Singapore and London, 01 November 2010 - Leading global express integrator, TNT, picked up a global award for its Asia Road Network (ARN) at the 14th annual UK-based International Freighting Weekly Awards in London on 28 October 2010. Edging out stiff competition from its rivals, TNT was singled out for its innovation, high service standards, strong track record of success, and pioneering efforts to establish the first chartered road service network in .
Modelled after the TNT’s market-leading European Road Network, TNT established the ARN in 2005. Since then, the road service wholly managed by TNT has expanded and now stretches across 127 cities in seven countries across Southeast Asia and – a distance of more than 7,650 kilometres.
While overland transportation of goods is the dominant mode in Europe and the , stands as an exception with sea transportation as the most common mode. Seizing the opportunity to grow another viable alternative for its customers in , TNT invested more than 12.5 million euro (about S$21.4 million) into developing the ARN. Considerable efforts have also been channeled into facilitating a faster customs clearance process between borders.
David Stenberg, General Manager, Asia Road Network said, “Five years ago, we announced our intention to develop a road network in , very much like our Europe Road Network. We were the first to attempt such an ambitious project in , and we faced a set of unique challenges. TNT did what we do best and engineered an unrivalled road network that offers our customers a combination of cost efficiency, speed, security and reliability.
“Over the years, we have seen the profile of freight diversify to include more high-value goods, such as electronics, healthcare products and automotive and industrial equipment. This global award affirms our ability to drive best-in-class services in all markets we operate, and particularly in the exciting, emerging markets of .”
In the diverse geographical , TNT’s ARN service is 30 per cent cheaper than air transportation and 3 times faster than sea transportation on average. Since its inception, capacity on the ARN has grown over 20 per cent year-on-year and further growth is expected. In a recent report, the total volume of road freight carried domestically and internationally in is expected to grow by 8.4 per cent over the next four years, from 2,090 billion tonnes-km in 2010 to 2,889 billion tonnes-km in 2014.
A new truck fleet
In June, TNT unveiled a new fleet of trucks specially designed for maximum efficiency and customised to suit pan-Asian routes. The 41-foot Scania trucks and trailers are larger and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. TNT and partners Scania and Astrata have collaborated closely on design and security features which are still, to this day, completely unique in the region.
Some of the design features of TNT’s new trucks include:
Increased capacity – capacity on the new trucks is 20 per cent greater than that of previous trucks
Lighter – three tons lighter than predecessors, meaning reduced wear and tear
Enhanced security (partnering with Astrata) – in-built security system that enables efficient, round-the-clock remote monitoring of the trucks
Greener – improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions; new trucks are 17 per cent more efficient when measured against the industry benchmark.
Unrivalled security standards
In what is an industry first, TNT has achieved the highest validation ever to be awarded to a company globally for trucks operating on its ARN in , and . Level One is the highest validation that TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) awards in its TSR category (Trucking Security), demanding 100 per cent compliance from participating companies and their suppliers in meeting stringent security measures. Coupled with its TAPA FSR certification, TNT is now the first globally to operate a complete door-to-door TAPA certified- logistics network.
TNT has taken the TAPA requirements a stage further by deploying CCTV cameras on their fleet. The cameras, which can be monitored remotely, observe the loading and unloading of the trailer, to ensure quality controls at all stages of the movement of the customer’s goods. The cameras are also used to detect if the trailer is being followed and the control room is able to alert the police immediately of an eminent attack on the vehicle.
In August, TNT was also awarded the prestigious Partner of the Year award at the Changi Airlines Awards in recognition of TNT’s strategic efforts to develop as its Asian regional hub in its global network.
TNT plans to announce further security enhancements to the ARN and plans to expand the road network further into mainland and subsequently into .
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About the IFW Awards
The IFW Awards is one of the distribution industry's longest established events which recognizes and rewards excellence in the Logistics sector.
About the Network
Established in 2005, the Asian Road Network currently links 6 countries across 127 cities - a distance of more than 7,650 kilometres. The TNT Asia Road Network offers businesses a cost and time effective solution with a land transport service that will provide significant savings compared to air freight and with transit times that are up to three times faster than sea freight.
About TNT’s Express division
TNT’s Express division is one of the world’s leading express delivery services providers. It delivers 4.4 million parcels, documents and pieces of freight a week to over 200 countries using its network of 2,409 depots, hubs and sorting centers. The division operates 26,310 road vehicles, 48 aircraft and has the biggest door-to-door air and road express delivery infrastructure in .
TNT’s Express division employs over 78,000 staff worldwide. It is the first organisation to have achieved global recognition as an Investor in People. The division reported revenues of €5.956 billion in 2009. The operating income was €193 million. Visit TNT’s Express division online: http://www.tnt.com/express
TNT provides businesses and consumers worldwide with an extensive range of services for their mail and express delivery needs. Headquartered in the , TNT offers efficient network infrastructures in Europe and and keeps optimising its global network performance. TNT serves more than 200 countries and employs about 160,000 people. Over 2009, TNT reported €10.4 billion in revenues and an operating income of €648 million. TNT is quoted on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. TNT recognises its social responsibility and has formed partnerships with the United Nations World Food Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme to fight hunger and pollution in the world. Our efforts are being recognised: In 2009 TNT again reached the highest score of all companies included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. More information about TNT can be found on its website http://group.tnt.com.