Small package shipping rates increase

FedEx and UPS to Raise Small Package Rates for 2012

The MRAA Shipping Program, managed by PartnerShip, today announced that FedEx Corp. and UPS will increase envelope and small package shipping rates for 2012.

Air Shipping Costs to Increase
Effective January 2, 2012, the cost to ship an overnight envelope with Memphis-based FedEx Express will increase by a net average of 3.9 percent. The full average rate increase of 5.9 percent will be partially offset by adjusting the fuel price threshold at which the fuel surcharge begins, reducing the fuel surcharge by 2 percent. Air packages shipped with Atlanta-based UPS will increase by a net average 4.9 percent beginning January 2, 2012. The rate increase for UPS air and international shipments is based on a 6.9-percent increase in the base rate, less a 2-percent reduction to the index-based air and international fuel surcharge.

Ground Shipping Rates Going Up As Well
Effective January 2, 2012, the cost to ship with FedEx Ground will increase by a net average 4.9 percent. The full average rate increase of 5.9 percent will be partially offset by adjusting the fuel price threshold at which the fuel surcharge begins, reducing the fuel surcharge by 1 percent. UPS ground shipping will also increase by a net average 4.9 percent for U.S. domestic services, achieved through a 5.9-percent increase in the base rate, less a 1 percent reduction to the index-based ground fuel surcharge.

Additionally, UPS Next Day Air Freight and UPS 2nd Day Air Freight rates for shipments within and between the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico will increase 5.9 percent. UPS 3 Day Freight rates will remain unchanged.

About PartnerShip
Cleveland, Ohio-based PartnerShip, which developed and manages the MRAA Shipping Program, is a leading freight management company that provides shipping solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide. PartnerShip leverages its relationships with over 17,000 customers to provide businesses of all sizes the exceptional savings typically reserved for large-volume shippers. 800-599-2902 PartnerShip.com

For more information or to enroll in the MRAA Shipping Program to save on every shipment you send and receive, please visit: www.partnership.com/26MRAA

Cobalt 20 Group Becomes Patron Member

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. — The Cobalt 20 Group, made up of 20 non-competing Cobalt Boats dealers from across North America, has demonstrated its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas by becoming a Patron Member of the association.
 
The group, which is facilitated by David Parker, president of Parker Business Planning, presented a check to MRAA incoming President, Matt Gruhn, during a meeting held following the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. According to Parker, the check represented a show of support for the association and the initiatives it has set forth in strengthening the opportunities that it provides marine retailers.
 
“We are very grateful for the Cobalt group’s support,” said Gruhn. “As a group of some of the leading dealers in our industry, their support — both on a participatory and financial level — is greatly appreciated. The MRAA is focused on strengthening our relationship with all dealer groups, particularly through the creation of new benefits and additional membership value. The support of the Cobalt 20 Group tells us that we’re on the right track.”
 
Cobalt 20 Group member Jeff Strong (Strong’s Marine, Mattituck, N.Y.), who also serves on the MRAA’s MDCE Convention Committee, set up the opportunity for Gruhn to speak at the 20 Group meeting and led the initiative for each of the group’s members to contribute to the support of the national association.
 
“Our Cobalt 20 Group is very excited about many of the new initiatives MRAA has launched,” said Strong. “We wanted to visibly demonstrate our support for these initiatives because we believe they will provide growth opportunities for MRAA members and for boating as a recreational pursuit.

Member Advisory: Nov. 28, 2011

Membership Advisory

MRAA Board Approves ACMA Resolutions

Setting 2012 Legislative Agenda

The Board of Directors for the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas recently approved three resolutions written by its Advisory Council of Marine Associations. ACMA met in Orlando, Fla., prior to the official opening of the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo on Nov. 7. The members of ACMA consist of local, state, and regional marine trades associations, and they advise the MRAA Board on key national legislative issues and legislative strategies ACMA has long served as the MRAA’s Legislative Committee.

For 2012, ACMA recommend MRAA to:

1. Move forward the opinion that mandatory PFD wear is a decision that is better made at the state. MRAA has strongly opposed mandatory adult PFD wear for many years, and recently has stopped a mandatory wear requirement on Lake Meade, commented in opposition to the potential of the Army Corps of Engineers mandatory wear requirement on all of its lakes, and opposed U.S. Coast Guard attempts to initiate a wear requirement on all federal waters.

2. Take action to protect personal home mortgage deductions, specifically second home deductions as applied to vessel ownership. MRAA has long opposed elimination of the second home mortgage interest deduction. This year, MRAA led the issue to save the deduction when the issue came to the forefront of Congressional action early in the year during deficit reduction discussion and recently during consideration by the Super Committee.

3. Take action and work against the proliferation of E-15 fuels and encourage the pursuit of acorn blend alternative to ethanol fuels, such as isobutene. MRAA has opposed efforts to include E-10 and E-15 blends in gasoline used in marine engines. MRAA is encouraged by research by marine engine manufacturers, working with the federal government, that shows promise for a new blend that in early testing does not adversely impact marine engines.

MRAA has been actively lobbying against the above issues and many others and will continue to work to protect the interests of marine retailers.

“MRAA greatly appreciates the support of ACMA and the hard work of the many state MTAs to craft these resolutions,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Many key issues were discussed this year. ACMA prioritized the issues and settled on these three for the basis of MRAA’s key legislative goals for next year.”

MRAA elects officers, appoints at large directors

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has elected the association’s three officers to one-year terms and two board members to three-year terms in addition to appointing four at-large directors.

During the association’s annual meeting, David Foulkrod of Ron Hoover RV & Marine was elected as Chairman; Steve Baum of Boat Owners Warehouse, was elected as Vice Chairman; and Randy Wattenbarger of Cleveland Boat Center, was elected Secretary/Treasurer. Each officer was elected to his second term.

“MRAA is fortunate to have this outstanding team of business leaders to lead the association through 2012,” said Phil Keeter, MRAA President.

Members also voted at the annual meeting to elect Joe Hoffmaster and Jim Thorpe as regional directors. Hoffmaster, from Hoffmaster’s Marina, was selected as director of Region 3, which includes Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Thorpe, from Spring Brook Marina, was selected as director of Region 6, covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Directors in the remaining eight regions are serving existing terms.

Chairman Foulkrod appointed four at-large directors to one-year terms, including Rob Soucy of Port Harbor Marine; Ken Cope of Cope Marine; Nancy Smith of Colorado Boat Center; and Ryan Hebert of Texas Marine. And as members of his executive committee, Foulkrod appointed Baum; Wattenbarger; immediate past chairman Ed Lofgren; Region 5 Director Joe Lewis of Mt. Dora Boating Center; Region 7 Director John Vallely, Jr., of Vallely Sport & Marine; and Smith.

“I’m honored to be serving a second term working with such a dynamic board,” says Foulkrod. “With such diverse marine industry backgrounds, I expect this board will demonstrate the leadership and guidance necessary to propel MRAA through changing times while improving the return on investment for all MRAA members.”