Member Interview: Global Logistical Connections, USA
WFN members are well experienced in their industry and experts in freight. We took the opportunity to interview several of our members, to gain an insight into both their background, their views on the Pandemic, and their thoughts for the future.
We spoke to Derek Scarbrough at Global Logistical Connections in the USA:
How did you start out in Freight Forwarding?
"After finishing my collegiate degree/Bachelors as a Global Business Major from University of Florida and having my last semester abroad in Madrid, Spain, my father introduced me to his brother’s (my uncle’s) business, Scarbrough International. A freight forwarding/customs brokerage and warehouse/distribution operation based in Kansas City, MO. I moved to Kansas City to start working for him. I was so blessed and fortunate to learn directly underneath my aunt/uncle… living with them for the first six months. A Fort Lauderdale, FL born guy living in Midwest of the USA for the first time! First winter! I passed my broker’s license to become a licensed US Customs broker and within 1 year, at the age of 21, I was the branch manager of their St. Louis, MO office and operation. In 2006, at the age of 25, I moved to California to start GLC out of my apartment in Long Beach with $20,000 USD to my name and no customers... just a dream. We are based in Los Angeles with branch offices in Chicago, Miami, Charleston, Bogota and soon to be Mexico City. All locations with warehouse/distribution facilities!"
Your thoughts on the logistics industry today and how things have changed due to the Pandemic?
"The logistics industry today has seen a dramatic shift toward even more e-commerce driven goods, with Amazon especially seeing a dramatic increase in the last five years. More prepaid business from China and/or Chinese agents selling direct to US customers. Changes due to the Pandemic are again even MORE e-commerce products, PPE products of masks, gowns, sanitizer, wipes and associated products."
What are the main challenges facing independent forwarders?
"Cash flow. To me, it's one of the biggest challenges of the industry, particularly for the independent freight forwarders. Staffing/infrastructure and how to groom/train. Training is an expensive and time consuming endeavour that is essential, but also very difficult, particularly with the millennial generation as you have to do things differently than in the past with much more emphasis on check ins, feelings, challenges, performance based incentives. Automation... IT related services as that will be a growing need and point of emphasis to concentrate on as people demand information faster."
How relevant is networking in today’s forwarding industry?
"Extremely relevant. This is, and will likely always be, a relationship business. What will differentiate the thousands of forwarders from each other is trust/confidence, relationships and networking.Having customers/vendors and the like that you can build relationships with through networking is as essential as anything else."
How do you see the future for independent forwarders?
"Ripe with opportunities with an increased need and emphasis on technology/automation."
Visit www.glc-inc.com to learn more.
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