FedEx to take over Brazilian freight forwarder Rapidão Cometa

FedEx recently announced new expansion plans for the Brazilian market. In an effort to secure its position in the South American logistics industry and increase its profitable growth, FedEx is going to acquire the freight forwarder, Rapidão Cometa Logistica e Transportes, S.A. 

Having been founded about 70 years ago Rapidão Cometa is considered to be one of the largest freight forwarding

and logistics solutions providers in Brazil today. The company has 17,000 clients, 9,000 team members and handles approximately 12,000 parcel deliveries per year. 

With the help of Rapidão Cometa, FedEx hopes to expand its service portfolio in Brazil as well as to offer all of its international freight and courier services to its latest addition as soon as the purchase was complete.

“Brazil is a market with tremendous growth potential – both in the overall economy, as well as in the logistics sector. The acquisition of Rapidão Cometa – one of the largest logistics solutions providers in Brazil – is in line with our long-term strategy to grow our Latin American business and better service our customers seeking to enter or expand their businesses in the Brazilian market”, stated Juan N. Cento, president of FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean.

Both companies have been doing business together since 2011. The acquisition of Rapidão Cometa will enable FedEx to offer a more extensive service range including air express & freight, domestic ground and supply chain services. 

The transaction is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year. 

Source: FedEx

DHL Global Forwarding appoints new management staff for Asia Pacific

The Asia-Pacific operating division of DHL Global Forwarding is going to extend its management team by taking on board Lawrence Lee as their new Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Head of Marketing and Sales, Tim Martin.

Lawrence Lee - IT

With a multitude of experiences across the IT sector, Lawrence Lee left his previous position at Walmart Global Sourcing to enter a new role at DHL Global Forwarding. Lee, who maintains an impressive track record of leading IT teams through transformation processes, is going to be responsible for the implementation of DHL’s new IT agenda, having customer-focussed services and cost efficiency at its core.

Tim Martin - Marketing & Sales

Tim Martin, former Vice President of Sales Strategy and Development at DHL Express in Bonn, Germany will be in charge of all sales activity management across 18 international destinations. With 20 years of experience international freight forwarding and courier services as well as having worked across the globe, Martin is widely considered to be an expert in the field of international sales management.   

Both will join the Asia Pacific board and work as part of the DHL Global Forwarding Asia-Pacific operating division.  

Sources: Analytica, Logisticsweek (images)

Leipzig/Halle airport makes air cargo history

The German Leipzig/Halle International airport has yet another success to add to its list. During the first few months of this year, the Saxony-based airport handled a total of 272,867 tonnes of air cargo; 13.7 percent more compared to 2011.

AeroLogic - the German air cargo carrier

After Frankfurt airport, Leipzig/Halle is the second busiest air freight centre in Germany and home to Germany’s first central German cargo carrier, AeroLogic. In 2009, DHL and Lufthansa Cargo joined forces to create this globally operating air cargo carrier. The fleet is composed of eight Boeing 7777 freighters delivering freight to 20 destinations in Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East.

An air freight centre for Eastern Europe & Asia

Whilst other cargo airports had to decrease their volumes as a result of the recession, Leipzig / Halle continued to grow steadily and established itself as one of Europe’s most important logistics centres handling particularly large volumes of air freight for Eastern Europe and Asia.

“The positive development in the air cargo sector gives rise to optimism and impressively shows the capabilities and opportunities which due to unrestricted night-time cargo operation Leipzig / Halle offers its customers and DHL in particular”, said Markus Kopp, CEO at operator Mitteldeutsche Airport Holding. 

Kopp also emphasised the meaning of Leipzig/Halle airport’s well-connected motorway and railway system without whom the transport of large capacities of freight would not be possible. In 2011, the airport made history. It celebrated its seventh successful year of handling an approximate 760,737 tonnes of cargo.

Have you considered sending freight to Germany, Eastern Europe or Asia? Visit TransglobalExpress.co.uk and get a free, no-obligation quote.

Sources: ACW, Leipzig/Halle Airport, AeroLogic Transglobal Express

UPS delivery times changed for early morning courier services in USA

Thousands of U.S. businesses can now benefit from a change in UPS delivery times. According to the courier services provider, 8am deliveries would now be available to more ZIP codes than ever before. In addition to that, a further number of ZIP codes has been added for regular UPS services delivering consignments by 10.30am. 

