On the back of
significant
growth in
volumes from
the Indian subcontinent,
South East Asia and China
– and with expectations
of further growth –
International Liner
Agencies (ILA) introduced
bi-weekly sailings from
several ports in the Far
East recently.
According to the
independent groupage
operator’s marketing
director, Raymond Cutts,
while the Eurozone
volumes have remained
constant the same cannot
be said for the Indian
subcontinent, Asia and
China.
“This is a trend we are
seeing throughout our
business. Year-on-year
growth in both imports
and exports can also be
attributed to the focused
development of all our
trade lanes.”
ILA recently expanded
its extensive base in Asia
and India by entering into
an exclusive partnership deal
with Vanguard Logistics
Services (VLS).
Cutts said while pricing
continued to play a significant
role, as margins remained
under pressure companies
had to work harder at
developing trade routes and
finding innovative ways to
meet the challenges in the
market.
“Trade route specialisation
is the key to identifying where
you can add value,” he told
FTW. “Being able to offer a
service is very different from
delivering one that adds value.
When you are able to make a
measurable difference to your
client's business is when you
are bringing innovation to
the table. That remains our
mission.”
He said ILA was
undergoing
some
significant
change due
to internal
growth.
“We have
restructured
the
management
team which
has seen
Kevin Taylor
appointed to
the board of directors in the
role of sales director.
Taylor previously served
as the Far East trade and
Johannesburg branch
manager for the company.
For the year ahead the
focus will be on new business
development, developing
and maintaining close
relationships with service
providers and sales, he said.
INSERT & CAPTION
Trade route
specialisation is the
key to identifying
where you can add
value.
– Raymond Cutts
