Globalia Interview Archives

“The main challenges faced by freight forwarders are fluctuation in prices, shipping delays and container shortage. We are offering a service to collect containers to try to cope with this crisis.”

Today we are publishing an interview with Mr. El Mootamid Abbad Andaloussi, President and General Manager of FUTUR TRANS ATLANTIC FTA, Globalia member in Tangiers, Morocco. In this interview, he talks about the distinguishing features of their company, their several accreditation, and the range of services they are offering. Additionally, Mr. Andaloussi also talks about the ongoing problems faced by forwarders and about the need for digitization in the freight forwarding sector.

Globalia Tangier-independent freight forwarder — El Mootamid Abbad President of Futur Trans Atlantic

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about the history of FUTUR TRANS ATLANTIC ?

A. FTA was created in 1999, by Mr. El Mootamid Abbad Andaloussi, one of the major businessmen in Tangier, Morocco. Since then, FTA has obtained numerous certifications and categorizations that testify to the excellence and performance of the company at national and international levels. Some of the certificates we have obtained over the years are ISO 9001 V2015 Bureau Veritas / UKAS / Cofrac, ISO 28000 Bureau Veritas, ONSSA (Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires), AEO SS, and the Moroccan Green Logistics certificate. Additionally, we are in the process of obtaining the ISO 39001 certification.

Q. What distinguishes FUTUR TRANS ATLANTIC from other freight forwarders in your city?

A. What distinguishes FTA from other freight forwarders in our city is that we are the only Moroccan company preparing for the ISO 39001 Road Safety Management Systems certification. Moreover, the fact that we are categorized as an AEO approved Authorized Economic Operator for “Safety and Security” surely adds to the credibility of our company. This certification is not given to all freight forwarders in Morocco. Thanks to our good working relationship with the customs authorities, this categorization has opened the door to several advantages such as customs simplifications, priority treatment, less document based controls etc.

Furthermore, FTA has a Warehouse of 18950 m², a dry port of 13,000 m², a parking space of 75,000 m², and a modern fleet that meets European standards. Over the years we have established ourselves as a specialist in LTL and FTL shipping specializing in the transportation of industrial items, textile, aeronautical goods, automotives, perishable commodities etc. Moreover our bonded platforms and customs clearance area also adds to the efficacy of our operations.

Q. What services do you offer? Which is the most difficult service offered by you?

A. FTA offers international multimodal transport by road sea and air. In addition, we offer services like groupage and complete transport of industrial products, textile, aeronautical goods, automotive, perishable commodities etc. In order to keep up with the digitization effort in this sector we are providing track and trace services for our customers’ shipments. The most difficult service that FTA offers is Express Service.

Digitization has completely changed the freight forwarding industry. Like all major players in this sector we are also digitizing several of our manual work process. Moreover, our track and trace services has taken us one step further in this regard.

Q. What are the main challenges facing freight forwarders in your country at the moment?

A. The main challenges faced by freight forwarders are fluctuation in prices and shipping delays. Additionally, we are also contending with the container shortage. We are managing the container shortage on a day-to-day basis. Moreover, we offer a service to collect containers from the Spanish coast by road. This is allowing us to somewhat cope with the container crisis.

Q. How do you think technology has changed the freight forwarding industry with the pandemic?

A. Digitization has completely transformed the freight forwarding industry. Like all major players in this sector we are also digitizing several of our manual work process. Moreover, our track and trace services have taken us one step further in this regard. Today our clients can book the dock before the vessel’s arrival to avoid any kind of delay and be more organized, thanks to the services of PORTNET Single Window for foreign trade procedures in Morocco.

Q. What is the most important shipment your team has handled?

A. The most important shipment that our team handled was an OOG shipment all the way to Sri Lanka. The challenges of this shipment were packaging, which was handled by our competent team. Fumigation of this shipment was also a challenging task that was successfully accomplished.

Q. Where do you see FUTUR TRANS ATLANTIC in the future?

A. A. After more than 23 years of success and leadership in the field of logistics and road transport, we see FTA in the future as a reliable operator worldwide with increasing private investments. We are also planning to integrate the stock Exchange of Casablanca. We really look forward to fruitful collaborations with our network partners that will lead our company to the best position.

“I have to organize the events meticulously so that all our members are happy and get to connect in the best environment. When it comes to our members’ experience during the meeting we can’t make any mistakes!”

