TNT Express plans to invest Dh570 million in the next five years to boost its services and revenues in the Asia and Middle East region.
As a first step the company has launched a range of freight services for time-sensitive heavy shipments in Asia. Three modified services – Express Freight, Economy Freight and Freight Plus – will offer customers a door-to-door delivery service based on specified transit times schedules, fast tracked customs clearance and full track and trace visibility.
The move is part of the company's investment strategy aimed at placing it in a leading position in the region. The launch is also the first in a series of initiatives to further expand TNT's network capabilities in Asia, leveraging on the seamless connectivity offered by its extensive road and air networks. These networks provide customers with the widest range of multimodal freight services between Southeast Asia and Europe, China and Europe and within Southeast Asia.
"With more than 18 years of experience in Asia we have built a freight service that is fast, reliable and cost effective," said Onno Boots, Regional Managing Director of TNT Southeast Asia. "Our new investment will help make the services better.
"Compared with traditional freight forwarding, our upfront all-inclusive pricing together with our limited administrative requirements provide customers with greater transparency and increased control over their time-sensitive export and import shipments."
Based on studies undertaken of regional market needs, TNT expects the take-up rate of these services to be high. The demand for its freight services is mainly driven by customers in the high-tech, equipment and machinery and healthcare sectors that are increasingly moving large volumes of high-value goods between Southeast Asia, China and Europe.
"Through its global customer base in these sectors, TNT has developed extensive sector knowledge which can now be leveraged in Southeast Asia," added Boots. "TNT's freight services are set to be a main business driver for the company over the next five years.
"With TNT's three new freight services customers can look forward to benefiting from an integrated, comprehensive global network without relying on third party organisations.
"TNT's expertise in managing all required paperwork and trans-border regulatory matters as a result of this means that customers also experience true door-to-door service."