Summer is finally upon us, and along with it comes vacation time and an opportunity to visit exciting new places. Travelling can be fun, but can also be accompanied by anxiety of the unknown. But determined people overcome any anxiety, then research potential destinations, plan the trip, pack, travel, arrive safely and hopefully enjoy the adventure of it all.

The idea of venturing out of your company’s comfort zone to engage in international business can also seem daunting at first, because of the uncertainties and unknowns. But the process is well documented and requires many of the same steps: research, planning, travel, additional due diligence and execution. Coupled with a little luck, the venture can lead to a lucrative international growth strategy. Once there, your company can begin to reap the many benefits of global commerce.

The good news is you don’t have to take this trip all by yourself. There are public and private experts available to help navigate through nuances and intricacies of international business. One of the objectives of this article is to demystify the complexity of international business by showcasing valuable resources and expertise in the Greater Lansing area that are here to help your company go global.

ABF Freight System, Inc. (www.abfs.com) was established in 1923 and is a U.S. supply chain company with a regional presence. ABF can assist your company with domestic and international shipments in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico, serving 250 ports in more than 130 countries.

Matt Phillips is an account manager for ABF in the Greater Lansing region and frequently explains to his clients how local assets can play an important role in their unique logistics solution. I recently sat down with Phillips to learn more about ABF and their multitude of supply chain and logistics services and what that means for area businesses.

Case: There are a lot of carriers out there. Tell me why Greater Lansing businesses should consider ABF?

Phillips: ABF is one of North America’s oldest and most reputable supply chain solutions providers and motor carriers, frequently recognized as a benchmark for safety, security, technology, freight handling standards and billing accuracy.  Our organization is proud that we have been recognized over 30 different times from the American Trucking Association’s Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council.  InformationWeek, CIO, InfoWorld, and BtoB magazines have also cited ABF’s strategic use of information technology as exemplary.

Case: I’m guessing most logistics companies have to embrace technology or will be left behind.  So how does ABF differentiate itself from your vast competition?

Phillips: With all of our capabilities and services we offer, it starts with our people. All of us strive to work together to offer our customers options that are unmatched in the industry. Business logistics has become a very integral piece of our customers’ business models.  Because of this, ABF has evolved from a National LTL trucking company into a proven leader in the supply chain industry. We find ourselves working as a partner with our customers to satisfy needs such as managing domestic and foreign supply chains, monitoring and reacting to inventory levels, strategic placement of warehousing, installation coordination of product and services and much more.

Case: Does ABF recognize any growth potential in the Greater Lansing region?

Phillips: Our growth is happening as we speak. We constantly strive to grow with our current customer base and offer options and solutions to grow strong partnerships. The Greater Lansing area has been home to our local ABF Service Center for many years, and we respect both our longtime clients as well as our new relationships. With the Lansing area becoming more of an international market, we are proud to act as a consultant to so many businesses that are growing and reaching out to new markets.

Case: What are some of your industry’s challenges for serving customers involved in international business/freight?

Phillips: Initially, it was establishing an electronic communications channel that gives customers real-time and end-to-end visibility of inventory as it moves through the global supply chain. Now that we are several years into the global market, the systems and infrastructure that support this world-class service have matured. Customers now have visibility to manage their global supply chains with all of the relevant information at their fingertips.

Case: How can Port Lansing benefit area businesses—particularly ABF customers?

Phillips: Port Lansing has a multitude of benefits for area businesses including adding a local and friendly connection in what can be a complex and daunting international market. A typical supply chain can involve moving inventory over the ocean, to a port on U.S. soil, across part of the country, and ultimately clearing customs in a city that is not in Michigan.  The visibility of these shipments can be very limited. By utilizing Port Lansing, the supply chain is finalized right here in our hometown area, which can simplify this process for many businesses in the region.

Case: What does the future hold for ABF?

Phillips: ABF will continue to focus on developing innovative supply chain and logistics solutions for our customers’ unique needs. In doing so, ABF has made it a strategic initiative to continue to expand into new markets on a global scale, and I am excited to see the opportunities that are on the horizon as a result of this initiative.

. . .

ABF saw the growth opportunity by embracing global logistics and has since become much more than just an LTL carrier. ABF International Services, Global Supply Chain Services and their several other products provide customers multiple options to resolve almost any logistics scenario.

Taking your business global can be simplified by allowing experts like Matt Phillips and ABF to handle the often complex global logistics, which allows you to focus efforts on your company’s strengths.

Leveraging existing resources can take some of the anxiety out of your adventure to global dominance and get you to an ROI more quickly—so you can enjoy the many additional aspects of international business.

To learn more about ABF and other international business service providers in the region, visit the business directory at www.portlansing.com.

		Brent Case is vice president of international business services 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.