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Logistics firm WTDC hires seven FIU Business interns

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Read the original story at BizNews.fiu.edu

(l. to r.) Sean Gazitua, president and CEO of WTDC, with spring 2021 FIU interns Leahanna Sine (U.S.); Jibin Jinu, India; Calvin Mittra, Bangladesh; Julia Leitao, Brazil; Andressa Souza, Brazil; Isabella Palmese, Honduras; and Kristina Khudiakova, Russia.
When junior Kristina Khudiakova isn’t learning international business theory in class, she is putting it into practice as a digital marketing intern at WTDC, a global trade firm. Three days a week, Khudiakova heads into the office to create promotional videos and social media content. She films, edits and writes, working closely with employees and soaking up lessons covering all aspects of international business.

“I’m so grateful for this hands-on work opportunity where I can implement the concepts we study in the field I want to pursue,” said Khudiakova, president of FIU’s International Business Honor Society (IBHS). “They not only give me assignments, but we also talk a lot about other industries. I’m learning so much.”

Khudiakova is one of seven members of IBHS to be hired as a spring intern at WTDC, where FIU Alumni Association board of directors member Sean Gazitua (BBA ‘04) sits at the helm as president and CEO. It wasn’t Gazitua’s original plan to hire seven FIU interns, but he was so impressed by the crop of students he interviewed remotely last semester that he found a place at the company for each of their talents. The group also brings strong international experience to the business, hailing from Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, India and Russia as well as the U.S.

“The interns are amazing,” Gazitua said. “They bring a breath of fresh air. We’ve been doing this for a long time so we know what we are doing, but at the same time, technology is changing everything, so we want their opinions.”

Gazitua doesn’t have a preconceived list of internship slots to fill. Instead, he gauges student interest and comes up with individualized plans. When a current intern mentioned his interest in renewable energy, a lightbulb went off in Gazitua’s mind because he wants WTDC to become a green company. The intern is analyzing the company to find ways to reduce electricity consumption, as well as researching best practices employed by other companies.

The relationships that start as internships often evolve professionally. Gazitua has hired former interns into full-time jobs, and has used his connections around the world to help others find jobs in their home countries. He has found that international students often have language skills and a cultural understanding of markets WTDC works with as a global logistics provider.

David Wernick, teaching professor and faculty advisor IBHS, has helped connect FIU students with the company for years.

“I know these interns are going to get an amazing hands-on experience and be treated exceptionally well,” Wernick said. “They learn valuable lessons on teamwork, communication, and execution from a company on the front lines of the global economy. And WTDC gets a steady stream of students who are energetic and eager to learn, so it’s a win-win!”

Logistics: WTDC’s diversification from core business delivers added benefits

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Read the original story at Travel Markets Insider

Miami’s family-owned Foreign Trade Zone company WTDC, which specializes in logistics for spirits for the duty free/travel retail and cruise industries, diversified its business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua tells TMI that this expansion away from its core duty free/travel retail business has strengthened his company and better positioned it for the future.
“The commodity that we handle is spirits for the duty free and travel retail industry and this virus shut it down. In April and May last year there were a hand- ful of spirits cases that left the warehouse. Typically there are tens of thousands of cases. So that was an eye-opener for us that it would be a good idea to diversify a little bit,” says Gazitua.

“Obviously our bread and butter is spirits for the travel retail industry and will continue to be in the future, but 2020 gave us an opportunity to look at our business and diversify.”

WTDC saw a way to both stay busy and contribute to the greater good by handling logistics for needed medical supplies. WTDC assisted companies with the hazardous transportation of hand sanitizer, foreign-to-foreign shipments of COVID-19 test kits, masks, medical equipment, and PPE imports.
“We were able to help companies and countries handle the supply chain management for medical supplies. That was pretty gratifying that we were doing something good during the pandemic and were able to handle business. Our normal pipeline of business froze because we had been focusing on spirits and cruise lines.”

Medical supplies were one of three key verticals WTDC focused on during the pandemic. The other two were the creation of WTDC Chile and logistics for renewable energy.

In October WTDC announced a strategic partnership with Empresas Per- rot Group Inc., a premier Trucking and Logistics Provider in Santiago, Chile to create seamless connectivity for customers across their complementary domestic and international logistics networks in the USA and Chile. WTDC and Empresas Perrot will be exclusive agents within each other’s countries as part of the agreement.

