FILIPINO-OWNED international freight forwarding company Airspeed International Corporation (Airspeed) expects a 30% growth in volume next year.This, after seeing volumes already double in the first 11 months of the year from the same period in 2009.
Airspeed said about 60% of the 2011 volume will be accounted for by the seafreight segment, 30% by airfreight, and the rest from other modes.
In a roundtable discussion with Airspeed top executives last week, company president Rosemarie Rafael said Airspeed — which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on December 2 – is continuously looking for ways to expand its services.
"We are strengthening our other business ventures other than our niche market, which is garments, particularly the children’s wear market," Rafael said. The company also handles electronic items, automobiles, project cargo, perishables and materials for clinical trials.
The seafreight segment is also being strengthened "as the market trend right now is towards seafreight to save on cost with the continuous uncertainty in the global economy," she added.
"With the pace of global recovery already starting to return to its normal level, we want to make sure we are able position the company for the future by making these improvements."
Airspeed vice president and general manager Mariz Regis for her part said, "We continue to expand whatever services we have right now coupled with the training we give to our workforce with the end goal of providing one-stop-shop services instead of a one-stop-shop on a per client basis."
One recent product innovation is the Speed Regalo, targeted toward overseas Filipino workers. The service offers personalized door-to-door delivery at rates significantly lower than those charged when sending traditional freight.
In support of further expansion, Airspeed is improving its warehousing capabilities to offer better inventory control and management to clients. The company maintains four warehouses — three in Luzon and one in Cebu.
"We are also enhancing our tie-ups with international agents and local distribution system to build up operational excellence," Regis said.
Next year, it aims to expand its regional reach either via affiliation or establishment of its own office in Vietnam, Cambodia and China as well as in a major long-haul market. Currently, Airspeed operates offices in Cavite, Cebu, Davao and in Los Angeles in the US.
The company accounts for 15%-20% of the country’s forwarding business and is a consistent placer in the International Air Transport Association's top 15 freight forwarders in the Philippines.
Founded in July 1985, Airspeed offers four core services: international air forwarding, ocean freight, warehousing and distribution, and project cargo transport. In addition, it offers international door-to-door parcel and cargo services as well as customs brokerage.
