eCommerce and eLogistics: we need to move faster, says FIATA secretariat

The secretariat of FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, has urged quicker adoption of electronic innovation in the logistics industry in the March edition of the FIATA review, its first publication of the year.

According to FIATA, in our increasingly interconnected and globalised world, the way forward for the industry is via a global legal framework, outlining the necessity of implementing electronic processes across the board. The aim is to support the growth of the industry and respond to the increasing customer demand arising from explosion of e-commerce in developing economies such as Russia.

The most essential piece of legislation, says FIATA, is the Montreal Convention of 1999, which came into force in 2003 and is known as MC99. The convention permits the use of electronic records for air waybills, permitting the industry to move towards paperless processes.

The air freight sector has doubtless lagged behind other sectors in its adoption of new technologies and electronic processes. It's certainly the case that the use of electronic Air Waybills is not uniform across the industry, with some airlines, and sub-sectors lagging behind the rest. The theme of FIATA's publication is therefore the demystification of this, an exploration of why some countries may have been slower to adopt the new processes, and an investigation into some of the available examples of  good practice.

The need for a paper air waybill can seem inconvenient when everything from banking to keeping in touch with a loved one can be done online. Thankfully, when booking air freight through air freight forwarders such as Transglobal Express, you can enjoy fully-automated online booking and electronic production of all the documentation you'll need. You can find out more here.

The role of freight forwarders in international shipping

Freight forwarders oversee the transport of your goods, acting on your behalf to build you the best shipping solution. International freight forwarders typically specialise in a particular type of shipping such as sea freight, air freight or road transportation. Increasingly, however, companies are developing a variety of specialisms in order to meet a greater range of customer need and compete in a competitive market.

At Transglobal Express, we are the only major freight forwarder in the UK to combine air and sea freight expertise with an in depth knowledge of door-to-door courier services. This means we can build you a bespoke shipping solution, whatever your needs, and suited to your budget and time frame.

Air freight is typically an option for high-value and time-sensitive shipments, whereas sea freight can be a lot cheaper for bulky items, provided your supply chain can accommodate a longer shipping time. Basic air and sea freight services are airport to airport or port to port respectively, but we can also arrange collection from your warehouse and get spot rates for delivery from destination port to your final destination, building you an end to end shipping solution. 

Using a freight forwarder means you can take advantage of their contacts and shipping experience: booking with a forwarder almost always guarantees you lower costs than arranging deliveries yourself, since the agent's buying power assures them better prices, which they pass on to you. But it's not all about price, many freight forwarders, including Transglobal, offer support and assistance with creating your shipping documentation and  tracking your consignments and also provide packaging advice and services, such as a palletising service. 

Get started! Visit our website to get a quote for air freight, sea freight or a door-to-door courier service.

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DHL publishes latest research into fashion production and retail

A recent report into trends in fashion retail carried out by Lisa Harrington (President of the Iharrington group LLC),   in collaboration with German logistics firm DHL urges retailers to transform their supply chains in response to the increasing demands and greater sophistication of customers. 

The new report, entitled, “Fashion Unleashed: supply chain innovation is everything” was composed following interviews and roundtable discussions with global brands.  It relates how the big fashion retailers and manufacturers are rethinking their supply chain management in response to changing and unpredictable consumer buying behaviour. 

According to the report, changes enabled by the Internet and mobile communications have made volatility and complexity an industry norm, so speed, flexibility and responsiveness in the supply chain are imperative. 

Pressures currently facing fashion production and distribution include: fragmented sales channels, escalated service demands, shortened product lifecycles, ratcheted up cost and margin pressures, changing demographics, rapid growth in emerging markets, and the rise of the global middle class. 

The report outlines how the industry can meet the challenges represented by all of these changes, explaining how best to service markets around the world with a supply chain that is agile, flexible and efficient

Pharmaceutical industry undergoing supply chain transformation, says UPS survey

UPS's sixth annual "Pain in the (Supply) Chain" survey has revealed that the pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing significant change amid growing concern about product protection and security and the global regulatory environment.

The survey identifies trends in the pharmaceutical sector by gathering data about the practice and strategic plans of global healthcare executives. Of the 441 executives surveyed in North and South America, Asia and Western Europe, 84% will invest in new technologies over the next five years, 78% will enter new global markets and 70% will transform their supply chain by going direct to providers, retailers and even end-patients.

Product security was cited as a greater concern than cost management for the first time since the survey's inception in 2008 - increasing counterfeit sophistication and poor supply chain disability were the most common reasons for this.

Bill Hook, Vice President of global strategy at UPS Healthcare Logistics said, "healthcare companies are balancing a number of priorities related to capturing business growth opportunities in new markets, protecting increasingly sophisticated and high-value products and navigating a complex regulatory environment worldwide. As the industry shifts to meet new customer and market demands, executives are investing in transformative supply chain strategies and strategic partnerships that will help them achieve long-term business goals."

Analytiqa publish findings about expanding African logistics market

Aimed at professionals in the supply chain industry, Analytiqa's new report into African Logistics explores the opportunities for 3PLs  and freight forwarders looking to expand their networks into the continent.

The report provides detailed profiles of emerging market trends in eight countries, drawn from both North and Sub-Saharan Africa. The profiles include data on market size, growth rates and outsourcing rates per country, as well as forecasts for 2016. 

