IATA certification shows ability to meet highest industry standards 

MUMBAI, India – May 7, 2019 – Agility, a leading global logistics provider, has been awarded the IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification for pharmaceutical logistics for its Mumbai, India operations.

The certification, by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demonstrates Agility’s ability to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical products throughout the supply chain, and to manage high-value, temperature-sensitive shipments for the pharma and life science industries. In India, Agility provides supply chain services, including management of temperature-controlled shipments, to some of the leading pharmaceutical brands.

The certification process was completed in coordination with the Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai India.

Krishnakumar V., Chief Operating Officer, Agility India, said: “The CEIV Pharma certification demonstrates our ability to meet the most exacting standards in the industry. We continue investing in technology, infrastructure, personnel and processes to ensure an unbroken cold chain for pharma shipments for our customers and their patients.”

Eric ten Kate, Vice President, Agility Global Life Sciences, said: “If you earn the CEIV Pharma Certification, shippers know they can trust that medicines you handle will reach patients safely and securely.”

In India, Agility manages life sciences facilities at the Nhava Shava Seaport and at Hyderabad Airport, providing temperature-controlled solutions for customers with both ocean and air shipments. Agility recently launched Agility+, a shipment box for the pharmaceutical industry that keeps strict temperature levels for up to 120 hours, and provides users with real-time visibility of temperature status and location.

About Agility

Agility Global Integrated Logistics is one of the world’s top freight forwarders and providers of contract logistics. It offers ocean, air and road freight, warehousing and distribution, and integrated supply chain services in more than 100 countries. Agility GIL also provides specialist solutions for capital projects, oil and gas, chemicals, and fairs and events logistics. GIL and its parent, Agility, are pioneers in emerging markets, and leaders and investors in the use of technology to enhance supply chain efficiency. Agility is a publicly traded company with $5.1 billion in annual revenue.

Continued logistics partner for prestigious Porsche Motorsports racing series

SINGAPORE – May 1, 2019 – Agility has signed a two-year logistics partnership agreement with Porsche Motorsports for the eight-weekend Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) racing series.

Agility Fairs & Events has been the official logistics partner for the PCCA since 2016. With this partnership, Agility will handle the movement of all cars for the series, organizing shipping, transport and handling of the race cars across Asia-Pacific, as well as spare parts support from Porsche Germany to race sites in Asia-Pacific.

Essa Al-Saleh, President and CEO, Agility Global Integrated Logistics, said: “Our longstanding partnership with the PCCA demonstrates our ability to meet the pressures of race-day conditions, and also shows our strong capacities in automotive logistics – a key vertical for Agility. We’ve been able to meet the exacting requirements of Porsche Motorsports and the teams competing in the past, and will continue to provide high level of service over the course of the partnership.”

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager Jochen Schäfer said: “Fantastic co-operation, the ability to react and adapt instantly in the fast-paced Motorsport environment makes Agility the number one choice to handle the logistics side of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. We are more than happy to partner up for another two years thanks to their proven track record of exceptional service and enthusiastic support.”

The 2019 edition of the PCCA series opened with an official test day March 22 – 24, followed by the first race on April 12-14 in Shanghai, China, and will have 15 30-minute rounds held at six circuits across Asia.

Company’s built-to-suit warehouses selected as national winner

KUWAIT – April 18, 2019 – Agility, a leading global logistics provider, has been selected as the Kuwait national winner in the Industrial Project of the Year category at the 2019 MEED Projects Awards, presented in association with Mashreq.

Agility Logistics Parks received the award for its ‘4 BTS Warehouse’ project for one of the largest retail companies in Kuwait. The built-to-suit warehouses covered over 70,000 sqm of warehouse floor space and were completed in a 12-month timeframe, including design and construction.

