By Nicole Wilkins For over 40 years, Kruse Worldwide Courier hasoffered nothing but the best in delivery,warehousing and customer service. Located at5020 Investment Drive in Fort Wayne, thecompany's wide array of services include alltypes of freight from parcels to pallets, one poundto truckloads.
Recently Inc. magazine ranked Kruse WorldwideCourier on its 2008 annual ranking of the 5000fastest-growing private companies in the country.The Inc. 5000 list looks at an important area inthis country's economy: entrepreneurs.According to Inc., “these companies are thebackbone of the U.S. economy and help driveinnovation.”
Along with being on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, Kruse Worldwidewas also on the top 100 transportation list of2008. That same list had Kruse Worldwide asthe third highest transportation company inIndiana in terms of growth.
This growth has allowed the company to expandbeyond what consumers think of as traditionalcourier services, expanding into distribution,medical records, warehousing, air freight, officesupplies, home delivery, and third party logistics.
“We're proud of our growth,” says Lance Adams,CEO of Kruse Worldwide Courier. “Our missionis to offer superior service at a competitive priceand we'll maintain that mission going forward.We honor our commitment by doing what we saywe're going to do and providing great service toour customers to help them grow. That is whathas driven our success.”
Adams grew up in Fort Wayne; he attended
Paul Harding High School and Purdue Univer-
sity and has a wealth of experience with larger
regional and national carriers dating back to the
early 90's. Adams became part owner and
Chief Operating Officer of Kruse Worldwide
Courier in June 2002 and in December 2005
his role evolved into that of CEO.
“My experience coupled with a strong desire to
have ownership in what I was putting my efforts
into led me to Kruse Worldwide,” says Adams.
Service Area Expansion
Kruse Worldwide Courier may be located in Fort
Wayne, but the company offers reliable service
Lance Adams, CEO of Kruse Worldwide Courier
2December 26, 2008Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce 5 6 8Member
SpotlightNonprofit
News
EventsCommunity
Focus
Give theGift ofCommunityThis HolidaySeason
See Kruse on page 7
Kruse Worldwide Courier:More Than Traditional ServiceAs a transportation company, Kruse Worldwide is ranked thirdin Indiana in terms of growth and offers the best in delivery andcustomer service
Just a reminder for the upcoming
holidays: we are all encouraged
to "Give the Gift of Community."
By spending as we are able with
businesses and charitable
organizations in our community,
we have the ability to stimulate
our local economy and retain the
jobs and services needed to
keep Fort Wayne a vibrant
community.
We, as individuals, can make a
positive impact on this
community. So, join in the effort
to solidify Fort Wayne's
economic future by keeping your
dollars here at home where they
help employ our neighbors and
make our community a better
place to live. Get out of the
house, get off the internet and
spend locally!
From the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
Member Spotlight
United Way Call to Action: Volunteer to Help All Kids Read
United Way of Allen County, joined by represen-
tatives of the Allen County Education Partner-
ship, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East
Allen County Schools and many other local
organizations, have launched a ten-year
reading initiative called Learn United.
Learn United is an effort to close the third grade
reading achievement gap in Allen County within
the next decade. United Way defines the
reading gap as the difference between the
number of local third-graders who can read at
grade level and those who cannot.
More than 1,000 third graders in Allen County
fail to pass the ISTEP language test every year.
Forty percent of all low-income local third
graders can't read at grade level.
“Third grade is a critical time for reading,” said
Jerry Peterson, president and CEO of United
Way of Allen County. “Up until third grade,
students are learning to read, after third grade,
students read to learn.”
Studies show that 74 percent of students who
don't read at grade level by the end of third
grade will never catch up. Many will go on to
drop out of school or be incarcerated. Most will
not be able to hold down good jobs.
“The economic consequences of illiteracy are
profound,” said Kris Foate, president of the
Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.
“American businesses spend more than $60
billion annually on employee training, much of
that for remedial reading, writing, and
mathematics. We must have a well-educated
workforce if we are to attract new businesses
and help our community thrive. Current
corporate leaders are already dedicating time
and money to help children and I encourage all
local businesses to support Learn United.”
Learn United has three components. The first
focuses on pre-natal care or ensuring that
children get a healthy start to life. The next is
building early literacy skills. The last component
is the school-age effort.
