industry.   The Spirits Business: How Brexit will impact the spirits sector      

JetBlue begins daily flights to and from MIA   On February 11, Miami International Airport welcomed its first JetBlue flights to the airport. Miami-Dade County officials and JetBlue representatives participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the discount airline’s new footprint at MIA. MIA was the busiest passenger airport without JetBlue service prior to last week’s launch. Four cities will now be served from MIA by JetBlue: Boston (up to 4x daily), Los Angeles (up to 2x daily), New York-JFK (up to 4x daily), and Newark (up to 4x daily).  
Miami-Dade County: JetBlue celebrates 21st birthday with first-ever Miami flights    


Team WTDC at the 2020 Live Like Bella Superhero 5k  
Join us March 30 for the virtual Live Like Bella Superhero 5k  
WTDC is a proud sponsor of Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation and participates annually in their 5k race to call attention to childhood cancer, raise funds for research, and support the families affected by this terrible disease. We invite you to join WTDC by participating in the virtual Live Like Bella Superhero 5k. The following information is from Live Like Bella: Every year, Bella Believers from around the world come together for our Superhero 5k to honor the brave childhood cancer fighters we serve! In 2021 we come together yet again to honor our superheroes but on a different day and in a different way – virtually! To ensure the health and safety of our supporters, our 7th Annual Superhero 5k will take place virtually this year on  Saturday, March 20, 2021. Grab your sneakers, capes (and even your dogs!), and let’s run (or walk) together in solidarity! Register today for our first ever virtual Live Like Bella® Superhero 5k! You can sign up as an individual or create a virtual team. Sponsorship opportunities are available at any level.  
Live Like Bella® Virtual Superhero 5k Run/Walk