Name: APL Logistics 

Address: 1111 Broadway  

City: Oakland  State: California

Phone Number: 866-862-6868   

CEO:  Hans Hickler

Products: Logistics  

Employees: 4,500  Year Founded: 1849 

      People are the engine at APL, one of the largest logistics and container transportation companies in the world – a company at the heart of international trade.

      APL’s roots are in one of the most venerable economic activities transcending national and geographic borders: trading with those at a distance via commerce on the sea — literally, shipping. Indeed, even today, most of world trade travels over the water.

      While shipping continues to be an important business, it is also now a part of something larger. It is one link in global supply chains — the complex movements of and demand for raw materials, parts, sub-assemblies and finished products.

      And so today, its business is assisting retailers, manufacturers and our other customers to manage their own supply chains in whole or to manage distinct and individual links of those supply chains, such as shipping.

      APL Logistics, which specializes in supply-chain management services, and the APL container transportation organization, which specializes in shipping, are both part of the $4.7 billion NOL Group. The NOL Group is based in Singapore and is composed of skilled managers and employees who have come together from different disciplines, industries, and cultures in an environment characterized by enthusiasm and passion for excellence.

      The process of distributing goods is changing at Internet speed. APL is a leader in introducing improvements that support these changes, especially in the areas of information technology and electronic commerce, so that APL’s customers reap the benefits of their own increased competitiveness and efficiency.

      The goal is to make it easier for customers, such as manufacturers and retailers, to transact business and manage their global supply chains.

      Best of all, these changes in supply chain management – frequently powered by the explosive growth of the Internet — are driving down costs, and through improved control of freight, can even generate new revenue and profit opportunities for customers.

      This idea of generating revenue and profit opportunities for customers is at the core of APL’s business philosophy and its role in leading change. Generating products and services that enable APL and customers to take control of businesses despite economic cycles and other influences in the marketplace is the key to mutual, consistent, long-term profitability and competitiveness.

      APL, the global container transportation operator, has been this kind of change leader from the beginning. Back in 1867, its predecessor company pitted steam against sail — introducing the first regular trans-Pacific steamship service. This put an end to the uncertain transit times of sailing ships.

      Today, that commitment to reliable service is just as strong. One of the most dramatic changes brought by APL has been use of the Internet and e-mail to let customers monitor shipments using various visibility tools. Significantly, APL provides customers the capability to manage their shipments by exception, a focus on supply-chain transactions that are not proceeding according to schedule – so that these exceptions can be promptly managed.

      For example, APL customers gain visibility or current insight into their supply chain using HomePort. This enables them to make decisions that get the right product to market at the right time.

      Many customers are also using their customized APL HomePort portal to review their critical shipping documents (bills-of-lading), submitting instructions and changes electronically, and printing final documents at their own premises, rather than having to courier copies of the document among multiple parties. This eliminates redundant work, speeds up settlement, and reduces interest expenses.

      The APL container transportation company provides worldwide transportation of containerized cargo to and from more than 100 world markets through a network combining extensive intermodal operations with state-of-the-art information technology. Service is available to and from North, South, and West Asia; the Americas; Europe; the Middle East; East and Sub-Saharan Africa; and Australia.

      China is an engine of growth for the entire Asia Pacific region and a key market for many customers. APL provides special advantages in that market, which the company has served for 135 years. The APL liner and logistics units operate a total of 30 offices in China. APL offers direct calls at ports in Shanghai, Qingdao and Yantian, and at Hong Kong, and maintains intermodal connections to interior points. APL has opened a documentation center in Shanghai and intends to continue investing in China where it improves service for customers.

      The company’s fleet of more than 80 containerships provides a high frequency of sailings and fast transit times.

      In North America, APL serves all key U.S., Canadian and Mexican commercial markets by vessel or intermodal (rail or truck) connection. On the U.S. West Coast, it operates ocean terminals at Seattle, Oakland and Los Angeles — the latter being the largest intermodal facility of its type in the country.

      Within the Asia-Middle East Region, APL offers more than 50 weekly services and more than 260 weekly port calls, and serves more than 80 ports. In Europe, the company offers 10 weekly services and more than 30 weekly port calls at 12 key ports in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean regions, and the company’s European presence is growing rapidly.

      Available to APL’s customers are more than 450,000 containers and chassis deployed worldwide, ensuring that containers are available in the exact size and configuration needed. APL customers are also assured access to the most extensive intermodal systems in North America.

      Through APL Logistics, a sister to the APL container transportation organization, the company is able to harness technology to do more than reduce costs for clients – it can help them increase revenue.

      The goal is to contribute to the customer’s balance sheet by being more proactive in managing the supply chain, providing time-definite delivery and end-to-end visibility and control. One way retailers will boost sales and increase revenues is by avoiding markdowns associated with late merchandise.

      Through an array of services based on consulting, analysis, operations and cutting-edge information technology, APL Logistics employs some 4,700 highly skilled professionals at 115 offices in 55 countries. It also operates a system of more than 200 warehouses.