“The Gazituas are Chilenos. We’re from Chile. A partner contacted us to open up WTDC Chile. Empresas Perrot are one of the largest trucking companies in Chile and they wanted to expand internationally. Our family always wanted to open a busi- ness in Chile. Like us, they are a family business, and have been around for 80 years. We started speaking to each other via zoom and we just connected: their family values, our family values, their company culture, our company culture. It just aligned perfectly. As a result, we have really been growing that trade lane from Chile to the USA,” says Gazitua.

Renewable energy is the third vertical WTDC focused on in 2020.

“We identified renewable energy as a good business for the future. We are focusing on solar, hydro, and wind and are providing ocean freight, warehousing, and U.S. Customs brokerage.”

WTDC signed an agreement with ProChile and its partners to create seamless connectivity for customers across their complementary domestic and international logistics networks in the USA and Chile.
2021: Back to normal?
Even as WTDC has diversified this past year, travel retail/duty free spirits logistics will remain its core business, and Gazitua says there is reason for optimism.

“Now it is closer to normalcy. In 2021, business has begun bouncing back. In November and December last year higher volumes started leaving the warehouse and we saw a spike going up. We thought it was just for the holiday season,” he says.

“But in January, the numbers consistently stayed up and in February the numbers have remained consistent. Now that we are in March, the numbers leaving the warehouse have not gone down. It feels good to see these numbers of cases leaving the warehouse. I feel like we are trending in the right direction. There is some good news out there. There are orders. We are busy and we appreciate it.”

Prior to the pandemic, WTDC was experiencing a record year.
“2019 smashed every other year. January and February 2020 were incredible months. We expected 2020 to be stronger than 2019.”

Gazitua says his family company is prepared for a return to better times.
“We are speaking with companies that are interested in coming into the market. We have the know-how. We celebrated 44 years in business on March 8. We’ve been handling spirits for 15 years for this market. We know the processes specific to this commodity. This is what we know and we are good at it.

“Our competition are these huge multi-national corporations. If you need to have a decision done, you have to talk to your supervisor, the manager, the director, all the way up the ladder. Here if you want to get something done you speak to me and we can get it done right there. We move quickly. I think that is one of the reasons we were able to survive the pandemic. Because we saw this business potentially slowing down and pivoted and started handling medical supplies and renewal energy. But we are here and we are open for business.”
WTDC Health & Wellness Program
WTDC began its health and wellness program in 2017 with the goal of encouraging all its employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which promotes improved mental and physical wellness. During the pandemic, WTDC has expanded this program.

“We can make sure our employee morale is high. We’ve implemented a health and well- ness program, with a multi-purpose health and wellness room. We zoom in there, and when we are not using it for zoom it is used for yoga room. We also have a masseuse come every Wednesday to give massages in our special massage room. We even have a prayer/meditation room. We really believe in having a sound mind, sound body, especially in a year like last year. We want to make sure that WTDC is a safe place for our employees. That’s part of being a family business,” says Gazitua.

Record January and shore power for PortMiami

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WTDC Newsletter – March 2, 2021

  • President’s Corner – Empresas Perrot and WTDC visit Doral Mayor JC Bermudez
  • January marks another record cargo month for PortMiami
  • Tai Chi demonstration for WTDC Health & Wellness
  • Shore power for PortMiami
  • Merck to produce Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • WTDC Interns model for CAPHEINA clothing line
President’s Corner
This week WTDC welcomes our Chilean logistics partner Empresas Perrot to our offices. Today we met with City of Doral Mayor JC Bermudez (photo above) to discuss our strategy to grow the Chile-US trade lane. Next week on March 8th, WTDC will celebrate our 44th year in business. Our 43rd year was certainly like none other but we are grateful for the lessons learned, the customers who await the return of the Duty Free and Travel Retail markets, and of course our employees. Stay healthy, Sean Gazitua President & CEO
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua
 
PortMiami handled 113,835 teu (20 foot container equivalents) in January 2021, a 21% increase from January 2020’s 94,064 teu handled. The top 5 commodities were furniture, marble, cigars, melons, and vegetables, in that order. Many of the top 5 imported commodities climbed double digits in their import rank during January.
Container Management: PortMiami sees record cargo activity in January
 
