New Agency Agreement Set to Raise Davies Turner’s Profile in India

Dartford, United Kingdom, April 22, 2010 --(PR.com)-- For air cargo shipments between the UK and India, Davies Turner Air Cargo’s existing co-operation with AFL remains unchanged.

PL Shipping & Logistics Private Limited was established in 2001 as a joint venture between the Peirce Leslie group and its managing director R. Ramkumar. The company has around 340 staff working out of 13 offices across India, providing pan-Indian coverage.

India is a major trade lane for Davies Turner. The company operates weekly container groupage services in both East and Westbound directions for Delhi, Mumbai-Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Tuticorin, Cochin and Kolkata, with delivery/collection available via Davies Turner’s network of depots around Britain and Ireland. Full load container services are also available to and from all parts of the Indian sub-continent, with weekly sailings via their network of carriers.

Davies Turner Group Chairman Philip Stephenson comments: “We see India as one of our key growth markets for the future, and it’s fitting that we should appoint such a substantial and professional company as our new partner for ocean freight. I had a good meeting with MD Mr Ramkumar in Cochin last month and our specialist line manager has also been visiting all their main branches and customers. Our co-operation has made a strong start. We have already integrated our systems through EDI and there is a real sense of optimism as growth re-accelerates in this market”.

“While China may have captured most of the headlines as far as manufacturing is concerned, many multinational firms are setting up major operations in India (with Indian investors returning the compliment in the U.K), making products ranging from textiles and garments to kitchenware and automotive components. The country clearly has a well-balanced economy, including a productive agriculture and service sector. Its leading role in software development and membership of the World Trade Organisation has opened up new markets in Europe, while India itself imports a wide range of goods from the UK, including machinery, vehicles, spare parts and high tech goods.

“While India’s ports have lacked investment in the past, average vessel size has been increasing and sailing frequencies are on a par with the rest of Asia. Most of the world’s major shipping lines operate direct between Europe and India, as well as via Colombo in Sri Lanka.

“However, while air cargo and ocean freight transport infrastructure is modernising rapidly, shipping to and from India still needs care and attention. Customers can really benefit by using an experienced multimodal forwarder like Davies Turner and from the local knowledge and expertise contributed by a progressive and well established partner in India,” concludes Mr Stephenson.

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