Panalpina joins Cargo 2000

The globally cative Panalpina Group is joining Cargo 2000, the air freight interest group. Panalpina was an active member of the group - formed within the International Air Transport Association (IATA) - before withdrawing in February 2000. According to Panalpina COO Robert Frei, there are now a number of reasons to re-join.

The Cargo 2000 management has now defined a clear, process-oriented strategy and enforced a visible distinction between processes and transactions. In addition, transactions, i.e. functionalities, are now being evaluated by five providers in parallel, and each member of the group is free to determine the partner with which they wish to cooperate.

Furthermore, Frei emphasises, the processes defined as part of the Master Operating Plan (MOP) are to be certified upon request by auditors who have a vested interest in seeing the MOP implemented efficiently. "What's more, the opening of the group to additional members in March 2000 did not, as Panalpina had feared, lead to stagnation, because the entry criteria were set at a high level. We have full confidence in the management of Cargo 2000 and now believe that both parties have much to gain from Panalpina's re-entry into the group, "Frei asserts. "We will continue to contribute constructive criticism to Cargo 2000, while pursuing our objectives with selected partners within the proven Key Account and Business Partnership programs," he declared.

Equally delighted was Ron Cesana, Project Director of Cargo 2000. "Panalpina's decision reflects the progress being made by our airline and freight forwarding members and, most importantly, sends out a strong signal to shippers of the group's commitment to implement a mew quality management system for the air cargo industry."

Panalpina is cone of the world's leading providers of freight transportation and logistics services. Its main focus is on intercontinental airfreight and seafreight forwarding. Specializing in global integrated logistics, Panalpina delivers comprehensive supply chain management solutions to its customers. It provides tailormade door-to-door transportation management, based on tis existing world wide network and tis sophisticated IT systems. Panalpina employs over 11'000 highly trained professionals in 69 countries.