European freight forwarding is an important element of the old continents’ economy. For freight forwarders Europe this is a daily striving for an increase of the service levels as well as the maintenance of optimal prices, despite the difficulties resulting from the current international situation. The Freight forwarders association is faced with the task to take into account the key factor of the international and the European economy constantly.
The low fuel prices
Not only in Europe but on an international level, the fuel prices remain relatively low. This allows for the member companies of the European logistics network to offer lower prices for their forwarding services.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure and the changes which occur in it are much easier to know on a national level as compared to internationally. In Europe the European network for logistics can organise its freight forwarding in accordance the specific infrastructure in the different countries, thanks to the cooperation between the member companies of the association. This contributes to the timely execution of the forwarding orders due to the apt knowledge of the member companies in the different countries.
The use of new technology
New technologies allow for better execution of the different processes: packing, loading and tracking the loads via modern systems. Forwarders throughout Europe implement the new technologies to improve the quality of their services as well as for providing timely information to the customers.
The volume of the freight forwarding services in the current European market
The volume of the forwarding services offered within the modern European market is too big due to the large number of companies of the smaller freight forwarders which function individually. They will soon face big expenses for the implementation of new technologies in compliance to the regulations and laws of their countries.
The advantage of the network of freight forwarders is the cooperation between them when these new technologies are implemented together. This will allow them to avoid the big costs and thus maintain the competitive prices of the freight forwarding services provided.
Customer service
Customer service is a crucial factor for a successful freight forwarding service. It is envisaged that by 2020, the customer satisfaction factor to become a more important one than the prices for freight forwarding. The Freight forwarders keep the quality level of customer service by ensuring that they receive timely answers to their queries, complete information for the services offered, the ability to track their loads both in the groupage services as well as in complete loads and distribution logistics.
Freight forwarding via subcontractors
More than 90% of the European customers relying on the services of freight forwarding subcontractors are satisfied with the quality of the services provided by them. Thus the direct contact allows for the improvement of customer service as well as for reduction of the forwarding prices.
The member companies of IFA have already established a network in the European countries, which allows for each company to assume the local shipment in its own country. The member companies of the European network for transportation can offer direct contact with their customers, as well as new strategies for communication and collaboration with the member companies in the other countries. This allows for IFA to offer lower forwarding prices along with excellent communication with the customers for fast, reliable and affordable transport in all European countries.
The new laws and regulations
The laws and regulations for the different types of transport on a national and European level are being amended in accordance to the developments of the transport as well as the overall environment. The amendments can lead to restrictions on freight capacity, of certain routes and others. The European network for logistics services is ready to deal with such obstacles by combining efforts and the capacities of its members.