AS CTSI LOGISTICS aims to further elevate itself as a world-class player in the logistics industry, it has been opening Supply Chain Centers to offer clients service that can improve their business efficiencies.

With one Center on Guam and two in the Philippines, CTSI Logistics now adds another Center to its growing list: The Los Angeles Supply Chain Center. Located at 1451 West Knox St. Torrance, CA, the new Center held its grand opening last May 5, 2006.

Attended by a myriad of luminaries, ranging from customers, vendors and political representatives from the City of Los Angeles, the State of California, the Port of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Harbor City Harborgate Chamber of Commerce, the inauguration was marked with much congratulatory remarks and anticipation of the Center's capabilities. "The opening was special because it was in the midst of the World Trade Week with festivities keying in on International business," said Director of Global Business Development for CTSI Logistics in North America Obie Obien. "CTSI Logistics was especially honored by the political sector during our inaugural opening."

Among the guests from the government sector were Atty. Kaylynn Kim, commissioner for the Port of LA who was also the event’s keynote speaker; LA City Council Woman Janice Hahn of District 15 who sent Representative Reginald Zachery to present CTSI Logistics CEO Jerry Tan a certificate of recognition for the employment contributions of CTSI Logistics; and Jenny Orapeza who was representing the District at the State level and a leading candidate for the California State Senate in the upcoming June elections.

Among the customers and vendors who attended were Vanity Fair/Nautica Senior Vice President overseeing all manufacturing operations Jim Calo; Vanity Fair/Nautica Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Steve Wilson; China International Freight Chairman and Owner Billy Tong (International Freight is recognized as Asia’s largest freight forwarder); Landstar Global Logistics President Jim Handousch; Landstar Vice President of National Accounts Phil Noury; and Horizon Lines Strategic Account Director Brian Post.

Among the CTSI Logistics executives who graced the opening were CTSI Logistics CEO Jerry Tan, JFK Station Manager Joseph Leung, CMH Station Manager Katy Law and Philippine Station GM Lito Austria.

The opening of the Los Angeles Supply Chain Center was clearly a moment of much excitement, both for CTSI Logistics and its partners. Spacious, well-equipped and backed up by the latest IT systems, the Center, according to Obien "is a showcase facility and rivals the largest U.S. logistics companies' facilities. It is a world-class facility and makes a loud and clear statement that CTSI Logistics is a major player in the industry."

So what can clients expect from the Los Angeles Supply Chain Center? For starters, Obien answered: "A clean and secure facility that is RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) capable and with a new state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System that will provide clients the ability to check on their inventory on a real-time basis via the Internet."

RFID allows data to be transmitted by a product containing an RFID tag microchip, which is read by an RFID reader. The data transmitted can provide identification or location information about the product or specifics such as date of purchase or price.

"Their (clients) products will be housed safely in a facility that can provide the best handling of their inventories," he added.

Moreover, the Los Angeles Supply Chain Center will also strengthen CTSI Logistics' network of stations by better handling the in-transit goods to and from the US Statio