Case Studies
Issue No. 21 - February/March 2005
World-Link International
Trading up
Global trade has more than a few pitfalls for the unwary. Knowing the ropes of trade with a particular market is critical to success in a low-margin business.
Freight forwarder World-Link International trades on its experience, but perhaps a bit more quietly than it should.
World-Link began as 'Airtrade International' in 1986 - a small, Adelaide-based company. One of the founders, John McNicholl remains actively involved as managing director of the World-Link Group.
The group now employs more than 80 people and has a network of offices in Perth, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns.
Now one of Australia's largest privately owned international freight forwarding companies, World-Link has for the past four years ranked no 2 according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual export sales report for the southwest Pacific region. Each year IATA ranks forwarders in terms of total freight dollars generated with the airlines for international freight.
World-Link has built relationships with major airlines and shipping lines to offer direct and/or transshipment services to all major ports to and from Australia.
World-Link handles all freight movements from import and export, sea and air for general and perishable cargo and offers clients Australian Customs tariff consultancy.
The firm is expert on documentation and overseas customs requirements. Its advisers know best practice for transporting samples or fully loaded air & sea containers.
An early participant in perishable goods transport, World-Link has its own cool rooms and freezers to suit those goods. Perishable cargo was the backbone of the World-Link operation and has been for nearly two decades, but is making inroads into the general area through its overseas network.
All loading/unloading and packing is completed under its control, to be sure of maintaining the cold chain.
"We consider t...
