Member Interview: Prime Time International, Nigeria
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 recently spoke to Adebayo Adeyemo at Prime Time International in Nigeria:
How did you start out in Freight Forwarding?
"It started from Lufthansa German Airlines (cargo), 1990-2006, where I got all that is needed to be a future successful cargo freight forwarder. Prime Time International Limited, a close limited liability company, was registered in November 1989 before I joined Lufthansa, and because it's a sin to engage in private business when in service, I was only updating the company documents with the government until 2006, when I resigned my appointment to start fully as the Managing Director of the airfreight forwarding outfit."
Your thoughts on the logistics industry today and how things have changed due to the Pandemic?
"Looking into it, this Pandemic has caused thousands of flights to be cancelled and grounded several times over the last few months. I have heard of 2020 being referred to as the worst business year. The repercussions of the COVID-19 outbreak are being felt more strongly with every passing day, and despite the unprecedented steps and cumulative efforts undertaken by governments, businesses and individuals to stem its growth, the virus continues to rampage unchecked across the globe, causing loss of life and hitting businesses across industries."
What are the main challenges facing independent forwarders?
"Challenges are always numerous everywhere, every time and to everything, some of the main ones are:
1) Currency exchange: Not only the price of freight, forwarding services are impacted with unstable exchange rates.
2) Technology Implementation: The use of technology in the shipping industry is changing rapidly. Freight forwarders use advanced communication, optimization, and tracking tools to manage and move cargo globally. Electric vehicles, advanced tracking systems, and supply chain visibility are some of the issues that technology is currently addressing.
3) Bureaucratic hurdles: There are continuous regulations that are being imposed on the carriers by the federal, state, and local authorities.
4) Global Economy: The global economy is shifting drastically, and freight forwarders must take precautions to work around inflation, rising shipping costs, trade wars, and environmental factors.
5) Customer Service: It is important for freight forwarders to ensure that their partners share with them accurate and timely information."
How relevant is networking in today’s forwarding industry?
"Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. When you invest in your relationships — professional and personal — it can pay you back in dividends throughout the course of your career. Networking helps to develop and improve our skill, to stay on top of the latest trends in the industry.
Networking is important - most especially, profitable, reliable, and well focused networking, as in our WFN, where members are family.
Networking is a very important factor of production."
How do you see the future for independent forwarders?
"The future looks bright! Whatever goes up, must surely come down; the world economy cannot do without freight forwarders."
Visit www.prime-timeintl.com to learn more.
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