JCtrans: Would you please make a brief introduction of your company?
Founded in 2011, in Portugal, JTM – Join The Moment – is specialized in international transport services and a FIATA and IATA accredited agent. As a market leader in some countries, JTM guarantees a service of excellence worldwide, to satisfy the most demanding needs of its customers. We offer customized solutions from and to the whole world, always seeking continuous improvement of our services.
Present in 10 major cities worldwide, in Europe and in the United States, we have been distinguished, two years in a row, 2021 and 2022, as one of the Top10 Best PMEs in the sector, in Portugal.
Our focus is to invest in innovation, technology and, above all, in our People and their development. We act responsibly, ensuring business, social, and environmental sustainability, having been the first Portuguese freight forwarder to join the United Nations Global Compact.
The company is also the first Portuguese company to invest in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program – SAF, of Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, because our commitment to sustainability is vital.
JCtrans: Would you please talk about your core-competitiveness?
Providing tailor-made solutions is a key aspect of our core competitiveness. Timely and accurate communication and proactive problem-solving contribute to our customer satisfaction and loyalty.
JTM's differentiation lies in our know-how and ability to provide efficient transport solutions to satisfy every need of our customers.
We are flexible and adaptable to address changing customer demands, market dynamics, and regulatory requirements, offering tailored transport and logistics solutions, staying up to date with industry trends, and continuously improving processes.
We also have a strong global network to operate in multiple countries, connecting various transportation modes. This allows us to provide end-to-end transportation, warehousing, customs clearance, and distribution. We have extensive knowledge and expertise in international trade regulations, documentation requirements and customs procedures, what enables us to handle complex transport challenges and ensure smooth movement of goods across borders.
JTM develops and maintains strong relationships with transport companies, agents, customs authorities, and other partners service providers. These relationships enable us to negotiate competitive rates, secure capacity, and access value-added services, what is essential for our success.
As well our knowledge to mitigate risks associated with transport, customs compliance, and unforeseen events is crucial. JTM has robust risk management strategies, insurance coverage, and contingency plans in place.
Furthermore, we cannot forget the implementation of customized technology, also crucial to streamline our operations, improve efficiency, and provide real-time visibility to customers. This can include track and trace systems, digital documentation, and online customer portals.
By prioritizing these aspects, JTM ensures efficient operations, timely deliveries, and a competitive advantage in the industry. The excellence in these areas differentiates us from competitors, attracts customers, and builds a strong reputation in the transport business area.
JCtrans: What do you think is the most important thing to run a logistics company?
As mentioned in previous answers, freight forwarders need to be prepared to respond to all specificities and requirements of each client, with the right resources at the right time.
For us, our networks and partnerships are key. We need to maintain a strong network of different stakeholders, involved in the complex transport service, what ensures access to reliable transportation options and helps in managing different types of transport.
But we can only ensure this differentiated approach through our people. Our focus has been the constant search for excellence, whether hiring people with the right skills or training our professionals from scratch.
Having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is crucial for the success of any company. And we are also talking about happy people, because we focus a lot of effort on diagnosing and implementing benefits to ensure the motivation and happiness of our people. Our employees are happy and well-versed in logistics and transport operations, with a problem-solving mindset.
Something we cannot neglect is effective communication, which is vital to be a business valued partner. Have the right channels to be able, up to the minute, to assure clear communication with all our stakeholders. Timely updates on shipment status, handling customer queries and concerns, and coordinating with various parties involved in the transport process.
And in this area, we include the right risk management, to anticipate unforeseen events, such as inclement weather, accidents, or delays. Over these 12 years, we have had the capability to develop robust contingency plans and efficient risk management strategies to minimize disruptions and protect the interests of our customers.
Another crucial point is compliance. We deal with a significant amount of paperwork, including import/export documentation, customs clearance, and insurance, which requires seamless services integration from us. Our people have a thorough understanding of international trade regulations and compliance, what turns out to be essential to avoid delays, fines, and other potential issues.
Last but not least, technology and tracking systems play a crucial role in our strategy. JTM uses robust tracking systems to provide real-time and accurate information, to help in efficient planning, addressing potential issues proactively, and ensuring timely delivery of goods.
JCtrans: Would you please talk about the situation of logistic industry in your country?
Portugal freight forwarding market grew at a positive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the last years, mainly driven by increase in infrastructure investments and in exports. This sector is an essential part of the country's logistics and transportation industry and plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods domestically and internationally.
Our freight forwarding market is expected to continue to grow, driven by increase in trading in the country, also impacted by the continuous government investment in developing the logistics infrastructure in Portugal.
