Global Institute of Logistics names PWC Logistics as leading logistics provider in the Gulf region

The award was presented at a ceremony held during the 2nd eyefortransport China Summit at the Hilton Hotel Shanghai. Kieran Ring CEO at the Institute made the presentation to Christopher Logan, Senior V.P. Strategic Marketing and Growth Initiatives at PWC Logistics.

Speaking at the event which marked the award Mr Logan said:

"In the last few years, PWC Logistics has grown rapidly from a regional company to become a global player. We have grown organically by winning new businesses and existing clients as well as geographically, by entering new countries through joint and independent ventures."

And to top it all we have had three substantial acquisitions that have made us a leading player in the integrated logistics industry. Our acquisitions, strong partnership agreements and a growing client list have been key to our success."

The research is carried out biannually and PWC Logistics was the 2004- 2005 recipient of this award Analysts at the Institute continue to be impressed with PWC Logistics' constantly achieving high levels of service and of innovation in the GCC as well as globally.

In the past two years, sensitivities in the region have continued, bringing a special set of requirements for logistics service providers. PWC Logistics has continued to impress its existing customers, and attract new, important organisations onto its client list. These new customer organisations prove that PWC Logistics is developing into an important player beyond the defence logistics niche where it made its name. In early 2006 it announced prestigious developments with Fujitsu-Siemens Computers, Al-Ghaith Holding and Domino's Pizza.

The Fujitsu-Siemens Computers assembly plant located at the PWC Logistics facility in Jebel Ali produces PCs for distribution all over the Middle East. PWC Logistics is responsible for the delivery of all components from Germany and elsewhere, as well as the transportation of finished products throughout the Middle East. This reduces delivery time of the products by more than 50 per cent. Al-Ghaith Holding, an automotive distributor, specialising in luxury brands such as Aston Martin, chose PWC Logistics as its partner in a new joint venture, Automotive Logistics Middle East that will manage the whole process of inspecting and delivering cars and spare parts to dealers all over the region.

For the Domino's Pizza deal with the Specialized Catering Services Establishment, PWC Logistics will provide warehousing, distribution and freight management support in the GCC and Levant region. PWC Logistics temperature -controlled supply chain services will provide added value to the Domino's Pizza chain in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon.

At the same time, PWC Logistics has gone through three important acquisitions in 2005, bringing under its banner the Trans-Link Group in February, Transoceanic Shipping in April, and GeoLogistics in September. The Company is continuing its asset development and has or is building logistics facilities in each of the 20 major markets in the G.C.C. region. Each centre is built to leading international standards and has modern first-rate facilities.

The Company has also made technology a top priority. All of its fleet are tracked with a Global Positioning System and are electronically connected to the company's self developed transportation management system, MicroTransport. Through its web-based Warehouse Management System EXceed, customers can also track their goods. In the emerging markets where Internet penetration is not as high, the company has provided PCs with the necessary infrastructure to facilitate this process.

The Awards Committee believe that the continued achievement of such high standards of service at a time when the company is growing, broadening its geographical reach, and making an impression in new vertical markets, makes PWC Logistics a worthy recipient of the 'Best 3PL in the GCC Region' honour.

Speaking at the presentation Kieran Ring, CEO at the Institute said: "I am delighted to reconfirm PWC Logistics' position as the Institutes choice of 'Best 3PL in the GCC' for the year 2006-2007. PWC Logistics has held this recognition since 2004 when we first reviewed contract logistics standards in the region. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the world's top 10 logistics providers. PWC Logistics exemplifies the spirit of confidence in today's global logistics sector, as increasingly, local heroes step up to the plate and begin to push out the boundaries and develop, first as local, than regional and finally global players. PWC Logistics now takes its place amongst the world's leading logistics brands and in so doing fly the flag for an ever-expanding Middle Eastern logistics sector. We said in '2004 and we repeat it now that PWC Logistics' unique DNA, cultivated through its origination as a property and warehousing development specialist and its subsequent migration through organic growth and acquisition to a full contract logistics provider, gives it a unique balance of expertise and experience. This development has led PWC Logistics to increased diversification and over half of the Company's gross revenue now comes from outside the region while the reliance on military contracts continues to decrease The financial market's faith in the brand and it potential for growth, which has seen the company's capitalization grow from to $2 to 6.5 billion, is a major vote of confidence in Tarek Sultan, PWC's Chairman and Managing Director, his expansion strategy and his team who have achieved profits unequalled in the sector."

Receiving the award Christopher Logan said: "It is indeed an honor for PWC Logistics to be awarded the 'Best 3PL in the GCC' from the Global Logistics Institute two years in a row. This award highlights our ongoing contribution to the logistics industry. It also underlines our continued commitment to our clients to provide them with innovative supply chain solutions. As a global player, we now look forward to extending our expanded portfolio of services to a wider range of clientele across our growing network."