MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL held its first annual U.S. Chemicals Supply Chain Conference on May 13 at the Terminal Port of New Jersey. This event is part of DHL Global Forwarding’s strategy toward ramping up its chemical offerings and preparing for the expected growth of chemical production in the U.S. in the next five years. According to the American Chemistry Council, production in the U.S. is expected to grow by almost 25 percent, pushing industry shipments to $1 trillion by 2018.1 It is deemed one of the largest industries in the U.S., a $770 billion enterprise.2
During the conference, DHL Global Forwarding also announced the appointment of Brett Penfield as its new Regional Sector Head for Life Sciences, Healthcare & Chemicals for the Americas.
“I began in my new role January and since then, I have been analyzing the specific needs of our chemicals customers and how, as a company, we can blend our global sector specific expertise utilizing new technology, while ensuring no safety, security and regulatory requirements are compromised,” said Penfield. “This chemicals supply chain workshop was an information sharing session and also an open forum for our customers to express their transportation and logistics needs as well as discuss trends impacting the sector growth over the coming years.”
The conference included special guest speaker Satish Jindel, president and principal consultant of SJ Consulting Group, Inc. who has worked in the transportation and logistics industry for more than 25 years. An industry thought leader, Jindel has been working with various companies on their transportation and logistics strategy, marketing, pricing, merger and acquisitions, and providing operational advice across multiple industries. One of the main focuses of SJ Consulting Group, Inc. is its industry reports based on market intelligence gathering.
“With chemical production projected to grow annually over the next five years, increased attention to safety in transporting of chemicals and tightening of capacity means companies shipping these goods may be subjected to sizeable rate increases in coming years,” said Jindel. “For those involved in the chemicals sector, this type of event is important to gauge what is on the horizon and to plan overall and improve their supply chain.”
During the event, the challenges, different modes of transport, security and various global economic factors pushing the industry’s growth in Europe and shale gas production in the U.S., among others, were discussed. DHL Global Forwarding also presented its four chemicals subsector focus areas: specialty, commodity, consumer and fine, among others. All sectors the company services out of the Gulf Coast, Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Northeast and West Coast of the U.S.
DHL – The Logistics company for the world
DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.
DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2013.
For more information: www.dpdhl.com.
1 Source: American Chemistry Council: “Year-End 2013 Chemical Industry Situation and Outlook American Chemistry is Back in the Game” December 2013
2 Source: American Chemistry Council: “U.S. Chemical Production Higher in March; Production Increased in Five of Seven Regions,” April 2014