Michel Saab, CEO of Agility Logistics Parks, said: “Agility has significant experience designing and building logistics parks and warehouses around the world. Our experience means we were well-placed to deliver this large scale project to our customer. Winning this award further solidifies our strong market position as a leader in building and managing world-class facilities and infrastructure that help companies operate in the world’s fastest-growing markets.”

During the design phase of the project, Agility took into consideration measures to minimize water and electricity usage to the minimum. The warehouse was outfitted with LED lighting and water sensors, and excess water from air conditioning units was reused for irrigation. In addition, the design and execution of warehouse’s slab flooring used steel fibers and jointless slabs to minimize maintenance costs and possible operation disruptions for the customer.

Richard Thompson, Editorial Director, MEED, said: “This year the judging panel reviewed a record number of entries from across the GCC, which affirms yet again the robust projects market in the region, amidst the challenging business landscape. Competition has been tough, and it’s great to see a strong commitment not just in completing projects, but also in meeting very stringent quality standards. Congratulations to all our national winners.”

Agility’s 4 BTS Warehouses project will now be reviewed against its Gulf rivals for the GCC honors to determine the final winners of the 2019 MEED Projects Awards.

Geoffrey White, CEO at Agility Africa, speaks to CNBC Africa at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali at the end of March. Agility is building warehouses and logistics parks to suit a variety of needs across Africa – watch the full interview to find out more.

Mariam Al Foudery, Agility Group Chief Marketing Officer, joins a panel at the World Economic Forum on MENA 2019 about what’s needed to unlock the full potential of Arab women. By 2025, the market power of women’s increased participation in the workforce could add an estimated $2.7 trillion to the region’s economy. New policies are coming into force to bring about societal change, what else is needed?

This session is associated with the Platform for Shaping the Future of Economic Progress, Education, Gender and Employment and was originally broadcast at the World Economic Forum on MENA 2019.

Official freight and on-site handler for industry-leading leisure event

LONDON – March. 12, 2019 – Agility, a leading global logistics provider, has been appointed as the official freight and on-site handling contractor for International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo Europe show.

Agility Fairs & Events will assist IAAPA Expo Europe exhibitors and contractors with international logistics services, including freight forwarding, pre- and post-show warehouse handling, and forklift and heavy lift operations to and from the exhibition.

Organized by IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, Expo Europe 2019 is the leisure and attractions event in Europe for industry professionals, including operators, suppliers, manufacturers, investors, developers, and others in the global amusement community. The event, which takes place  Sept. 16 – 19, will be held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

Jakob Wahl, Executive Director, IAAPA EMEA, said: “The new partnership with Agility will allow IAAPA Expo Europe exhibitors options to handle freight at fair rates. Our exhibitors come to the Expo from around the world, and we are sure Agility will meet all of their needs.”

Garcia Newell, Regional Director, Agility Fairs & Events Europe, said: “Having been the nominated shippers and customs brokers for IAAPA Expo in the United States for over 30 years, we are excited to bring our experience, global capabilities and customer care to this year’s event in Paris.”

About Agility

Agility Global Integrated Logistics is one of the world’s top freight forwarders and providers of contract logistics. It offers ocean, air and road freight, warehousing and distribution, and integrated supply chain services in more than 100 countries. Agility GIL also provides specialist solutions for capital projects, oil and gas, chemicals, and fairs and events logistics. GIL and its parent, Agility, are pioneers in emerging markets, and leader and investors in the use of technology to enhance supply chain efficiency.  Agility is a publicly traded company with $4.6 billion in annual revenue.

For more information about Agility, visit www.agility.com
Twitter: twitter.com/agility
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/agility
YouTube: youtube.com/user/agilitycorp

About IAAPA

IAAPA is a diverse and dynamic community of global attractions professionals. As the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions, IAAPA unifies the attractions community, connects people to learn and grow together, and strives to promote the highest professional standards for excellence and safety around the world.

Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents more than 6,000 attraction, supplier, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, manufacturers, and suppliers.

