Panalpina celebrates the opening of its new office premises in Ho Chi Minh City

Panalpina, the global forwarding and logistics service provider, has opened a brand new office in Ho Chi Minh City. Panalpina CEO Monika Ribar officially inaugurated the new location, stating that the Group will continue its well proven growth strategy in Vietnam. In her speech of welcome she also highlighted the great strategic importance of Vietnam for the entire Group.

Panalpina has been present in Vietnam for almost 20 years. During this time the company has achieved considerable growth rates and enjoyed a fruitful relationship with its long-time partner Vinatrans. Having started its business with a small representative office in 1995, the Vietnamese organization now employs 70 people in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, providing services also at locations such as Haiphong, Danang and Quinhon. Compared to 2007, Panalpina Vietnam increased its ocean freight volumes in 2008 by approximately 14% and its air freight tonnage by 24%. A major milestone was set in December 2008 when the company became fully operational.

The new office in Ho Chi Minh City is located close to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport next to the international cargo terminal. It will support Panalpina Vietnam’s goals to further grow and increase its market shares particularly in the field of Supply Chain Management and project shipments as well as in the industry verticals oil and gas, retail and fashion and telecommunications. As Group CEO Monika Ribar stated in her welcome speech to customers, partners, the media and employees, Vietnam plays an important role in Panalpina’s strategy to gain additional market share in Asia and to become the partner of choice for seamless Supply Chain Management solutions. “Our strategy is leading us in the right direction, a direction where innovation and customer focus are key factors for success!” Despite the current financial and economic crisis, Panalpina continues to invest in its service portfolio, product development and staff education, she continued. “We will always be where the customers need us and we will always be flexible enough to react quickly to changing market environments – and most of all, we are listening to our customers very carefully and focus on their needs!”

The Panalpina Group
The Panalpina Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of forwarding and logistics services, specializing in end-to-end supply chain management solutions and intercontinental air freight and ocean freight shipments. Thanks to its in-depth industry know-how and state-of-the-art IT systems, Panalpina provides globally integrated door-to-door forwarding services tailored to its customers' individual needs. The Panalpina Group operates a close-knit network with some 500 branches in over 80 countries. In a further 80 countries, it cooperates closely with partner companies. Panalpina employs about 14,000 people worldwide.