By George Lauriat, AJOT
The 3rd Annual WCA Projects Network Conference (WCAPN) held on September 17-19 in Istanbul, Turkey attracted a record seventy delegates from forty countries. Although the membership of the groups is 'open' (see below), the companies have been selected for their ability to provide cost-effective solutions to project cargo challenges from soup to nuts. Equally, considerations, such as financial strength and how the company works within the group as a whole, play a role in achieving membership.
Rickmers-Linie, Beluga Group, Ruslan Airlines and Advance International presented technical papers. Jawad Kamel, President & CEO of Advanced International, an Istanbul-based project forwarder, gave a presentation on the unique advantages that Turkey's geography presents as a conduit for project cargo moves. The main focus of the conference was one-on-one meetings that the WCAPN arranges through their 'meeting scheduler' system. These meetings provide delegates a chance to meet their counterparts and set up potential business for the future.
Overall, the delegates seemed cautiously optimistic about the project cargo business. An important topic was the funding of future projects when the current crop nears completion.
The AJOT had an opportunity to ask the WCAPN management a few questions about the organization and the prospects of WCAPN:
AJOT: The global economic recession has taken its toll on companies in all sectors. Obviously money has been tight and business failures are up in all sectors. How has the WCA network faired during the recession, and what WCA programs (like the claim policy and the payment plans) have come into play?
WCA: One of the biggest concerns facing the transportation industry and many others is cash flow during the economic recession; one major program which the WCA Family has offered to its members is the financial protection program which covers up to USD 50,000 maximum in a single claim, member to member. This allows members to work with other members with peace of mind without all the hassle of running background checks or worrying the cash won't come. This makes business that much easier for members.
Our payment program which allows members to pay other members free of charge is another benefit to help them close out small invoices without costly bank fees; many members already use this system for all payments and save thousands of dollars in costly bank fees per year. Another way the membership helps save our members money.
Our risk management program also helps members protect their assets, and we do this at extremely price competitive costs due to our policy with the insurance provider ' we get the deal for the whole network, not as an individual company, allowing us more bargaining power. Saving members around 10,000-40,000 USD per year on insurance costs.
AJOT: Recently, you mandated that the WCA senior staff should spend 50% of there time traveling in 2010. Why?
WCA: David Yokeum mandated this to allow the senior management to better understand the needs of our members so that we can further tailor our efforts to better help them. Also to make sure that members are aware of the different services that the WCA Family offers them and options that they can take advantage of.
AJOT: In regards to the travel mandate, could you tell us a little about the WCA's efforts in South America? Any new offices opening or plans for new offices?
WCA: Recently we opened a new office in Buenos Aires to further our efforts in South America and to allow us to get closer to freight forwarders in the area. Mark Mairowitz has taken up the charge and spends most of his time visiting members in the area, and his ability to speak many of the dialects has assisted him great