Tai Chi demonstration for WTDC Health & Wellness
On February 26th, WTDC employees and tenants were treated to a Tai Chi demonstration by Reza Ray Dehbozorgi from Minuteman Press of Miami. Ray taught those in attendance Tai Chi movements and breathing exercises as part of WTDC’s Health and Wellness Program. Are you interested in learning more about Tai Chi? Ray offers free instruction at the 77th Ave entrance to Coral Reef Park on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. Feel free to join him!
Shore power for PortMiami
On February 17th, the office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced that the County, Florida Power & Light (FPL), and six of the biggest cruise lines will create a working group to determine the most effective way to bring shore power to PortMiami. New ships are being build with shore power electricity capabilities but PortMiami does not currently offer the service that would allow cruise ships to turn off their diesel engines while in port and draw electricity from the shore.
Miami-Dade County: Joint statement regarding shore power at PortMiami
Biscayne Bay Tribune: Mayor Levine Cava announces plans to bring shore power to PortMiami
Merck to produce Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
Today the White House announced that Johnson & Johnson will be assisted in their COVID-19 vaccine production by Merck, the pharmaceutical supplier of the measles, mumps, and rubella childhood vaccines, among others. Merck will dedicate one facility to producing the vaccine and another facility for “fill-finish” services, placing the vaccine in vials and packaging for distribution.
Washington Post: Biden to announce ‘historic partnership’: Merck will help make Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, officials say
 
WTDC Interns model for CAPHEINA clothing line
WTDC’s Interns had some fun out of the office last week collaborating as models for our tenant CAPHEINA, see photo above. CAPHEINA is a designer clothing brand that specializes in one-of-a-kind pieces, with headquarters located at WTDC. The brand is best known for its “Around the World Jackets”, which focus on sourcing handmade textiles directly from artisans in Latin-American countries (such as Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador) to ensure fair trade; while at the same time sourcing their denim jackets from top quality retailers (such as Levi’s and Lee). The company works with existing inventory thereby reducing its environmental footprint.
CAPHEINA
 

Valentine’s Day flowers highlight floral boom at PortMiami

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WTDC Newsletter – February 16, 2021

  • President’s corner – WTDC Internship Program & the Gazitua family
  • Valentine’s Day flowers highlight the floral boom at PortMiami
  • PortMiami staying afloat despite cruise line halt
  • Brexit impact on spirits industry
  • JetBlue begins daily flights to and from MIA
  • Join us March 30 for the virtual Live Like Bella Superhero 5k

President’s Corner  
Last week I shared how impressed we are with WTDC’s Interns this spring. I invited my mother, father, and brother to join us last Friday for our team building exercise (literal exercise, we did soccer drills with a trainer!). Photo included above.

WTDC’s Internship Program was my father Ralph’s vision and he now visits the office on Fridays just to sit with the Interns and offer them guidance. I now have the pleasure of working with each of the Interns to see their projects come to fruition in Operations and Customer Service, marketing our new door to door logistics service between Chile & USA, as well as between Brazil & USA, creating videos for social media, and implementing green initiatives for the company. I welcome the opportunity to speak with your company about beginning and maintaining an Internship program. Sending warm wishes to all our friends in cooler places today!

-Sean Gazitua, President & CEO  
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua

    Photo: PortMiami Twitter
Valentine’s Day flowers highlight the floral boom at PortMiami  
Miami has been the main hub for flowers entering the US since the 1990s but now PortMiami is seeing a dramatic increase in floral imports, traffic that was previously almost entirely routed through Miami International Airport. PortMiami imported 41.6 million flower stems in 3 weeks pre-Valentine’s Day 2021, a dramatic increase considering the port imported only 8.6 million stems during the same period in 2019 and in 2017 just over 50,000 stems were imported for the entire year. Advances in cold-chain technology, dedicated shipping lanes, and Miami’s abundance of refrigerated warehouses create the infrastructure for flower stems to reach Florida and Georgia overnight and the entire East Coast and Midwest in 3 to 4 business days after arriving at PortMiaimi.  
Floral Daily: PortMiami brings 2021 Valentine’s Day flowers in record numbers PortMiami Twitter: 41.6 million flower stems    

PortMiami staying afloat despite cruise line halt  
Record container volumes and a little belt-tightening are helping PortMiami offset the cruising halt that began in March 2020 and will continue until at least April 2021. By bailing out the cruise ships by waiving their operator guarantees and berthing fees until March 2021, the County is missing out on approximately $7 million in monthly revenue. The port can continue to operate until the end of the fiscal year without dipping into savings thanks to cost-saving efforts such as a hiring freeze, pausing marketing and unnecessary capital projects, and eliminating overtime.   Miami Today: With cruises halted, PortMiami keeps it head above water    

Brexit impact on spirits industry  
The Spirits Business interviewed Miles Beale, chief executive of Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), to discuss how Brexit has affected the spirits industry including short term challenges such as labeling and long waits to process cargo through two Customs systems.

