Global logistics: ABF expands Asian footprint with 12 new offices

Freight transportation services provider ABF is taking steps to continue its global expansion, announcing this week it has opened 12 new offices in Asia.

The offices are located in Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines, India, and Sri Lanka. The company already has existing Asian operations in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

ABF Director of Marketing and Public Relations Russ Aikman told LM that opening these new offices is part of an ongoing trend for the company in terms of expanding its global reach.

“A few years ago, amid a growing trend for manufacturers to move their operations overseas, ABF developed its Global Supply Chain Services division,” said Aikman. “We set out to develop a world-class global division that would marry up seamlessly with the vast transportation and logistics network that has been in operation in North America for nearly 90 years.  We first established offices in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. With the new Global origins announced [this week], ABF provides coverage for approximately 73 percent of the US import market.” 

With its Asia-based offices serving as a dedicated operational connection with overseas manufacturing centers, Aikman said these new additions give ABF dedicated offices that support the daily activities that come with managing the flow of inventory and shipments from these overseas manufacturing areas to the port and on to its final destination in the United States.

Aikman also explained that ABF has invested heavily in creating a technology platform that gives its customers visibility of product down to the PO level starting at the manufacturers’ floor overseas and ending at final delivery to the consignee stateside. 

“These new offices support this model by working with local manufacturers, ports, warehouses and our offices located in the US to keep information and product flowing smoothly to ABF’s customers,” said Aikman. “The true value of our Global model is that it marries up seamlessly with our vast transportation and logistics network in North America, providing end-to-end coverage, visibility and control.”

In terms of the next steps for ABF in Asia, Aikman said that the company is evaluating several opportunities, most of which evolve around continuing geographic expansion and enhancing its service model.

When asked what the biggest advantages of this expansion are for ABF from a competitive perspective, he said that the true value of its Global model is that it marries up seamlessly with its vast transportation and logistics network in North America, providing end-to-end coverage, visibility and control.

“ABF’s expanding portfolio of logistics services now extends from the Asian manufacturer’s floor to domestic door delivery. In between, customers benefit from a single point of contact and total end-to-end supply chain visibility,” said Roy Slagle, ABF senior vice president of sales and marketing, in a statement.