To describe the past several months in ocean shipping as bumpy would be an understatement. In October, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) went on strike when it could not reach an agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), the association representing their employers. The strike lasted four days until a tentative agreement was reached, with a second deadline set for mid-January.
As we approach the end of 2024, it is a perfect time to take stock of accomplishments and reflect on what has transpired over the last year. This allows companies to identify and complete any outstanding items, as well as set goals for the new year ahead. Responsible Distribution is a program built on a foundation of continuous improvement. Taking the time to review these key areas each year will help drive improvements in the new year. While formal Responsible Distribution verifications occur in three-year intervals, many aspects of Responsible Distribution need to be addressed on an annual basis.
The dedicated members of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) play a crucial role in ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality chemical products that are essential to our daily lives. Over the years, our members have broadened the base of the industries they support to include paint and coatings, general manufacturing, water treatment, petroleum, automotive, energy markets, and more. One sector, however, stands out among the rest this holiday season: household cleaners and personal care.
What do you get if you cram 50+ Annual Meeting attendees into a room and ask them to complete a series of fiendishly tricky tasks as they try to fill sacks with treats and toys?
The answer? Plenty of fun, some friendly rivalry, and a lot of very happy children!
Last week marked a truly special moment for our Alliance as we took part in our 2024 Annual Meeting in the stunning La Quinta, California. This year, as we gathered with 667 of our members, industry leaders, and innovators, we celebrated not only a milestone year but also the one-year anniversary of our rebranding as the Alliance for Chemical Distribution. Under the theme “Connecting the Experts Our World Depends On,” we explored how ACD continues to empower excellence in our field, setting new standards in performance and deepening our industry’s impact across North America.
The next few months present the perfect opportunity for the revival of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade program – and ACD is urging Congress to finally get the decision over the line.
Since the GSP program expired on December 31, 2020, some of the world’s poorest countries have been unable to benefit from advantaged tariff rates and access to the American market. GSP was first introduced in the Trade Act of 1974 and is the largest – and oldest – U.S. trade preference program.
Tuesday night’s election was certainly a night to be remembered. Former President Trump, now being deemed the comeback kid, won his second term to the Oval Office in impressive fashion. As I write this blog, things have not totally settled out, but it is very likely that President-Elect Trump will secure 312 electoral votes and win the popular vote by nearly 5 million. In today’s world, this victory is a clear mandate from the American people.
The chemical industry often takes center stage in Hollywood, with directors sometimes getting it right—but more often providing a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding against the varied threats these portrayals bring to life.
Users of our dedicated training portal, ACD U, now have access to a powerful new companion app, giving them full access to their courses while on the move.
In today’s digital era, tools like the internet, mobile devices, and social media platforms enable constant global communication. However, these technologies also present new opportunities for malicious actors to target businesses, steal sensitive information, and disrupt operations. As the world becomes more interconnected, the chemical distribution sector must remain vigilant against evolving cybersecurity threats and fraud attempts.