Learn United's school-age component will focus
on recruiting thousands of area volunteers to
work with struggling readers. Volunteers can
visit www.learnunited.org to browse opportuni-
ties and register to work with children. All
volunteers must agree to a background check
and will receive all the training needed to be
successful in working with children. Learn
United is initially rolling out at four schools: Fort
Wayne Community Schools' Waynedale and
Brentwood elementary schools and East Allen
County Schools' Village and Southwick elemen-
tary schools.
“We are excited to be a part of Learn United,”
said EACS Superintendent Dr. Kay Novotny.
“Literacy really is a community issue and we
need the support of the entire community to
educate all of our children.”
“We know that students perform better when
they have multiple support systems helping
them reach their goals,” FWCS Superintendent
Dr. Wendy Robinson said. “With strong schools,
strong families and strong community support,
our students will be successful.”
Volunteers can sign up for a variety of activities
in the classroom, including playing games such
as alphabet bingo and memory, working at a
literacy station, reading stories or working on
letters and sounds. Volunteers will also be able
to sign up for existing programs through FWCS
Study Connection (after-school homework help),
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddies (talking
and reading over lunch), Allen County
Education Partnership Project READS (K-3rd
literacy tutoring) and homework help after
school at the Neighborhood Action Center
serving children in the Autumn Woods
Apartments. In January, Learn United will
partner with Scholastic to promote Real Men
Read, a program that asks men to visit a
classroom once a month. Additional opportuni-
ties will be added as the effort grows.
“We have a variety of volunteer opportunities,”
said Brian White, executive director of the Allen
County Education Partnership, the agency
charged with matching volunteers and children.
“We have long-term and short-term opportuni-
ties. We have chances to work in the
classroom, after school or over the lunch
period. You can work with small groups of
children or one on one. You don't need to be a
reading expert, you just need to care about kids
and our community.”
“United Way of Allen County has long been
focused on helping our most vulnerable
residents meet their basic needs - food, clothing
and health care,” said Irene Walters, United
Way board chair. “Through Learn United, we
are also focusing on long-term needs - giving
people the skills needed to become self-
sufficient. Our board knows goals such as
eliminating the reading gap cannot happen
overnight. That's why we have committed
ourselves to Learn United for ten years. We are
determined to get this accomplished.”
United Way of Allen County modeled Learn
United after a similar effort in Madison,
Wisconsin. In less than ten years, Madison's
United Way and local residents closed the
reading gap through efforts similar to those
being put in place in Fort Wayne.
“We know this can work,” said Jerry Peterson,
“and we know that it's absolutely critical that we
make it work here in our community. We ask
everyone to do what they can - give, advocate
or volunteer - to ensure all our children can
read.”
The first three years of Learn United will be
funded by a grant from the Indiana Association
of United Ways. United Way will seek additional
grant money and private donations after the first
three years.
2 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“Through Learn United,we are also focusing onlong-term needs - givingpeople the skills neededto become self-sufficient.Our board knows goalssuch as eliminating thereading gap cannothappen overnight. That'swhy we have committedourselves to LearnUnited for ten years.We are determined toget this accomplished.”
— Irene WaltersUnited Way board chair
THE CHAMBER
Letter From…Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations
A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3
When I moved
to Fort Wayne
three years
ago, I was
struck by the
strong sense
of community -
it is truly a big,
small town. So
many people
can trace their
Fort Wayne
roots back for generations, and
everyone seems to know
everyone else. Because of this,
area residents seem to actively
support each other. I have heard
many tales about “Fort Wayne -
the city that saved itself” and how
time and again neighbors have
bonded together to rally against
the “obstacle du jour” and always
emerged from the other side
safely, hand-in-hand, ready for
the next challenge.
We are facing one of those times
again. Only this time the
opponent isn't Mother Nature, it is
the financial challenges facing
communities across the nation.
While other communities may
succumb to the fear generated by
economic uncertainty, I believe
that Fort Wayne is prepared to
face this opponent by, once more,
counting on the strength of our
community and neighbor helping
neighbor. That is why the
Chamber launched the “Give the
Gift of Community” campaign last
month.
