Key Contact Name: Ruwan Premathilaka Neon Freight, a Coop member in Manchester, successfully handled the shipment of a life-sized model of T-Rex dinosaur from Germany to China. This model was first shipped from Germany to Everything Dinosaur in Marthall, Cheshire and was later transported to the Peking Natural Science Organisation (PNSO) in Beijing, China.
This was a Herculean task Neon Freight accomplished with aplomb, since the model was quite valuable and huge. They had to arrange for 40ft container for the sea freight to China.
Neon Freight is a 5 year old, privately owned logistics company in Cheshire. Ian Mallon who owns the company,has over 20 years of logistics and freight forwarding experiences . He has also been a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University on International Trade and Logistics.
Regarding the dinosaur model transport, he said, “It’s an honour to be trusted with this unique, bespoke life-sized model worth tens of thousands of dollars. It’s so enormous; we’ve had to arrange a 40ft container to sea freight the T-Rex to China.” He continues, “I first met Mike from Everything Dinosaur at the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, and things have developed from there. We pride ourselves on great relationships with our customers. We are a small but efficient team, and our expertise helps our clients manage a range of goods from potato cleaners to hazardous chemicals for water treatment all over the world and now we even transport dinosaurs!”
Mike Walley, the owner of Everything Dinosaur, is quite happy with the whole project and stated, “This is a fantastic opportunity on many levels. We are privileged to be trusted by the PNSO and hope to bring more dinosaurs to Cheshire from their range of models.” Speaking about Neon Freight, Mike added, “Working with Neon Freight has been a great experience. Ian and his team have delivered an exceptional job, and we know we are safe in their hands with our extremely valued T-Rex. We hope this is the beginning of a long-term business partnership”.;
We applaud Neon Freight for their great achievement!
For shipments from/to Manchester, do not hesitate to contact them. They are looking forward to any new challenges that lay ahead!
Ian Mallon
ian.mallon@neonfreight.co.uk
www.neonfreight.co.uk
Key Contact Name: Michele Bonicalzi 
Key Contact Name: Mr. Heberth Marques“The main challenge facing the freight forwarders industry is the transparency” Eduard Van Put, the Managing Director of Steinacher Logistics, a COOP member in Antwerp.
Steinacher Logistics is an AEO certified company which started its operations back in 1972. One of the most competent international forwarding agents of our time, Steinacher Logistics deals in all sorts of multimodal transport focussing on maritime transportation. Since 1992 they are acting as a financial representative in EU and September 2007 onwards they have been a member of the worldwide logistics network.
A.I started as a young lad in the industry, 45 years ago in 1972. After a few years, I caught the logistics bug. The numerous worldwide contacts, destinations and origins I came to know taught me that the world is more than the street I lived on. Becoming immersed in the world of logistics, I came to understand the long and complex journey a product travels on, from mold to sold – from manufacture to being gift wrapped.
Q. Can you tell us a little of the history of STEINACHER LOGISTICS?
A.The company was originally founded in 1884, however In 1979 it was taken over by an Antwerp family well known in the city’s port. In 2007 the company was relaunched as STEINACHER LOGISTICS to develop the logistics side of the company.
Q. What distinguishes STEINACHER LOGISTICS from other freight forwarders in your city?
A. We know all the cliché lines, but to quote our slogan, “a team that makes the difference”. Agents really do appreciate our special service. The team’s professionalism and efficiency is served with a friendly flavor, concern for customers needs and a positive attitude. It’s a team that I am very proud to be part of but, of course, I cannot reveal the secret formula of makes it all work!
Q. What are the main challenges facing freight forwarders in your country at the moment?
A. Transparency. An advantage on one hand, but also a disadvantage when misused. The ruthless competition of carriers and logistic providers, increasing traffic and related congestion, strikes and hijacking of not only the man on the street but also the economy, to obtain rights whilst forgetting duties. Rapidly changing laws and directives that urges us to keep pace with, and to inform, our customers before our competitors do. I realize these issues are not exclusive to our country.
Q. How is the freight forwarders industry dealing with these challenges?
A. Our professional association advises us in advance of any changes, new regulations, and challenges in near future.
Q. How is STEINACHER LOGISTICS dealing with these challenges daily?
A. Keeping our customers well-informed. Forging partnerships with carriers, and even competitors. Creating opportunities and offering intelligent solutions. Not merely acting as a supplier but as an accountable partner.
Q. How did you hear about The Cooperative Logistics Network?
A. At the end of 2014 I learnt from Thomas Manigk, CEO of Kopf & Lübben, that his company was joining The COOP. Knowing Thomas’ standards, I became curious. As the answers to my scrutinizing questions were answered satisfactorily, we then joined as a founding member, and here we are still, in 2017.