Analytiqa state they have composed the report in response to demand from industry professionals seeking unbiased, reliable and comprehensive data about the state of logistics markets on the continent. They have commented on the expanding African middle class, which is growing at a rate fast than that of India, as an indication of the business potential of the area.

Source: Analytiqa
You can send a parcel to South Africa, Nigeria or any other African country cheaply with Transglobal Express.

DHL secures £100m contract with Panasonic

DHL Supply Chain has scored a £100m contract with the British technology company, Panasonic. The global courier and supply chain company will be responsible for the management of all warehousing and transport activities.

"This is a significant solution that has been constructed in a very short timescale. Throughout, we have taken a truly collaborative approach to the project, working in partnership with Panasonic and adding value by exploiting our flexibility, global reach and focus on commercial innovation", said Paul Richardson, Managing Director of Specialist Services at DHL Supply Chain.

Increased transparency and new technology for Panasonic

Two of Panasonic's key goals are higher levels and decreased costs. Beyond that, the UK-based technology giant also aims at improving its service quality with the help of DHL. In order to optimise levels of transparency among Panasonic's transport networks, the current facilities will be turned into a technology campus. This will feature a plug and play IT solution as well as a Transport Control Tower.

"As our business evolves, it was necessary to bring in an innovative logistics specialist who understands the emerging needs of the technology sector. Our business needs the flexibility to adapt to the demands of current and new markets, addressing rapid product life cycles whilst consistently improving on our customer's experiences", explained Nigel Cowmeadow, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Panasonic Europe.

What's in it for DHL?

By utilising its global reach and industry knowledge to help with the optimisation of Panasonic's logistics operations, DHL hopes to replicate and expand its activities across all of Panasonic's European supply chain businesses.

Source: DHL

Primark-DHL logistics centre opens in Germany

Primark, one of the UK’s most successful high street retailers, has opened its first DHL logistics centre in Germany. 150 employees are going to work at the Mönchengladbach-based facility. DHL Supply Chain hopes to eventually increase this figure to 250.

“Operations at the new Primark-DHL logistics centre have taken off smoothly, and the facility’s strategically selected location has proven itself the perfect choice. (…) Our plans to increase the facility’s processing capabilities over time are goods news for the region in terms of new jobs and opportunities”, said Martin Seidenberg, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Germany & the Alps.

Located near the A61 in the Regiopark, the new Primark-DHL logistics centre is going to supply eight stores in Germany, two in Austria, two in the Netherlands and one in Belgium with clothes, accessories, homeware and other retail products.

According to Wolfgang Krogmann, Director General Primark Northern Europe: “Primark has been successful in its expansion strategy, with nearly 250 retail stores throughout Western Europe, from which 14 are directly supplied by Mönchengladbach. (…) We chose DHL as our logistics partner because it meets all of our needs. We are looking forward to watching our business grow in this location as well.”

The new 40,000 sq m facility is going to feature a hanging garment racking, a rail transport system as well as a warehouse from which garments can be custom-packed and dispatched. DHL Supply Chain to transport up to 16 million shipments a year through its European network.

Source: DHL

DHL opens First Energy Centre in Houston, Texas

The international courier services and logistics giant, DHL, has opened its very own Energy Center in Houston, Texas. It showcases oil and service companies as well as other companies from the oil industry.

“By launching the Energy Center, we are demonstrating our commitment to this sector. At the same time, we see this as a platform which will facilitate dialog with our customers, the discussion of future challenges and opportunities in the energy-related industry, and the requirements of the supply chain”, said Bill Meahl, Sector Chief Commercial Officer at DHL.

Amongst many innovations, the DHL Energy Center aims at catering for the development of customer-focussed solutions as well as at educating its customers about energy and innovation-related topics.

“With more than 300 companies active in the field of oil and gas in Houston, we are strategically based at one of the principle hotspots for energy business. We are therefore convinced that the Energy Center will provide a comprehensive picture of both proven solutions and innovative research for supply chains”, explained Steve Harley, Sector President Energy, DHL Customers Solutions & Innovation.

DHL currently employees 450 energy specialists as well as an Innovation team.The couier services company hopes to raise customers awareness of innovation topics by participating in live activities.

Image c/o DHL

Source: DHL

UPS urges for inclusion of Track and Trace Proposal

UPS, one of the global leaders in express parcel and logistics services, has called on the US government to provide a 50-state solution for the “Track and Trace Proposal” for the supply chain safety of medicines.

In a statement issued on 26^th July 2012, UPS said that part of the Track and Trace Proposal would be the introduction of a national system in order “to ensure safe passage of drugs and medical products across the U.S.”. According to the carrier, current regulations would not allow this.

The proposal is supported by the Pharmaceutical Distribution Security Alliance (PDSA) and has not been included in the final bill so far.

Source: UPS

Quickacy signs three-year contract with DHL Supply Chain

DHL Supply Chain has scored an agreement another high-profile European client. The successful Swedish pharmaceutical company, Quickacy (Swedish: Snabboteket AB), signed a three-year contract with the international supply chain solutions provider. 

 

DHL Supply Chain will responsible for the packing, distribution and warehousing of Quickacy’s pharamaceuticals which are highly temperature sensitive and will therefore be kept in special DHL Supply Chain facility in Örebro. 

The logistics company has assured that its team are trained in the GDP (Good Distribution Practice) rules and will comply with such. 

Source: DHL Supply Chain