The association’s global headquarters is in Orlando, Florida, US. IAAPA also maintains offices in Brussels, Belgium; Hong Kong, China; Shanghai, China; Mexico City, Mexico; and Alexandria, Virginia, US. To learn more, visit www.IAAPA.org or connect through social media channels: @IAAPAHQ @IAAPAEMEA #IAAPA.

Logistics industry executives worry about trade tensions, geopolitical threats

Go to 2019 Index

BAAR, Switzerland – March 4, 2019– The logistics industry sees emerging markets growing at a healthy 5% pace in 2019, but a surprising percentage of executives are bracing for a crisis amid U.S.-China trade friction, interest rate and currency volatility, and Brexit uncertainty.

In Agility’s annual survey of more than 500 supply chain industry professionals, 55.7% say a growth rate of 5% for developing economies is “about right.” Emerging markets expanded by 4.7% in 2018, and the International Monetary Fund now forecasts 4.5% expansion for 2019.

At the same time, 47.1% of logistics executives surveyed say an emerging markets crisis is “likely” or “highly likely.” Simmering tensions and tariffs could shave 10% off of U.S.-China trade volumes this year, the survey shows.

The survey is part of the 2019 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, the company’s 10th annual snapshot of industry sentiment and ranking of the world’s 50 leading emerging markets. The Index is a broad gauge of countries’ competitiveness based on their international and domestic logistics strengths and business fundamentals.

“Companies looking for opportunity are finding it in emerging markets, where small and medium-sized enterprises with access to technology and mobile banking are increasingly driving growth,” says Essa Al-Saleh, CEO of Agility Global Integrated Logistics. “At the same time, logistics professionals worry that these markets are vulnerable to ripple effects from big geopolitical setbacks.”

The Index ranks 50 countries by factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors. The top 10 are: China, India, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Qatar, Turkey and Vietnam.

China, India and Indonesia rank highest for domestic logistics; China, India and Mexico are tops for international logistics; and UAE, Malaysia and Qatar have the best business fundamentals.

