A new name joins the firmament of Gulf logistics firms with the announcement that Al-Futtaim Logistics, a member of the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group, has forged a strategic joint venture alliance with one of the world’s easily recognisable logistics companies, the UK-based Tibbet and Britten.
The new company has been officially named Al Futtaim Tibbett and Britten LLC, a statement said.
“This exciting joint venture is part of a strategy that will see Al-Futtaim Tibbett and Britten become one of the largest logistics companies in the GCC,” it said, adding that the joint venture would strengthen the company’s presence and capability within the fast expanding markets of the UAE, the GCC and the Middle East.
“The relationship between Al-Futtaim and Tibbett and Britten was first forged in 1997. Its formalisation through the joint venture will result in a further strengthening of the combination of AI-Futtaim’s extensive local knowledge and contacts with Tibbett and Britten’s international logistics expertise, best-practice techniques and international customer base,” the statement said. It stressed that the new venture would serve importers seeking throughout the region sophisticated logistics solutions and high levels of product compliance.
Jim McCallum of the Al-Futtaim Group observed: “Al-Futtaim Logistics brings together various parts of the supply chain to achieve optimal international transportation solutions. We felt this was an opportune time to strengthen our position even further with a joint venture that enables us to streamline our business and focus on penetrating the GCC market. With Tibbett and Britten’s wealth of global logistics expertise we cannot fail.”
Al-Futtaim Logistics’ considerable investment in systems, staff, facilities and plant has seen it grow into one of the largest logistics service providers in the Gulf. A strategic location, superior storage standards in warehousing and distribution hubs, advanced IT solutions, a top-level transportation system, value-added offerings, quality control and expertise have earned Al-Futtaim Logistics a reputation as a trusted and reliable service provider.
Colin Wain, managing director of Tibbett and Britten Middle East, said, “By teaming up with a highly professional business partner, we are now able to offer the largest and best pan-Arab supply chain management solutions. This provides the perfect platform for our global customers to develop and expand their interests in the Middle East. Jebel Ali, in particular, continues to grow dramatically and is a major hub for East-West trade by both sea and air.”
Tibbett and Britten has operated successfully in the Middle East since 1997, but it was not until 2002 that a strategy for the entire region was developed, and the wholly owned holding company Tibbett and Britten Middle East was formed.
“This business is now responding to increasing opportunities for growth and is aiming at a strong pan-regional presence to support national, regional and multi-national customers throughout the Arabian peninsular,” the statement said.
Created in 1958, the Tibbett and Britten Group is one of the world’s largest logistics companies with 38,500 employees in 35 countries on five continents. The Group focuses on the food and beverage, fashion and other mass consumer merchandise sectors and is the largest consumer products logistics company in Europe. Annual revenues in 2002 exceeded $2 billion.
Al-Futtaim Logistics, which started as a small warehouse for Al-Futtaim products around 25 years ago, has developed over the years into one of the largest logistics service providers in the UAE.
It offers a comprehensive range of supply chain solutions including warehousing and distribution plus international freight forwarding by sea and air as well as overland road transportation.
