SBS Avion strengthen US-European freight trade

INTERNATIONAL freight forwarder, SBS Worldwide, has signed a formal agency agreement with Milan-based freight forwarder Avion International to offer shippers in the US and Italy a wider range of logistics services between the two markets.

The creation of the agreement gives Avion access to SBS’s US network of offices in the key US trading and commercial centres of Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Nick Walker, managing director of SBS Worldwide said: “Both partners have been working hard to increase their respective shares of US/Italian trade. I am delighted that our understanding of the US market, combined with the experienced US staff, has been a major factor in the immediate success of the partnership.”

Avion’s managing director, Massimo Giordano, said the move has brought immediate benefits with increased shipments and improved customer service support in the US.

“Our partnership has got off to flying start. SBS Worldwide has already developed a very strong position in the trade between the USA and the UK and this experience will help us to develop the same level of services in the trade between the USA and Italy.”

In 2008, the US exported US$15.5 billion of products to Italy, while importing $36.1 billion, 6.8 per cent of all Italian exports, making it Italy’s fourth most important export destination and largest non-EU destination last year.