One of the reputed companies in the Jebel Ali Free Zone is Al Futtaim Logistics, which is engaged in freight forwarding worldwide by air or sea, while in the region it also transports freight by road. The company also accomplishes customs clearance as part of its services.
Al Futtaim Logistics is in partnership with Emery Worldwide, one of the world's largest airfreight operators, and represents the organisation as sole agent in the UAE. It works with all the major shipping lines on the sea freight side and with all the major airlines on the airfreight side. For road transport to neighbouring countries, Al Futtaim Logistics uses its own transportation facilities or hires capacity on the local markets and is in partnership with Conterm, one of the world's largest NVOCC (non-vessel owning common carriers) as the Middle East controlling agency.
In terms of automotive logistics, approximately 35,000 units per annum are stored and transported all over the Emirates and throughout the Gulf by a fleet of custom-made vehicles in various shapes and sizes. For general cargo, it has over 60 delivery vans and trucks for ferrying goods across the Emirates. As for container transportation, a fleet of articulated vehicles and some 40 container chassis are available for movement of containers to and from the ports. Most of the company's larger vehicles, curtain-sided trailers and container carriers are on air suspension to ensure maximum care for the load.
Currently, the company moves some 20 containers to and from the port every night.
"Al Futtaim Logistics is also one of two operators (the other being the Dubai Port Authority itself) of side-loaders in the UAE. With this piece of equipment, AFL is able to off-load containers virtually anywhere. The main advantage is that a container chassis can be used whilst the container is being off-loaded or loaded and because of the absence of loading docks at many sites it makes the off-loading or loading easier," the company said, adding that the operations are controlled and managed through the transport management module of SAP.
It said all drivers are carefully selected and receive regular training at the in-house training centre and at the local police department.
The company operates a number of warehouses in strategic locations all over the UAE and uses the most modern handling equipment.
Describing its activities, the company said value-added logistics (VAL) are carried out for a number of customers. These include unpacking, checking, tagging, labelling, refolding and packing of clothing and kitting. The staff sometimes performs more complicated tasks such as the assembly of watch accessories. These logistics activities are one way or the other integrated either through systems or through procedures.
Al Futtaim Logistics has implemented the SAP system in all its operations. The system has been customised to give the maximum benefits for warehouse management, transport management, customs clearance operations and finance and human resources management. The freight department uses the 'Forward' system, which the company says is best suited for the department's operations.
The distribution centre in Jebel Ali has a warehouse complex of 9,800 sq m that rises 11 metres to the eaves. There are about 16,000 pallet positions of 1.5 cu m each and 17 loading docks fitted with dock levellers of various types. The entire marshalling and loading and unloading area is covered so that rain and direct sunlight do not affect the product in any way.