By banding together, we have the
opportunity to save ourselves, our
businesses, our jobs, and our
neighbors in need. Everyone has
a budget, and I don't advocate
spending beyond your means. But
as you are able, spend respon-
sibly with businesses and
charitable organizations located in
our community during the coming
months. Hoarding cash based on
fear of future financial uncertainty
only creates a self-fulfilling
prophecy. It drives our neighbors
out of business, causes layoffs,
and prevents our charitable
organizations from providing
services just as the demand for
those services escalates.
In the course of the “Give the Gift
of Community” campaign, several
people have asked me where I
see the disposable income
coming from in order to do this. In
response, I have given them
examples from my own life.
I drive a gas hog (yes - it's
American made) which requires
me to fill-up the tank twice a
week. A year ago, each fill-up
cost about $85. Last week, that
same fill-up cost me $37. You do
the math. I have used it to justify
a couple of extra holiday
shopping sprees and a few
additional “date nights” with my
husband. This is also the time of
year that we close out our
Flexible Spending Accounts for
medical expenses. As you know,
if you don't use that money, you
lose it. So I'm considering new
glasses for my daughter. The old
prescription is still fine, but
apparently the old frames aren't
as cool as they were last year. I'm
also making the effort to do more
of my holiday shopping locally
instead of online and making sure
to renew my commitments with
the charitable organizations I
support.
Now, I know that these small acts
are not enough, in and of
themselves, to turn the tide. But
when added to the efforts of
people just like you, our small
acts become the impetus needed
to strengthen our local economy.
This notion of “Giving the Gift of
Community” reminds me of one of
my favorite quotes: “Be the
change you want to see in the
world.” I don't suppose that
Mahatma Gandhi was thinking
“buy local” when he said that, but
the principle holds true. The
solution for these trying times, the
way to help our community
succeed, is for each of us to find
the courage to defy the fear
mongering that has created the
national cash-flow freeze and
instead spend responsibly with
local organizations so that we all
may benefit.
There are little things that we can
each do. To us they may appear
small, but when combined with
the efforts of our neighbors, we
can make a difference for each
other and Fort Wayne. But first
we have to regain our can-do
attitudes. By spending responsibly
with local organizations, I CAN
help keep my neighbor in
business; YOU CAN help save a
Hoosier job; ONE NEIGHBOR
CAN enable a charitable organi-
zation to keep meeting the needs
of another neighbor; and together
WE CAN save Fort Wayne again.
Please join me in the coming
months to give the gift of
community.
Volume 18, Issue 25,December 26, 2008
Contact Us:Phone: (260) 424-1435Fax: (260) 426-7232
Web: www.fwchamber.org Email: [email protected]
Address: 826 Ewing StreetFort Wayne, IN 46802
Downtown Fort Wayne skyline.
Kristi Holmes
The Power of One
Maribeth CallicoatController
Mike LandramVice President of Workforce &Business Development
Kristina HolmesVice President of Communications & Member Relations
David YoungVice President of Air Service Development
Joni HowellManager of Government& Community Affairs
Nicole WilkinsCommunications Manager
Kristine FoatePresident/CEO
THE CHAMBER STAFF
4 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Grand Openings
Summit City Metal Recycling celebrated their one year anniversary with anopen house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, December 10.Summit City Metal Recycling is located southeast of downtown at 1412South Anthony Boulevard (at Hayden Street).
Summit City Metal Recycling (SCMR) is Fort Wayne’s newest metalrecycling center. Unlike other places, SCMR accepts and pays you cashon the spot for most household, commercial, and industrial metal, suchas aluminum, brass, copper, steel, stainless steel, tool steel, cast iron,insulated wire, and alloys.
SCMR’s mission is to be committed to your business recycling needs andto the recycling needs of our community. Services that SCMR providesinclude transportation (roll-off boxes, dump trailers, van and flatbedtrailers, and overseas containers), brokerage and trading, turn-key facilityrecycling programs and an indoor retail buying center.
For more information about Summit City Metal Recycling, contact JustinMiller at (260) 399-4843 or [email protected] or visit the Web site atwww.scmr.bz.
Summit City Metal Recycling Celebrates One Year Anniversary
ATHENA Nominee & Scholarship Applicants NeededHelp celebrate the
remarkable individ-
uals in our
community. The
Greater Fort Wayne
Chamber of
Commerce is
pleased to announce
it is now seeking
nominations for the
5th Annual ATHENA
Award® and also
applications for
ATHENA Scholar-
ships which will be presented at a luncheon
March 11, 2009 at Ceruti's Summit Park.
