Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/785757
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2017 VI Shipping & Logistics ARAMEX PJSC, the Dubai-based courier and logistics company, is considering minimising its operations in the UK and serving Europe through the Netherlands or France if Brexit agreements do not favour free trade flows. The company, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market, would maintain a small hub in the UK but move the bulk of its operations if the UK and European Union don't reach an agreement support- ing free commerce – crucial for the logistics business. "It depends on what kind of agreement the UK government is able to reach with the EU," Ara- mex Chief Executive Officer Hus- sein Hachem said in an interview. "The UK is a big economy. Irre- spective of what happens, we need to have a presence. It's too early to take a decision right now, but we're mobile. It's about customs. If that's been addressed, we will stick around. If it's a challenge, then we will minimise the UK hub and move somewhere else." International companies have started to consider shifting jobs and set up offices within the EU after UK Prime Minister Theresa May indicated she'll pull Britain out of the single market. Aramex has about 200 employees in the UK. The company is bullish on e-commerce, which still has low penetration in the Middle East, Hachem said. It expects to make "a series of acquisitions" in e-com- merce in Latin America in 2018 in response to customer demand, in what would be its first big step in that market since investing in a startup in Brazil two years ago. The company is considering acquisition targets in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, he said. "Lately there's a lot of political and economic reform happening in these countries," Hachem said. "It's something that we're watch- ing. We're getting our feet wet a bit in the Latin American markets." Aramex is seeking acquisition opportunities this year and is looking to Asia for potential deals, Hachem said. The company has sufficient cash and credit lines to fund its investments. Aramex expects positive results in the first and fourth quarters of 2017 but sees a slowdown in the second and third quarters as sum- mer holidays and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan mean weaker retail spending, Hachem said. The company's shares surged on Monday after it announced that its 2016 profit rose to 427 million dirhams, beating analyst estimates. What services does Express Lo- gigroup offer to customers? Express Logigroup offers a diverse portfolio of services which converge into a freight and logistics powerhouse. Our experience is coupled by our flexibility to meet every customer requirement be it a small sized package to the transport of large exhibition events and valuables. Our principles are based on trust, quality and economical value, which are being represented by a management team which brings decades of experience in the field of transport and logistics. Our distinguishable yellow colour, unique branding, brings fresh- ness to the dull screen of the local freight industry. What should a customer keep in mind when choosing the best freight option for their business? One has to be extremely careful when considering, assigning re- sponsibility onto a carrier/freight forwarder or operator, commonly referred as the freight forwarder. The most notorious situation is that the assigned party is inca- pable of delivering on the agreed terms. Using the right freight for- warder can save time, money and establish a more competitive base for the product being delivered. We suggest that whoever requires the assistance of freight forwarder, one must find one that suits the needs of that individual or organisation. The following are some questions, which would assist in completing this assess- ment. Does the freight forwarder: • have the appropriate network which services the location of pick-up or delivery? • have an experience in handling the type of product and ship- ment within the market place? • have experience with the type of carriers you require? • have favorable shipping rates and delivery schedules? • receive good recommendations from other users? • have a reputation for friendless, competence, efficiency reliabil- ity, cost – effective, trustwor- thiness and using fair business practices? Choosing the right freight company can be critical for any business in making it more efficient and competitive? How does using Express Logigroup consolidate this? Express Logigroup possess far- reaching knowledge in logistics for all market sectors including specialised branches such as the health, retail, automotive and the chemical industry. Our highest level of specialist competence comes from the years of experi- ence and from listening and adopting to our customer needs on one hand. On the other hand, our healthy growth also enriches our competition. We are reliable logistic experts, which consolidates and neutralizes every challenge. What are the plans of ELG to continue improve on the service currently offered in future? Our plans are ambitious and challenging! Our growth plan is coupled by primarily investing in our people. We believe in what the Maltese talent can provide and this is how we intend to bring the quality leap, which this industry has been long after. Concurrently we have continued with our overseas expansion. We are present all over EUROPE and now we're branching into the eastern market, thus provid- ing a wider network to cater for all of our customers' demands. Express Logigroup brings bright transport solutions with brighter colours ! Providing solutions for any freight requirement MaltaToday met Jonathan Vella, CEO of Express Logigroup, and asked him about the rise of the company to become the solution driver of choice for any type of freight requirement Brexit terms may push Aramex out of UK