Balancing Speed and Quality: The time:matters Advantage

“Typically, our services are aviation-based. While we are not the last-mile provider, we offer door-to-door services, covering industries such as automotive and aviation. For instance, if an aircraft is grounded due to a missing spare part, we ensure that part is delivered promptly. The same applies to other industries such as the automotive industry needing critical components. Additionally, we handle the transportation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices that are time-sensitive and critical.” – Bernhard zur Strassen, CEO/Managing Director of time:matters

By Ayesha Rashid

In the complex world of logistics, every situation is unique and every minute counts. In these high-stakes scenarios, the difference between success and failure hinges on the ability to move goods quickly and reliably.

This is where time-critical logistics comes in—and within this specialized field, one company stands out: time:matters.

Time-critical logistics focuses on speed, reliability, and precision. It involves the rapid transportation of highly sensitive or critical goods, often with strict deadlines and limited flexibility.

This specialized form of logistics requires a deep understanding of your unique needs and challenges.

Industries were time-critical logistics plays an important role are aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and technology, among others.

Time is of the essence in these industries, where delays can result in significant losses, damage to reputation, or even put lives at risk.

For more than 20 years now, time:matters has been the leading expert in time-critical express transports and supply chains.

Recently, time:matters announced that it is opening a Courier Terminal at Shanghai Pudong Airport for handling courier and express air freight shipments.

The launch coincides with the start of transport logistic China on June 25, 2024, and represents a further expansion of the company’s service capacity for handling courier and express air shipments in the Asia-Pacific region.

The time:matters Courier Terminal (tmCT) is being constructed in collaboration with the terminal operator PACTL (Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport Cargo Terminal Co. Ltd.).

Air Cargo Update had the opportunity to meet Bernhard zur Strassen, CEO/Managing Director of time:matters in person at the transport logistic China, held in Shanghai in June. He discussed at length their new Courier Terminal opening and the solutions being offered by time:matters in China and the Asia Pacific region for time critical logistics.

Ensuring Efficient and On-Time Deliveries
On time, every time – that’s what customers expect from time:matters.

Meeting these expectations is crucial to building trust and loyalty with your customers.

Timely solutions are at the heart of time:matters’ operations, providing you with a reliable partner for all your time-sensitive shipping requirements.

With a strong global network, time:matters has built a reputation for delivering exceptional service quality and flexibility.

“We transport stem cells, which are extremely sensitive in nature. It’s crucial for these shipments to arrive on time, quickly, and reliably. We have achieved a very high degree of reliability in our operations. We utilize any type of solution available to ensure timely and safe delivery,” explains Bernhard zur Strassen, CEO/Managing Director of time:matters.

“Typically, our services are aviation-based. While we are not the last-mile provider, we offer door-to-door services, covering industries such as automotive and aviation. For instance, if an aircraft is grounded due to a missing spare part, we ensure that part is delivered promptly. The same applies to other industries such as the automotive industry needing critical components. Additionally, we handle the transportation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices that are time-sensitive and critical.

“We also support very tight and efficient supply chains. For example, consider eyewear in Europe. Custom-made glasses are often prepared in Asia. We assist many glass and lens manufacturers who produce in Asia but need to get their customized glasses to Europe quickly.

“When a customer visits an optician, the requirements are sent to Asia for manufacturing. We then transport the custom-made glasses back just in time for the optician to fit them into frames and provide them to the customer. This process ensures timely and urgent shipments, which is what we specialize in.”

Customized Supply Chain Solutions
time:matters has been in operation for over 20 years, so it’s not a startup but rather an established company in its own industry.

“Our advantage is that we use any type of airline to meet our customers’ needs. Our clients are shippers, and whenever they have a requirement, they come to us. We then find the most efficient solution, whether it be the next flight out, on-board courier services, charters, or whatever is required,” said zur Strassen.

“We are much faster than traditional integrators. Big integrators fit shipments into their existing network, which may not always be efficient for urgent or specialized needs. We offer a more customized supply chain and can handle any size of shipment, from small packages to full charters.” he added.

time:matters also offers full door-to-door services, including customs clearance, pickup, and delivery.

Supporting Time-Critical Transports to and from China
time:matters has a global network, with offices across three major regions: Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Specifically in China, it has been in operation since 2002; and for the past five years, has been functioning with its own legal entity.

The new Courier Terminal has been designed to optimize both the monitoring and the handling speed for time-critical and sensitive goods.

In doing so, time:matters is building on its many years of expertise gained at the Courier Terminals. For example, in Frankfurt and Munich since 2004 and 2019, respectively.

For the first time at the tmCT in Shanghai, time:matters offers the possibility to physically monitor shipments on the apron until loading or departure using direct apron access. This guarantees maximum control over all shipments as well as a customized service, reliability, and flexibility for customers.