The ATHENA Award® program celebrates
exceptional individuals who have achieved
excellence in their profession, have served the
community in a meaningful way and have
assisted women in their attainment of professional
goals and leadership skills. Nomination forms and
criteria are available at www.fwchamber.org and
are due January 5, 2009.
Several $1,000 scholarships are also available to
outstanding area high school students.
Established in 2006 by Fort Wayne Athena
planning committee to provide scholarship
assistance for 2009 high school graduates
attending a two- or four-year college or vocational
school in Indiana. Assistance will be given to
women demonstrating outstanding leadership in
their high school and community.
Eligibility requirements include: Graduates of a high
school in Allen County, Indiana, seeking a two-year
associate degree, a four-year bachelor degree, or
a vocational school degree in Indiana. Recipients
may attend half time (at least 6 credit hours) or full
time. For an application visit www.fwchamber.org.
Deadline is Monday, February 2.
For more information please contact Kristi
Holmes, Vice President of Communications &
Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or
Past ATHENA Recipients
2008 ATHENA Award® Program
THE CHAMBER
Non-profit News
A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort
Wayne (IPFW), Purdue University, the Lincoln
Financial Group Foundation, and the Northeast
Indiana Innovation Center announce the launch
of the 2008-09 Northeast Indiana Innovative
Business Concept Competition, formerly known
as the Opportunity for Indiana Business Plan
Competition.
IPFW will host the fifth annual competition,
which includes changes other than its name.
Sean Ryan, director of university engagement,
said, "This competition won't require a
complete business plan. Instead, we'll focus on
the development and presentation of an
executive summary of the business concept,
with the most promising one awarded business
coaching, support, and grant funding to launch
the business venture." Another change this
year is the competition will be conducted in
three separate divisions: professional, univer-
sity, and high school. "Individuals and teams in
each division will compete against each other,
with an overall winner selected for the competi-
tion. That winner will then be entered for
consideration in the 2009 Greater Fort Wayne
Business Weekly Innovation Awards," added
Ryan.
Registration for the competition is now open
and must be submitted electronically at
www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/opportunity.
The deadline for registration is Feb. 2, 2009.
The executive summaries are due March 9,
2009, with the final competition at IPFW Friday,
April 17, 2009.
For more information, contact Sean Ryan,
director of university engagement, at (260)
399-1662 or [email protected] or Jean Eisaman,
project manager, at (260) 481-6489 or
IPFW Business CompetitionAnnounced
Wells Fargo recently announced a $100,000
equity-equivalent investment in Pathfinder
Services, Inc., a Huntington-based community
and human development non-profit that
provides homeownership education and down
payment assistance, and foreclosure preven-
tion services to people with and without disabil-
ities throughout Northeast Indiana.
The investment will help support Community
Connections, the organization’s Housing
Division, to provide low interest rescue loans
for families and people with disabilities to
become current in their mortgages and save
their home from foreclosure.
For more information on Community Connec-
tions please contact (800) 310-9510 or visit
www.cchomes.org. Community Connections is
the Housing Division of Pathfinder Services
Inc., a not-for-profit Human Services organiza-
tion with offices in Huntington, Wabash, and
Plymouth. Community Connections began in
1997 and has provided over $7 million in Down
Payment Assistance to those families.
Wells Fargo Invests inPathfinder Services
SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small
Business” recently announced new easy-to-use
online tools that provide small business owners
with ideas and guidance on topics from
securing funding to managing cash flow. The
Financial Management Workbook and Ask
SCORE provide advice and mentoring to help
small business owners make critical business
decisions.
The free workbook—which offers small
business owners an actionable, easy-to-follow
curriculum and information on key areas of
concern for small businesses—is available
through the Visa Business Network on
Facebook at www.visabusinessnetwork.com,
the SCORE Web site at www.score.org, and at
the 389 SCORE offices nationwide. The
workbook covers important and timely topics,
including:
• How to efficiently manage cash flow
• How to maximize income and the speed
with which you get paid
• How to minimize expenses
• Knowing your funding options
• Being prepared for your business’s growth
and “what if” scenarios
In addition, small business case studies and
advice from SCORE counselors illustrate each
business principle, while checklists and
financial strategies offer a structured founda-
tion for decision-making.
