It’s very exciting to have The Greater Lansing Business Monthly and the entire area continue to focus on and promote the benefits of international business. The timing for businesses to consider growing globally couldn’t be better. Global expansion and increased exports are proven job creation strategies, and Michigan is well-positioned to seize these opportunities. As we emerge from recession, Michigan has a new, innovative governor and veteran economic development leadership with a strong record of success. Competing on a global scale to achieve local growth and success is a renewed priority for our region and state.

When going beyond our borders, companies should consider tapping the expertise of global logistics service providers to get their components and products from point A to point B. It’s no simple undertaking to import a component, have it clear customs without incident, arrive at your shop floor just in time to be assembled with other components to become a finished product, and then shipped domestically or exported to another country. Coordinating complex logistics is critical to your company’s global success.

There are hundreds of freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other third-party logistics providers (3PLs) that provide companies with solutions to these puzzling and often mysterious tasks.

Expeditors® (www.expeditors.com) is a global logistics company with offices in more than 250 cities around the world. Expeditors has been in operation for more than 30 years and offers a full range of global logistics services, including air and ocean cargo, warehousing/distribution, customs clearance, consolidation, cargo insurance, freight forwarding and other value-added services.

I’ve been working with Tony Signorelli, Expeditors’ district sales executive, to get area companies’ international freight moving through Port Lansing. Expeditors is a well-recognized leader in the 3PL world and can provide a multitude of services that simplify global logistics for small and large companies alike.

Case: What type of companies make up your customer base?

Signorelli: Expeditors has thousands of customers worldwide and we work with companies of varying sizes and supply chain complexity. We have quite a few longtime, large multinational customers, but also pride ourselves on our relationships with small companies in every geography. We currently work with some companies in the Greater Lansing area and we see great potential for growth in this market.

Case: In a crowded industry, how does Expeditors differentiate themselves?

Signorelli: We are able to differentiate ourselves from the competition as a full-service international logistics provider, providing solutions to our clients with just one point of contact instead of the labor intensity needed when working with multiple companies.

Because we have integrated and standardized systems globally, our clients have access to all data related to any of our services. For example, we provide our clients with Internet-based tracking and tracing for transportation and customs clearance, as well as the ability to access inventory in any of our distribution channels via the Internet. Expeditors’ employees are also empowered and rewarded for exceeding customer expectations. This incentive program is unique to our industry and is a clear indication of Expeditors’ commitment to maintain and help grow each client’s business.

Case: What are the challenges for your customers that import or export?

Signorelli: We find the biggest challenges are related to being able to quickly adapt to shifting capacity in cargo markets, and the ever-changing global regulatory environment. Government authorities around the world increasingly rely on the use of risk analysis tools, such as sampling and importer profiling, to ensure compliance. System-based controls, rather than transactional checking at national borders, are already being used in many parts of the world and their application is expanding. Standardized shipments from known suppliers using known carriers at all phases of the transaction will be a critical component of supply chain security.

Case: How can Port Lansing benefit area businesses?

Signorelli: Port Lansing is already distinguishing itself by being a resource and advocate to local companies in the Greater Lansing area. Continuing to provide educational programming and connecting businesses to expertise in supply chain-related fields will ultimately help to provide local businesses with a competitive advantage in their respective industries.

Case: What role is Expeditors playing to assist customers’ leverage with Port Lansing?

Signorelli: Expeditors is working with Port Lansing and area companies to find creative alternatives to help localize logistics capabilities in the Lansing market. Leveraging our global footprint along with a strong local presence, we can add value to the work that Port Lansing has already done to set up infrastructure and protocols with U.S. Customs and local officials. Ultimately we plan to leverage our strong relationship with Port Lansing to become a key player in the movement of product through the Lansing market.

Case: Any new regulations, technologies or industry trends that customers need to be knowledgeable about?

Signorelli: There are constantly changes and shifts in the area of global logistics. If there is one stand-out topic right now, it would be cargo security. We’ve seen increasing focus around the world on aviation and port security. Much of this is evident through media focus on airport passenger screening, but we continue to see regulatory changes around cargo screening, both for air and ocean movements. In the United States we saw the implementation of Importer Security Filing (ISF) within the past two years.

We’ve seen increasing focus on cargo screening of material moving on passenger aircraft, and the European Union has just launched a requirement for advanced manifest information for material moving into EU countries by all modes. We expect to see more developments around the idea of having good, timely information about the movement of goods to ensure security in transit.

Shippers should do their best to stay informed by reading trade and industry journals and attend training seminars.  Port Lansing does a good job of promoting education, and Expeditors also offers a number of seminar and training topics for our customers throughout the year.

Case: Where will Expeditors be in five years?

Signorelli: Expeditors has always looked for organic, strategic growth opportunities. Expeditors’ mission statement is the basis from which we work: “To set the standard for excellence in global logistics through total commitment to quality in people and customer service, with superior financial results.” Our mission drives the company’s primary strategies for expansion: opening offices in response to organic growth and expanding through joint ventures with agents instead of acquisitions. These strategies have resulted in swift but steady growth, with extensive expansion in our number of offices, agents and employees, while providing clients with the needed confidence and security that there will be continuity in the services we provide and the way we operate our business.

To learn more about getting your global products from point A to point B through Port Lansing, visit www.portlansing.com or call 517-886-3716.

		Brent Case is the director of Foreign Trade Zone No. 275 and International Market Development at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Case works with the Capital Region Airport Authority to increase the amount of global commerce being conducted in the Greater Lansing area.