Several situations contribute to this growth and expansion of the market, with road and air freight dominating in terms of revenue. Due to the development in the road infrastructure and costs associated, road freight is observed to be the most preferred mode of transportation, followed by air and sea freight. It is worth reinforcing that international freight dominates the Portugal freight forwarding market in terms of revenue.
Regarding the Sea area, Portugal has several major ports, which handle a significant amount of cargo, with modern infrastructure and a wide range of services to accommodate each type of cargo, including container shipments. These ports are the biggest contributors to the country's Gross domestic product (GDP) and handle more than half of the nation's international trade.
In terms of road transportation, Portugal has a well-developed road network, making it relatively easy to transport goods across the country. Road freight forwarding services are widely available, offering transportation solutions for both domestic and international shipments.
We also have an extensive rail network, although rail freight is not as popular as road and maritime transportation. JTM is specialized in coordinating and managing the entire shipping process.
On the other hand, the national logistics and warehousing market has also seen growth over the past few years, impacted by growing e-commerce and exports. The market has seen an upward trend since Brexit, due to the economic stability. The investment in the logistics sector was key to the development of transportation infrastructure, the increase in the capacity of the major Portuguese ports.
JCtrans: Would you please talk about your strategy to explore foreign markets?
We already have had a consolidated and consistent expansion strategy over these twelve years, especially recently, with the opening of an international office every two years in the United States and more news to come very soon.
Briefly sharing our approach, we constantly conduct market research on potential international markets, which can match our objectives. This includes analyzing market trends, consumer preferences, cultural sensitivities, regulatory requirements, and competition. In parallel, we identify potential relationships with local service providers, such as customs brokers, shipping agents, and warehousing facilities, which can help streamline local operations and ensure smooth transportation and delivery processes.
An important aspect to analyze, before moving forward, is to understand local trade regulations, customs procedures, and necessary documentation for a freight forwarder local partner. This includes obtaining the required licenses, permits, and certifications to operate in foreign markets and meet the specified requirements of each country.
The identification and collaborating with local partners, such as distributors, suppliers, or agents, are fundamental to accelerate market entry and navigation. Establishing strategic alliances with local companies can provide valuable insights into the foreign market, enhance service offerings, and assist in overcoming cultural and language barriers.
Finally, our basis for any business evolution is to be sure that we have the conditions and the resources to offer Customer Service Excellence, since this is a key differentiator for any company, to increase market share, and establish a strong presence in international logistics.
JCtrans: What is the reason that made you become a JCE member to develop your business?
Becoming a JCE member is, undoubtedly, a key success factor to develop freight forward business, mainly to increase our exposure and market visibility within the global logistics community. Networking is a crucial opportunity to connect with other members from different parts of the world and, consequently, unlock potential business opportunities, at the same time as establish credibility within the industry.
This partnership enables collaboration with industry professionals, which can allow us to expand our business reach.
No less important is the access to trusted partners, as all the network members are verified and listed as reliable freight forwarders, which minimizes potential trust risks. And the other members can also trust JTM, since the membership indicates that we are committed to maintaining high standards of service and professionalism.
The access to valuable industry information, market trends, and resources is also important, mainly to make informed business decisions, based in the latest developments in the freight forwarding sector.
Additionally, promotional opportunities, like advertising our services on the platform, participating in industry events, and featuring the newsletter, can help us reach a wider audience and generate leads.
JCtrans: How do you maintain a longterm cooperation relationship with your clients?
Cooperation is decisive for JTM. Maintaining a long-term cooperation relationship with our clients is key to the success of any business.
We have already talked a little about this in the questions above, but we can reinforce that it is based on clear communication, trust, understanding and anticipate clients' needs and provide a proactive approach to offer new solutions and continuously add value.
This requires effort and dedication. Focus on providing exceptional customer service, and consistently meeting or exceeding clients expectations.
Deep diving into these concepts, JTM incorporates into the long-term cooperation equation regular and open communication to maintain a strong relationship with clients, ensuring we are easily accessible and responsive. Establish trust by delivering on your promises consistently. Be transparent, honest, and maintain confidentiality when required.
We must be aware that we need to reserve time to understand our clients' goals and challenges, to customize our services to address their specific needs. Not forgetting that we must provide valuable insights and position ourselves as an expert in our field.
Having these conditions ensured, we need to maintain consistent quality and a proactive approach by anticipating our clients' future needs. To be a step ahead from the market.
As a fundamental business strategy is important, also, to conduct periodic performance reviews with our clients to assess how well we are meeting their expectations.
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