“As a longtime provider of small business
payment cards and related small business
services, we understand that it is vital for
business owners to have easy access to
resources and insight to help them manage the
health of their business, especially during
challenging economic times,” says Raghav Lal,
head of Global Small Business, Visa Inc. “This
is why we are excited to be working with
SCORE, a respected small business authority,
to make these free tools and counsel available
to business owners.”
Access Ask SCORE by visiting
www.askscore.org. Entrepreneurs can ask
SCORE mentors about topics ranging from
personnel issues to how to write a business
plan and receive an email response within 48
hours.
“Organizations such as SCORE and Visa can
help entrepreneurs make it through this
recession and can help them ultimately
succeed and grow their businesses. The
SCORE and Visa Financial Management
Workbook is the right tool at the right time to
help entrepreneurs manage their money so
they can manage for success,” says SCORE
CEO Ken Yancey. “Entrepreneurs can get free
and confidential advice from SCORE to help
them navigate cash flow, financial planning and
projections to steer a clear course to profits.”
SCORE Teams Up with Visafor Small Businesses
For the third year in a row, Stepping Stones
Child Development Center, a division of Easter
Seals Arc, has achieved a Level Four rating,
the highest quality rating available for a Paths
to Quality provider.
“Paths to Quality is an awesome program that
provides Stepping Stones the opportunity to go
above and beyond what families expect from
our center,” says Danielle Lyons, Director of
Stepping Stones. “We strive to meet the needs
of every child we care for and Paths to Quality
acknowledges the hard work the Stepping
Stones staff gives.”
Established in 1996, Paths to QUALITY is a
voluntary system created to assist parents in
identifying and selecting quality child care and
recognize providers for ongoing efforts to
achieve higher standards of quality than the
minimum state licensing requirements.
Providers who choose to join PTQ receive a
verification visit, are assessed, and are placed
on one of four levels.
The goals of the Paths to QUALITY as
originally conceived were:
1. Raise the quality of child care and early
education experiences for children,
2. Give parents tools to help determine the
best quality program for their children,
3. Support and recognize providers for quality
care.
The levels are:
Level 1-Health and Safety Needs
Level 2-Environment Supports Children's
Learning
Level 3-Planned Curriculum Support Children's
Development
Level 4-Achieve National Accreditation
For more information about Paths to Quality, or
Stepping Stones Child Development Center,
call Tony Belton, Community Relations Coordi-
nator for Easter Seals Arc at (260) 469-2777.
Stepping Stones ChildDevelopment Center GetsQuality Rating
THE CHAMBER
Community Focus
6 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Rushing around trying to prepare for Christmas
while under economic stress has millions of
Americans fretting. The YMCA of Greater Fort
Wayne reminds families and individuals that a
little sweating can offer important physical and
emotional benefits.
“Many members of our community are
preparing for the holidays, while facing financial
struggles that can put them and their families
under a lot of physical and emotional stress,”
says Director of Marketing & Development Toni
Kayumi. “Now more than ever, it’s important to
make sure exercise is part of our daily routines.
Even a short walk or swim can help reduce the
negative effects of anxiety. Research has
proven again and again the important role of
exercise in combating stress and reducing the
symptoms of depression and anxiety. Even
moderate physical activity can produce mood-
boosting endorphins, clear the mind, improve
focus and positively affect blood pressure.”
The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne encourages
members of our community to make physical
activity a priority, especially during tough times,
and offers a few simple tips:
• Make an “exercise transition” between work
and family time. Take a short walk after work or
before kids get home from school to clear away
the stress of the day and get a positive boost
before interacting with family members. A little
“me time” can have a positive influence on “us
time.”
• Find an enjoyable physical activity that requires
some mental focus to steer the mind away from
worries—a pick-up game of basketball, a
racquetball match or even jumping rope.
• Instead of going online to repeatedly check the
balance of your 401K, check out training plans
for a 5K run or walk and get family and friends
engaged to reach a healthy and achievable goal.