One of the more interesting topics discussed was the UK’s decision to create new geographical indications (GI) to not only protect established products like Scotch whisky but to create and promote new categories such as Welsh whisky.

Beale discussed how the last minute trade agreement between the UK and EU resolved many trade and tariff issues and that over 50 trade continuity deals were were put into place by the UK government. The UK may consider joining the CPTPP trading bloc which would further reduce or eliminate tariffs for the spirits industry.   The Spirits Business: How Brexit will impact the spirits sector      

JetBlue begins daily flights to and from MIA   On February 11, Miami International Airport welcomed its first JetBlue flights to the airport. Miami-Dade County officials and JetBlue representatives participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the discount airline’s new footprint at MIA. MIA was the busiest passenger airport without JetBlue service prior to last week’s launch. Four cities will now be served from MIA by JetBlue: Boston (up to 4x daily), Los Angeles (up to 2x daily), New York-JFK (up to 4x daily), and Newark (up to 4x daily).  
Miami-Dade County: JetBlue celebrates 21st birthday with first-ever Miami flights    


Team WTDC at the 2020 Live Like Bella Superhero 5k  
Join us March 30 for the virtual Live Like Bella Superhero 5k  
WTDC is a proud sponsor of Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation and participates annually in their 5k race to call attention to childhood cancer, raise funds for research, and support the families affected by this terrible disease. We invite you to join WTDC by participating in the virtual Live Like Bella Superhero 5k. The following information is from Live Like Bella: Every year, Bella Believers from around the world come together for our Superhero 5k to honor the brave childhood cancer fighters we serve! In 2021 we come together yet again to honor our superheroes but on a different day and in a different way – virtually! To ensure the health and safety of our supporters, our 7th Annual Superhero 5k will take place virtually this year on  Saturday, March 20, 2021. Grab your sneakers, capes (and even your dogs!), and let’s run (or walk) together in solidarity! Register today for our first ever virtual Live Like Bella® Superhero 5k! You can sign up as an individual or create a virtual team. Sponsorship opportunities are available at any level.  
Live Like Bella® Virtual Superhero 5k Run/Walk  

More cargo records set at PortMiami, Carnival breaks ground on new terminal

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WTDC Newsletter – February 2, 2021

  • President’s Corner – 7 Interns from 6 countries
  • PortMiami reports record cargo movement in November 2020
  • Carnival breaks ground on new PortMiami terminal
  • Solar industry responds to Biden environmental initiatives

President’s Corner  
What do FIU students from Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, India, Russia and the United States have in common? Besides their participation in FIU’s International Business Honors Society (IBHS) they now have Spring internships at WTDC.
Like many students in these unusual times, the majority of their classes are now online. We held interviews last fall via Zoom when their classes were fully remote and some students had moved back to their home countries. We didn’t foresee seven Interns working at WTDC this semester but we were so impressed during the interviews that we found projects for each of their talents.
As an FIU Alumni Association Board of Director member it’s inspiring to see the next generation of students overcome the unique obstacles posed by COVID-19. I couldn’t be more impressed with these student Interns and I look forward to sharing their projects with you! Wishing you continued health,
-Sean Gazitua, President & CEO  
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua  

PortMiami reports record cargo movement in November  
On January 26, PortMiami reported via Twitter that November 2020 was the busiest in the Port’s history with more than 100,000 container moves.   PortMiami Twitter  
Carnival breaks ground on new PortMiami terminal
On January 29, Carnival Cruise Line and PortMiami held a ground breaking for the expansion of Terminal F, the 417,000 square foot future home of the Carnival Celebration. Construction recently began on the Celebration which will be the largest cruise ship in Carnival’s fleet when it launches in 2022. “I’m grateful to Carnival Cruise Line and Lemartec for their partnership with Miami-Dade County,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “Despite the global pandemic, today’s groundbreaking is another example of the growth happening at PortMiami – the cruise capital of the world – and how together, we can and we will continue to thrive.”

Cruise and Ferry: PortMiami and Carnival Cruise Line break ground on terminal

WTDC provides warehousing and transportation in Miami, Florida, for the cruise ship industry. Read more here

Solar industry responds to Biden environmental initiatives
 
On January 27, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released an article responding to President Biden’s busy first week in office where he addressed a number of environmental issues.
“The president has outlined a clear and carefully thought-out vision for addressing the range of climate challenges we face, and I commend and thank him for taking swift action on many of those challenges during the first week of this administration,” said Abigail Ross Harper, President and CEO of SEIA.
“President Biden’s order addresses several solar industry priorities, including a boost to federal procurement of clean energy, and investments in manufacturing, transmission, and siting and permitting.
 
