FedEx Express COO welcomes US-Japan Trans-Pacific Partnership agreements

Michael Ducker, Chief Operating Officer of American courier company FedEx Express, released a statement this morning welcoming the conclusion of bilateral TPP negotiations between the US and Japan.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreements are a US-led initiative aiming to promote free trade amongst nations of the Americas and Asia-Pacific.

Following over a year of difficult negotiations over issues such as US access to Japanese insurance and automobile markets, agreement between the two nations about the terms of Japan's entry into the trade talks were reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday 12th April.

The FedEx leader commented, "As the third-largest economy in the world, and the United States’ fourth-largest trading partner, Japan’s entry into the TPP would add significant economic importance to these negotiations.  Removing barriers to trade with Japan will help the U.S. economy and create new business opportunities for our customers."  

Ducker was pleased to note that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) had indicated express delivery as one of its priority sectors. "We look forward to working with USTR to ensure equivalent conditions of competition for our business,” he said.

Sources: FedEx, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times

FedEx expands its Latin American Network

FedEx Trade Networks, the freight forwarding division of global courier and worldwide shipping company FedEx Corp, announced expansion of its infrastructure in Latin America yesterday afternoon. 

The company has opened new offices in Brazil and Mexico and made strategic alliances with regional service providers to enable service delivery across 19 countries in South and Central America.

Fred Schardt, president and CEO of FedEx Trade Networks said, “Trade volumes continue to increase in Latin America, and our expansion efforts provide customers with greater access to superior freight forwarding in these emerging markets.”

The company includes the addition of a new service in its list of infrastructure expansions: an air consolidation service between Mexico and Brazil is now available, flying between Benito Juárez International Aiport in Mexico City and São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city and commercial centre.

FedEx’s announcement comes shortly after DHL announced the significant expansion of its Asian network, and TNT Express declared its intention to  divest from China and Brazil to focus on European markets, indicating a time of rapid development and change for the freight forwarding and worldwide courier industries.

Source: FedEx

Send a parcel to Brazil or Mexico with Transglobal Express

TNT Express announce divestment from China and Brazil following vetoed UPS merger

TNT Express unveiled its updated strategy and profit improvement plan on 25th March. The failed merger with UPS following an EC veto saw falls in the Dutch courier company’s share price and companies had been awaiting its renewed strategy as a standalone company.

Image c/o TNT Express

 

The new plan entails divestment from China and Brazil and a focus on the company’s European network. In addition, 4,000 jobs will be lost by 2015 in a bid to create a leaner management structure, saving €220 million in operational costs.

While TNT have a very strong European network and hold 17% of the internal European Express Market, Martin Bakker of ABN Amro has stated that, “in China they are just a drop in the ocean, they lack the size and position to defend themselves…It’s better for them to say goodbye to China.”

TNT state that “the sales process for domestic China is well underway and the outcome should be known imminently”. Preparations for the sale of Brazil Domestic are also under way.

Interim CEO Bernard Bot commented: “our business faces difficult market conditions and strategic challenges but we have a unique competitive proposition: an unrivalled European network, worldwide connections, an integrated range of service and recognised dedication to our customers.”

Source: TNT

DHL Express Panama receives grade A security certification

The DHL Express hub in Panama recently became the 200^th facility in the world to get ‘A’-security-verified by TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association).

Image c/o DHL

Since 1997 TAPA’s leading security professionals from the high value and risk product sector worked on streamlining security guidelines which address handling processes and procedures as well as warehousing and transportation standards. 

“Currently, every one of our major global Hubs ad Gateways are all TAPA ‘A’ certified. In addition to our Panama Hub, we recently achieve certification of our new North Asia Hub at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China", announced Adrian Whelan, Senior Vice President an Head of Global Customs at Security at DHL Express at a recent press conference.

20 DHL Express facilities in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and other Americas countries have been TAPA-certified since 2010.

“The TAPA FSR is considered the benchmark security standard that is recognized around the globe. DHL’s multiple FSR certifications, across a variety of markets, highlight their strong global commitment to supply chain security”, said David Wit, Chair at TAPA Americas.

Source: DHL