This week you will be reading an interview with Maria Serrano, who is in charge of PR and Event Coordination of Globalia Logistics Network. Maria plays a major role in the planning and organization of Globalia’s Annual Meetings. Additionally, she is also responsible for the network’s communication as well as the coordination and development of Globalia’s online publicizing strategy for members. Before joining Globalia, Maria worked with different international companies managing projects in trade shows worldwide, developing marketing campaigns and organizing events.

Globalia interview with Maria Serrano — *Maria Serrano, Globalia PR and Events Coordinator*

Q. Let’s begin with your experience at Globalia Logistics Network

A. I joined the Globalia team from the very first day of the network and in all these years I never had a cause to complain. I really appreciate working with my colleagues and as a team we get along really well. Since joining Globalia, my task has been to figure out several promotional strategies for our members. My prior experience in journalism has sharpened my writing/communication skills and research ability all of which are important in my line of work. Working with Globalia has taught me many new things and the perfect work ambience here allows me to do my job with utmost care and precision.

Q. What does your job consist of? Do you find your everyday tasks exciting?

A. The most important aspects of my job include organizational work for Globalia’s Annual Meetings, writing articles for our members and press releases announcing significant network news to the wider logistics world. Members write to me on a daily basis sending me the details of their latest achievement. It is my job to edit and publish a promotional news article about our member’s accomplishments and undertake several marketing initiatives.

Q. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Choosing the best hotel, restaurant, band, photographers, and making other necessary arrangements for the meeting is perhaps my most challenging task. I have to do this task scrupulously so that all our members are happy and get to connect in the best possible environment. Also, organizing the whole event is a complicated job since there are many details to take into account. Furthermore, as we are far away this task involves a whole lot of phone calls, emails and videochats. When it comes to our members’ experience during the meeting we can’t make any mistakes!

Q. What is the most important objective of the Marketing and PR team?

A. The primary objective of our PR and Marketing team is to promote our members’ companies in every possible way. Moreover, it is also our task to arrange for a seamless Annual Meeting experience and make sure that the members are making the most of it.

Q. What do you like most about your work?

A. The commendable office environment allows me to be creative and innovative about every aspect of my job. As an American writer and PR specialist Ronn Torossian puts it, “PR is a mix of journalism, psychology, and lawyering – it’s an ever-changing and always interesting landscape.” It goes without saying that in spite of all its challenges my work is highly engaging and I thoroughly enjoy brain wracking to find the best solutions for our members.

Q. In what way the members benefit from attending Globalia’s Annual Meeting?

A. The meetings help to foster a collaborative spirit by bringing together all the members. Moreover, the formal meetings and the informal chitchats, day tours and parties help to strengthen the bonding among the network members. Because of the Coronavirus we have shifted the meeting online and our upcoming meeting is all set to take place in October. We are very excited about it, since the First edition really met our expectations. We received loads of good comments about the organization and good connections made by Globalia members, which is by far our best reward.

Honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty, and fairness are some of the values that drive me… I believe that the success of our team lies with the success of our members.

Q. What are Globalia’s plans for the virtual meetings? Do you think they can substitute the face-to-face meetings?

A. I think nothing can substitute the efficacy of an in-person meeting. However, in 2021 a face-to-face conference is absolutely impossible because of the travel restrictions and associated health risks. After the success of our 2020 online meeting, we have decided to move our meeting to virtual format one more time until we meet again in the coming year. The online meeting will provide our members with a networking platform in the absence of in-person meeting. Moreover, it will allow them to forge lasting relationships with their partners. The result will be many new collaborative projects and increased business volume within the network.

Q. How does Globalia help to publicize the members’ activities?

A. We always encourage the members to send us the latest news from their end. This allows us to create a promotional news piece about our members achievement that we publish on our news section every Friday. The members are also interviewed from time to time so that they get a chance to give their option about the industry defining issues and get a chance to talk about their services, experiences and specialties. We also make sure to promote this news on our social media pages where we encourage all our followers to read that news. Additionally Globalia’s SEO optimization endeavours further increase the visibility of the news which translates to greater popularity of our members.

Q. What are the latest marketing endeavours of Globalia in 2021?

A. In 2021 we have implemented several different marketing actions. This includes the upgrading of our members area, addition of many new features to our website, the implementation of an SEO strategy. Additionally we have also created Globalia’s mobile app that will make it easier for members to connect with their partners. We are presently working on the implementation of many more useful marketing strategies. However, the details will be revealed at the right time!

Q. What are the values that motivate you?

Honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty, and fairness are some of the values that drive me. I try to incorporate these values in every aspect of my task and I make sure to abide by these work ethics. I believe that the success of our team lies with the success of our members.

Tag: Globalia Interview

Interview with Globalia Tangier