2019 Index and Survey Highlights

  • China and India, atop the 2019 rankings based on their size and strength as international and domestic logistics markets, lag smaller rivals in business fundamentals, a category that ranks countries based on regulatory environment, credit and debt dynamics, contract enforcement, anti-corruption safeguards, price stability and market access. In that area, China ranks No. 7 and India is No. 10.
  • The strongest clusters of emerging markets are in the Arabian Gulf and Southeast Asia, thanks to business-friendly conditions and core strengths – the Gulf’s energy wealth and Southeast Asian manufacturing power – that draw logistics activity. In the Gulf, UAE (No. 3), Saudi Arabia (6), Qatar (8), Oman (12), Bahrain (16) and Kuwait (18) rank highly. Among ASEAN countries, Indonesia (4), Malaysia (5), Vietnam (10), Thailand (11) and Philippines (20) are strong.
  • Against a backdrop of trade friction and data showing China’s economy slowing, survey respondents see India as the market with greatest potential over China, their second choice.
  • Fifty-six percent of those surveyed say a prolonged trade standoff between the U.S. and China could benefit Southeast Asian countries, which offer manufacturing and sourcing alternatives to China.
  • Brazil, in the midst of a severe economic downturn and political upheaval, tumbles from No. 9 to 15 in the Index, ranking behind smaller Latin economies Mexico (7) and Chile (13). Brazil’s business fundamentals – a priority for new President Jair Bolsonaro – were 39th out of 50 Index countries. Despite the poor performance, executives surveyed see enormous promise: 44.5% said they were “optimistic” or “strongly optimistic” about Brazil.
  • China’s $4-$8 trillion Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure drive is a bigger plus for China than for the countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe where it is investing. Sixty-four percent of executives surveyed see the BRI boosting growth and trade for China; only 41.4% believe it will help other emerging markets.
  • E-commerce is fueling logistics opportunities in emerging markets. Sixty-percent of industry executives expect more outsourcing of last-mile delivery by retailers; 47.4% expecting more e-fulfilment outsourcing.
  • Trade bureaucracy is the biggest obstacle to small and medium-sized companies trying to do business across borders, survey respondents say. But when it comes to what size companies will grow fastest in emerging markets, SMEs are their top pick over multi-nationals and big regional or local companies.
  • Brexit could benefit emerging markets. Fifty-nine percent of executives surveyed expect emerging markets to seek trade concessions and new deals from the UK. Seventy-percent think emerging markets will be unaffected by Brexit.
  • Iran’s near-term potential has evaporated as a result of re-imposed U.S. sanctions. Nearly 75% of those surveyed say Iran is “less promising than before” or “not at all promising.” Iran ranks 49th of 50 countries as an international logistics opportunity.
  • The UAE and Malaysia are tops for business fundamentals. Gulf countries Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia also score high. Among the 50 Index countries, it’s hardest to do business in Venezuela, Angola, Myanmar and Libya.
  • Sixty-five percent of those surveyed see Mexico increasing trade with the U.S. and Canada under a yet-to-be-ratified trade agreement that is to replace NAFTA.
  • Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest oil reserves, ranks last (No. 50) overall and 50th for business fundamentals and international logistics opportunities.
  • The so-called BRICS economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) were once considered bellwethers and prime engines of emerging markets growth, but have diverged. China (1) and India (2) continue growing at more than 6% a year. Russia (14) is slowed by economic sanctions and low energy prices; Brazil (15) has lost markets and investment amid its worst downturn; and South Africa (24) has seen prospects suffer amid years of ruling party infighting and labor unrest.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa is a mixed picture. South Africa (24) is an underperformer. But in rankings of business fundamentals, Ghana and Kenya do relatively well at No. 19 and No. 21. Nigeria, which vies with South Africa to be the region’s largest economy, suffers from poor business conditions, an area where it ranks 44th.
  • Mobile banking – now available to nearly 43% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa – is proving to be a catalyst for trade and is lowering barriers for small and medium-sized businesses by providing means for fast, secure payments and financial transactions.
  • Several countries would surge in the rankings if they could improve business conditions: Brazil, Philippines, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Bolivia. African economies with relatively strong logistics markets and potential – Uganda, Libya, Mozambique, Angola – are severely hamstrung by weak business fundamentals.

“Concerns about emerging markets in 2019 are valid, especially in countries with significant dollar-denominated debt, but as a group these markets are growing at roughly twice the rate of developed economies,” Agility’s Al-Saleh says. “What’s most heartening is that many now appear resilient enough to avoid the sort of contagion we saw spreading among emerging markets in 2013 and 2008.”

Transport Intelligence (Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, compiled the Index.

John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive of Ti, says: “This year’s Index highlights the range of challenges and opportunities many markets face. The uncertainty which surrounds trading relationships, combined with implementation of new trade barriers, threatens to derail integration of emerging markets with the rest of the world. It is essential that obstructive trade policy does not stand in the way of commercial opportunities which help drive growth in emerging markets.”

2019 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index: www.agility.com/2019index

About Agility

Agility is a global logistics company with $5.1 billion in annual revenue and 22,000+ employees in more than 100 countries. It is one of the world’s top freight forwarding and contract logistics providers, and a leader and investor in technology to enhance supply chain efficiency. Agility is a pioneer in emerging markets and one of the largest private owners and developers of warehousing and light industrial parks in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Agility’s subsidiary companies offer fuel logistics, airport services, commercial real estate and facilities management, customs digitization, and remote infrastructure services.

For more information about Agility, visit www.agility.com

Twitter: twitter.com/agility

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/agility

YouTube: youtube.com/user/agilitycorp

For more information:
Sabrina Mundy
Man Bites Dog
+44 1273 716 826
[email protected]