Focusing on Abu Dhabi

Suku Sudhakaran, The AGM for CSS Abu Dhabi, is optimistic about the recent trends in the industry. He mentioned his views and ideas about the prospective market and the larger opportunities waiting beyond what we actually see in the current scenario in his article to Light House. Suku has been with the group company for more than a decade now.

About the New office of CSS Abu Dhabi

The decision for a second office in the capital was taken not looking into the economic meltdown and the present downward trend of business in Dubai and the exodus of people moving to grab opportunities in the still stable Abu Dhabi market. Plans of expanding CSS’s presence in Abu Dhabi was put into motion during the latter half of 2008 when the branch was showing record growth. CSS’s Abu Dhabi branch established in 2002 which was accommodating 7 staff has been witnessing a steady growth until 2008 when the graphs shot up.

While the expansion plans were midway the economic crisis hit out, while most of the market became pessimistic CSS went ahead with the plans of expansion and now have a new bigger and better office at the heart of Abu Dhabi City. In order to fully capitalize on the positive trend in the Abu Dhabi economy a decision was taken to intensify the sales efforts in this market and that meant expanding staff strength in all departments including the Sales & Marketing team which invariably meant a larger office to accommodate the expected future staff strength of 25.

Being close to the Zayed University and Central Taxi Depot the location is quite strategic as it being in the central area makes access easy for all (both our clients and suppliers from the city and the industrial areas) and also there is ample parking space which is a very rare commodity in the city.

The booming Abu Dhabi economy

Abu Dhabi hold more than 90 percent of the oil reserves in the UAE and a strong backing from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority which injects funds to balance budgets especially during times of crisis ensure that the economy stays stable. But this is where the capital is changing its policies. Abu Dhabi has plans to develop the non oil sectors and is projecting a growth of 6 to 7 percentage until 2015. They are already in the process of developing the metal industry with projects like Emal, and other industries that are going to be promoted are aviation (Etihad Airlines), tourism and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, education, telecommunication and many more. Abu Dhabi has got long term planning like the 2030 plan which is projecting a strong economy. They also are having plans to improvise their monetary policies. With all these aspects and the well planned policies we are sure that Abu Dhabi is going to grow as per forecasts and projections and we at CSS are all geared up and ready to be part of this growth.

The competitive edge of CSS
With over 6 years of freight forwarding service to the oil & trading industries CSS has built a name for itself in the Freight Forwarding industry offering un paralleled service to its clients by boasting a team of highly skilled multi-lingual and motivated professionals who all share in the company’s vision to be leaders in the industry. With the establishment of our new office we reiterate our commitment to our clients to continue our high standards of service and open up new avenues to service our clients better and move forward with them hand in hand into what we believe will be a brighter future. Also the new state of the art logistics facility in Mussafah will also help us by being able to cater to the logistics requirement of the market.

Growth Plans

At present CSS Abu Dhabi has a strong team engaged with jobs in the oil industry but there are plans to appoint more professionals to look into other sectors as well, like developing the consolidation sector. Focus will be directed on formulating and implementing expansion strategies to provide complete storage and logistics solutions to the Abu Dhabi market (The logistics facility taken up in Mussaffah is the first move in that direction). More attention will also be given in improving the company’s presence in the Local and International Land Transportation sector.

Opportunities in the Freight forwarding industry

The feeling at the moment is that the freight forwarding industry, in this part of the world should be looking at capitalizing in the alternative energy sector. This will definitely be rated as the number one opportunity with more and more corporate companies and governments setting regulations to counter the silent environmental crisis. This is not just an opportunity but also a requirement that is quite delayed as it is true that the effects of global warming and pollution are taking it’s toll on the environment and unlike portrayed earlier are effecting our generation rather that the generations to come. It is an obligation towards our own conscience.

CSS attracts significant attention at Breakbulk Conference

CSS recently participated in the 4th Annual Breakbulk Europe Conference & Exhibition 2009, which was held by the Journal of Commerce Conferences in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Breakbulk Europe conference featured a line up of key breakbulk industry executives and leaders who examined the challenges faced by the industry and how the industry is working towards recovery.
A total of 109 companies participated as exhibitors, including the likes of Scan Trans, Big Lift Shipping B.V., Nordex Energy GmbH, Beluga Shipping, Rickmers Lines, SDV, Cord Strap, and DP World Antwerp. In addition, it attracted more than 3000 attendees, giving CSS the perfect platform to interact with key market players, shippers, forwarders, carriers, and other transportation provider’s world wide.
CSS Group delegation was led by The Group Chairman, T.S. Kaladharan and the team included Anil Kumar (Director, Finance & Admin), Raj George (Senior VP – Ocean Freight), Jairam K. R. (Director – CSS India), Rakesh Menon (Senior General Manager – Sales & Marketing), Sreenath V. (General Manager – Projects, Oil & Energy), Narayan R.T. (General Manager – CSS Bahrain), , Suku Sudhakaran (Asst. General Manager – CSS Abu Dhabi) Amith Surya Horra (Marketing Manager), and Cheryl D’cunha (Asst. Manager – Oil & Energy Division). CSS Booth # 228 was strategically located to showcase its strength and competencies in the areas of expertise for Projects, Oil & Energy. With a wider audience visiting the exhibition, it was the perfect platform for CSS to highlight the presence it has as an Integrated Forwarder in the Middle East and Indian Sub Continent. Furthermore, key networking sessions took place at CSS booth for interaction among its clients, associates & visitors.
CSS had made arrangements to raffle a traditional Dhow ship out of the business cards that were dropped into the bowl at the CSS booth. The Dhow ship also called traditional Arab ship rightly reflects the UAE culture and ethnicity; it played an integral part in showing the values we carry.
The response received in Antwerp was so overwhelming that CSS Group has already registered for the next Breakbulk conference to be held in Singapore and this time the booth will be double the size of the one in Antwerp.

