DANX Expands Stockholm Hub to Boost Speed and Sustainability

DANX has relocated its Stockholm distribution hub to a new, larger facility to reduce goods’ handling times, increase the volume of cargo it handles, and meet the demands of its sustainability policy.

Equipped with chargers for electric delivery vehicles, including heavy trucks, and connected to a district heating network delivering clean heat, the new distribution hub will help to reduce the businesses’ carbon footprint and match its environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions.

“Following a period of strong market growth, DANX is now investing in our network infrastructure across Sweden to future-proof our business and further reduce delivery times,” said Martin Grauers, Managing Director, Sweden.

“Our new Kungens Kurva hub will ensure DANX can not only handle a greater number of time-critical deliveries at an even faster speed, but that we do so more sustainably.

“With our new fleet of Duo trailers and continued investment in biofuels and electric vehicles across the business, DANX stands ready to match our environmental ambitions with the action needed to deliver them.”

The site is 60 percent larger than the current facility, with eight loading gates for heavy goods vehicles, and ten for smaller delivery trucks – double the number at the current facility.

Strategically located near the E4 and E20 highways, as well as the Förbifart Stockholm bypass, Kungens Kurva will also act as a field stocking location with pick-up/drop-off (PUDO) facilities on site, allowing for faster handling of spare parts and customers’ inventory items in greater volumes.

Work is underway to relocate operations from the old terminal in Stockholm and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Full-service logistics specialist, TLS, which was acquired by DANX earlier this year, is also relocating its Stockholm operation to the new hub.

New 23,000-Sqm Logistics Facility to Rise in Dubai South

Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, and INDU Kishore Logistics, broke ground on a new facility that will be built at Dubai South’s Logistics District.

This development marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion plan, supporting its ambition to evolve into a multi-industry logistics leader.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by AbdulBasit AlMarzouqi, Deputy CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South and Kishore Lakhani, Chairman INDU Group, in the presence of senior executives from both entities.

The facility, spanning approximately 23,000 square meters and a storage capacity of 75,000 pallets, is scheduled for completion by Q3 2025.

Designed to handle spare parts of all sizes, it will leverage data-driven automation to streamline processes, enabling rapid turnaround times and ensuring an efficient, optimised flow of shipments.

In his comments, Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South, said: “We are pleased to witness the groundbreaking of INDU Kishore Logistics’ new facility, which will be of added value to the logistics sector and our portfolio of leading logistics companies. At Dubai South, our mandate is to support the government’s vision of positioning Dubai as a leading global logistics hub. We are committed to fully supporting INDU Kishore Logistics in its expansion endeavors, and we look forward to the successful completion of this facility.”

Kush Lakhani, Managing Partner at INDU Kishore Logistics, said: “At INDU, we have long embraced Dubai’s visionary approach of ‘Build It and They Will Come.’ This strategic investment is driven by a surge in demand within the automotive and aerospace sectors. With the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, we believe the timing is ideal, and we are truly grateful for the trust and support extended by the Dubai South team in bringing this project to fruition.”

Representing the pinnacle of logistical innovation encapsulated within a premier infrastructure network, Dubai South’s Logistics District offers premier services and operations as well as uninterrupted access to Jebel Ali Port via a bonded logistics corridor. The district comprises multiple zones, which have direct access to the cargo terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport; EZDubai, a fully dedicated e-commerce free zone; and a Contract Logistics Zone.

New Chartering Manager to Boost TGP’s Global Reach

Trans Global Projects (TGP) has appointed Panos Patsadas as Global Chartering Manager.

Patsadas brings over 17 years of international shipping experience to the role, further strengthening TGP’s capabilities across key shipping sectors including breakbulk, heavy lift, and dry bulk.

“His deep understanding of the global shipping market and proven leadership make Panos Patsadas a perfect fit for our team,” said Colin Charnock, Chief Executive Officer, TGP.

“We are confident that he will drive forward our chartering division worldwide, further positioning TGP as a leader in the project logistics industry.”

Patsadas’ appointment is part of TGP’s wider strategy to expand operations following the appointment of a new BENELUX Head of Operations (Edwin van Leth), and several appointments to its team in Bremen, Germany.

“TGP’s strong industry reputation, combined with its commitment to innovation and excellence, makes this a unique opportunity,” said Patsadas.

“I look forward to collaborating with the team and contributing to the company’s continued success.”

