“There has been steady acceptance and adoption in the air cargo sector at large, but within the independent freight forwarder community, digitisation is driven by the shipper,” said Brandon Fried, Director Airforwarders Association
Forwarders are ready to digitalize but need to better understand a demonstrated value proposition, Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association (AfA) told delegates at the CNS Partnership Conference in Phoenix.
Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Wednesday 25th May 2022: Forwarders are ready to invest in digitization but need to better understand its worth beyond being a shipper or regulatory requirement, Brandon Fried told delegates at the CNS Partnership Conference in Phoenix.
“There has been steady acceptance and adoption in the air cargo sector at large, but within the independent freight forwarder community, digitisation is driven by the shipper,” said Fried.
“Many AfA members invested in automation before the pandemic and could work from home, so in many ways the COVID lockdowns were a gigantic proof of concept.
“But for continued and more widespread streamlining of operations through digitization, there needs to be a more clearly articulated value proposition.”
Fried emphasised that for the necessary increased engagement to happen forwarders need to understand what is at stake.
Acknowledging the challenge of reaching out to the diverse US forwarder community of up to 4000, Fried stressed that software providers had to be better at demonstrating the benefits of digital compliance.
“If the benefits of adopting a specific automation solution are not properly communicated, forwarders won’t move on from legacy practices,” said Fried.
“The software providers have to be better at demonstrating the benefits of digitisation and until they do I think the industry at large is paying the price.”
Fried was speaking at the CNS Partnership Conference 2022, attended by a record-breaking 750 delegates from across the globe.
About the Airforwarders Association
The Airforwarders Association (AfA) represents hundreds of U.S companies dedicated to moving cargo through the supply chain on all modes of transport.
AfA has been supporting member companies of all sizes for 35 years, acting as the voice of the industry and lobbying legislators to help drive sustainable practices and ensure resilient, safe, secure supply chains.
As an alliance of indirect air carriers, cargo airlines and related businesses operating across the global transportation community, we represent member companies dedicated to moving air cargo through the supply chain.
Our members include not only air forwarders, but truckers, airlines, warehouse operators and businesses delivering a range of supporting services including technology, training, compliance, insurance and legal, just to name a few industries.
From campaigning for better national infrastructure to opening discussions about carbon reductions and digitilization – AfA has promoted hundreds of its members and streamlined business models to continue the growing industry.
More information at airforwarders.org/