Chinese examine U.S. trucking industry at State Line facility
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Steve Sibbio, Service Center Manager, explains dock operations to Chinese government and trucking officials touring Con-way. Second from left is Dr. Yafeng Du, the interpreter, and far right is David Miller, Chief Operating Officer.

Smiling and excited despite temperatures hovering near freezing, eight transportation delegates from China visited Con-way Freight in Greencastle last Tuesday. They came to see how a U. S. trucking company processes millions of pounds of freight daily and manages its fleet.

Chief Operating Officer David Miller welcomed the foreign visitors, as well as members of the American Trucking Association and corporate officials from Con-way.

"Our main purpose is to take a look at the trucking industry," said Frank Gao, Vice Secretary General of the China Road Transport Association. "Especially we are interested in hooking up and pulling two trailers together."

Such a procedure is illegal in China, but government and transportation leaders are seeking to change that. The issue is not relevant yet, since China does not have double trailers, according to Warren Hoemann, Senior Vice President of ATA, sponsor of the visit.

"China now focuses on exports, but has a growing middle class and will need to ship within its provinces," said Hoemann of Arlington, Va. "Tractor-trailers are their most advanced truck, but they know they'll need doubles."

Steve Sibbio, Service Center Manager of Con-way, led the tour of the facility. He explained the life cycle of a shipment, the communication procedures in the dispatch room, and the operations on the dock. Business went on as usual as the men spoke over truck noises in the background and stayed out of the way of forklifts.

The guests, through an interpreter, asked detailed questions about the duties of employees, their compensation, education and experience.

"They're behind us and realize they must get more sophisticated," said Hoemann, referring to the queries. "They'll have to move into job differentiation so they have to figure out how that works."

He said China spends $100 billion a year on transportation infrastructure and is just beginning to manufacture its own trucks. American companies are helping with the logistics of establishing a transportation network.

"They are fully embracing capitalism," Hoemann continued. "They have a consumer popula- tion now."

Gary Frantz, Director of Corporate Communications from San Mateo, Cal., said the trucking industry in China is fragmented but the country just built 60,000 miles of highway in less than a decade. It took the United States 50 years to accomplish the same thing.

The delegation arrived in San Francisco Jan. 10, flew to New York and then Washington DC. The ATA hosted them in Arlington Monday and brought them to 445 Mason-Dixon Road in a chartered bus. They went on to Roadway Express in Carlisle from Greencastle, and flew home Wednesday.

Wenju Mi, Deputy Manager of an assets management company, commented, "We have similar companies in China, but not as large. Con-way is a model of how a bigger company can be run well. We have very advanced ports but we want to integrate all transportation. We have the technology but lack the ability to put it all together."

The delegates watched a demonstration of two trailers being hooked together, and had the opportunity to sit in a cab. Mi motioned his hands as if using a steering wheel. Con-way driver Chad Craig, Newville, hopped in the passenger seat and Mi drove a double around the terminal.

Three of the delegates took a break from the cold and went into the lunch room to ask for hot water to make tea. They were informed that Con-way had the water, but only coffee and iced tea were available.

Later Con-way hosted the group to an America lunch of Maryland crab soup, lasagna, chicken and potatoes.