Supply Chain Technology Leader LOG-NET today announced that Panalpina, one of the world's largest third party logistics providers, is introducing MyPanalpina+, an order management system based on the latest version of the customer-facing application LOG-NET 7.0, to its ocean freight division.

"Our efforts have been rewarded in our Ocean Freight division and we have seen strong growth in our operations on a global scale," said Frank Hercksen, Panalpina's Global Head of Ocean Freight. "We keep enhancing our services along key trade lanes. Our focus is on supporting customers more strategically along the entire supply chain. MyPananlpina+ will help us expand our customer base and become an even more integral part of their complex supply chains. This system facilitates the consolidation of cargo flows and the efficient management of orders, vendors and carriers."

Panalpina's Ocean Freight division handled almost 1.4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and generated nearly a third of the company's gross profit in 2012. The first quarter of 2013 showed continued growth, well ahead of the market.

Improving visibility in the supply chain


"Supply chains are becoming ever more complex and customers increasingly call on us to help improve transparency and visibility within their supply chains," said Hercksen. "It is a collaborative approach demanding a high level of trust and commitment in terms of resources and deployed technologies. You have to invest in people, processes and software."

Rod Angwin, Panalpina's Chief Information Officer, explained: "To improve visibility you need advanced information management. Our services for customers entail complex information sharing and a high level of coordination between several parties. Thus our IT systems need to be able to speak directly with those of our customers - and with those of the suppliers, and other third-party-logistics providers. You have to make sure that the systems are perfectly calibrated to optimize the outcome for our customers."

Collaboration platform


With MyPanalpina+ Panalpina is stepping up its order and freight management services and supporting the customers supply chain operations and improvement programs. "Workflows can be better managed. The system makes it easier for us to communicate and collaborate with customers and suppliers. It improves the flow of data throughout the supply chain and increases end-to-end visibility of inventory," said Henrik Kofod-Hansen, who works for Panalpina's Ocean Freight division and is globally responsible for the company's product Managed Solutions.

"At the end of the day it is all about adding value for our global, small and medium-sized customers: building more efficient supply chains, reducing costs and hassle," added Kofod-Hansen. "Panalpina is taking over work from customers that they typically would have done themselves in the past. We are increasingly being integrated into our customers' supply chains and the new system acts as a powerful collaboration platform." Panalpina plans to fully implement MyPanalpina+ in the fourth quarter of 2013.

"LOG-NET is very excited to work with an Industry leader with strong brand recognition. We believe the selection of LOG-NET by Panalpina is further proof within the 3PL industry of LOG-NET's domain expertise and ability to provide an end-to-end solution.  A key factor that stood out in LOG-NET's selection is our ability to create a distinct operational and commercial advantage for Panalpina.  We welcome the opportunity to earn their business and we look forward to a very long successful relationship," said, John L. Painter, V.P., Worldwide Sales of LOG-NET, Inc.

John Motley, Chief Executive Officer at LOG-NET, added: "We are very excited about working with Panalpina.  Our mutual passion for solving customer's global supply chain challenges is manifested in the detailed assessment, design and deployment of logistics in the cloud