Q. What attracted you most about The Cooperative Logistics Network?
A. Clear cut information, no nonsense approach, user-friendly website, professionally organized Annual Meeting and follow up, crystal clear conditions, and an uncomplicated Payment Protection Programme
Q. What would be the most significant shipment your team has handled?
A.Over the last 38 years, we’ve handled O.O.G. and heavyweight machinery and projects, such as 60 M.T. of chocolate by air to Australia at short notice for Christmas, 124 T.E.U.’s to the United Arab Emirates just before New Year, as well as an airfreight shipment of an engine, a so-called A.O.G. However, one of the most challenging activities is the logistics we coordinate is for antiques and fine arts customers and exhibitions worldwide, which requires extra special care.
Q. What were the challenges with this shipment and how did your team overcome them?
A. The big challenge is usually meeting deadlines without delay. Complicated custom formalities, inspections, licenses on both sides of the ocean, delays of vessel or flights, and so on can be tricky. On one occasion, a big airfreight shipment booked ahead of time was held back by a carrier to give priority to a shipment of horses, as it generated a higher income. It goes without saying that our logistic partner needed to run faster than the horses to make it work! and in the end they did.
Q. Where do you see STEINACHER LOGISTICS N.V. in 10 years?
A. Branding and continuously upgrading our qualified service in a volatile and challenging world that is constantly evolving, and sharing a toast with all the stakeholders, of a cocktail made up of our core values.
We invite members with shipments from/to Antwerp to get in touch with the team.
Key Contact Name: Marilou Caballas This week, COOP Jeddah has launched its newly redesigned website
COOP Jeddah – Wasil Jabir Freight Forwarding’s new website is now up and running. The team have remodelled the site in order to offer a more interactive experience to both clients and partners, with daily updates and information.
As part of the site, Wasil Jabir Freight Forwarding has introduced new sections and a number of tools for both their partners and customers to use. One of its most notable additions is their FAQ’s page – where they post one new question every day, along with its answer. Additionally, visitors will be able to ask them any query that has not already been published on the site.
Key Contact Name: James Grime
We are delighted to announce that The 4th Cooperative Annual Meeting will be held at The Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur from 10th to 12th March 2018.
The COOP’s 4th Annual Meeting will see the coming together of a well-established network of agents who understand that mutual cooperation is the key to their success. More than 180 freight forwarders from around the world will meet face to face in Malaysia to make contacts and explore business opportunities at the event.
Each agent will be able to book 32 one-to-one meetings for the 2 days. In addition to these meetings, there will be a welcome cocktail party, cultural dinner and opportunities in between to meet, discuss, and do business throughout the event
The Annual Meeting is one of the most important keys for freight forwarders to compete with the largest multinationals. It is the way in which COOP members come together in one place at one time, reducing expense and time spent away from the office.
The 4th Cooperative Annual Conference is not to be missed! This event is great opportunity for all COOP members to build stronger business relationships with each other, discuss industrial trends, and of course, celebrate our network’s success.
Registration for the 4th Annual Meeting opened today, so all agents are invited to sign up here.
“We anticipate all of the small and large challenges that we could come up against in our industry and have a plan for each eventuality”Q. When and how did you get into the freight forwarding industry?
A. I actually started out at a trading company in Korea before making the career change into freight forwarding in 1999.
Q. Can you tell us a little of the history of Shine Logistics?
A. My co-worker and I decided to establish SHINE in 2004, wanting to create something that was different from other competitors, by listening to customers to shape our business plan. We believe honestly is the best policy, and have an excellent relationship with our clients to this day.
Q. What distinguishes Shine Logistics from other freight forwarders in your city?
A. We personalise every aspect of the service for our client. We understand that freight forwarding isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ business. This is a big difference from most freight forwarding companies who standardize their services. Our approach has proven popular so far, with many return customers.
Q. What are the main challenges facing freight forwarders in Korea now?
A. Last year, Hanjin’s Shipping collapsed suddenly. Things like that are a shock, but they happen. Many of the big shipping lines are starting to merge with each as a result, which can either be a good thing or a bad thing for us. So for now, if this means forming closer ties with similar companies, then that is something we will be prepared to do.
Q. How is the freight forwarding industry tackling these challenges?
A. Preparation! You have to expected the unexpected. An important part of this is having a close relationship with shipping partners.
Q. How is Shine Logistics dealing with these challenges daily?
A. We have a strong team. Even staff who are not on the front line of the logistics side of things learn all the in’s and out’s of the business so they can deal with all challenges, and provide quality customer service.
A. Most shipping lines don’t like taking steel because it weighs so much. As I said, this where a strong relationship with shipping lines make the difference, and we have built a solid group of partners over time.
Q. What would be the most significant shipment your team has handled?
Eduard Van Put
Mohamad Fahad