Ertransit is a global logistics company -managing the supply chain from start to finish- with a long history in the sector. It arises within Erhardt, a business group that was born in Spain more than 140 years ago, specifically in 1882. “Since then, our magnitudes have evolved, now we are a team of more than 1,000 people and we have a capillary structure that covers the entire national territory and with a presence in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the USA”, explains Aurelia Anselme, director of Ertransit in Valencia.
HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE SUPPLY CHAIN RELIABILITY IN A TIME OF CONTINUOUS DISRUPTION?
Historically, supply chains have been fragmented, either due to the existence of different contracts with various logistics service providers, or because border regulations and controls are true barriers to international trade.
In addition, the pandemic changed the way we interact, work, buy… and the traditionally well-oiled supply chain broke down. At that very moment, logistics became a strategic factor of the first order for companies.
At present, the efficient thing is to work under an integrated logistics model. A single point of control that manages the supply chain from start to finish, integrating transport, customs, storage, distribution, merchandise insurance… A true integration that, in our case, is possible because we are part of ERHARDT LOGISTICS.
IN WICH MARKETS DOES THE VALENCIAN COMPANY OPERATE AND WHAT CHALLENGES DOES IT FACE?
The Valencian company is all over the world. Both the markets to which we export and our supply centers are highly diversified, they are global. Exports to the USA, Europe and Latin America and imports from the Far East, mainly China, stand out due to their volume.
The challenges are: the aforementioned reliability of the chain to deliver the product on time or supply on time and cost control, especially in an inflationary era and with a high oil price, like the current one.
WHAT SOLUTIONS DOES ERTRANSIT OFFER?
The solutions that we offer to importers and exporters involve having teams capable of integrating the chain from start to finish, with a reliable network of partners at the destination, freight at competitive prices, customs depots, customs management… and highly specialized professionals with experience. global knowledge and knowledge of local markets and regulations.
In this sense, ERTRANSIT has its own structure of teams in different countries, warehouses, customs services, dry cargo chartering, merchandise insurance, global logistics services… and specialized teams by industrial sectors and regions that allow us to offer a integrated, reliable and very competitive logistics service.
HAVE FREIGHT PRIZES NORMALIZED?
The demand for space on ships is falling and therefore freight rates are falling, between 80% and 90% compared to a year ago, depending on the origins-destinations. However, shipping companies do not want to lose their profitability and are reducing their cargo capacity and the frequency of trips. Older and more polluting vessels are being withdrawn from traffic, which will undoubtedly translate into less available capacity and the consequent rise in prices as soon as the demand curve changes its current trend.
Regarding air cargo, some airlines are increasing their cargo capacity in Asian origins, anticipating a foreseeable rebound in demand. Meanwhile, prices are about 35% lower than a year ago.
YOU ARE ALSO SPECIALIST IN TRAFFIC WITH THE ISLANDS.
ERTRANSIT has daily door-to-door transport services with the Balearic Islands and weekly in the case of the Canary Islands; we also reach other destinations such as Cape Verde or Azores. All of them are highly relevant destinations for those Valencian companies that have the tourism sector among their clients.
In Valencia we consolidate loads from all over Spain and Europe to the Islands. We have our own warehouses and customs service, both in Valencia and on the Islands, which translates into greater efficiency and lower costs for the client.
WHAT OPPORTUNITY WOULD YOU HIGHLIGHT IN THE CURRENT LOGISTICS MARKET?
Our colleagues from the customs department teach us- that you have to learn to look at customs from a strategic and fiscal point of view. Logistics is not only about moving merchandise from an origin to a destination, it is also about optimizing those costs and deadlines around transportation. Customs today are true nodes of the logistics strategy that you have to know how to take advantage of.
