ILA to Hold New Member Event

Tracy Raimer, ILA President
Des Plaines, Ill. — One of the largest regional associations serving the luxury ground transportation industry will throw open its doors on the morning of July 12 when the Illinois Limousine Association (ILA) hosts a new membership breakfast and networking event at Tiffany’s Restaurant & Cafe.

The complimentary event, which begins at 8:30 a.m., aims to introduce those who are not familiar with the ILA to its purposes, objectives, regulatory concerns, current members, and leadership. With a strong networking focus on the morning meeting, it is suggested that all new and prospective members bring business cards to make as many new business contacts as possible.

As the meet-and-greet breakfast precedes ILA’s monthly open board meeting, those present for the new-member event are also invited to stay and see what the association is all about, hear about its recent efforts on behalf of the local industry, and meet up with the board and current members alike.

Paula DiBiasi, ILA Secretary/Treasurer

The association has been concentrating on new-member outreach to keep growing its active numbers and make all Illinois-based companies, or even those that do a lot of work in the state, more aware of the value in ILA membership. It has been holding new member events throughout 2017, and ILA Secretary/Treasurer Paula DiBiasi of Chicago Coachworks says that they tend to yield a handful of new member sign-ups every time.

As a bonus incentive, all current members who bring a non-ILA-affiliated operator working within the state to the new-member meeting will receive a $50 discount on their next dues payment.

The next open board meeting will be August 2.

RSVP to the new member breakfast and networking morning by going to goo.gl/fE75m7. Visit illinoislimousineassociation.com for more information about the ILA.

[CD0717]

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2v9l1MI

ALA to Host Casino Night Fundraiser

Jeff Conly, ALA PresidentScottsdale, Ariz. — The Arizona Limousine Association (ALA) is pleased to announce that it is holding its first-ever Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, July 29, from 7 to 10 pm.

Located at Certified Benz and Beemer, the event promises to not only be a lot of fun, but will also serve to support the association.

ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide is looking forward to the fundraiser, and feels that it’s not only an opportunity to fill the association’s coffers but also a good way to get new members involved.

“The Casino Night is a new activity designed to raise money for our education program and lobbyist fund,” says Conly. “It’s really a great opportunity for area operators to see what the association is all about while having a good time.”

The event is $50 per person ($75 per couple), and includes food, two drinks, valet service, and $2000 in casino chips. In addition to table games like black jack, craps, poker, and roulette, there will be a 50/50 raffle and a live auction for prizes.

Current sponsors for the night include familiar industry names like Create-a-Card, Driving Results, SoCal Penske, Hudson Group, DriveProfit, FASTTRAK, Livery Coach, Chosen Payments, and Chauffeur Driven.

Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.

[CD0717]

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2v8YgbM

ABA Supports Findings on FMCSA Crash-Risk System

Peter Pantuso, ABA PresidentWashington, D.C. — The American Bus Association (ABA) supports the findings made by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in its congressionally mandated report titled “Improving Motor Carrier Safety Measurement.”

The report details how the U.S. DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) should overhaul its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) carrier rating system to make it more fair and accurate in its assessment of motor carriers’ safety risk.

“We agree with many of the findings of this long-awaited report,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso, CTIS. “This (CSA) program as a whole is a valuable tool, but as we have repeatedly noted, one in need of improvement.”

The study, required by the FAST Act, evaluates the Safety Measurement System (SMS) that FMCSA uses to pick out motor carriers—both passenger and property carriers—it deems at greater risk of being involved in crashes. ABA has long believed the current system uses a flawed methodology because it doesn’t take into consideration when an accident is not the driver’s fault, compare like carrier operations (i.e. buses to buses), or what a company has done to enhance its safety.

According to the report, NAS found the current SMS implementation defensible, being fair and not overtly biased against various types of carriers, to the extent data from [the Motor Carrier Management Information System] can be used for this purpose. That information system is a collection of data from crashes, inspections, and other sources. 

However, NAS also affirms ABA’s position that elements of the SMS can be improved upon, as much of what is now done is “ad hoc and based on subject-matter expertise that has not been sufficiently empirically validated,” according to the panel.

The FMCSA now has 120 days to develop a corrective action plan to address the recommendations made in the report, and implementation of the plan will be overseen by both the U.S. DOT Inspector General and Congress.  

“We believe the panel’s recommendations to improve the implementation of the SMS and quality of the data, is the correct way to move forward,” Pantuso said. “We welcome the opportunity to work with the FMCSA as they develop steps to address the identified deficiencies and improve safety.”

