SITL Dubai: Exhibitor profiles

FURTHER READING: 10 events that shaped the GCC’s logistics industry; 10 fantastic facts about the logistics industry

An estimated 80 companies, including the leading international and regional players, will exhibit at the inaugural SITL Dubai. Here, we profile the show plans of several key industry players.

Agility
Despite a downturn in the global economy, the Kuwait-based logistics company Agility has continued to develop its presence around the world, including its home market in the Middle East. As a result, SITL Dubai 2009 was deemed a perfect opportunity to highlight its achievements and allow senior representatives from the firm to network with colleagues from the logistics sector and discuss opportunities for the future.

“We would like to demonstrate our position as the leading logistics provider in the Middle East and highlight out regional and international capabilities,” explains Jessy Emil Saber, regional marketing manager of Agility. “Through this event, we are hoping to explore business opportunities and present ourselves as a trusted partner for new customers that want to expand in the region.”

DB Schenker
As a global player in the logistics industry, DB Schenker has developed a long-standing relationship with SITL from other parts of the world. As a result, the company was amongst the first to confirm its participation in the Dubai show, with plans to market its regional operations.

“Since this is the first time that SITL is being organised in the Middle East and the fact that DB Schenker’s regional office was established in 2007, it made sense to showcase our capabilities in this important market,” explains Sandeep Sahae, general manager of sales and marketing at Schenker LLC.

“We will focus on our core capabilities in ocean freight and airfreight, both globally and in the Middle East. In addition, this event will provide an opportunity to network with others in the industry and we are looking forward to meeting with present and future clients.”

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DP World
A prominent force in the Middle East logistics industry, DP World will be amongst the largest exhibitors at SITL Dubai 2009. “As the leading port and terminal operator in the region, we are glad to support a forum such as SITL Dubai,” comments Zahir Asger, marketing executive at DP World’s commercial department.

“This platform will bring shippers and supply chain managers together, offering an ideal opportunity to showcase our core and ancillary services. Additionally, we are keen to promote Jebel Ali as a hub and encourage shippers to take advantage of the project’s expanding infrastructure.”

Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza)
Jebel Ali Free Zone has benefited from a series of major investments in recent years, helping to boost its status as a regional superhub for warehouse operations. Over 6000 companies from 120 countries around the world have a base in the free zone, including international heavyweights such as Black & Decker, DaimlerChrysler and Xerox. In addition, the past year has witnessed a number of warehouse launches and openings from logistics companies such as Danzas, TNT, Swift Freight and Mohebi Logistics, mainly centred on a multi-billion dollar expansion in Jebel Ali’s south zone. To continue this momentum, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) is completing a number of projects in 2009, including the opening of a large warehouse and showroom complex in the South Zone and industrial and warehousing complex in the North Zone, which will both be promoted at SITL Dubai.

Mohebi Logistics
Despite an influx of international players in the Middle East logistics industry, the region has produced a growing number of ‘home grown’ success stories too. The likes of Aramex, Gulf Agency Company (GAC) and Agility have grown into industry heavyweights, competing with come of the biggest names around. Of course, it’s taken years for these logistics powerhouses to establish their brand names within the industry, posing a serious challenge for newcomers to match their impressive positions in the market.

However, it’s a challenge that Dubai’s well-respected Mohebi family has taken with full confidence, following its Dhs1 billion (US$272 million) investment to launch a third party logistics company in 2007. “We want Mohebi Logistics to become one of the region’s biggest supply chain companies and already have a solid track record with more than 70 multinational brands, including McDonald’s, Nestlé, Kimberly Clark, Danone, Compass and many others,” explains Mohammed Mohebi, founder and CEO of Mohebi Logistics.

“Moving forward, we have identified SITL Dubai 2009 as a platform to support our development ambitions for outside the Gulf region, especially since the event will attract a range of multinational visitors and exhibitors. Our team of experts will be available throughout the exhibition to meet with people and showcase our innovative approach to logistics and supply chain operations.”

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TNT Express
With a significant amount of money being invested to expand its Middle East operations, TNT Express is planning to showcase its latest developments at SITL Dubai 2009. In particular, the global powerhouse will place a spotlight on its local road network, which it claims is the most extensive in the Middle East, with the ability to link countries in the Gulf within three days or less.

“The importance of cost efficiencies in the supply chain has never been greater and through our road network model in the Middle East, we can provide a collection of reliable services that are cost-effective,” explains Mark Woodcock, sales and commercial director of TNT Express in the United Arab Emirates.

“One of the services that will be marketed at SITL Dubai 2009 is our Full Trailer Load (FTL) solution, which has the fastest transit times and express clearance in the market place. With extensive coverage in the Gulf, and now incorporating Jordan and Lebanon, this service can deliver savings of between 24-48 hours or more.”

Wared Logistics
A relative newcomer to the industry, Wared Logistics has commenced a marketing campaign to introduce its service portfolio in the Middle East. To support this initiative, the Saudi Arabia-based company is planning its SITL debut in Dubai this year, with CEO Brian McHale making a personal visit to the trade exhibition.

“We’re exhibiting at SITL Dubai 2009 to make both local and multi-national corporations aware of our capabilities and solutions,” he explains. “Wared Logistics is an expertise-based organisation with solid knowledge of the business practices and regulations in our geographies.”

For more details on SITL Dubai 2009, click here