WTDC celebrates 45 years

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Family owned logistics business WTDC celebrates its 45th Anniversary on March 8th, 2022.

President and CEO Sean Gazitua says this 45 year milestone is a testament to the dedication of its employees and the willingness of the company to reinvent itself over the years. The company was founded in 1977 as the first General Order (G.O.) warehouse in Miami, Florida. Today, WTDC is an internationally respected full-service logistics company and Foreign Trade Zone.

“Serving the logistics needs of our customers is not without its challenges in these times,” says Gazitua. “But by building better relationships, planning logistics well ahead, and putting technology at the forefront, we can still help our customers exceed their performance benchmarks.”

Mr. Gazitua is now the third generation of the family to lead the business after becoming President and CEO in 2017, succeeding his father Ralph L. Gazitua in the position. The company prides itself on customer service and providing a safe and healthy working environment for its employees. WTDC specializes in global supply chain management, door to door transportation, and Foreign Trade Zone inventory control for the Duty Free and Travel retail industry and provides logistics for electronics, renewable energy components, and other commodities.

“I am so grateful to our employees and customers who will propel us well past our 45th Anniversary” says Gazitua.

View services at https://wtdc.com

WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua displays a Proclamation from Miami-Dade County naming Tuesday, March 8, 2022 as “WTDC 45th Anniversary Day.”

5G roll out suspended near US airports

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WTDC Newsletter – January 19, 2022

President’s Corner

In 2022, WTDC will celebrate our 45th anniversary. On a call last week, I was reminded of our family legacy in the logistics industry when my counterpart said that he, his father, and his uncle all worked for my grandfather LR Gazitua, grandmother Mercedes, uncle John, and my father Ralph at Florida International Forwarders (FIF). We consider the history of FIF to be entwined with our Gazitua family history.
We hope to collect more stories like this as we lead into WTDC’s 45th anniversary. If you have a story or photos you would like to share about these times, please reach out. We would love to hear from you.

Best Regards,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

Village of Palmetto Bay honors WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on MDPD Chaplain retirement
On January 10, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham honored WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on his retirement as Chaplain of the Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD) after 20 years of service. Mr. Gazitua is a resident of Palmetto Bay, FL.
Joining the recognition ceremony were Palmetto Bay Councilmember Steve Cody, MDPD Major and Commander of Palmetto Bay’s policing unit Maria Guerra, MDPD Lieutenant Antonio Rodriguez, and Executive Vice President of South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) David Greenwell.
As an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church for 34 years, Chaplain Gazitua helped meet the spiritual and pastoral requests of MDPD employees and their families, providing counsel in their time of need.

5G roll out suspended near US airports over interference concerns
Last night AT&T and Verizon flipped on the switch for their new 5G technology – just not within 2 miles of US airports. The concern stems from adjacent radio frequencies used by airline altimeters and the radio waves that 5G will inhabit. The altimeter is crucial to pilot navigation in poor weather conditions and the possible interference could have caused equipment malfunctions or outright flight cancellations. Some international flights had already been delayed or canceled flights before yesterday’s announcement at the eleventh hour of changes to the roll out.
NPR: Telecoms delay 5G launch near airports, but some airlines are canceling flights

CDC announces voluntary cruise guidelines for COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that cruise guidelines for COVID-19 will be voluntary after the expiration of the mandates in the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).
Starting this week, cruises can opt to follow the CDC guidelines or introduce their own mechanisms for preventing and responding to COVID-19 infections – but either way, cruises will still be regulated by CDC with prevention and reporting expectations.
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced their intentions last week to continue to follow the now voluntary CDC protocols.
USA Today: The CDC’s new COVID mitigation program will be optional for cruises. Here’s what that means.

WTDC attends Wodapalooza
WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua and WTDC General Manager Vera Gazitua attended the crossfit competition Wodapalooza in Miami’s Bayside Park this past weekend with a group of WTDC employees to cheer on WTDC Intern Brianna Kource. Ms. Kource, pictured below at right, competed in the Elite Women’s Team Division.
WTDC is committed to providing healthy lifestyle opportunities for its staff such as gym memberships, massages, and healthy lunches in addition to Vera’s yoga class three times per week in our company gym. WTDC is a Florida Drug Free Workplace and all employees passed a random drug test in January.
Miami Celebrates a Decade of Fitness, Community, and Life at Wodapalooza

Transloads at WTDC
WTDC manages project cargo and heavy lift transloads in our fenced FTZ yard. Use WTDC for your next PortMiami or Port Everglades transload. We can load and unload standard containers, open top containers, flat racks, flatbeds, and other special equipment. WTDC has crane services for heavy lift cargo. Common commodities include machinery, HVAC, crated merchandise, renewable energy infrastructure, raw materials, and pipe. WTDC can also coordinate the drayage, inland, air, or ocean transportation for your loads as a full service NVOCC, IAC, and IATA certfied freight forwarder.

WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua retires as MDPD Chaplain

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Congratulations to WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua on his retirement as Chaplain of the Miami Dade Police Department after 20 years of service. On December 16, Chaplain Gazitua celebrated his MDPD Chaplain retirement and the retirement of MDPD Chaplain Eddie Rivero at Sergio’s Doral. Mr. Gazitua’s fellow MDPD Chaplains and colleagues from the Department attended the breakfast including Assistant Director George Perez, Chief Gina Beato-Dominguez, Major Jose A. Fernandez, Major Melissa Barosela, and Executive Vice President of South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) David Greenwell. The PBA presented Chaplain Gazitua with a plaque to commemorate his service.

As an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church for 34 years, Chaplain Gazitua helped meet the spiritual and pastoral requests of MDPD employees and their families, providing counsel in their time of need.

In times of crisis, such as the collapse of the Champlain Towers in Surfside and the pedestrian bridge at FIU, Mr. Gazitua and the MDPD Chaplains led our community in prayer and provided spiritual guidance to first responders. His responsibilities as Chaplain included education and special programs, introducing MDPD’s human trafficking awareness initiative to the Archdiocese of Miami. As Goodwill Ambassadors of Miami-Dade County, he and the MDPD Chaplains were a social and cultural bridge between the Department and the public on Miami Beach Memorial Day Weekends and at other busy events.

Ralph, thank you for your 20 years of dedication and service as a MDPD Chaplain. Our community is better with people like you and the MDPD Chaplains giving their time and effort to help others. Your involvement with MDPD has become part of the company fabric of WTDC and we look forward to continuing to support law enforcement and its initiatives.

Ralph Gazitua WTDC Chaplain MDPD Retirement

WTDC wins two awards from The Moodie Davitt Report

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WTDC Newsletter – October 19, 2021

  • President’s Corner
  • WTDC wins two Travel Retail Superstar awards from Moodie Davitt
  • WTDC wears pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • FIU Surfside Memorial – WTDC Chairman and Deacon Ralph L. Gazitua leads prayer
  • 237,000 passengers sailed on Carnival Cruise Line since restart
  • Congestion troubles reach Port of Savannah
  • Florida Ports Council promotes Florida ports as congestion cure

 

President’s Corner

 

Last week we were thrilled to learn WTDC was honored with two awards for our logistics services in the duty free and travel retail industry (article below). We share these awards with our customers who have worked with us over the years to hone our skills and services. As a family owned and operated company we are humbled and grateful for the continued opportunity to service the top performers in the duty free and travel retail industry Congratulations to our Customer Service and Operations staff for their award winning performance. Way to go Team WTDC!

Stay healthy,Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

 

The Travel Retail Superstars Awards – WTDC wins 2 awards
Send an email to WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua

 

On October 15, WTDC received two Travel Retail Superstars Awards from duty free and travel retail publisher The Moodie Davitt Report. Team WTDC won the Star Team Americas: Logistics/ Warehouse Award and WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua won the Humanity, Leadership, & Inspiration Award.The 2021 Travel Retail Superstars Awards were the first edition of an annual awards for travel retail employees across airport, airline, downtown store and cruise sectors.

 

The Moodie Davitt Report: Breaking News: “A celebration of the human spirit” —The Travel Retail Superstars Awards Winners revealed
237,000 passengers sailed Carnival Cruise Line since restart

 

Since its sailing restart in July 2021 Carnival Cruise Line has welcomed 237,000 guests from US homeports. Half the Carnival fleet is now in service and they plan to have all ships in service by Spring 2022.

 

CruiseHive: 237,000 Carnival Cruise Line Guests Have Sailed Since Resuming Operations
 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Mont
WTDC wears Pink for October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and WTDC wore pink to show our support. Miami Cancer Institute has a wealth of educational resources available and we welcome you to visit their website for more information.
FIU Surfside Memorial

 

On October 13, the FIU community gathered to remember the 98 lives that were lost during the Surfside condominium collapse on June 24, 2021. FIU President Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg invited WTDC Chairman and Deacon Ralph L. Gazitua to lead the prayer for the lives that were lost, all families affected by this tragedy, and the first responders who assisted in the rescue and recovery.WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua leads the prayer at FIU Surfside Memorial on October 13, 2021.