Patsadas holds a master’s degree in International Trade and Transport from London Metropolitan University, where he was awarded the Galbraith’s Award, and a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of St. Andrews.

Hellmann: Enrico Farneti appointed Managing Director of Hellmann Italy

Enrico Farneti will take over as the new Managing Director of the Italian subsidiary of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Hellmann Italy) in November.

He succeeds Daniela Coppola, who will leave the company at the end of the year as planned.

In September last year, Hellmann acquired its long-standing partner Hellmann Worldwide Logistics S.p.A. (Hellmann Italy).

This acquisition enabled Hellmann to significantly strengthen its presence in the central Alpine region and expand its seafreight operations in the strategically important Mediterranean region, particularly through targeted investments in local sales. Today, Hellmann Italy is present in the Italian market with six branches and app. 70 employees across all product areas. Building on this solid foundation, the company now plans to initiate its next growth phase, with the goal of gradually expanding its range of services for multinational key customers and local businesses in Europe’s fifth-largest logistics market.

With Enrico Farneti, Hellmann has secured a logistics expert whose extensive international experience will drive the company’s growth objectives. Following various roles in Italy and the USA, Enrico Farneti most recently served as Managing Director at CEVA Logistics.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to Daniela Coppola, whose contributions over recent years significantly developed the company, positioning us strongly and closely connected with our customers. Italy is a strategically very important country within our global Hellmann network and is set to become one of our fastest growing markets in the region in 2025. Together with Enrico and our strong local team we will build on this solid foundation and embark on the next growth phase,” says Jens Tarnowski, Regional CEO West Europe, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

Join the Top 1% of Web3: VAP Group Presents Global Blockchain Show in Dubai

The Global Blockchain Show is pleased to announce its second edition, taking place on December 12 and 13, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Exhibition Centre, Dubai. Organized by web3 and artificial intelligence consulting giant VAP Group, the two-day show will provide an opportunity to network with the top 1% of the web3 community by bringing together founders, solution providers, experts and enthusiasts from around the world under one roof. 

“The Global Blockchain Show is more than just a one-time event. It is designed to be the ultimate blockchain mixer where attendees will go on a continuous journey through the dynamic world of blockchain technology and unwind with the ‘who’s who’ of the industry,” said Vishal Parmar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VAP Group.

Speakers such as:

… and many more will deliver groundbreaking insights and announcements at the highest level. 

Themes including digital currency, blockchain regulations and web3 gaming will deep-dive into real-life applications, while workshops will provide practical ‘how-to’ frameworks, models, implementation guidance, and success metrics. 

The Global Blockchain Show is the only event that gives you a 360-degree roadmap of how individuals can leverage blockchain technology effectively. And it does not stop there. Monthly virtual roundtable conferences, quarterly reports, private project meetings and much more are set to take place all year round to ensure that the story of blockchain’s impact, innovation and integration is told in its entirety. 

Additionally, the Global Blockchain Show is led by a multidisciplinary advisory board, composed of industry leaders and experts such as Ida Mok, Chief Strategy Officer, W3GG, President, Women in Blockchain Asia; Christian Gleich, International Ambassador, European Blockchain Association; Nena Dokuzov, Coordinator, Strategy of Digital Transformation of Economy, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism, and Sport, Slovenia, among others. The board will regularly meet to discuss key industry developments through the year as well as be the committee steering the discussions that happen live on stage. 

“With a community of over 110,000, the Ultimate Blockchain Season Finale is set to open up opportunities to network with some of the most influential voices in the industry, all gathered together in a common area,” said Vishal Parmar.

So what are you waiting for?

Head to: https://www.globalblockchainshow.com/tickets/ and grab your tickets to attend the grand finale of events this year. 

About VAP Group:

VAP Group, established in 2013, is a leading force in Web3 and AI solutions, offering services in PR, advertising, recruitment, content development, and events and media management. Led by CEO Vishal Parmar, VAP Group continues to drive innovation through strategic PR and influencer marketing, bounty campaigns, and global conferences. Their flagship events, the Global Blockchain Show and Global AI Show, showcase the brightest minds in these transformative fields. Known for its creativity and forward-thinking approach, VAP Group remains at the forefront of blockchain and AI consultancy.

SpeedX Expands into Airfreight with Acquisition of Accelerated Global Solutions (AGS)

In a strategic move to expand its capabilities in the airfreight sector, tech-enabled last-mile delivery platform SpeedX has acquired Accelerated Global Solutions (AGS), a prominent freight forwarder.