Team NVOCC at CSS Dubai

As one of the most active players in the Middle East Logistics industry, today CSS Middle East NVOCC department is a consistent success story despite the fiercely competitive business environment. The NVOCC department of any successful logistics company should have a global reach through a network of offices and representatives worldwide. It should be well equipped with efficient warehousing and Container Freight Station (CFS) facilities to handle transhipment cargo and provide cost effective solutions both at origin and destination. This has been the forte for the success of CSS Groups NVOCC department.

Fida Asghar, NVOCC Team Manager for CSS ME said, “We have built our strong client base on personalized and tailor made services with end to end solution to all our clients. NVOCC department offers secured and scheduled services to connect with all main overseas markets through its international partners. Our prime objective is to provide cost effective consolidated ocean freight services to all our clients around the globe. We have console services to 40 plus direct destination worldwide along with more than 2000 destinations globally through our dedicated hubs. Services offered include door to door service, customs clearance, documentation, high speed track & trace facility etc”.

NVOCC department is backed by a young and dynamic team with wide experience in providing international freight services, the team is always willing to extend a helping hand, offer personalized and accurate services to achieve total customer satisfaction and loyalty.

NVOCC department will continue to excel in providing cost effective containerization solutions, customer commitment, professionalism and dedication complementing the foundation of CSS Group.

Budget Meet 2009 – CSS India

Console Shipping Services India Pvt. Ltd. conducted its budget meet for the year 2009-10, on the 24th and 25th of April at Devas Farm House, Thrikkunnappuzha, Alleppy District, Kerala. As a usual practice, the meeting was a perfect blend of serious discussions over figures and entertainment to an intense level. The meet was inaugurated by The Group Chairman, T S Kaladharan. In his key note address, he mentioned about the exemplary growth achieved by CSS Dubai, even in the turbulent times of recession and expected to see more achievements on an overall performance level by the group company. Jairam K R, Director- CSS India welcomed the delegates from all offices who were present for the meeting, especially Fida Asghar, Team Manager- NVOCC, and Amith Surya Horra, Marketing Manager, who came all the way from Dubai and the Audit team, who came to attend the meeting.

Day one saw the presentations from South India. Chennai budget was presented by Eugene, Branch Manager and was supported by Jackson. Next was Bangalore. The Bangalore and Tirupur budgets were presented by Sunil, who takes care of the operations from these stations. Cochin budget figures were presented by Latha Asokan. Delhi was the next station who presented the budget. A special applause was offered to the Delhi team for their remarkable achievement during the last year. Surajeet, General Manager- North India presented the Delhi budget and the plan of action for the future. Nitin Bajpai, the new face for the Exports in Delhi was present with the team Delhi.

Discussions were made over the figures and the projections made by each station which summed up the days brain storming sessions. The musical performance by the young and talented singer Anand, was the main attraction for the day’s evening.

The exquisitely chosen and imaginatively crafted dishes for the menu for all the three days by Chef Riaz and supported by an ever enthusiastic culinary team of Devas, was grand enough to provide eternal memories for the taste buds of each and every person assembled for the meet.

Day two started with the presentation of Pune and then Ahmedabad took over the show. The presentation for Kolkata, which came next, was done by Arup Ray, Director- CSS India, due to the absence of the Managers from Kolkata. CSS Mumbai budget was presented by Rampal and was supported by the team comprised of Rahat and Hemant. Discussions were made upon the figures and the plan of action presented on the day by each station.

Dr. S V Nair, who joined the CSS India bandwagon as the HR head, presented his plan of action for the group HR policies. New review policies were adopted, as per the suggestions from the Group Chairman, to closely monitor the fulfillment of the new budgets. Arup Ray extended the vote of thanks to all those who have attended the budget meet 2009-10, and cited that despite of the economic slowdown, CSS India is all set to accomplish a significant growth in the years to come.

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.

Cochin Port – India’s first e-Port

Cochin Port Trust crosses a major milestone, as it becomes the first e-Port in India. Christened as ‘e thuramukha’ (e-Port) the project integrates the port’s operational, financials, real estate and human resources system on an integrated port information system. Once, fully functional, it will provide a real time interface with customs, port users, banks and the port community system of the Indian Ports Association (IPA). The system will provide a single window facility to the trade for filing applications, receiving service bills, payments and enquiries. According to the CoPT press release the project covers computerization of all its customer facing and internal back office processes to improve its all round efficiency. The motto of the project is accuracy, speed, efficiency and transparency.