Kewill recently announced the availability of the “2010 Best Practices Survey for Parcel Shipping and Global Trade Management.” Kewill surveyed over 500 logistics professionals, executives, and managers in industries ranging from aerospace and electronics to healthcare, agriculture and retail; and from companies doing less than $50 million in business to many (35%) over $1 billion in revenue. Survey participants revealed their challenges and strategies in parcel shipping, export and global trade management.

    This is the fourth year Kewill has conducted this highly anticipated benchmarking survey of logistics professionals, which highlights key trends and industry best practices. The findings of the survey are detailed in a whitepaper that also provides 10 best practices recommendations for parcel shipping, import compliance and export compliance. To download this informative whitepaper please visit: www.kewill.com/Benchmark2010, or click the Download PDF button at the bottom of this page. 

    The study shows that almost all shippers (95%) use two or more carriers and the largest shippers are more likely to use 5 or more carriers (28% vs. 9% for small shippers). More than half of our survey respondents (53%) still use a manual process to determine licensing requirements for exports and destination country import regulations.

    “This study confirmed what we often hear; the consistent theme is that companies have cut back on staffing and complicated the tasks by adding options and focusing on cost reduction - so fewer people are being asked to do more. While that may have been an acceptable strategy when business was down, as the markets recover, companies should pursue automation to help the smaller teams handle increased demand,” said Brian Hodgson, vice president of marketing and business development for Kewill.

    Some key findings from the report include:

    • Ninety-six percent of survey respondents noted that they had made changes to their business in response to the recent economic slowdown, especially headcount reductions, use of lower cost shipping options, and changes to the carrier mix.

    • Despite headcount reductions, employees are spending considerable time and effort processing import and export documents and have reported a measurable level of errors that cause delays and rework.

    • Sixty percent of survey respondents said that they are using lower cost shipping options. One-third changed the carrier mix to include regional carriers and/or consolidation.

    • Despite the reduced headcount in shipping, the majority of companies (59%) report that it takes more than 10 minutes, on average, to produce and distribute export documentation.

    To be included in the 2011 Best Practices Survey for Parcel Shipping and Global Trade Management, please send an email to: info@kewill.com.  

    Kewill is a leading provider of solutions that simplify global trade and logistics. Visit them online at www.kewill.com.
    View ParcelGTMSurvey2010.pdf

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