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International Women’s Day: An Interview with Lizelle Britz

This month JAS joins the world in honoring International Women’s Day celebrating some of the remarkable women at JAS.

By
JAS Staff
March 18, 2022
Lizelle Britz, Product Owner, JAS South Africa
Lizelle Britz, Product Owner, JAS South Africa

Throughout March, in honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we are celebrating some of the remarkable women at JAS. Today, we caught up with Lizelle Britz, Product Owner at JAS South Africa. Read how she breaks the bias and what this day means to her.

What does International Women's Day and its theme this year, #BreakTheBias, mean to you?

International Women's Day is all about challenging the norm and should be done not just on International Women's Day, but every day. People say we are in control of our future and if you work hard, you will be rewarded, but women don't always get the same opportunities as men. Often we are misjudged as being emotional while we are passionate. We often accept our "fate" that we will eventually hit the glass ceiling and be content with this. By breaking the bias, we spread the message to all the young ladies wanting to have a career in the IT industry you can be just as successful as anyone else.

How do you #BreakTheBias?

I refuse to give up and accept that "this is how things are." I am extremely independent, and this is how I am raising my two daughters as well. I had a few conversations with my oldest, who is ten years old, where she would comment, "Isn't that something dad needs to do?" I would ask her why and challenge her not to go with the status quo and be resilient.

What advice do you have for other women entering the industry?

Don't accept that your career means less than anyone else's or think you are not good enough or don't have the knowledge to succeed. Don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that something can be done differently. It’s super important to find that work-life balance as family, at the end of the day, is what matters most.

How have female mentors/role models influenced your career?

I've had one female mentor, and she is such a great role model. She has shown that it doesn't matter what gender you are. What matters is what you want to achieve in life. She set her goals, worked hard, and she achieved them.

Why is women's mentorship in the workplace important?

Up and coming women in their careers can sometimes feel lost and not sure what direction they would like to go. There is a very well-known saying, "Do what you love, and you won't work a day in your life." Guiding anyone into a career that they love is so rewarding.

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Latest News

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland—the fifth busiest container port on the US East Coast—will cause significant disruptions for US importers and exporters. Due to the hazardous and unstable conditions of the bridge the number of casualties remains indeterminate. However, more important than the obvious business disruptions are the lives affected by this unforeseen tragedy. JAS’s thoughts are with the people, families, and companies impacted as rescue teams work to secure the hazardous and unstable conditions of the bridge.

According to the Maryland Port Administration, “vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice.” As such, multiple merchant vessels, bulk carriers, and a vehicle carrier are now stuck in limbo within the Port of Baltimore. Cargo already gated into Baltimore terminals must be shifted to alternative ports, where possible, or await the uncertain reopening of the Port.

The next vessels currently scheduled to call the port are for Thursday, March 28th. This information should be seen as dynamic, with high possibilities to change. Shippers with cargo tied to these vessels will need to make alternate arrangements for cargo handling and discharge. Operational restrictions by carriers may impact cargo owners request for diversion and / or termination. Carriers may equally choose offloads at ‘next port of call’ which may be instituted based on terms and conditions in the governing bill of lading.

Due to the indefinite closure of the Baltimore port, a shift to Norfolk, Philadelphia, and / or New York/New Jersey might be an option. The sudden shift of cargo to neighboring ports, primarily Norfolk and New York/New Jersey, will likely lead to increased volume handling in these ports. While there will be bottleneck effects and delays in cargo processing, historical volume data suggests that Norfolk and New York/New Jersey have sufficient capacity to handle the spill-over from Baltimore.

JAS Teams are available to drive collaboration, swift adaptation, and transparent communication among all stakeholders impacted to minimize disruptions and ensure the smooth flow of goods. Stay tuned for further updates and guidance as the situation develops. For any more detailed and / or shipment specific information, or alternative solutions, please contact your local JAS office.

JAS Worldwide attends TPM24.

JAS Worldwide recently participated in TPM24, an event held in Long Beach, CA, where industry leaders converged to discuss the future of logistics and maritime shipping. Among the event's highlights was the joint presentation between JAS and Wesco, focusing on their collaborative efforts towards decarbonization in the industry.

TPM, or Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference, serves as a platform for key stakeholders in the shipping industry to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities. At TPM24 Shipper's Day, JAS Worldwide and Wesco shared their experiences in a joint panel discussion titled "First Steps: A Case Study in Developing a Decarbonization Plan".

During this session, Jim Bonsteel, VP Transportation, Customs and Trade Coordination at Wesco, and Andrea Goeman, Senior Vice President of QHSE & Sustainability at JAS Worldwide, delved into the journey towards decarbonization. Moderated by Alexander Nowroth, the discussion offered a comprehensive view of the decarbonization process within logistics Scope 3 emissions. The presentation showcased the collaboration journey from 2018 to today, starting from measuring carbon emissions to reducing them.

A key theme reiterated throughout the session was the fundamental role of partnerships in driving sustainable change. Andrea Goeman emphasized, "I firmly believe that choosing the right partners is key to making a change," underscoring the importance of collaboration and shared values in addressing industry-wide challenges.

Jim Bonsteel mentioned, "Driving progress in sustainability is about being an advocate – you have to embrace the topic in your overall logistics decision-making to go from crawling to standing up and walking."

"The presentation received positive feedback from other shippers and stakeholders who are starting on the sustainability journey," highlighted Lars Huebecker, EVP Global Head of Ocean Freight at JAS. "Our focus on sustainability within our ocean freight operations not only influences industry practices but also underscores our commitment to environmental responsibility," added Lars.

While recent years have presented significant challenges for many industries, such as the recent disruptive impact of geopolitics, the unprecedented supply chain disruptions during COVID-19, and labor actions at major seaports, the pursuit of sustainability is viewed as an enduring journey rather than a short-lived endeavor. This perception highlights the ongoing commitment required to create a meaningful change in the logistics ecosystem.

JAS Worldwide extends its appreciation to all participants and organizers of TPM 2024 for fostering meaningful discussions, providing valuable industry insights, and inspiring innovative initiatives. Moving forward, JAS Worldwide remains committed to fostering collaborative partnerships and advancing sustainable practices, driving positive change in the global maritime shipping and logistics landscape.

About JAS Worldwide: 

JAS was founded in 1978 in Milan, Italy, and its global headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Over the last four decades, JAS has grown from regional roots to a global force in logistics covering all modes of transportation, including contract logistics and other sophisticated and digital-driven supply chain solutions. Today, JAS covers 100+ countries with over 7000 employees globally and continues to expand with its core culture, "People make the difference," and its strong commitment to a sustainable future. 

About Wesco: 

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

Our state-of-the-art Contract Logistics facility in Singapore and dedicated team members ensure seamless logistics solutions tailored to your needs.

At JAS, we are committed to delivering excellence in contract logistics. With a state-of-the-art facility, innovative technology, and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction, our passionate team members provide end-to-end tailored solutions.

Key Features:

  • Expansive Space: 60,000 square feet, ensuring optimal storage conditions for your goods. 
  • Innovative Technology: Benefit from industry-leading technology and visibility, ensuring you’re always in control of your operations. 
  • Omni-Channel Fulfillment: Seamlessly integrate your supply chain across multiple channels with our omni-channel fulfillment capabilities. 
  • Quality Assurance: ISO certified and Biz Safe Start certified, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. 
  • Rapid Reach: Strategically located to reach 80% of the Asia Pacific region within 1-2 days, enabling quick and reliable distribution across the region. 

For more information about our Singapore Contract Logistics operations email CL-Solutions@jas.com.

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