This acquisition brings together SpeedX’s last-mile delivery strengths with AGS’s expertise in freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and warehousing solutions.

“I’m proud to announce the acquisition of AGS and begin collaborating with its exceptional team,” said Chris Zheng, Founder and CEO of SpeedX. “AGS has achieved impressive growth, with revenues breaking key milestones and a consistent annual growth rate of 50%.”

AGS, with over 300 employees and locations across North America, serves a wide range of industries, including fast fashion, automotive, healthcare, tech, metals, and seafood perishables.

Its warehousing facilities span key locations such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Toronto, positioning SpeedX to offer a fully integrated service from factory to front door.

Expansion Goals and $1B Target

Zheng, now also President and CEO of AGS, aims to build a $1 billion end-to-end supply chain enterprise within the next 18 months. This vision includes expansion into Southeast Asia, Australia, and the EMEA region by 2025.

“With the international logistics landscape evolving, our combined resources will address growing customer needs with agility, technology-driven efficiency, and a commitment to reliability,” Zheng added. “Together, SpeedX and AGS are set to redefine the possibilities in logistics.”

The companies will continue to operate as separate brands, but combined operations are expected to yield over $500 million in revenue in 2024.

This move also strengthens SpeedX’s domestic air zone-skipping program, delivering faster and more economical shipping solutions across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Alaska.

Bernardo Nunes Appointed COO at Chapman Freeborn

Bernardo Nunes has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at Chapman Freeborn.

Nunes returns to Chapman Freeborn after previously serving as Director of Transformation and Analytics in 2021 and 2022, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the air cargo supply chain and finance industries.

“Bernardo will be managing daily operations across the Chapman Freeborn group to achieve strategic objectives and foster long-term sustainable growth,” said Eric Erbacher, Chief Executive Officer, Chapman Freeborn.

“This is an exciting time for Chapman Freeborn, and I am confident that Bernardo’s leadership will help us reach new heights as we work towards our 2030 vision and beyond – I look forward to working closely with him.”

Nunes will work across the Chapman Freeborn group, including Magma Aviation, Intradco Global, and the Arcus Air Group, to strengthen cultural, strategic, and operational leadership at all levels of the group.

“I’m thrilled to be back at Chapman Freeborn, working closely with Eric and the wider team to reinforce our ambition, efficiency, and customer centricity,” said Bernardo Nunes, Chief Operating Officer, Chapman Freeborn.

“Together we will utilise Chapman Freeborn’s decades of knowledge and experience to further cement our place as the leading air charterer.”

This follows Chapman Freeborn’s recognition at the Payload Asia Awards last month where it was awarded Air Charter Broker of the Year for the second year in a row.

MAAS Aviation appoints Danny Hakker as Chief Executive Officer to lead future business growth

Globally recognised experts in aircraft painting and exterior coatings, MAAS Aviation, has named experienced business professional, Danny Hakker, as Chief Executive Officer.

Hakker joined MAAS in 2023 in the role of Chief Financial Officer, quickly establishing himself as an important business partner contributing to the Company’s solid financial performance. An energetic senior leader, he benefits from 20+ years of international experience in the transport & distribution, media & telecoms, and service industries. Andrew Hoad, Chairman at MAAS, comments, “Danny’s vision and expertise strengthens the senior management team, enhancing the Group’s commercial focus, driving change and providing strategic direction. He is a great fit for MAAS and I am confident that the business will continue to thrive and evolve under his leadership.”

Supported by a strong and knowledgeable Executive Leadership Team, who collectively have over 60 years’ of experience working at MAAS, Hakker brings a fresh perspective and approach to the Company’s strategic direction. He adds, “I am enthusiastic to embark on the next stage of my journey with MAAS and look forward to meeting our customers as well as supporting the excellent people across our business. We collectively strive to deliver superior quality and enhanced value to our customers.”

Duvenbeck’s Rail-Integrated Audi Supply Chain

The Duvenbeck Group and its business partners have managed a place in the final round of this year’s competition for the German Logistics Prize through intelligently interlinking truck and railway transport services when supplying goods to the production lines of the premium vehicle manufacturer, Audi.

