PACCELERATING MIDDLE EASTERN FREIGHT
With a vast operational expanse across the Middle East and an enviable client portfolio comprising the world’s most illustrious brands, Steven van der Vliet, Group Commercial Director, tells us how Emirates Logistics is at the forefront of the region’s supply chain
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Ryan Gray
ioneering a broad range of air and ocean, supply chain solutions, and road products across an international network, Emirates Logistics sets the tone for the Middle Eastern supply chain.
As Group Commercial Director, Steven van der Vliet’s successful leadership can be attributed to his expansive and varied career across the international logistics landscape.
He first entered the industry working for renowned global logistics provider, DSV, in the sales department in Maastricht, the town where van der Vliet grew up in the Netherlands.
Daring ambition soon saw him climb the ranks of the company, eventually becoming a Trade Lane Manager for DSV in the air and sea freight forwarding department.
After three years of highly successful performance at the company, van der Vliet transferred to DSV’s Dubai base, where he oversaw numerous operations that included setting up trade lanes, air and sea freight activities, warehousing, and more for nearly four years.
Having made significant strides for DSV in the Middle East, van der Vliet took the opportunity to work for other port operator titans, including Gulftainer, DP World, and ASYAD as Group CCO.
“OUR CUSTOMERS’ SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS AS WELL, AND THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT”
– STEVEN VAN DER VLIET, GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, EMIRATES LOGISTICS
BUILDING A LONG-TERM PICTURE
Headquartered in Dubai with an additional five branches spread across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Logistics has grown to be a top three logistical player in the country.
Its renowned success is exemplified by the range of accounts it holds for some of the world’s biggest brands in the retail, electronics, furniture, and automotive verticals.
The key to the company’s success is to remain, what van der Vliet calls, “an asset-right business”, in which the company has a combination of light and heavy assets in its portfolio.
As a result, Emirates Logistics can maintain greater control of its assets and overcome industry challenges with ease, thus providing clients with peace of mind.
On top of building trust with clients, the company wishes to invest in customers and build a long-term picture with their needs at the forefront.
“We want to create extended projects with our customers over the next five to 10 years, demonstrating the benefits they can gain in the long run and creating sustainability in their operations,” affirms van der Vliet.
Indeed, the majority of Emirates Logistics’ client base has worked with the company for over a decade.
Many major multinationals have been keen customers for over 20 years, demonstrating the extent to which client relationships are built on transparency and trust whilst growing
into new territories.
“We try to distinguish ourselves on a partnership level as we need to remain competitive and streamlined,” notes van der Vliet.
As such, Emirates Logistics’ customer base spans far and wide across the globe. Indeed, alongside its primary operations in the Middle East and Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) member states, the company has also expanded further into Africa and Asia.
Alongside its ambitious growth targets, the company is additionally set apart by its focus on innovation, cutting-edge technology, and sustainably-driven warehouse and fleet operations.
EMIRATES LOGISTICS’ SERVICES – AT A GLANCE
More than just a warehouse provider, Emirates Logistics provides added services across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The company’s product groups include:
• Air and ocean
• Supply chain solutions
• Road
Navigating the Logistics Industry: How Newage Software and Solutions Empowers Freight Forwarders
Jonathan Phillips CEO, Newage Software and Solutions
The freight forwarding world can be a complex labyrinth, riddled with intricate regulations, dynamic routes, and ever-evolving customer demands. For over 17 years, Newage has been a guiding light for businesses navigating this challenging landscape. Their innovative software solutions empower freight forwarders to streamline operations, optimize processes, and make data-driven decisions that improve efficiency and profitability.
A Global Presence with Local Expertise
Newage, headquartered in Dubai, boasts a strategically distributed network of offices across India, the UK, and the USA. This global presence allows them to cater to the diverse needs of an international clientele. With over 500 passionate employees, each bringing a wealth of experience and industry knowledge, Newage ensures a deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by freight forwarders in different regions.
The success of this approach is reflected in their impressive figures. Their software has over 8,500 active users across 30+ countries streamlining the global supply chain by processing over two million shipments every year. They manage shipments valued at over $500 million annually through their digi-
tized BPO services. Their dedication to excellence is recognized by prestigious industry awards, including “Best Complete Solution Provider for Logistics” and “Customer Voice Award for Logistics”.
Introducing
The Future of Freight Forwarding is Here
Launched in July 2023, Newage’s revolutionary platform, NewageNXT, secured its first customer within a month and has grown to over 51 customers globally with 500+ active users, demonstrating the product’s quality, user-friendliness, seamless integration, efficiency, and suitability. This cutting-edge freight management solution is designed from the ground up by forwarders for forwarders to address the evolving needs in today’s dynamic logistics landscape. Built upon extensive user feedback, NewageNXT promises to streamline operations, empower informed decision-making, and propel sustainable growth for businesses.
A Feature-Rich Toolbox for Enhanced Efficiency
NewageNXT boasts a robust set of features designed to empower every aspect
of freight forwarding operations. Here’s a closer look at what makes this platform a game-changer:
• User-Centric Design Philosophy
NewageNXT prioritizes a user-friendly interface that simplifies processes for both freight forwarding staff and their customers. This intuitive design ensures a smooth user experience and eliminates the need for extensive training, allowing teams to become productive quickly.
• Comprehensive Financial Management
NewageNXT automates many manual tasks associated with financial processes, saving valuable time and resources. This built-in functionality also ensures accuracy and transparency in financial reporting.
• Seamless Integration is Key
Effortless data exchange is a cornerstone of NewageNXT. The platform’s APl-first architecture allows for smooth integration with internal teams, partner systems, and thirdparty applications. This eliminates data silos and ensures real-time information flow across the entire logistics ecosystem. From warehouse management systems to customs clearance platforms, NewageNXT fosters a truly connected environment.
