TNT has improved customer service with a new global online PoD signature image service and today’sopening of a new integrated air and road facility at Penang in Malaysia to speed up Asia-Europe
shipments.The new service, giving customers online access to PoD (proof of delivery) signature images,is a new standard feature of the company’s track and trace facility within its online and PC-basedshipping tools myTNT, ExpressShipper, ExpressManager and ExpressConnect, the company announced.
The PoD signature images cover more than 90% of the TNT Express shipments. Images are nowavailable from over 85 countries worldwide, including all mature express markets, emerging marketssuch as China, India and Brazil, as well as many other destinations. The geographical coverage isset to increase to well over 100 destinations in the coming few months.
“We have created the most extensive PoD signature image retrieval service in the industrywith outstanding geographical coverage, high content quality and easy online access for all ourcustomers,” said Jan Willem Breen, Marketing & Sales Director of TNT Express. “This is by nomeans a new service among express integrators, but we are setting new standards for how it is donewithin our industry.”
A PoD signature image is a digital copy of the receiver’s signature or company stamp, plusthe date and time of delivery. Images will typically be available the morning after the day ofdelivery. Easy access will benefit senders by giving more control over their shipments. It alsofacilitates their administrative process and helps them get invoices paid, TNT said.
TNT Express makes the service available to its customers without the need to request it andwithout any additional charges. TNT’s solution covers many types of signature images, ranging fromon-screen signatures captured with mobile devices to scanned delivery run sheets containingsignature images and often company stamps. This approach allows TNT to accommodate for differentlocal and cultural practices for confirming receipt. It also enables the wide geographic coverage,as any type of operation – whether TNT’s own, partner, or associate organisation – can provide theservice.
Separately, TNT has opened the first integrated air and road facility in northern Malaysia toincrease its presence in the country. Located at Kompleks Kargo Kedua, the TNT Penang InternationalGateway is expected to improve the transit times of goods passing through Penang and increase thecompany’s capability to handle a greater volume of goods. The new facility will also providesignificant opportunities and benefits for businesses in the hi-tech industry, specifically theelectronic, computing, telecommunications and semi-con sectors, TNT Southeast Asia said in astatement.
Covering 14,000 sq ft, the facility has capacity to handle 2,500 parcels per hour and 22tonnes of cargo daily. The gateway is seamlessly connected to TNT’s air network and its Asia RoadNetwork (ARN), and will reduce transit times in and out of Penang by a day. Shipments from Penanginto Europe can now be transported by air in two days. In addition, next morning door-to-doordelivery service from Penang into Singapore by air is possible with the new facility.
TNT’s Penang International Gateway was officially opened today by Y.A.B. Lim Guan Eng, ChiefMinister of Penang. “The fact that TNT is investing in yet another facility in Penang despite thechallenging economic times is a big confidence boost to doing business in Penang and also Malaysia.The electrical and electronics industry is a key pillar of Malaysia’s economy and forms asignificant portion of Penang’s total trade. TNT’s top-notch services and the attention it pays toproviding a high level of security meets the demands of the industry especially in North Malaysia,”Y.A.B. Lim commented.
Gerry Power, Managing Director of TNT Malaysia and Brunei, said: “The northern region ofMalaysia is the second largest contributor to Malaysia’s GDP. Penang alone generates some 24% ofMalaysia’s exports and 21% of Malaysia’s imports and more than one third of this trade is in highvalue, time sensitive hi-tech goods, where TNT has well established capabilities and acomprehensive portfolio of services. Despite the economic uncertainties of the past twelve toeighteen months, TNT Malaysia has recorded robust double digit growth and with the addition of thePenang International Gateway to our network, I am confident that we are on the right track totripling our revenues in the next three years in line with our strategic ambition.”
The strong presence of the hi-tech industry in Penang explains TNT’s focus on the industry.This year, TNT recorded double digit growth in its hi-tech business sector in Asia. TNT Malaysiagenerated revenue growth of more than 20 % (year to date). Despite the economic downturn, thisgrowth was attributed to TNT’s cost-efficient and lean supply chain solutions.