“With that, we have the opportunity to further expedite the process. It’s similar to having a fast pass at an airport, allowing quicker access through security. This advantage applies to both imports and exports, enabling us to handle goods swiftly—faster than any other company,” explains zur Strassen.

A hub monitoring system also enables real-time monitoring and informs the customer proactively in the event of irregularities.

A designated dock for receiving shipments, an X-ray system, and a dedicated counter for receiving export and import documents further improve the quality of service.

To enhance flexibility and speed of shipments and ensure optimal delivery and onward transportation, time:matters relies on fast truck access, its own delivery and pick-up ramp, and its own truck delivery to the recipient.

Depending on the utilization of the waiting areas, this option saves additional hours in the drop-off and pick-up areas. Handling times will be reduced from approximately four hours for exports and six hours for imports to 120 minutes and 150 minutes, respectively.

“Furthermore, we implement our own monitoring procedures to ensure that the handling of these goods meets stringent quality standards. Whether it’s critical lenses, or urgently needed spare parts, we prioritize not only booking but also safe and secure shipment. This includes thorough monitoring, scanning, screening, and adherence to regulatory requirements like FDA guidelines,” said zur Strassen.

Successful Critical Projects Handled
For time:matters, what is more challenging is if a critical part is missing.

“It’s challenging because everything in this field has its complexities, but to illustrate with a good example: a critical part missing in the automotive industry,” said zur Strassen.

“If a major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in car production experiences a line stoppage due to a missing component, the costs can escalate rapidly potentially reaching more than $10,000 per minute of downtime.

“This highlights the critical nature of these components in automotive manufacturing. The risk of production halts underscores the urgency of timely and efficient logistics solutions.”

Moreover, zur Strassen states that time:matters has also successfully completed logistical projects focused particularly on time-sensitive operations.

“Let me elaborate with an example involving a major manufacturer of medical devices, specifically MRI and X-ray machines. These machines are crucial in medical settings, akin to airplanes in terms of criticality if a machine breaks down, it results in significant financial losses. Given their high value and operational importance, every spare part delivery is highly time critical.

“For one of our clients in Europe, we have established a dedicated fast express emergency network, known as our “In-Night Service.” This client maintains a central warehouse where all spare parts are stored. We ensure a regular flow of shipments to meet their urgent needs. Our process involves picking up orders late in the day from their location. Subsequently, we use our dedicated aircraft fleet stationed near major airports to depart around 8:00 to 10:00 PM and arrive in Europe within two to three hours.

“For instance, a shipment from Germany to Spain could depart in the evening and arrive by midnight or 1:00 AM the following day. This ensures that critical medical equipment and spare parts are swiftly delivered and ready for use when needed.”

Maintaining Stability in Uncertain Times
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when global air travel was severely restricted, time:matters demonstrated resilience and innovation in maintaining logistical stability amidst geopolitical challenges.

“We adapted to air travel restrictions by developing dedicated processes to transport critical items like stem cells directly with pilots, utilizing empty passenger flights as freighters, and chartering flights, when necessary,” said zur Strassen.

“We repurposed passenger flights into makeshift freighters, ensuring efficient global transport of essential medical supplies such as masks and equipment. In response to freighter shortages, we swiftly chartered flights to ensure timely delivery of urgent shipments. Our proactive measures allowed us to navigate supply chain disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted services crucial for medical and supply chain operations, and I think this is an essence of the time that made us understand the urgency of delivery.”

According to the CEO, for time:matters, it was truly a matter of life and death.

“We dedicate focused attention to every single shipment, ensuring it receives the highest priority for our customers with passion and dedication, we create tailored solutions to meet these demands,” he said.

Striking a Balance between Speed and Sustainability
“It’s definitely a challenge for us right now. Our customers’ top priorities are speed and quality, especially when it comes to global supply chains and air freight,” zur Strassen shared.

“At the same time, we’re keenly aware of our responsibility towards sustainability and environmental challenges. We’ve implemented solutions such as offering CO2 compensation options for our customers and promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). In our own operations, we’re actively working to reduce our environmental footprint. However, we believe it’s equally important to collaborate with our network providers and suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability.

“Our selection process for suppliers considers their environmental impact, ensuring that we align with partners who prioritize sustainability. Ultimately, we strive to offer our customers the most environmentally friendly options while maintaining our commitment to delivering fast and high-quality service at competitive prices.”

When asked about if time:matters has any further plans to improve the speed, security, and quality of transported shipments, Bernhard zur Strassen responded positively.

“Yes, absolutely. Quality is paramount for our services, and speed is a close second. As mentioned earlier, we’re expanding our capabilities. We currently operate a courier terminal in Shanghai, and we have existing terminals in Frankfurt and Munich. Our plan is to establish more of these terminals globally.

“These courier terminals expedite the shipment process for our customers with maximum reliability and underline our commitment to continuously improving efficiency and service quality,” Bernhard zur Strassen concludes in our interview.