• Visit the Central Branch, Jorgensen Family, Old
Fort, Parkview Family, Southeast Family, Whitley
County Family, and Wells County YMCA’s to find
affordable family activities. Financial assistance
is available to make YMCA programs available to
all.
“The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne has been
helping area families and individuals in good
times and challenging times for 150 years,” said
Kayumi. “We want our community to know that
we are here to help anyone seeking a healthier
spirit, mind and body, regardless of their current
circumstances.”
YMCA Reminds Communityof Exercise Benefits DuringTimes of Holiday Stress
THE CHAMBER
Cc: meCommunicate. Connect.
January 29, 2009
They say in business it’s all about who you know…They were right!
Cc: me is a new after-work event designed to create oppor-tunities for you to build lasting relationships with other Fort
without being bombarded with sales pitches.
Join us on January 29, 2009 at theAllen County War Memorial Coliseum Lounge
from 5 PM-7 PMSponsored by First Federal Bank
Networking 4 Success A Business Brown Bag
Learn from networking experts how to effectively engage others in any setting in order to build lasting professional relationships. This two part series will teach the difference between networking and selling and provide you with the skills necessary to build your busi-ness through relationships.
January 20 & 27 11:45-12:45 @ The ChamberRegister online @ fwchamber.org or at the door
Member
A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 7
beyond the borders of the Hoosier State and
specializes in Midwest distribution. In terms of
Fort Wayne's excellent central location for
Midwestern shipping Adams pointed out we
have an “efficient location for distribution being
close to major metropolitan cities such as
Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland,
Indianapolis, and Cincinnati.”
In fact, Kruse Worldwide Courier features daily
line hauls to Indianapolis, Muncie, South Bend,
Chicago, Detroit and Columbus and overnight
service to Indianapolis, Muncie and South
Bend out of Fort Wayne.
“We focus on taking care of your shipment by
careful handling that virtually eliminates
damaged cargo,” says Adams. “That type of
service can be hard to come by in the shipping
business. And with overnight shipping we can
enter a facility overnight and leave payroll,
interoffice mail, or freight so the items are
there first thing in the morning. We can also
retrieve items at the same time to bring back
and deliver in the Fort Wayne area. This is a
great option for Fort Wayne companies that
have items to exchange with locations in
Indianapolis, South Bend, or Muncie.”
With a staff of 45 at headquarters in Fort
Wayne and 120 company-wide at four
locations, Kruse Worldwide recently expanded
their service across the Ohio River into
Kentucky. The Kentucky service area includes
the western two-thirds of the state, being
serviced out of Louisville and Owensboro.
Not A Typical Courier
In addition to prompt delivery of your cargo
and quick overnight service, the company also
offers the option of storing items in a clean,
climate-controlled space that's secure and
protected 24 hours a day.
“With your items safe and secure on our
premises, they are available for immediate
retrieval and transportation at the time you
appoint,” says Adams. “We offer next day
service throughout most of Indiana, and local
and personalized customer service that can
keep you informed on the status of your
shipment.”
To highlight their accomplishments in customer
service while working with national carriers,
Kruse Worldwide has recently won a service
award from a division of FedEx. The service
award noted 100 percent on time delivery for
all line hauls in the 2008 fiscal year handled by
Kruse Worldwide throughout Indiana, Ohio,
and Michigan.
With recent expansion and growth Kruse
Worldwide Courier is currently focusing more
on distribution and LTL (Less Than Truckload)
deliveries.
“We can handle much more than one would
think of a traditional courier service,” says
Adams. “We love the courier work we do for
banks, law firms, and the medical field, but we
want people to know we are also capable of
providing larger item freight services. The term
courier is a little misleading because truckload
moves, scheduled line hauls, and LTL services
are not typical services for small parcel
couriers.”
New Technology
Kruse Worldwide Courier's Xcelerator
technology package marks a new development
in the shipping industry for regional carriers.
With bar code scanning, real time signature
capture, package tracking and real time proof
of delivery, businesses get the information they
need when they need it. Features also include
online order entry and customizable reports.
“If technology and reporting is an important need
for a customer that ships product, then we have
a very capable system for them,” says Adams.
The Web based login allows customers to enter
orders, print shipping labels and view shipment
status. Xcelerator launched two years ago and
the higher end technology is constantly
enhanced by the user companies. Currently 140
regional carriers use the system.