 

 

 

Vessels backed up outside Savannah port

 

The Port of Savannah had 25 container vessels docked off its shores last week waiting for offload, the latest logistical backlog as US ports scramble to process thousands of containers.

 

NewsNation: Supply chain crunch also having an impact on Savannah, Georgia, port

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Ports Council promotes Florida ports as solution to congestion crisis

 

The Florida Ports Council is weighing in on the congestion that has plagued west coast ports for weeks and is now building in Savannah. PortMiami is big ship ready and does not have a container backlog, an ideal destination for bookings that will be offloaded in time for Christmas.“Florida is where your success comes in, and our seaports are the solution to ensure the cargo shipping logjam doesn’t become the grinch that stole Christmas,” said Michael Rubin, President and CEO,
Florida Ports Council.“Florida is open for business, and we are the solution to help resolve the global supply chain crisis,” Rubin added. “Instead of waiting off the coast of California, cargo vessels can offload and move their product to Florida and other discretionary markets in the same time it takes to find space in an increasingly congested California.”

 

Florida Ports Council: Florida’s Answer to the Global Supply Chain Crisis: SAVE TIME & MONEY BY CALLING ON FLORIDA SEAPORTS

 

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  

WTDC and Empresas Perrot launch Chile-US service

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WTDC News – November 4, 2020

  • President’s Corner – Gazitua family legacy
  • No Sail Order lifted by CDC
  • WTDC and Empresas Perrot offer Chile-US service
  • Mark your calendars – WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua joins logistics panel
President’s Corner
My brother Luis Andre and I joined my cousins Carlos and Luis Gazitua on the October 23rd edition of Cafecito Chat with Saif Ishoof, FIU Vice President of Engagement. Special thanks to all our professional colleagues who tuned in to watch us survive a comical round of rapid-fire questions before we settled into our discussion on the Gazitua family’s commitment to service and leadership in our community. Part of the discussion focused on family legacy and it was such a pleasure to hear the stories of my grandparents Mercedes and LR Gazitua who built a logistics enterprise from humble beginnings. We all shared how we take great pride in that legacy and the way they treated their family, friends, and employees. Each of us in the discussion described how the pandemic has affected our businesses and our employees. We’ve all taken steps to protect and serve our employees during these unprecedented times and the good name of our grandparents inspires us to continue treating others like family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our neighbors in Central America’s Caribbean coast affected by Hurricane Eta this week. Stay safe, Sean Gazitua WTDC President & CEO  Image caption, clockwise from top-left: Sean Gazitua, WTDC President & CEO, Saif Ishoof, FIU Vice President of Engagement, Luis Andre Gazitua, Esq., Gazitua Letelier, PA, Principal, Luis Gazitua, JAG Insurance Principal, and Carlos Gazitua, President & CEO of Sergio’s Family Restaurants.
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua
 
WTDC and Empresas Perrot launch Chile-US services
WTDC, a Foreign Trade Zone and Freight Forwarder in Miami, Florida, USA, and Empresas Perrot Group Inc., a premier Trucking and Logistics Provider in Santiago, Chile, went “live” this week with their offering of door to door logistics services between the U.S. and Chile including customs documentation, transport via road, air, and ocean, and customs documentation. The two companies will improve the customer experience with a focus on technology and concierge customer service. Do you have U.S. to Chile or Chile to U.S. logistics business that you would like WTDC to review for efficiency and cost-savings? Email us here.
WTDC Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving – Closed November 26 & 27 Christmas – Closed December 25 New Year’s – Closed January 1
 
CDC ends No Sail Order
On October 30th, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order and did not extend the No Sail Order that has sidelined cruise ships since March 2020. While this order does translate to an instant return to cruising, it does set up the phased parameters for sailings that are safe for passengers and crew with significant emphasis on public health and safety.
CDC: Cruise Ship Guidance
 
WTDC in the Halloween Spirit
On Friday, October 30, WTDC employees and tenants participated in our annual Halloween festivities by dressing up as “Pandemic Heroes” and decorating office doors.
 
Mark your calendars – WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua joins logistics panel
We welcome you to join WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua on Thursday, November 12, at 11 a.m. for a logistics town hall meeting. See below from the organizers: As part of CAMACOL’s International Trade outreach efforts, CAMACOL Doral and the City of Doral will host a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, November 12, 11 a.m.-12 noon. Our topic will be “International Trade & Logistics After COVID”. Doral is the heart of Miami Dade County’s International Trade Sector and home to about approximately 4000 International Trade related companies. We believe it’s important to provide insights the state of this sector including new and innovative business models that have been created as a result of the pandemic.” WTDC will share the login link on its social media channels when available. You can email us here for a reminder.
Meet CAMACOL Doral