Pan Emirates, S Africa firm in strategic tie-up

Dubai, January 31, 2012

Pan Emirates, a leading brand in home furniture and accessories retail, has partnered with South Africa-based Barloworld Logistics, a major logistics company, to optimise its inbound and outbound distribution across the GCC.

Abdul Rehman Al Shamsi, chairman of PAN Emirates and Steve Ford, Group CEO of Barloworld Logistics, recently exchanged agreements to this effect in a function held at the Pan Emirates head office in Sharjah.

Mohammed Katawala, the Group finance director of PAN Emirates said, “We are in the process of an aggressive growth strategy in the GCC and recognised the need to align our supply chain strategy to our business strategy.”

“Supply chain costs form a big part of the final product cost, and if not managed properly, could prevent us from achieving our goals and ultimately put the business at risk. We wanted to have an expert look at our supply chain holistically to optimize it and align it to our business needs.”

“We have chosen Barloworld Logistics as our partner with the objective of improving operational efficiency and service excellence in our logistics and distribution facilities. By focusing on this aspect of our retail business, Pan Emirates will stand out and perform more effectively in today’s highly competitive market,” he added.

Frank Courtney, CEO of Barloworld Logistics Middle East and Asia said, “Long-term partnerships with blue chip clients not only highlight our capabilities but also our commitment to delivering smart supply chain solutions that work well into the future.”

“The first six months of our engagement with Pan Emirates will be used to map, design and implement the solution; the second six months will be for the deployment and entrenchment of best practices in the business.”

Katawala said he expected a large reduction in the overall transportation cost whilst simultaneously enjoying an improvement in service levels to the end consumer.

“The key to this relationship is partnership and we look forward to adding sustainable value to Pan Emirates and its customers as we progress,” Courtney concluded. – TradeArabia News Service

Tags: Sharjah | GCC | South Africa | Barloworld Logistics | supply chain | Pan Emirates |