Crane Worldwide Logistics Defies the Recession

JOC Staff |
HOUSTON (October 5, 2010) – Crane Worldwide Logistics, a full-service air, ocean, trucking, customs brokerage and logistics service provider based in Houston, Texas and with operations in 22 countries worldwide, has dramatically bucked the global recession since its founding two years ago. Launched in August 2008, Crane Worldwide Logistics has combined tremendous logistics industry experience with an innovative global operating system to deliver tailored supply chain solutions. As industry authority Eye for Transport has declared, despite the global recession and its impact on shippers and logistics providers, “Crane Worldwide is staking its claim as a growing and successful new player in the industry.”

Growth Story
Crane Worldwide opened for operation in August of 2008 from the acquisition of three companies that gave them 12 offices, in 7 countries, and $50M in annual revenue. Two short years later, they now have 58 company owned offices in 22 countries and have annual revenue of $300M. The extensive experience of the leadership team comes from multiple “best in class” companies to create a well balanced organization with expertise in domestic white glove, as well as international air/ocean and trade services.

Value Propositions
“At the heart of our growth is our five point value proposition,” explains President John Magee. “We were helped in defining these by our customers through our Customer Advisory Boards and they are what we use to guide our activities every day. Everyone in our organization knows these five fundamental values, and they also know how each one relates to the specific job being done.” A review of these five value propositions demonstrates the reasons for the exceptional growth Crane Worldwide Logistics has experienced.

People
“Now more than ever, enterprises need fresh ways to improve value and execute; and they want organizational and individual accountability from their logistics providers,” says Tim Zubradt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our people are committed to delivering what our customers need and want, every day.” Crane Worldwide’s 650 plus people are the company’s greatest customer service asset. Having recruited from over a dozen companies, as well as their well designed “Leadership Development” and training programs means that Crane Worldwide can anticipate what customers need in the rapidly changing logistics environment.

Account Management
Crane Worldwide works with leading companies in a broad diversity of business sectors, including aerospace, automotive, energy, life sciences, retailing and technology. For customers in these industries and more, the company uses its standardized processes and technology and dedication to total quality to understand their supply chain needs and deliver innovative, customized solutions. For example, for leading air carrier AirTran, Crane developed a warehouse and distribution program that allows AirTran to better plan in-flight operations supporting its fleet. The result is significantly reduced inventory levels and an improvement to 98% on-time service to airport locations.

Information Technology
“Unlike other logistics companies that grew through acquisition but failed to properly integrate their legacy computer systems, Crane Worldwide has a single global operating system for better operations management, database accessibility and shipment reporting,” states Keith Winters, Executive Vice President of Operations. The C-Suite of technology products offers customers access to the same information that the company uses to run its own business, with applications integrated into a single view platform. With the single system supported by simple global interface software, Crane Worldwide gives customers visibility from the beginning of a shipment until reaches the final destination, as well as total landed costs.

Compliance and Quality
Global supply chain rules and regulations change constantly, and quality expectations continually increase. Crane Worldwide Logistics has effectively mastered this challenging environment, with an exceptional compliance and quality record:
  • Approved participation in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) cargo security program.
  • We have automated ISF
  • Global FCPA program for all employees/partners
  • Global QMS system to track and manage the continuous improvement process.
  • Electronic links to customs authorities around the world that can process shipments efficiently, regardless of the transportation provider.
  • Designation as a SmartWaySM transport partner, dedicated to identifying products and services that reduce transportation related emissions
Service Execution. At the end of the day, customers want a predictable supply chain and Crane Worldwide feels that can only be achieved if every shipment is measured against the promise to the customer of defect free, on time delivery. “We run our company off of Raw On Time Performance” says John Magee. “Not only do we use our technology to proactively track every milestone of the process, but present that same data to our customers. They truly appreciate the honest transparency in our operation”.

Future Direction
For air, ocean and ground transport services, Crane Worldwide Logistics is strategically positioned in key global logistics centers to provide total logistics management, import and export trade facilitation, and guidance on supply chain strategy. Its 58 locations in 22 countries function within three broad geographic organizations that are led by regional veterans and that encompass strategic locations throughout the regions they serve:
  • Asia/Pacific – Based in Shanghai and headed by Regional Vice President, Chad Taylor. Chad has 20-plus years of Asian and North American logistics experience, and with operations in China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and other key locations.
  • Europe/Middle East/Africa – Based in London’s Heathrow Airport hub and headed by Regional Vice President, Gerard Ryan. Gerard is the former Managing Director of freight operations in England and Ireland and has established offices in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Benelux, Germany, and soon Dubai.
  • Latin America – Headed from Rio de Janeiro by Regional Vice President, Chris Brack. Chris has close to 20 years experience of managing fortune 500 customers and manages the operations in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Mexico and Peru.
As summed up by President John Magee, “Crane Worldwide has been able to quickly grow and prosper in an extremely volatile economic environment thanks to our strategy of creating a non-asset based, debt free, efficient organization focused on low overhead costs and exceptional customer service.”

Crane Worldwide believes that it is on track to meet its original milestones of achieving $1 billion in revenue by 2015. The words of the company’s Mission Statement present its strategy for achieving this future growth. “Crane Worldwide is dedicated to becoming the industry’s premier global provider of customized transportation and logistics services by delivering innovative, efficient and cost effective solutions. Our solutions create strategic value and a competitive edge for our global customers; while providing a challenging and rewarding work environment for our greatest asset, our own employees.”