ABA will be partnering with the California Bus Association for its Bus Industry Safety Council West event October 17 in Alpine, Calif. The ABA Annual Meeting & Marketplace 2018 will head to Charlotte, NC, January 26-30, 2018.

Visit buses.org for more information.

[CD0717]

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2v9iDFC

United Private Car Adds New Members to Management Team

L to R: Yolanda Washington, Yacine Mafhoum, and Rosanna Velasquez
Boston — United Private Car is pleased new announce the addition of three employees to their management team
Yacine Mafhoum has been promoted to dispatch manager, Yolanda Washington has been hired as client services manager, and Rosanna Velasquez has been promoted to business development and affiliate coordinator. Each of them will report to General Manager Lew Aflalo, who came to United Private Car in January, 2017. 

“These additions will help streamline the company’s departments and allow me to oversee the daily operations with an additional layer of accountability. I am excited to grow the leadership team from both within and outside our company,” Aflalo said. “Having experienced leaders come on board will position us well for both organic and affiliate growth, as well as increase the efficiency of our business.”

Mafhoum has been at United Private Car for two years, most recently as dispatch supervisor. Washington comes to United with 10 years of industry experience, having worked at another Boston area operator. Velasquez, already employed part time at United as a CSR, brings her business administration and marketing background to the team.

Established in 2006 by co-owners Terry Murtaugh and Jason Dornhoffer, United Private Car has grown annually and has made the Inc. 5000 list the previous two years, making it one of America’s 5000 fastest growing private companies.

Visit unitedprivatecar.com for more information.

[CD0717]

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2uavomn

Forest River Announces Acquisition of Turtle Top

Elkhart, Ind. — Forest River, one of America’s leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles, pontoon boats, cargo trailers, and buses, recently announced the acquisition of certain assets of Turtle Top, a premier luxury bus manufacturer located in New Paris, Indiana.

Turtle Top, family owned since 1962, is widely recognized today as a leader in the luxury transportation industry. Turtle Top designs and manufactures buses and specialty vehicles for some of the most prestigious names in the motorcoach industry, as well as numerous state and government agencies. With dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada, Turtle Top is able to provide its customers with outstanding service and support.

“It is with much excitement that the Cripe and Tom families announce the acquisition of Turtle Top Bus by Forest River,” says Phil Tom, vice president of Turtle Top. This transaction will allow our fifth generation family-owned and operated company the opportunity to further expand in today’s fast evolving bus conversion industry. This very difficult decision was made easier knowing that the ownership, leadership, and innovation of Forest River parallels Turtle Top’s core values and what has blessed us with success for over 55 years. Turtle Top’s family of employees and our loyal and vast distribution network will benefit from Forest River’s financial strength and resources to help drive our collective future growth.

David Wright, president of Forest River’s bus division, says, “We are excited to welcome Turtle Top to the Forest River family. Turtle Top and their dedicated employees have built a history of integrity, quality, and innovation and enjoy one of the best reputations in our industry today. We are honored that they have chosen Forest River to continue the tradition that they have dedicated themselves to building for more than 50 years.”

Turtle Top’s current bus models include the Van Terra, VT3, Odyssey, Odyssey XL, Odyssey XLT, and MPV. Turtle Top’s specialty division builds everything from limousines to bloodmobiles and prisoner transport units to mobile offices. Turtle Top has supplied the transportation industry with innovative conversions for more than 50 years.

“With the momentum of the past, and the support of Forest River team moving forward, Turtle Top’s legacy will continue to flourish with the same focus, commitment, and passion towards serving our clients, teams, and communities,” says Tom.

For more information about Turtle Top and Forest River, visit their websites at turtletop.com or forestiverinc.com.

[CD0717]

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2v8XICw

TomTom and GPSi Offer New Connected Mobility Solution for School Bus and Motorcoach Operators

Reno, Nev. — TomTom, a manufacturer in navigation and mapping products, and GPSi, a provider of cloud-based telematics solutions, have combined their technology to create a more comprehensive offering for school bus and motorcoach operators. The two companies will introduce the TomTom BRIDGE with GPSi software at the North American School Bus Expo today. The product will allow drivers to easily track hours of service, assign drivers, change routes, create geofences, view and manage driver history, and schedule vehicle maintenance.

The TomTom BRIDGE is a rugged navigation device built for professional drivers that seamlessly links business applications with TomTom maps, traffic, and navigation software. It provides a friendly, out-of-the-box solution to help meet the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate in the U.S. and Canada.

“Our collaboration with GPSi offers school bus and motorcoach operators a better journey,” said Sebastien Ruffino, business unit manager, TomTom BRIDGE. “Together we will help increase safety and provide drivers with more efficiency and convenience.”

