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DHL—the number one airfreight shipper, and among the top three in ocean freight operates in 220 countries around the world. Wherever your shipment has to go, DHL probably has it covered.
But can a behemoth such as DHL offer the personalized service of a local niche player? According to Paul McMillan, VP of Business Customers for DHL Global Forwarding, the answer is a resounding yes. And he wants you to know just how much he wants your business. “The SME segment makes up 50 percent of overall business for DHL Global Forwarding, so this is a critical segment for us, and something I focus on day in and day out.”
While DHL has the biggest footprint in freight forwarding, and strives to be competitive, it might not be the cheapest alternative. But McMillan doesn’t believe SMEs should choose on price alone.
“At DHL Global Forwarding, we’re interested in partnering with customers and making them successful,” he says. “Any freight forwarder can move a box, but not every freight forwarder can really be a logistics partner to an SME.”
What does being a logistics partner entail? McMillan says it’s comprised of many parts.
“Firstly, you need to partner with a logistics provider that has the expertise on the compliance and on the brokerage side,” says McMillan. “Is there a tariff, are there going to be duties on these goods, is it considered a hazardous shipment that has to be treated with special circumstances? Is this even a product that’s allowed to be shipped into that specific country?”
He says that another way a good logistics partner can help you succeed is by helping you plan your shipments so they’re in the sweet spot when factoring cost versus transit time.
“A lot of SMEs might feel that they need to have a product to destination in three to five days, but perhaps it’s five to seven days, and they can save 20 percent on their logistics then by doing it that way. So, with a bit more planning up front, they can save money on the back end.”
An added value that DHL Global Forwarding can offer SMEs, says McMillan, is its team of sector-specific experts. If you’re in the auto parts supply business, at DHL your logistics partner will be someone who understands the language and nature of your business.
But the major consideration for anyone who needs to move goods quickly might be its clout.
McMillan explains that pre-holiday, there’s much more product that businesses are trying to ship out of Asia and into the US than there is air freight capacity to get it there.
“We have a lot of buying power and leverage throughout the market and throughout the industry. We’re able to procure and protect more space for our customers.”
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| HMK3820 NTN | 38 | 48 | 20 |
| HMK3815 NTN | 38 | 48 | 15 |