SEIA: Solar Industry Commends Biden’s Climate Executive Actions

WTDC is a logistics provider for the Renewable Energy and solar energy industries. Our dedicated staff can assist with international transportation, domestic transportation, transloads, and prepositioning inventory warehousing for just-in-time renewable energy project management. Read more here

UK & EU reach Brexit trade deal

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WTDC Newsletter: January 4, 2021

  • President’s Corner: 6000 days accident free, 2021 outlook
  • UK & EU reach Brexit trade deal
  • PortMiami waives harbor and cruise berth fees
  • Miami International Airport extends relief for tenants
  • WTDC donated over 120 pajamas to His House Children’s Home
  • TTB to allow 700 ml bottles
President’s Corner
We kick off the first Monday in 2021 with a bit of good news: today marks 6000 days at WTDC without a safety incident. We began tracking our safety record in 2004 when I was working in WTDC Operations, learning our business from the ground up. We are extremely proud of our safety record and regularly implement best practices to ensure it continues. I will skip the 2020 recap and jump right into my outlook for 2021. I feel that our company is ready for nearly any opportunity that 2021 may present. I am optimistic about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines and the return of cruising and airline passenger traffic. WTDC is committed to our Duty Free and Travel Retail clients as we await renewed consumer confidence in the travel sector. We’ve pivoted to be ready for new business from the renewable energy and medical equipment sectors. We are excited to grow WTDC Chile (more on that to come) as we build our transportation and customer service footprint with our Chilean logistics partner Empresas Perrot. WTDC Transportation and Customs Brokerage departments continue to grow alongside our FTZ inventory control clients. And our employees have bought in to our vision for navigating this new normal in 2021. We are grateful for their commitment. As always, I remain at your service. Wishing you health and prosperity in 2021. -Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua
 
UK & EU reach Brexit trade deal
On December 30, United Kingdom lawmakers signed off on the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. The deal comes four years after the UK voted to leave the EU and retains the tariff free and quota free access to the EU that the UK was in jeopardy of losing if a deal was not in place on December 31, 2020. The trade deal will allow the UK to set its own labor and environmental standards with arbitration not based in the EU courts. The deal also reestablishes the UK’s rights over its fishing waters, raising its share from around half to two-thirds with the ability to establish annual negotiations with the EU and other countries. Bilateral trade between the UK and EU is worth more than 650 billion annually. Click the articles below for a in-depth review of industry sectors including automotive, chemicals, pharmaceutical, professional services, and trucking.
Financial Times: Brexit trade deal explained: the key parts of the landmark agreement
Bloomberg: Brexit Is a New World Businesses Still Need to Figure Out
PortMiami waives harbor and cruise berthing fees
“Miami-Dade County will continue to support our cruise line partners through these unprecedented times,” Ms. Levine Cava said in a statement. “As we await the safe return of cruising, we will maintain our commitment to our stakeholders who have shown great resilience during this crisis.” Miami-Dade County extended the PortMiami harbor and cruise berthing fee waivers until January 31, 2021, an extension of the waivers in place since March 13, 2020.
Miami Today: County extends fee waivers for PortMiami cruise ships
 
Miami International Airport extends relief for tenants
Miami-Dade Commissioners extended Miami International Airport’s tenant waiver for monthly rent and guaranteed payments until April 21, 2021. Since March 2020, MIA has waived over $8 million per month for the duty free shops, restaurants, car rental companies, and service businesses in the airport.
Miami Today: Miami International Airport may forgive tenants $107 million
 
WTDC donated over 120 pajamas to the children of His House
Thank you to our clients, tenants, and employees who helped us exceed our goal! Each year WTDC collects new pajamas for the children of His House Children’s Home, a non-profit faith-based organization committed to restoring the lives of children from newborn to 18 years of age.
WTDC Pajama drive for His House
 
TTB to allow 700 ml bottles
On December 29, the US Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published new standards for allowable sizes of wines and spirits containers. Among the sizes to be allowed for the first time is the 700 ml bottle, the EU standard for three decades. The closest US equivalent is the 750 ml bottle. The new TTB standards aim to “eliminate restrictions on competition and the movement of goods in domestic and international commerce.” In addition to 700 ml imports, the rule also allows US distillers to bottle at 700 ml for international and domestic sale.
TTB: Addition of New Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits
Whisky Cast: U.S. To Allow 700ml Whisky Bottles For First Time