DHL Express has entered a partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to jointly enhance thesupply chain management model for a Saudi telecommunications provider.
Under the three-year agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks will leverage DHL’s extensivefootprint and network in Saudi Arabia to establish a Kingdom-wide domestic express distribution oftelecommunications and mobile spare parts.
As the third-party logistics partner, DHL will provide storage and inventory managementsolutions for NSN, by consolidating inventory from 10 existing locations in the Kingdom of SaudiArabia hosting spare parts operations, and repositioning these to DHL Express multi-user facilitiesin strategic locations across Saudi Arabia, at Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran. In addition, DHL willalso take on value-added services such as the coordination of customer service activities throughthe management of the NSN call centre based in Dubai.
“Given the complexity and geography of service required, DHL has demonstrated tremendousexperience and knowledge in ensuring the success of a robust distribution system for Nokia SiemensNetworks in Saudi Arabia. Over the last five months, the team has truly embodied the Can-Do spiritdespite various challenges, and maintained clear lines of communication throughout the process,”said Andres Fuentes, Hardware Services Operations Manager (Middle East Centre), Nokia SiemensNetworks. “We are heartened to partner DHL whom we are confident would continue to enable us indelivering the most cost efficient results and quality for our customers.”
Nour Suliman, CEO of DHL Express for Middle East and North Africa, commented: “We see agrowing trend of companies in the IT and telecom sectors outsourcing their spare parts logisticsoperations, so they can focus on their core business. With strong domestic network coverage inSaudi Arabia, DHL is well-positioned to deliver an efficient and effective distribution system forNokia Siemens Networks.”
The Nokia Siemens Networks’ mobile spare parts are manufactured and shipped from EasternEurope and China to Saudi Arabia through DHL’s global network. To monitor whether the spare partsare in stock and in transition, DHL will also implement a highly-efficient warehouse system whichwill ensure inventory accuracy, visibility into stockpile and asset value accountability.
“At the core of this partnership, the key objective was to enable Nokia Siemens Networks andtheir telecommunications client to focus on core business expertise and competencies. NSN lookedtowards DHL for a reliable and trustworthy logistics partner who can deliver a bespoke supply chainmanagement solution that meets growing business requirements,” said Dirk van Doorn, Vice President,Multi-National Companies, DHL Express, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The partnership isa strong endorsement of DHL’s network capabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where we haveunrivaled local coverage and a dedicated workforce on the ground that is fully committed to thesuccess of this partnership.”
DHL is also committed to maintaining 24 hours service levels 365 days a year, and todelivering a time definite domestic service to meet pressing customer demands of telecommunicationspare parts. Through the DHL Domestic Express product, the end-user will enjoy a guaranteeddelivery service within specific time frames between 2- 6 hours anywhere across KSA.