The major focus here is on the supply chain for the car manufacturer and this has been operating for six months and is making a significant contribution to decarbonisation. The key element in the “Relay Zero Supply Chain” project is an Audi railway concept where transporting truck trailers by rail has become an integrated part of an all-round logistics system – from the suppliers to the factories; the Duvenbeck Group centrally manages the road services to and from the rail operations. Helrom is using a patented technology for the loading and transport services, which enables the flexible loading of truck trailers without the need for any expensive special terminals.

In more specific terms, the four Audi factories at the company’s three business sites in Neckarsulm, Ingolstadt and Győr in Hungary are networked by centrally synchronising the truck transport operations, while rail services account for the main part of the intermodal journey. This means that more than 50 direct and a large number of groupage freight suppliers from seven different countries are reliably supplying the Audi production sites with approximately 6,500 different production parts.

A control tower at the Duvenbeck business site in Niederaichbach is the focal point where all the threads come together. Thanks to digitally networking the entire transport chain, it is possible to track each individual delivery. The block train, which is more than 600 metres long, has been shuttling between the terminals at Regensburg and Lébény in Hungary every working day since 5 April this year and this is a route that covers a distance of more than 500 kilometres. This train carries 36 Duvenbeck trailers on each journey. The concept creates benefits at three central points: 185,000 fewer transport kilometres on the roads every week, a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 11,500 tonnes per annum and lower costs overall. And Duvenbeck is using biogenic fuels such as HVO100 to decarbonise the initial and final delivery operations.

“Climate protection and sustainable transport solutions are fundamental elements in our corporate strategy. To reach these goals, we need innovative ideas such as those that we’ve introduced to supply factories with our partners, Audi and Helrom. Our excellent result in the final round of the German Logistics Prize shows us that we’re on the right track when it comes to decarbonising supply chains through combining our operations with other industries,” says Hakan Bicil, the CEO of the Duvenbeck Group. The winners and finalists for the German Logistics Prize accepted the awards on Wednesday evening during the BVL Supply Chain CX sector event, which was organised by the German Logistics Association and held in Berlin.

Ian Johnston Joins AutoScheduler.AI, Succeeds Retiring Stephen Zujkowski

AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Orchestration Platform and WMS accelerator, announces that Ian Johnston has joined the company as the Vice President of Customer Success.

He will replace Stephen Zujkowski, who is retiring. Ian has over a decade of experience in supply chain operations, logistics management, and strategic leadership.

He will use his expertise to help AutoScheduler’s customers gain value and success from deploying AutoScheduler solutions.

He will be the face of success for all AutoScheduler’s customers, ensuring the talented implementation team continues delivering exceptional services and fostering true partnerships.

“As a leader within Amazon, Ian has demonstrated a deep understanding of operational planning and championed many technology implementations that enabled transformative changes within numerous operations,” says Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. “His rich and diverse experience in leading and supporting innovation and a keen understanding of driving customer excellence make him a perfect fit for this pivotal role at AutoScheduler.AI.”

“I am looking forward to setting new benchmarks for excellence in customer success with the best project delivery experiences, clear communications, and robust customer relationships, enabling AutoScheduler.AI to be the market leader in warehouse orchestration,” says Ian Johnston, Vice President, Customer Success, AutoScheduler.AI. “I am dedicated to driving value for clients through our innovative solutions and aligning AutoScheduler’s capabilities with customer needs.”

As Vice President of Customer Success, Ian oversees the strategy, execution, and management of all aspects of customer deployment and satisfaction. He will ensure that customers derive maximum value from AutoScheduler, leading to improved fulfillment, better labor utilization, and lower costs. As the leader in the Customer Success organization, he will drive measurable positive business outcomes, customer satisfaction, retention, and expansion across the customer base.

Before joining AutoScheduler.AI, Ian served as Director of Supply Chain at Amazon, overseeing North America’s largest heavy bulky logistics network, which included managing demand forecasting, capacity management, and product development for the U.S. and Canada. Ian’s leadership contributed to significant advancements in operational efficiency, including the development of several novel planning products that enhanced forecast accuracy and capacity flexibility, reducing Amazon’s cost to serve and improving delivery speeds. Prior to Amazon, Ian served as a Marine Infantry Officer, where he led combat operations in Afghanistan and deterrence operations in Southeast Asia. He later served at the White House, supporting two administrations and several high-profile events.

Ian holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, a BA in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from The Citadel, and is actively pursuing a Master of Science in Real Estate at the University of San Diego.