ELITE formed to represent freight forwarders
A new industry body representing the freight forwarding sector launched this week, following backing from aviation trade association IATA.
The Elite Association of Logistics Networks (ELITE) has announced its official launch yesterday, after the qualification of nine major global logistics networks as founding members.
According to an online statement by the association, ELITE will ‘act as a body to represent the independent freight forwarding community by engaging with and participating alongside major global industry associations, regulators and government agencies’.
Combined membership of ELITE-qualified networks comprises over 3,550 freight forwarding companies around the world, with annual revenues in excess of US$60 Billion and over 140,000 staff operating from 7,000 plus offices in 188 countries worldwide.
IATA’s head of global cargo, Des Vertannes, has welcomed the formation of ELITE, stating that with the industry currently undergoing major changes it is essential that all sectors work together.
“ELITE has the potential to become a powerful and potent voice for freight forwarders around the world. The size and quality of the networks within ELITE ensures that their views will be heard and taken seriously by associations, regulators and carriers. We look forward to forming a close strategic relationship with ELITE and working together to drive new efficiencies for the benefit of us all,” said Vertannes.
A second key objective for ELITE is to provide the global logistics industry with visibility and clarity by differentiating bona-fide, high-quality logistics networks from a growing number of ‘rogue’ networks around the world.
In a statement, the ELITE founding members said: “There are new networks appearing almost daily that do not have the same ideals and standards that ELITE member networks embrace. Many of these networks operate using dubious practices, provide poor quality services, offer unsubstantiated benefits, lack proper financial backing, fail to implement membership vetting procedures and are generally unable to fulfill their stated obligations to their membership.
“This not only damages the reputation of logistic networks as a whole, but also creates much confusion among freight forwarders, shippers and the logistics supply chain. By applying strict membership criteria we are able to provide the industry with a ‘seal of quality’ ensuring that each network only operates to the highest standards.”
The nine global networks to have met the qualifying criteria for ELITE comprise:
1. Global Logistics Network (GLN)
2. Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN)
4. Project Cargo Network (PCN)
5. Time Critical Logistics Alliance (TCLA)
6. Universal Freight Organisation (UFO)
7. WCA Family of Logistic Networks (WCAF)
8. WCA Projects Network (WCAPN)
9. Worldwide Partners Alliance (WPA)