Just 18 months after its launch in Latin America, the freight forwarding division of logistics group Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has reported that it is establishing a position as a leading provider of perishable airfreight management services for the export of fresh produce from Chile.
In December 2012, ND was responsible for the handling of 1,500 tonnes of blueberries and cherries from Chile to the US, China and Europe – an increase of almost 50 per cent on 2011, placing the company in the country’s top five shippers of perishable products.
According to the group, it has built strong relationships with major Latin American airlines including LAN Chile and is LAN’s largest customer for perishable airfreight from Chile to Miami and New York and is the airline’s second largest customer for other worldwide destinations.
Indeed, due to high volumes in December 2012, Norbert Dentressangle chartered two full Boeing 767s for the export of blueberries from Chile to Miami.
To support ongoing growth, Norbert Dentressangle has a dedicated team based at Santiago airport and provides a complete service from receipt, inspection and customs management and phytosanitary documentation and inspection, to the palletisation and protective packaging of product prior to loading.
'From start-up in 2011, our perishables business has developed rapidly in line with the dynamic growth in the Chilean export market,' said Antoine Pascual, managing director of NDO Chile S.A. and Latin America. 'In a short time, we have become a significant player in the perishable airfreight sector and now have a solid platform to continue to grow the business and our market share, in line with Norbert Dentresssangle’s ambition to become a major global freight forwarder.'
