Lognet Global, a new forwarding network, opens its doors with a full suite of programs for mid-sized forwarders. By George Lauriat, AJOTRichard Overton has been in the logistics business for a while and among his stops was General Manager for the IDS Logistics Group (Li & Fung), probably the world’s largest trading house. One bit of advice that Victor Fung, Overton’s old boss at IDS, offered is, in the future the competition won’t be company to company but network to network. In recent years, Overton has been putting the advice into practice working as the Vice President for Specialty Networks in the WCA Family, the largest forwarding network in the world. Launching the Lognet Global network is a byproduct of Overton’s experience at the WCA. Lognet isn’t a startup in the conventional sense. Although it is a completely separate network, it is endorsed by the WCA. With that endorsement comes access to the WCA’s suite of programs and to its 3,000 plus membership. “It’s a big advantage for a network to have in place from day one, programs such as cargo insurance, NVO and financial guarantees and payment programs between members,” Overton explained in a telephone interview with the AJOT. “Lognet’s focus is on providing a high level service and solution for freight forwarders and related logistics providers, for both well established companies and also for the new era and new generation of freight forwarders around the world,” Overton added. The model for the Lognet Global network will be a little different than most forwarding networks. Lognet is neither a closed system nor an open model but rather a hybrid. “We plan on having relatively few members in a given region, but the number isn’t fixed. For example, in a region with many forwarders like Hong Kong, we will only accept a handful,” Overton said. Although Lognet Global is a completely independent business, it offers an opportunity to mid-sized forwarders and other service providers to join a network with the advantages of the WCA programs. Forwarders that otherwise would not be able to join the WCA itself due to full memberships can take part. In a sense it has the best of both worlds, with a limited number of members within a specific area but access to the WCA and its many more members if necessary to promote the business. Lognet Global already has the resources, the people and skills, to assist with every aspect of marketing, advertising, website design, hosting and implementation, graphic design, event management and merchandising. Overton says of Lognet that he is looking for a “new generation” membership that will be proactive in working on negotiating freight rates and potentially entire projects. Since it was his specialty at the WCA, Overton believes that down the road the network will introduce specialty networks of its own. He anticipates that the group will, within a few years, hit 300-500 members worldwide. Seeing as the network just opened the doors, it’s off to a good start, with thirteen companies entering the roles.