Large or small? Which freight forwarder is for you?

I recently read an interesting article on Air Cargo News about the advantages of using medium-sized freight forwarders, in preference to large, multi-national forwarders. It seems that the mergers and acquisitions that characterised freight forwarding in the 1990s, resulting in the creation of big global forwarders, did not lead to the expected synergies.
Photo of ocean freightThe demise of the small-medium freight forwarders was forecast, based on the assumption that big global shippers would prefer to deal with a single logistics partner throughout the world. This assumption, however, has not been borne out – big global shippers continue to tender business on a regional or lane segment basis, probably because the big forwarders are unable to provide either flexibility or a globally consistent level of service.
Small-medium forwarders such as ICE, on other hand, are able to provide an efficient, reliable and personalised service. Networks of similar minded forwarders encompassing the globe are the key – flexibility is possible due to both size and independence, as opposed to the big globals, for whom deviation from their listed services is diffcult, if not impossible, as a result of complex internal structures.
If you want engagement, care and independence from your freight forwarder, it looks like you can’t go past a small-medium forwarder.
We take pride in what differentiates us from our big global competitors – we’re locally owned, independent and provide a personalised service. Our size, and our global network, means that we can be flexible – customising solutions to individual requirements. Decisions, and changes, can be made quickly, reacting to changing factors and markets.
Ronald Spahr
ICE Managing Director
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