Andy Ahern of Ahern and Associates Addresses the Messenger Courier Association of America at Annual Meeting

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) June 06, 2011

Not unlike many industries who have successfully weathered the most recent recession, many companies within the messenger courier business are now forced to take an in depth analysis of past operations and find a new formula for success.

Asked to address the annual gathering of the Messenger Courier Association of America was renowned transportation and business analyst, Andy Ahern of the consulting firm, Ahern and Associates, Ltd. At the core of Ahern?s speech to the eager audience was a message of diversification and adding value added services to new industries which could benefit from same day delivery.

Having been personally involved in countless transactions with billion dollar public companies, Ahern was well adept at passing on gems of knowledge to the crowd which not only discussed options for growth, but specifically how to strategically increase demand for their company?s services and increase shareholder value. Ahern also spoke to the future of same day delivery within the global supply chain.

Traditionally tied to the banking industry, many courier businesses are now finding that this former profit center is drying up. Ahern recommends seeking out opportunities within the medical specimens and organ transplant industries as there is rising demand for these services in light of the coming of age of baby boomers. Additionally, as we become a more litigious society, the demand for same day delivery within the legal industry is also soaring.

Ahern addressed several companies at the convention including: WPX Delivery Solution, Distribution Management Corporation, Hazen Transportation Group, Priority Express Courier and Corporate Couriers among others.

?Today?s courier business needs to change verticals, modify their existing service mix and redefine their overall business strategies in order to survive,? explained Ahern. He went on to say, ?The courier industry as a whole should attempt to increase market share in diverse markets which will give them a better opportunity for growing their business down the line.?

About Ahern & Associates, Ltd.:

Ahern and Associates is North America?s leading trucking and transportation management consulting firm. The skilled consultants at Ahern and Associates specialize in mergers and acquisitions of trucking and logistics companies as well as the restructuring and evaluation of existing carriers that seek to increase operating efficiency and improve profitability. Since 1987, Ahern and Associates has aided hundreds of buyers in the acquisition of trucking and logistics companies throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as assisting many transportation and logistics companies in reducing their overall operating costs and increasing their profitability. For more information, please call 602-242-1030 or visit http://www.Ahern-Ltd.com

Business contact:

A.W. Ahern

602-242-1030

Media contact:

Jason W. Jantzen

Phoenix Marketing Associates

http://www.PhoenixMarketingAssociates.com

602-282-0202

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Life Storage - Chicagoland?s Self StorageSupports a LocalFood Pantry and The 26th Annual Hunger Walk

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 22, 2011

LifeStorage, a premiere Chicago self storage provider of home and business storage and office solutions, is proud to announce a multitiered fundraising effort for The Pantry of Rich Township. The Pantry provides over 750 low-income families with food and basic household items.

Allison Thompson and Michael Gray, managers of the Matteson LifeStorage facility, are in charge of an in-house food and money collection effort, as well as a charity car wash to help raise money and goods for The Pantry. They also entered the 26th Annual Hunger Walk, which benefits a network of over 650 pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in Cook County.

?We decided to reach out to our community and what better way to help than by fundraising for The Pantry, which provides such an important service,? Thompson said.

The Pantry is a non-for-profit, Salvation Army Unit extension, providing qualifying families non-perishable food items, personal care products, disposable diapers, and baby formula. It also offers limited utilities assistance. Once every year, families that receive shut-off notices from the electric or water companies can receive $ 50 towards outstanding bills.

?Personally we both feel it is a great organization and with the economy and gas prices as they are we all could use a little help,? Gray said. ?We are trying to help service the community of which we are in since the community is what helps us grow as a business.?

Vicki Sline, director of The Pantry, offers some insight into just how important support from companies like LifeStorage is. ?We are not funded by the township for food. We have to depend on fundraisers and private donations of money or foods to help support us in buying the needed items for our clients.?

Sline continues, ?The foods donated goes right back out to the community and The Hunger Walk money goes to credit our account at the Chicago Food Depository from which we purchase food for our shelves.?

Several Life Storage locations (LS Matteson, LS Mokena, LS Bridgview, LS South Chicago Heights participate in an ongoing collection of monetary and food donations, where they recently received a donation of $ 300 in bread products. All donations go directly to The Pantry to help them replenish stock.

Quickly approaching is the 26th Annual Hunger Walk in Chicago, on June 25th. Participants in the event walk a 5K course, helping raise funds and awareness for the Chicago Food Depository and its network of agencies, including The Pantry. It's the largest one-day anti-hunger event in Chicago.

On July 9th, there is a charity car wash at the Matteson LifeStorage, located at 21700 S Cicero Avenue. Music and refreshments will be provided by LifeStorage, and each donation provides donors with a car wash!

For more information on The Pantry, please visit: http://www.richtownship.org/pantry.asp

Or to find a LifeStorage location near you, please visit: http://www.lifestorage.net/self_storage/locations

About LifeStorage:

With 17 locations throughout Chicagoland Life Storage provides the best in household and commercial self storage services. Whether you are downsizing, relocating, or growing your business, Life Storage Centers offer the 21st century way to manage your belongings, records, and merchandise. Our drive-in and drive-thru convenience makes your move easy. Life Storage also offers records storage, document destruction and truck rentals. Tenants have access to their offices or storage facility with a keypad code for getting in after hours.

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