Just 18 months after its launch in Latin America, the freight forwarding division of Norbert Dentressangle has established its position as a leading provider of perishable air freight management services for the export of fresh produce from Chile.
In December 2012, the company was responsible for the handling of 1,500 tonnes of blueberries and cherries from Chile to the US, China and Europe, an increase of almost 50% on 2011, placing the company in the country's top five shippers of perishable products.
Norbert Dentressangle has strong relationships with major Latin American airlines including LAN Chile and is LAN's largest customer for perishable air freight from Chile to Miami and New York and the airline's second largest customer for other worldwide destinations. Due to high volumes, in December 2012, Norbert Dentressangle also chartered two full Boeing 767s for the export of blueberries from Chile to Miami.
To support this growth, Norbert Dentressangle has a dedicated team based at Santiago airport and provides a complete service from receipt, inspection and Customs management and phyto-sanitary documentation and inspection, to the palletisation and protective packaging of product prior to loading.
Following the launch of its freight forwarding division in 2010, Norbert Dentressangle opened offices in Chile and Brazil in 2011 and continues to develop its presence in Latin America.
Antoine Pascual, Managing Director of NDO Chile S.A. and Latin America said: "From start-up in 2011, our perishables business has developed rapidly in line with the dynamic growth in the Chilean export market. In addition to fruit, we are also experiencing increased demand from exporters of fish, including salmon and urchins.
"In a short time, we have become a significant player in the perishable air freight sector and now have a solid platform to continue to grow the business and our market share, in line with Norbert Dentresssangle's ambition to become a major global freight forwarder."