DHL is to deliver live tropical fish to pet shops across the USA, in an unusual deal confirming thetrend for express carriers increasingly to provide tailored services to different segments of the
economy on a large-scale.The fish, imported by distributor 5-D Tropical from Asia, Africa and South America, aretransported in plastic bags injected with sufficient oxygen to sustain life over 40 hours, althoughthe carrier has an agreement to deliver them within 24 hours.
Tampa-based 5-D Tropical is Florida’s largest producer and importer of tropical fish and islooking to expand in its home region, the south-east of the country, although some deliveries itwants DHL to make will be nationwide.
DHL has developed a solution for ground distribution for 5-D Tropical through its “hubinduction” program, a contract service that enables the client to drop shipping at a DHL sort hub.
DHL sorts the live cargo through its ground delivery network and local service centres within24 hours, allowing 5-D Tropical to offer one-day ground service to over 90% of customer locationsin the region.
“Helping companies like 5-D Tropical compete in the marketplace by finding the right solutionto meet their shipping requirements is at the heart our flexible approach to doing business,” saidCharles Brewer, DHL’s executive vice-president of sales.