Community Outreach
Kruse Worldwide's CEO says the company in
the coming year looks to raise their local
presence and give back to the community.
“We want to be involved in the community from
a business and service standpoint. Build
relationships. Expand community programs. For
the past several years we have donated
warehouse space to local charitable organiza-
tions such as the Lions Club for their fundraising
efforts.”
Why Kruse Worldwide Courier?
It all comes down to great service, flexibility,
and diversification of services says Adams.
“As a full service transportation company,
Kruse Worldwide specializes in services that
do not fit the operating models of parcel,
truckload, and national LTL companies. When
you call us, you are calling a local contact and
can get a live person on the phone who can
give you the information you need quickly, as
opposed to going through an automated
national call center. At Kruse Worldwide, we
are able to adapt to customers needs and
provide more specialized services that other
carriers may not provide, typically with lower
prices than national or global carriers.”
KruseContinued from page 1
THE CHAMBER
Pakages are ready to be shipped out at the Kruse Worldwidewharehouse.
Lance Adams of Kruse Worldwide Courier poses with his staff.
The Chamber's Graduate Retention Program
has been awarded a $2,000 grant by the
Howard P. Arnold Foundation for continued
support of the program's efforts.
Congratulations to the Graduate Retention
team!
Events
8 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT WAYNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Cc: me.January 29, 2009 marks the
launch of the Chamber's new
monthly networking event, Cc:
me, at the Allen County War
Memorial Coliseum lounge from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cc: me is the place to build your professional
network, establish lasting business relation-
ships and catch the latest business buzz.
This is not a place where you will be
bombarded with sales pitches. It is about
networking in its truest sense. Not sure what
true networking is or how to do it? Chamber
"Connectors" will be present to help connect
you to those you should meet and know.
So, get connected, get involved & get cc'd.
Thank you to our sponsor, First Federal Bank
and our host, the Allen County War Memorial
Coliseum. For more information or to get
involved with Cc: me contact Member Relations
Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or
Leadership Develop-ment Roundtable.The next Leadership Develop-
ment Roundtable recruiting
meeting will take place
January 28 from 8 a.m.- 9:30
a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce (826 Ewing
Street).
Leadership Development Roundtables offer a
confidential forum of peers in non-competing
businesses. Regular meetings are held to
share and gain practical knowledge and
counsel on today's business challenges.
Roundtables are made up of Leaders or
Managers with a minimum of three direct
reports.
Leadership Development Roundtables are
structured to help business managers address
a variety of important issues and to offer a
springboard for solutions to help improve
productivity and profitability. This group
explores ideas and inspires its members with
experienced techniques and strategies that can
avoid costly mistakes.
For more information call (260) 424-1435 or
register through the Chamber calendar online
at www.fwchamber.org.
January Morning Mix. The first Morning Mix of 2009
will take place January 15
from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the
new Holiday Inn across from
the Allen County War
Memorial Coliseum.
Come check out one of the newest and coolest
Fort Wayne hotels and enjoy speed networking
at its best. The Morning Mix is designed for
professionals who are involved in sales,
business development, public relations, or any
career that requires getting the word out. You
will experience 20 minutes at three different
tables, receiving the opportunity to present your
"unique selling proposition" to a couple of
dozen businesspersons in a fast-paced, fun
and structured setting.
Admission is $5. In addition, please make sure
to bring a stack of your business cards.
Continental breakfast is included. If you are
interested in being a table captain for a
Morning Mix please contact Laureen Voirol at
(260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or
[email protected]. You do not have to be
a Chamber member to attend.
Get Connected, Stay Informed with Chamber Events
Season’s Greetings Congratulations GraduateRetention Program
Thank you to our Chamber Ambassadors for
contributing valuable items and services to the
Ambassador holiday tree at this year’s Taste of
the Chamber and for their ongoing service to
Chamber members.
Pictured from left to right: Ed Bowman, Deb
Fulton, Teresa Blombach, Mindy Hockaday and
Dave Didier.
Thank You Ambassadors
Happy Holidaysfrom theChamber. Thankyou for yourcontinuedsupport.Best wishes for aprosperous newyear.
This holiday season may you receive the “gift ofcommunity.”
THE CHAMBER