Member Interview Super Cargo Service Vietnam

IFN members are highly competent and professional, with a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to share.

With that in mind, we interviewed some of our members to ask for their views on the industry today, the benefits of networking, and their vision for the future. In December, we spoke to Ashlyn Doan, Agency Coordinator at Super Cargo Service in Vietnam.

> How did your company first start out in Freight Forwarding?

Super Cargo Service has been established for 14 years. When we first started, there were only 7 members on the team. Now, we have about 350 employees spread across Vietnam. 

Since the beginning, the SCS team has been focused on developing the freight forwarding segment. For now, we are Top 1 Local NVOCC export Vietnam to USA in 2021, with 07 offices nationwide and 21 fleets all over Vietnam with 6 below services:

Sea & Air Freight Forwarding
Inland Transportation
Break Bulk & Project Handling
Warehouse & Distribution
Cross Border Services from Vietnam to Cambodia, Laos & China
Customs Brokerage

We're proud of the progress we've made over the years and we're looking forward to continuing to grow in the future.

> Your thoughts on the logistics industry today and how things have changed over the last 2-3 years?

The industry has evolved a lot in the last few years. The first change we can not deny is that new technologies have made it easier for business owners to track their shipments easily. Shipping businesses can use this technology to cut down on their overhead costs and provide a better service to customers. It has been great for the growth of small and medium businesses.

Secondly, economies of scale have improved the efficiency of the industry and logistics has also become a lot more competitive. Today, logistics is a major contributor to the GDP of emerging markets. The annual growth rate of GDP has been fairly steady in major emerging economies. The growth rate of emerging markets is crucial for the logistics industry. The growth of emerging markets has accelerated the demand for logistics solutions. Increased demand for logistics solutions in emerging markets is also due to the increased spending power of consumers in emerging markets. The growth of emerging markets is one of the reasons for the emergence of logistics as a strategic industry. 

Another reason for the emergence of logistics as a strategic industry is the growth of e-commerce. With an increase in the demand for logistics solutions, there is also a need for logistics professionals. All the major logistics companies are facing a severe talent shortage. Young logistics professionals are entering the industry and are going to have a positive influence on the industry.

> What are the main challenges facing independent forwarders today?

Competing with the large line companies is the major obstacle an independent forwarder faces. Because of economies of scale, large line businesses can provide reduced prices to their customers. Independent forwarders must discover ways to stand out from the competition and provide value to their customers. Among the ways to achieve this is to offer excellent customer service. Independent forwarders should be able to establish rapport with their customers and offer a tailored degree of service. Offering a specialized service that the major line companies do not provide is another strategy for competing. Independent forwarders must be inventive and creative to succeed in the industry.

In addition, shippers are increasingly looking for more excellent value-added services, such as consolidation and cross-docking, which require a forwarder to handle more pieces of cargo and more different types of cargo. These kinds of services are typically more challenging and complex to provide, and they are often offered by a small number of forwarders that have invested in highly trained staff, fleet, and IT systems to handle them.

> Are there emerging markets or growing fields that independent forwarders can focus on?

Small firms seeking a novel approach to reduce shipping expenses are of interest to me. Large shipping companies are able to negotiate excellent rates with carriers and pass along lower delivery prices to their clients. However, a lot of small and medium-sized internet firms lack the purchasing ability to bargain for these prices. You'll put a lot of pressure on your rivals if you can provide small businesses shipping at a lower cost.

As the economy is getting better, the shipping industry is also expanding. People around the world buy more goods, and therefore the need for couriers is increasing. There are many opportunities to make money in this industry, and the best part is that you can work from the comfort of your own home. To get started, you need to be registered with a courier service and then begin delivering packages to your customers. To make more money, you should offer additional services, such as secure storage, same-day delivery, signature confirmation, etc.

> How relevant is networking in today’s forwarding industry?

Networking is an essential tool in today’s business world. With the explosion of social media, networking has never been more critical. Even more crucial than networking is knowing how to do it. Networking is about giving more than you receive. It’s about being a giver, sharing information, leads, and advice, and announcing events that can benefit others. If you join a network but don’t share, it’s a zero-sum gain. The goal is to bring people together and give them tools they can use to improve themselves and their businesses. Of course, a large part of networking is making new contacts, so you should carry business cards that represent you well and include your name and contact information.

> How do you see the future for independent forwarders?

The world has never stopped moving. Shipping will remain central to countries' economies, and economies of scale will continue to favor larger entities. The future of independent forwarders is bright and will continue to grow as shippers look to consolidate and simplify their operations. Freight forwarding is an excellent business because it has the highest profit margins in the transportation services industry. Independent forwarders are also a great alternative to brokers because they offer competitive prices and are not as expensive.

At Super Cargo Service, we provide outstanding supply chain and logistics management services to customers worldwide. With 14 years of experience in commercial carrier management and logistics solutions, we're passionate about exceeding our customers' expectations. We're guided by high standards that we apply to our daily operations, which has resulted in us being recognized as a leader in the logistics market by our clients.

Please visit our website here: www.supercargoservice.com.

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