• Scalable Solutions for All Sizes
NewageNXT understands that freight forwarding businesses come in all sizes, with diverse needs and budgets. Pre-built extensions ensure a perfect fit for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to established industry leaders. Companies can choose the functionalities they need and scale up as their business grows. There’s no need to invest in a bloated solution if your needs are more modest.
• Data-Driven Decision Making
NewageNXT goes beyond simple shipment tracking. It empowers data-driven decision-making with shipment updates, insightful dashboards, and advanced analytics. This allows freight forwarders to identify trends, optimize routes, and make strategic business decisions based on concrete data. They can gain valuable insights into profitability, identify areas for improvement, and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Modern Accessibility for a Mobile World
Gone are the days of bulky software installations tied to specific desktops. NewageNXT is a web-based platform that offers anytime, anywhere access. This ensures flexibility for remote teams and on-the-go operations. Additionally, NewageNXT’s payas-you-go pricing model eliminates upfront costs and scales business needs, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.
Collaboration is the Cornerstone of Success
Newage believes that collaboration is key to success in the freight forwarding industry. NewageNXT is a testament to this philosophy. The platform is built with extensive customer feedback in mind, ensuring that it addresses the real-world challenges faced by freight forwarders Newage fosters a collaborative community where users can share best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and stay informed about industry trends. This network of peers provides invaluable support and fosters continuous learning within the freight forwarding community.
Jonathan Phillips, CEO of Newage, emphasizes the company’s unwavering commitment to customer success:
“We understand the ever-evolving challenges faced by freight forwarders. In today’s dynamic logistics landscape. NewageNXT represents our unwavering commitment to providing innovative solutions that empower our clients to operate efficiently, adapt to change, and achieve sustainable growth. We are excited to partner with forwarders on their journey to success and
believe that NewageNXT can be the key to unlocking their full potential.”
Connect with Newage Today and Take Your Business Forward
Whether you’re a seasoned freight forwarding expert or a new entrant in the market, NewageNXT offers a comprehensive solution to streamline your operations, empower your team, and propel your business towards future success.
Contact Newage Today and Unlock Your Potential
Don’t navigate the complexities of freight forwarding alone. Contact Newage today to schedule a demo and learn how NewageNXT and digitized BPO services can transform your business. Their experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and tailor a solution that empowers you to achieve your business goals.
mktg@newage-global.com
SETTING SAIL FOR SUCCESS
Historically, Emirates Logistics’ mother company was formed in the 1960s with a vision to be a leading global maritime and logistics player.
“Emirates Logistics is now a flagship
EMIRATES LOGISTICS’ STAFF BENEFITS
- Limited outsourcing of employees
- On-site accommodation
- Fair working hours that align with European standards
- Celebrate employees’ birthdays, as well as a variety of religious and calendar celebrations, ranging from Hari Raya and Diwali to International Women’s Day
- Offers staff vouchers
company within the group and set to sail for even more expansion,” van der Vliet highlights.
As part of its ambitious expansion plans, the company recently opened a brand-new warehouse facility that has links to the mainland’s free trade zone (FTZ) and is currently constructing two additional distribution centres. As a result, Emirates Logistics will operate and manage 15+ warehouses in the FTZs.
On top of this, the company’s flagship warehouses are LEED Platinum-certified, one of the highest sustainability accreditations, and it is working towards eventually having all its warehouse facilities reach this milestone.
“We are one of the only LEED Platinum-certified third-party logistics (3PL) companies in the GCC. When it comes to solar panels and recycling water, for instance, or the welfare of our people, we take these things very seriously,” affirms van der Vliet.
“WE TRY TO DISTINGUISH OURSELVES ON A PARTNERSHIP LEVEL AS WE NEED TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND STREAMLINED”
– STEVEN VAN DER VLIET, GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, EMIRATES LOGISTICS
Elsewhere, Emirates Logistics is also breaking ground in adding regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and will undergo considerable warehouse expansion in several countries with the goal of establishing an excess of 500,000-square metre supply chain facilities in the future.
TRANSPARENCY AND INNOVATION
A
strong pillar of its upward trajectory,
Emirates Logistics works hard to foster open and candid relationships with its clients and vendors.
“We have relationships that go beyond being a customer or vendor. We try to be honest, open, and transparent with each other, and this opens many doors,” insights van der Vliet.
The company’s strong client relationships also allow it to think outside the box, cultivating innovations for its partners.
For instance, Emirates Logistics recently helped streamline several brands’ distribution activities to Morocco as it looked to expand into the country due to its logistically advantageous location.
“Our customers’ success is our success as well, and that has always been at the forefront,” impassions van der Vliet.
The same can also be said for Emirates Logistics’ partner network, which is integral to the company’s continued success.
This is certainly the case for Newage Software Solutions (Newage), who has created highly comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for the company’s operations and finance activities since the beginning of Emirates Logistics’ operations.
On top of this, Newage has also developed a state-of-the-art customer relationship management (CRM) tool that can be seamlessly integrated with the ERP system.
The ability to evolve and innovate in line with customers is a key priority for Emirates Logistics as it endeavours to find workable solutions.
“At the end of the day, we always challenge each other to meet their requirements.”
Going forwards, the company strives to conduct its vast plethora of freight forwarding activities across all regions it is present in.
“We provide air and ocean, supply chain, and road solutions, but we are
not yet doing all four activities in every country, so this is our goal,” van der Vliet concludes.
With the steadfast target to diversify its operational portfolio, Emirates Logistics is therefore set to leverage its current customer base and expand its footprint even further into new continents.
Tel: + 971 4 337 7177
info@emirateslogistics.com
www.emirateslogistics.com