Already 2,600 early AM and Next Day Air Zip codes are affected by the UPS delivery times expansion. UPS also promised 80 percent of all businesses in the USA to receive their parcels by 8am.

Alan Gershenhorn, chief sales and marketing officer at UPS, said that “(…) earlier deliveries can be the customer experience difference, and they provide all companies a real competitive advantage. Business know they can depend on UPS for fast and reliable service.”

If you consider sending parcels to the USA and would like to take advantage of UPS quick and renowned parcel services, visit TransglobalPremium.co.uk.

Sources: UPS / Transglobal Express

FedEx Express proposes plans for North Pacific Regional Hub in Japan

Come 2014, Japanese customers will be able to send parcels to the USA via FedEx’ latest facility at Kansai International Airport in Osaka. The FedEx North Pacific (NPAC) Regional Hub will act as a consolidation point for shipments to America. 

 

More flexibility, better operational facilities

The FedEx NPAC Regional Hub is going to combine customs clearance with ramp, sort and transhipment operational facilities. Due to the fact of having 24-hour operations and the huge range of services offered, FedEx hope that this new facility is going to operate with a high level of flexibility in order to meet the needs of its Asian customer base. 

David L. Cunningham, Jr., president, Asia Pacific FedEx, stated that “Asia is said to be the powerhouse of the world economy, and its trade volume is expected to reach US $14 trillion by 2015. With the establishment of the FedEx NPAC Regional Hub, we will be able to provide a superior level of service to our customers within and outside of the APAC region.”

 

Conquering the Asian market

As an expert in global express transportation of shipments, FedEx have had great success in the North / South American and European markets in the past. Now the transportation company tries to manifest its position as a key player in the Asian logistics market.

Shinichi Fukushima, president of Kansai International Airport Co. Ltd, has no doubts about the project’s success potential. 

“I know that the NPAC Regional Hub will have a major impact on global shipping, and we are prepared to fully support FedEx via our 24-hour operations and by offering plenty of space for further development. We look forward to growing into a facility that can truly meet the needs of customers from around the world and contribute to their business”, said Fukushima. 

The expected opening date of the FedEx NPAC Regional Hub is set for spring 2014. 

Source: FedEx

IMT facility to replace 1.2 million trucks with sea freight services

Soon Australia will be able to pride itself with, yet, another great sea freight facility, the Morebank Intermodal Terminal (IMT). In 2017 the IMT is said to receive its first ocean freight shipments.

Not only is the new facility going to cope with approximately 1 million containers per annum, but it also going to incorporate environmental safety and sustainability in its operations. Once up and running the IMT sea freight terminal is supposed to replace 1.2 million trucks.

Those trucks usually transport freight on Sydney’s roads. However, they are going to be replaced with the IMT’s new freight forwarding and connected rail services. In fact, last mentioned will transport the goods directly to the terminal.

By the end of 2014, the School of Military Engineering (SME) will be located to a new facility near Holsworthy Barracks in order to make room for the Morebank Intermodal Terminal.

Any interested freight forwarders, logistics groups or construction companies are invited to join the next IMT meeting on 21^st May. (For further information, please contact Rebecca Drescher-Boulos – rdrescherkpmg.com.au.)

Source: handyshippingguide.com / finance.gov.au

DPD offer special courier service to Russian online shoppers

From now every distant-selling company will be able to ship its parcels from Russia via DPD courier services.

As a response to the rapidly growing eCommerce sector, DPD decided to update its “DPD Consumer” industry solution which can be used in over 3000 Russian towns and cities. 2600 out of these 3000 cities have the option to pay cash on delivery.

By offering this updated parcel service solution, DPD hope to encourage more users of online stores to use their services as well as to provide them with sufficient delivery information.

Leonid Zondberg, Commercial Director of DPD Russia, said that “[DPD was] aware that the logistics component is a key factor of success for an online store".

According to recent stats, an estimated 70 percent of residents living in major cities use online stores up to four times a month.