Due to a modernizing industry and a pending ELD mandate, it is increasingly difficult for fleet owners to find reliable solutions that simultaneously address ELD, driver-vehicle inspection reports, and International Fuel Tax Agreement. TomTom and GPSi are filling that need for motorcoach and school bus operators by offering driver behavior reviews, route replay, and other comprehensive features.

“We listened to our customers and including the TomTom BRIDGE device allows us to present more comprehensive solutions for operators and owners alike,” said GPSi CEO Ben Porter. “Integrating the power of TomTom’s BRIDGE device with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation and its flexible platform will help increase efficiency for every customer.”

Visit tomtom.com/bridge for more information.

[CD0717]

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2uaMLDc

Cadillac CT6 Premium Is Powerful, Luxurious

According to a review from Autoweek, the CT6 Premium remains a large car with fantastic interior space for both front- and rear-seat passengers, loads of luxury features (the USB ports and power outlet below the center rear seats is one of those “why doesn’t everyone do this?” treats) and a lovely sense of lightness behind the wheel.

Autoweek article here

Keywords

Cadillac   Cadillac CT6   new sedans   new vehicles   OEMs   premium luxury sedans   Vehicle Reviews   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/29yEUDH

How To Track Your Bottom Line Numbers

Over the years I have worked with companies of all sizes in our industry. I’ve seen various approaches to how owners study their financial results. The levels at which they are studied vary dramatically. In this column, I will highlight some of the key benchmarks to look at during the review.

I am a strong advocate of surrounding yourself with smart, dedicated, and loyal employees in every department. This will help drive the positive financial results you desire.

Reports To Review

Assuming you’ve attracted a talented team, are they achieving the profit margins you strive for?

To answer that question, you should be reviewing many reports, some daily and others monthly or quarterly.

Success stems from a strong cash flow model. This report will not only tell you if you are on course for positive finances, but also serve as major criteria to a potential buyer when you decide to exit your business.

Buyers and lending institutions study a company’s cash flow more than any other financial component.

I suggest building a foundation of financial reports and have them evolve into a working tool that enables you to make intelligent near-term decisions while giving you insights on anticipated long-term decisions ahead.

Expenses

To establish a reasonable goal, let’s use a 65% cost of goods sold number, which represents all direct expenses to run your fleet against your revenue base. Such expenses include non-officer salaries, payroll taxes, health insurance, perks, vehicle leases and vehicle depreciation. It also includes repairs and maintenance, GPS, credit card fees, commissions, workman’s comp, and all expenses associated with chauffeurs and vehicles.

The next grouping is general and administrative expenses. That total should not exceed 25% of revenue. Such expenses include officer salaries, payroll taxes, perks for the officers, rent, telephone, advertising and marketing, travel and entertainment, professional fees, etc.

Therefore, if your budget (yes, you must have one) reaches the 65% and 25% levels, your pretax profit margin will reach 10%.

Metrics

To monitor whether you are meeting all of the goals stated above, you should review:

• Cash flow report – daily
• Profit by vehicle report – should list every expense associated with determining whether the revenue is generating a profit by vehicle and also by vehicle type. This report will produce calculations showing which type of vehicle generates the highest profit. You will then be able to focus your marketing on that business segment. The report should be generated monthly and year-to-date numbers calculated as well.
• Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow report – monthly
• Line-by-line comparison of all revenue and expense categories between current period and same period last year.
• Budget line-by-line comparisons and examination of all significant variances between budget and actual results.
• A review of your balance sheet, examination of all debt, and decisions on how to reduce or consolidate such debt.
• Consider sending out RFP requests to all vendors to reduce expenses. Every dollar saved will flow into profit. Also consider a barter arrangement with some vendors to lower cost.
• Examine all bank lines of credit and vehicle leases to lower interest rates going forward.
• Study and evaluate credit card fees. Are your discounts in line, and are you paying too much in fees?
• Although many owners focus on the top line (revenue) and operational aspects of their companies, every expense line deserves close attention.

The above reports are a sample of the countless tools available to manage your business. A concentrated and consistent effort in managing your business finances will not only help you reap benefits today, but will someday help you exit the company when ready.

Ron Sorci is the founder and CEO of Miami-based Professional Consulting Resources Inc. (www.pcrforyou.com). A former senior executive at public and private companies, Sorci most recently worked as CFO of Aventura Worldwide Transportation in Miami. He also served as President of the National Limousine Association from 2009-2010. He can be reached at Ron@pcrforyou.com or (786) 229-3662.

Keywords

bottom line   business growth   business management   finance   money   operating expenses   Profit Driven   profits   revenues   Ron Sorci   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/29Ggwk1