Aiming to achieve

SANAL HARIDAS -Commercial Air Freight Manager, CSS GROUP SPEAKS TO SHEEBA ANTONY ABOUT AIR FREIGHT DEPARTMENT AND PROSPECTS FOR 2009

How different are you from other freight providers in the region?

CSS with its presence in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent are having an array of services like Ocean, Air, land Transportation, Projects, Air Charter Services, GSA to major carriers and Supply chain management. This makes us unique in offering an integrated service that is unmatched in this region.

Does the price competition really affect the business?
Price is a perceived competition. Value addition and service levels are the factors which always keep our customers with us. However we should always be mindful that overpricing can make us loose our edge in any market situation. Especially during this trying time it is always advisable to keep our cost low and offer the best product, service and the best price to our customers. This will ensure loyalty and growth even in a challenging price market.

What are the new challenges that you look forward for the air freight in the Middle East?
During this period of Global recession and financial turmoil we see numerous challenges posed in the market place and such situations not only affect the financial and property market, it will also have some adverse affect on our offering as some of these sectors have been the catalyst for our growth in the recent past. In light of this during this downturn as an organization we need to look at new ideas and ways to stimulate the market place with our service offerings. This can especially be leveraged by seeking the feedback of our customer and looking at ways for us to be a part of their supply chain and meet the challenges faced together to sustain growth. If we are able to further contribute to our customers requirements in this manner we can come out of this situation together and build up a partnership that will go beyond this trying times securing a stable and trustworthy relationship in the future.

As you are aware the business landscape in UAE is taking a different turn all together .What are the plans for CSS Airfreight to tap this development?
CSS has to look at its strengths and find new ways of working with our customers, providing guidance and assistance to ensure a win-win situation during this period. This will eventually secure our future growth.

What about the changing face of the industry?

The freight and logistics business has been the same for centuries and continue to be a catalyst in growth for all works around. Most of the time this business is the last to be affected by any recession or turmoil as it is required in the best and worst of time. We have also seen this sector evolving into an integrated service offering, providing movement of goods, information and finance and that is exactly what we need to continue to do. We need to understand the challenges the industry faces and together work towards a way to resolve and take it forward to enhance commerce. As many economists say, during recession we need to spend more money and during good time we need to save, unless we put our minds to resolving and helping promote commerce we will not be able to build a strong organization and sustain growth. We always need to remember it is during the great recessions and challenges that corporates like Microsoft and many other organizations have become what they are today.

Could you brief about CSS Group’s association with service providers?

CSS works closely with a host of affiliates & agents in the U.S, U.K, Europe, Far East and Africa who are leaders and experts within their region and share a very good business relationship. They understand our commitment to the customers and fulfill every requirement in the same manner as CSS does. This is our strength and we need to capitalise the relations we have with our agents and affiliates and work with them to promote trade and commerce collectively.

Opportunities that you foresee in the air freight industry in the Middle East?

As you are aware the business landscape in UAE is taking a different turn all together .What are the plans for CSS Airfreight to tap this development? CSS has to look at its strengths and find new ways of working As mentioned above capitalise on emerging markets and promote dialogues and partnership with customers and grow together during this period. On the other hand we could also target African region during this period. Although various agents and carriers are already supporting this market, a very large area of this region is still being untapped. Dubai is well known for trade and the facilities offered by the government to the traders. If focused and serviced better, this route could be further developed and prove to be potential for the entire Middle East region.