Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Shipping to Central and South America

When DGX (Dependable Global Express) got into the Central and South America ocean freight business in 2009, we were really surprised by the competitive landscape. There were literally hundreds of Freight Forwarders, thousands maybe, all doing the same basic thing – shipping your LCL (Less-than-ContainerLoad) product into Miami and then moving it from Miami down to the applicable port/country.

We started planning, looking around, and then realized that maybe we were looking at the markets the wrong way. The alternative, as presented to us, was that we should be shipping ocean freight off the West Coast into the West Coast of Central and South America – and using Panama as “our Miami” for East Coast Latin America destined shipments.

We wish we could claim this as our idea, but we cannot. Another freight company used to do this but unfortunately unsuccessfully after a good ten year run, for a multitude of reasons.

The two men that had operated that company, and were in the process of winding it down, came to speak with us. Their ideas made sense, and DGX/DAX/DHX – Dependable Hawaiian Express has always believed in experimentation to grow our business. So, after mulling it over, we decided to offer the two principals positions at our company setting up and starting a Latin America division.

How has it worked out? Fabulously! We are unique – others may offer one destination off the West Coast to a port somewhere in Latin America, but nobody does it like we do. We have a very unique product in the way that we ship to Latin America – we ship West Coast (Southern California) USA to West Coast Latin America for multiple destinations. We do it for all LCL and FCL (Full Container Load) business.

Our shipping advantages, based on our West Coast service, includes:
  • We have an all water service – West Coast to West Coast – this means much less handling of the product, and probably less claims than ocean shipping through Miami
  • We have better frequency in sailings
  • We have much better transit times than the option via Miami
  • Coupling the above two items with less handling involved than trucking to Miami, and you have much lower costs because the trucking and rehandling to Miami is eliminated, as well as superior routing

Even those manufacturing in Mexico are finding it easier to ship their product to Los Angeles and move their ocean freight off the West Coast. Simpler, cleaner, less expensive.

Our streamlined shipping process should be enough without even discussing the additional fine qualities DGX brings into the mix in shipping to Central and South America: the Dependable Companies have been in business for 60+ years, DGX is ISO 9008-2001 Certified, and a member of CT-PAT and Smartway. Our culture is one of quality and integrity. Check our website for sailing schedules. We cover eight different destinations directly, plus a host of others via Panama.

We are Dependable. From Start to Finish.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Customer Communications is as Important as Moving Freight

Most companies have business models and strategies these days. There are different avenues a company can take insofar as pricing, the quality of the product or service they offer, how they position themselves in the marketplace for their industry, etc. Here at DHX – Dependable Hawaiian Express, we have always believed that communicating with our Customers is as important as moving freight. We want to make our Customer’s logistics challenges and product transportation simple- which is why our business purpose has been defined as “To make shipping and logistics EASY for our Customers, while solving any challenges.”

To do this, we have defined the parameters within which we offer value to our shipping Customers. We believe that there is a combination of shipping service levels to Hawaii and Guam plus rates which will equal the best value for each individual Customer. That’s what we sell to our Customers - that combination of our premium quality service plus competitive rates which equals their best value.

How do we do this? First we listen. That may sound like a cliché, but we have more “boots on the ground” constantly visiting and communicating with our Customers. We also realize that we have in excess of 50 different points of contact with our Customers – every point being a unique experience for the shipper, consignee or third party involved. At each point, our goal is simple – to ensure the Customer leaves that point of contact believing they are dealing with an outstanding company who has their act together, and is professional, knowledgeable, efficient and effective.

The second thing we do is establish multiple methods of communications with our Customers. Whether it’s communicating through EDI, email, fax, via our website by Live Chat, Newsflashes, or “What’s New” Letters, all ears are open constantly, consistently saying “We’re here, we’re listening – how can we help?” You now have 24/7 access to rate quoting for Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments through “Quick Quote” on our website because you asked for a quick way to receive a quote on your LCL shipments, even after normal business hours. Communication is one of our key strengths and has evolved into a major focal point for everyone in our company.

Communications is a major product service feature for our shipping and logistics business. Another service value is operational excellence. Communications is great, but if your shipment gets to its destination but not on time, we have failed in providing a key value we hold dearly for Customers.

How do we ensure success? One facet: internal communications. Owning our own trucking operations in the major port cities in both Hawaii and Guam, allows us to obtain what we need to analyze our loading ability and any issues which may arise with your shipment. We receive constant feedback from destination locations and analyze this with photos taken both at origin and destination, video cameras that line our docks at our origins, and meetings to discuss any potential problems.

We focus on eliminating damages. Knowing part of our value offering is based on moving shipments as damage free as possible – it makes shipping to either Hawaii or Guam easier for everyone involved. Because of the longer transport times to Hawaii and Guam, this is critical. We believe operational excellence is also a core competency that has helped us establish a reputation over the years that is unparalleled in the freight forwarding industry to Hawaii and Guam. We make shipping easy!

So, ask yourself – what’s your value proposition? If you know it, and you’re not a Customer, call us. We’ll listen and try to match up. We call it a win/win. So will you.

One Company for All Your Hawaii/Guam Shipping Needs

When shipping freight to Hawaii and/or Guam, as a business owner or professional you always think about the long term repercussions of who you select as your shipping company. Your considerations should include asking certain questions, depending on your needs as a company and you as an individual.

Questions like:
  • Do you want a partner who cares about your business, or do you want a vendor? 
  • Do you want a company that services all three West Coast ports to Hawaii and Guam, or could you/would you want to use two service providers depending on what port the shipping service provider does service? 
  • Would you like a company that offers both ocean and airfreight shipping and logistical services in case you're in a pinch and need something rushed? 
  • How about a company that controls the quality of its service by owning the delivery service in all major ports in Hawaii and Guam, to ensure the quality of its service?  
  • What other items do you think you should look for? 
  • How about an ISO Certification, which gives you assurance that when shipping your cargo to either Hawaii or Guam, you can be certain that specific International Quality standards will be met? 
  • Speaking of International shipping, shouldn't your shipping company have the ability to ship from any point in the world to Hawaii or Guam? 
  • If that's not important, then is shipping eastbound from Hawaii, intra-island within Hawaii or moving your freight/shipment to Guam from Hawaii important? If you have a social conscience, what "green" actions has the freight company you deal with participated in? 
  • Do they regularly participate in charitable giving within your business community?
Lastly, on a personal note, how much time do you want to spend "babysitting" a freight forwarder? Can you book a pickup or arrange a shipment on line? Does the freight forwarder have inexpensive overland rates with great service? Can you track and trace your shipment from its inception through delivery on line?

Can you obtain a Shipping Rate Quote for Hawaii and Guam on line? In what time span? Does that forwarders website look professional; in case your Boss (if you're not an entrepreneur) wants to take a look?

There's only one company that does all the above. Guess who?