Spedman Global Logistics – an international freight forwarding operator handling sea, land, and air freight – is celebrating its silver jubilee in November 2014. The quarter-century of the Gdynia-based company’s operations reflects the extremely dynamic development of the TSL (Transport, Spedition, Logistics) industry during this period.
The company was founded in 1989 as Scan Consult and was the first private Polish company engaged in sea freight forwarding. Two years later, the company, as one of 11 founders, participated in the establishment of the Polish International Freight Forwarders Association (currently the Polish Chamber of Forwarding and Logistics – PISiL).
– The early 90s brought an explosion of foreign trade. The volume of transported cargo often exceeded the processing capacities of forwarders, shipowners, road carriers, port terminals, or border control services – recalls Maciej Wojniusz, Managing Director of Spedman Global Logistics. – Our company specialized at that time in forwarding services for the food industry. Cooperation with many producers and exporters has stood the test of time and continues to this day, which we are very proud of. Currently, we cooperate with companies representing almost all branches of the economy.
On May 1, 2004, Poland became a full member of the European Union. For the Polish TSL sector, this meant huge changes that facilitated doing business.
– The Community is primarily a customs union, which significantly facilitates the flow of goods in Europe. The adaptation of Polish economic and financial law to Community regulations was also of significant importance. The unification of regulations allows for more effective cooperation between entrepreneurs from different EU countries – says Maciej Wojniusz.
The abolition of borders between Community countries allowed, in practice, for the elimination of many administrative burdens. All this provides time savings, more efficient use of transport fleets, and smoother cargo handling, even if only through the lack of stops at borders.
– An important step in streamlining the activities of customs agencies was the introduction of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) institution. Positive verification of organizational and financial discipline by customs authorities translates into increased trust of state administration in the entrepreneur and of entrepreneurs with AEO status in each other. The Spedman Customs Agency has held AEO status since 2009 – adds Maciej Wojniusz.
It is worth remembering that 25 years ago, forwarders did not have mobile phones, high-speed internet connections, or email at their disposal. Paper and fax dominated, and every customs clearance required a visit to the port. New technologies quickly entered the TSL industry. Emails replaced faxes. Without a mobile phone, it is difficult to imagine efficient work today. The word “electronic” currently seems key. Customs declarations are made electronically, cargo is handled at terminals, and information and documents are exchanged between state control bodies (e.g., Customs Office, Sanitary Inspection), public administration, and entrepreneurs.
– Technology greatly facilitates work. However, man remains an essential element of this puzzle. Today, the work of a forwarder is primarily about providing “tailor-made” services. Even the most advanced technology will not replace personal contact. Although price is one of the key criteria for choosing a forwarding company for many clients, the final decision is often not determined by the zlotys saved, but by good, “human” communication – claims Maciej Wojniusz.
Since 2008, the company celebrating its jubilee has been part of the international Spedman Global Logistics Group. The name change to Spedman took place in 2011. This gave the company a new, strong impulse for development.
– Access to the Group’s know-how was of great importance to us, and the global network of its agents and the relationships developed by our Scandinavian colleagues allowed us to advance to a higher league in the increasingly competitive TSL services market – emphasizes Maciej Wojniusz. – We look to the future with optimism. We more than balance the volume of cargo in imports with constant flows in exports. We are successfully developing the air freight department – we have opened our own office at Warsaw airport, and we have agency offices in all major air hubs in Europe. We are also successfully developing dedicated services, the so-called Project Cargo – a department dedicated to handling oversized and heavy cargo. The Polish market is still developing and growing. I am convinced that Spedman, thanks to its experience and customer-oriented attitude, will grow along with it.