Logistics Network Goes Global

     Early in the day if the need arises to write to Roy Stapleton, founder of Global Logistics Network, I type in the address Rstapleton@go2gin.com and laugh realizing that his actual address is RStapleton@go2gln.com and it is too early in the day for cocktails anyway.
     But Roy laughs about that one too.
     After almost 30 years in the industry spanning both the airline and freight forwarding sectors, with such companies as DHL/AEI UK & USA, BAX Global USA, GeoLogistics USA and Singapore Airlines Cargo UK, New Jersey USA-based Roy Stapleton wanted a change and a new challenge.
     He also wanted to bring some good to air cargo.
     So in 2002, he founded the "Global Logistics Network" (GLN).
     Roy puts it this way:
     “Although at the time, there were probably around 20 freight forwarding organizations, I was convinced of the need for a forwarding group driven by someone who knew the industry at a high level of expertise, and was willing to share and build for a better business climate.”
     Roy also says that his vision “was and continues to be for a quality driven network rather than a quantity driven one.
     “GLN has grown to be 298 members in 500+ cities with 630 member offices in 124 countries.
     “Annual revenues of GLN members exceed US$ 3.46 billion.
     “My view is that GLN is a natural home for many local and independent freight forwarders.
     “GLN members develop new business relationships with other tried and trusted GLN members.
     “We reach out so that GLN membership can take advantage of our long experience in the industry.”
     But we wonder aside from the expected what else does GLN offer?
     “GLN has been able to develop products within GLN that are of value to our members.
     “GLN has an annual conference that is focused exclusively on business development between members.
     “GLN offers an Amber Alert and Accounts Receivable Insurance Funds to ensure the integrity of payments between members and of late, GLN has forged alliances with several leading air and ocean carriers.
     “GLN's upcoming conference in Bangkok (October 4-8, 2009) promises to be a record breaking event.
     “This seventh edition of the yearly global membership meeting will include a Carriers’ Day dedicated to interaction between carriers and GLN members to discuss matters of mutual interest.”
     But we also wonder with growing numbers of organizations and trade shows, where does GLN go from here?
     “We conduct a quality network with excellent camaraderie and communication between members. At GLN we make it our business to insure that everybody knows what to expect.
     “Also despite the recent business slowdown GLN has suffered no loss of membership either. In fact as indication of the challenges of doing business in transportation today and our reputation, GLN has grown annually since inception.
     “There is no lack of quality companies seeking to join GLN.
     “Although new members normally come from referrals, after extensive research just this month newly-formed Crane Worldwide based in Houston, Texas opted to become a member of GLN (Jim Crane was former Chairman of EGL who got purchased by CEVA Logistics in a hostile takeover. Now Jim is back to get his global patch back and has joined G L N an an initial start to that process).
     “We believe that this decision by the Crane Worldwide management team reflects their desire to work with a professional quality network," says Roy Stapleton who celebrated 40 years in the logistics industry July 1st.
Geoffrey