An intensive cooperation which began with sea freight imports and road distribution in Europe, today enjoys 10 years of successful collaboration. cargo-partner provides the power tool manufacturer with an end-to-end solution, including flexible warehousing and comprehensive customs clearance services. Tailor-made EDI interfaces serve to automate processes and ensure smooth cooperation.In 2009, Japanese power tool manufacturer Makita was looking for a competent international logistics provider to handle the company’s overseas shipments from Asia, including on-forwarding throughout Austria. Makita chose cargo-partner for its extensive network and solid expertise in overseas and intermodal transports. Today, the logistics provider handles Makita’s seafreight and airfreight imports from Asia along with further distribution in Europe, including daily pickup, overnight delivery and comprehensive import and export customs clearance. Florian Zamecnik, Team Leader Purchase, Logistics & Facility at Makita, said: “We’re not interested in a logistics solution off the rack. With cargo-partner, we’ve found a flexible partner who understands our business and offers proactive solutions. We can rely on close personal consultation and fast, effective problem-solving.”

cargo-partner’s seafreight teams ensure the proactive coordination and hands-on monitoring of import shipments. In case of unexpected changes, a dedicated contact person is available around the clock to provide quick and simple alternatives. In addition to transport and customs clearance services, Makita makes use of the logistics provider’s flexible warehousing solutions to deal with fluctuating seasonal demand in the most time- and cost-efficient way. At the cargo-partner hub near Vienna, Makita benefits from scalable warehousing options as well as an “emergency warehouse” for peak times. The convenient location of cargo-partner’s iLogistics Center near Vienna Airport – and right next to Makita’s Austrian headquarters – is an added bonus.

Two EDI interfaces have been created between cargo-partner’s and Makita’s IT systems to enable a fast processing of transport orders and customs declarations. The customs EDI feeds Makita’s data for customs declarations into cargo-partner’s system and automatically forwards it to the official Austrian customs system. After final approval by a customs clearance specialist, the data is then automatically transmitted to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance. For one of Makita’s customers, cargo-partner has even set up an “automatic milestone notification” feature: For instance, as soon as a shipment’s status changes to “pick up” or “delivered”, the customer is immediately notified via e-mail. This way, full transparency is ensured.