If you intend to send parcels to Russia and would like to take advantage of highly discounted rates with DPD and other major courier company, please visit TransglobalExpress.co.uk.

Source: DPD / Transglobal Express

Go-ahead given for O’Hare International Airport Northeast Cargo Centre

Chicago is currently experiencing a wave of economical changes. The city just reached an agreement with Aeroterm LLC who will help with the construction of a new air cargo centre aka the Chicago O’Hare International Airport Northeast Cargo Centre.

Image c/o healthyinchicago.wordpress.com

Aeroterm are going to invest $130 million and are therefore funding over 50 per cent of the project. Another $62 million are going to be taken out of Airport funds, bringing the total cost of the new air cargo centre to $200 million. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said that

“O’Hare is one of [Chicago’s] key economic engines and this project will vastly increase O’Hare’s cargo operations capacity, create thousands of quality jobs for Chicagoans, and increase Chicago’s competitive position as a global transportation and cargo leader.”

In fact, the city’s new air cargo facility is supposed to create 1,200 construction jobs and the same amount of permanent on-side cargo employment opportunities. Beyond that, the plan is also to employ 10,000 regional workers.

The construction of O’Hare International Airport Northeast Cargo Centre will be divided into three phrases and spread across 65 acres of undeveloped property. All hopes of Chicago’s future economical growth via air cargo rest on this gigantic project.

Chicago is already the number one gateway for air freight and particularly imports from China, capturing a market share of 25 per cent.

Source: Office of the Major (City of Chicago)

New air freight route to Chongqing, China

Two new routes have just launched for air freight going to China’s Jianbai International Airport in Chongqing.

According to RWFrieght.co.uk, there will be one weekly flight departing from Luxembourg via Doha and Sharjah and another one leaving Tbillsi via Baku and Singapore.

Over the last few months, Chongqing has gained a great reputation for economic and social growth making it a highly important business centre in the South West of China.

Source: rwfreight.co.uk

FedEx Express takes over French express transportation company TATEX

Last week, the international courier, FedEx Express confirmed that it will acquire the French express transportation company, TATEX. FedEx Express had announced initial plans back in April.

Six days ago, the following statement by Fredrick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corp., was published:

“The TATEX business complements FedEx existing operations in the French market, and will enable the company to provide additional local services in one of Europe’s largest geographies, to its customers around the world.”

Over the last 38 years, TATEX was able to form a nationwide network consisting of a hub at Lieusaint near Paris delivering parcel to 35 shipping centres all over France.

Following the purchase of the Polish courier company, Opek Sp.z.o.o., FedEx Express hopes that this acquisition will contribute to the its organic growth and benefit future expansion plans for the European market.

Source: FedEx

UPS to finance TNT acquisition mainly through cash

Today, UPS announced plans to finance the TNT acquisition by using EUR 3.7 billion cash and EUR 1.46 billion in debt credit facilities.

The offer to buy TNT N.V. shares for EUR 9.50 per ordinary share had originally been agreed on 19th March 2012 by both international courier services. UPS is expected to submit its “offer memorandum” to the Netherlands Authority for the Financial markets this afternoon.

Details about the offer will be published some time during the second quarter.

Source: UPS

DHL transports 1.9 billion shipments via carbon neutral services

• Deutsche Post DHL’s carbon neutral service GoGreen has grown by 1.9 billion shipments, offsetting 270,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Following yesterday’s presentation of DHL’s Corporate Responsibility Report 2011, the world’s leading parcel delivery company confirmed plans to improve its CO2 efficiency amongst all DHL parcel services and its partners by another 30 percent until 2020.

Last year Deutsche Post DHL transported approximately 1.86 billion shipments via “green” parcel services including letters, packages and express parcels. Frank Appel, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Post DHL confirmed: 

“One of our central tasks as a globally operating, stock-market-listed company’s environmental balance between economic success on the one hand and social objectives on the other hand.”

Indeed, the express courier deployed its own employees in order to help with the recovery of countries affected by natural disasters such as New Zealand and El Salvator. A further 60,000 employees from 120 countries participated in the “Global Volunteer Day” last September dedicating their time to social and environmental initiatives. 

Source: Deutsche Post DHL