Labor talks at U.S. ports on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico are a looming risk for retailers, manufacturers and other shippers already grappling with longer transit times and higher costs. The International Longshoremen's Association contract covering 45,000 dockworkers at three dozen ports stretching from Maine to Texas expires on Sept. 30. If there is no deal by then, the union could call a strike that would hit during the vital holiday container shipping season and labor-friendly U.S. President Joe Biden's bid for reelection. The ILA on Monday called off this week's planned start of talks with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, citing one member of that employer group's use of automation technology in violation of prior agreements.

After four decades of a successful partnership in the paper industry, Pam Mantor and Helen Hawekotte are heading out for their final sales call and a well-earned retirement. Pam and Helen were a dynamic duo who were pioneers in the development of corporate end user paper programs. They blazed trails in the tech, telecommunications, and banking industries with the likes of Apple, HP, Microsoft, Sprint and DISH. Midland was fortunate to have Pam and Helen as valued employees and teammates. We will miss their market perspective and wealth of knowledge. We are a better company for having them on our team. We cherish the fond memories and many years of success shared with Pam and Helen. "You can't retire from being great" Unknown

American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 6.7% in September after declining 5.3% in August. In September, the index equaled 115.1 (2015=100) compared with 107.9 in August. “September had a nice recovery after a significant decline in August,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The truck freight market continues to be bifurcated, with strength in retail and home construction, but some continued weakness in industrial freight. During the third quarter, truck tonnage increased 2.4% over the second quarter, but fell 5.3% from a year earlier.” August’s decrease was revised up to -5.3% from our September 22 press release.