What to expect and what not to expect from a network of freight forwarders

The true expectations and above all the goodwill to cooperate and make use of tools and opportunities are the key factors to making the most of being a member of a global network of forwarders.

Independent forwarder networks have shown that they are able to help their members to compete with the big companies of the sector, to generate business chances and to reduce costs. However, if your company is still deciding upon taking this step, what to expect and what not to expect from this type of organisation should be very clear to you.

Are global independent freight forwarder networks the “magical” solution to all the problems of the small and medium sized companies of the sector? Unfortunately no: what is certain is that they are instruments that can turn out to be very useful. But, as happens with any tool, it is necessary to know how to use them correctly and make the most of the possibilities that belonging to a platform of this type offers for giving a new impulse to your business. It is also a must to have realistic expectations on the benefits that they give.

In this sense, at Pangea Logistics Network we have always opted on offering transparent information to future members on what to expect and what not to expect should they decide to join our global network of independent freight forwarders. And we certainly make very clear the level of compromise and participation that we request from each member in exchange.

Therefore, what you can expect should you join our organisation is:

• More customers: the tools and prestige of forming part of a leader network make it easier to attract customers and we also redirect accounts from your area to you.
• Global coverage: thanks to the cooperation with independent forwarders all over the world, you will be able to offer your customers a door to door service to any destination.
• Collaboration with quality agents: we carry out a strict selection process to verify that all members fulfil requisites and take care of a limited exclusivity.
• Services of interest for your business: for example e-Bank, a tool that allows the sending and receiving of international payments in 40 currencies without commissions.
• Technological platform: in the same way, we count on an advanced application for the follow up and control in true time of all shipments made within the network.
• Professional marketing: we invest numerous resources to promote our network on Internet and attract business opportunities that we later assign to members.

As you can see, these are very interesting benefits for any small or medium independent forwarder. But logically, all these advantages have some very reasonable counterparts that it is better to know of beforehand. Consequently, it is better to know right from the start what not to expect from a global network such as ours:

• To receive without giving anything in exchange: a net work works by means of reciprocity. If you collaborate with other agents to attract business, you will have access to more opportunities.
• To obtain short term benefits: from our experience, it is necessary to participate in the network at least two years for potential benefits to materialise.
• To enjoy the advantages for free: belonging to a global network such as Pangea Logistics Networks requires the paying of an attainable annual quota and a certain dedication.
• To be accepted without conditions: all the members of our network firstly have to surpass a selection process to assure that they fulfil the requisites demanded.
• To ignore your business: the responsibility of directing and making your Company grow will continue to be exclusively yours; our network only offers you the support to do so.

In conclusion, a global network of independent freight forwarders such as Pangea Logistics Network operates by means of the classic principle of “Gain-Gain”: if you involve yourself as a member, if you participate at the Annual Assemblies, if you collaborate with other members, if you use the tools that we provide and if you make the most of the opportunities that our implantation in all the world allows, you will result with benefits and will see your business flourish. But if you are not willing to do any of this, then you will soon discover that a global network of forwarders is not made for you.