The specialist for express transportation, which belongs to Lufthansa Cargo, operates its own handling terminals for express shipments at Frankfurt, Munich, and Shanghai Pudong. Its Courier Terminals deliver tailored services, speed up the flow of goods, and enhance reliability. This service sets it apart from other niche providers of ultra-fast air freight transportation.
The company’s own handling network will be further expanded, CEO Bernhard zur Strassen announced in an exclusive interview with CargoForwarder Global (CFG).
At the same time, agent Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal (PACTL) unveiled strategic initiatives that reinforce its ambition in global air cargo logistics. Lufthansa Cargo also holds a 29% stake in the Chinese ground handler.
Instead of saying ‘the Sky is the Limit’, the motto at time:matters is: ‘The Globe is our Limit’. This is because following time:matters’ core markets across Europe, China and other regions, known growth markets in East and Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe feature prominently on the company’s expansion list,. “The geopolitical upheavals are rapidly changing supply chains. Hence, internationally active companies are forced to constantly reorganize their logistics processes,” says CEO Bernhard zur Strassen. “We connect the world every day to save time, money, and lives, and to keep the global economy running.”
Crises drive sales
Although he doesn’t say it literally, he hints that crises can be growth drivers, fueling his company’s business and spurring its geographical expansion. “If there is a bottleneck in the supply chain somewhere, we are there to help.” And these ‘bottlenecks’ are on the advance due to rampant political and economic uncertainties. “Our aim is to be an integral part of our customers’ supply chain,” the executive emphasizes.
Speaking about new horizons, time:matters puts a strong focus on Thailand and Malaysia. These are two countries, among others, that benefit from the China+1 strategy of global players looking to diversify their investments and reduce bottleneck risks. “We have already stationed our own staff in both Thailand and Malaysia, and will do so in other markets,” he states. The executive goes on to say: “This approach is further enhanced by collaborating with more than 500 courier partners and airlines worldwide – enabling us to respond to our customers’ specific needs with precision and flexibility.”
Its slogan is: fast, flexible, reliable
time:matters’ business model is based on the rapid supply of special niche products for which clients have to pay more than for regular air freight shipments. With direct apron access, dedicated on-site staff supervising freight loading, seamless global shipment monitoring, and proactive communication, the company claims to ensure complete control across every shipment. It has access to all major airlines and also leverages the capacities of the Lufthansa Group.
Speed and network offerings are the decisive criteria for awarding a transport order, as is reliability because errors are not tolerated by customers. The company has very strong expertise in many verticals – in particular in shipping time-critical and sensitive goods for the automotive, aftermarket, life sciences, high-tech and semiconductor industries. time:matters relies on a largely asset-free strategy. “Our assets are our own people in combination with our digital technology,” states Mr. zur Strassen. In total, 300+ employees are listed on the company payroll.
PACTL partners with Ethiopian Airlines
Meanwhile, growth strategies are also underway over at Lufthansa Cargo’s other business interest: PACTL and Ethiopian Airlines recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at establishing a collaborative framework to strengthen the air cargo industry, optimize operational and logistics efficiency, and foster mutual growth opportunities between China and Africa. To strengthen logistics efficiency, the collaboration will streamline trade flows, prioritizing the transportation of high-demand e-commerce goods. By integrating upstream and downstream supply chains, the partnership aims to ensure faster and more reliable cargo handling, in this way streamlining trade flows. Both sides will also explore joint investments in freight facilities, exchange information in security service management, and promote the China-Africa air cargo corridor through coordinated marketing and promotional activities from multiple perspectives.
And a further MoU signed
In addition, PACTL and Lufthansa Cargo Servicios Logisticos de Mexico signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve cross-continental connectivity, trade efficiency and logistics innovations. They jointly intend to increase freighter flight frequencies between China and Mexico, through multinational carriers, and explore synergies under the joint shareholder, Lufthansa Cargo. Enhancing export-import logistics between China and Mexico is another topic on the agenda. The aim is to enable more reliable cargo movement and support bilateral trade growth. Strengthening the e-commerce supply chain between the two countries and improving the handling of key imports such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value goods to China, are other goals mentioned in the MoU. Finally, both players intend to cooperate and exchange expertise in cargo terminal planning, construction, and operations, and infrastructure development to improve ground handling efficiency and streamline ground processes at airports. The MoU may also be beneficial to time:matters, given the demand for time-critical and sensitive transport solutions between the two countries.
