TNT Express has unveiled a two-year contract with Volvo for transportation services from theautomobile giant’s newly-built Regional Parts Distribution Centre (RPDC) in Dubai.
The link-up will see TNT responsible for transporting more than 1.1 million kg of spare partsannually from the Volvo RPDC, of which 90% will be moved through the company’s strategic MiddleEast Road Network (MERN). The distribution centre makes spare parts available to dealers of Volvotrucks, Mack trucks, Renault trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo buses in 17 countriesthroughout the Middle East and Africa.
“Key reasons for TNT’s success are its ability to meet and exceed Volvo’s transit timerequirements and in offering competitive rates in the high volume trade lanes across the region,”said Darryl Regan, Regional Director for India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA).
“We could clearly demonstrate to Volvo the cost and service benefits we had delivered to otherautomotive customers based in Dubai, who required similar complete spare parts and distributionservices. This is another great success story supporting MERN expansion, which offers customers asuperior day-definite road express service at a very competitive price,” he adds.
The road network has proved to be the backbone of TNT’s regional strategy, and, as the companyprepares to celebrate a 25 year anniversary in the UAE, OHSAS 18001 accreditation for exemplaryhealth and safety standards in Bahrain, and massive on-going infrastructure investment in SaudiArabia – continued expansion of the MERN will be critical in sustaining Middle East growth.
With plans to open new road hubs in the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi next year, as well as anadditional trucking facility in Kuwait, further strengthening the MERN, TNT is continuing to caterfor its rapid regional growth and on-going penetration of Gulf markets over the next fiveyears.
TNT’s ability to navigate the existing and complex regional customs clearance processes providedadditional weight to its bid, “Our ability to effectively and quickly clear shipments throughoutthe Middle East is unrivalled,” explains James Edgeworth, National Major Accounts Manager UAE.
He continued: “TNT has its own clearance facilities within its depots in Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwaitand Saudi Arabia, all of which serve to reduce transit times and enhance our customer service.
