[Interview] Marius Daudeij, Managing Director, KDS Cargo, The Netherlands
Marius Daudeij is the current Managing Director of centuries’ old freight company, KDS Cargo. He will participate in the Amsterdam Business Networking Event, March 8, 2016.
His interview with Africa Business Communities:
Would you please introduce KDS Cargo?
KDS Cargo is a high quality international freight forwarder, specialized in arranging air and ocean freight all over the world. As a company, we cooperate with selected agents all over the world. Like KDS Cargo, these agents consider personal service a highly important aspect of their service.
Since 1998 KDS Cargo has been a member of the Hi-Tech Forwarder Network (HTFN). This is a network with reliable and highly qualified forwarding agents on all relevant locations in the world. Through this network we can use the local expertise of these forwarding agents in order to guarantee a swift and smooth handling of all your shipments worldwide.
When and how was KDS Cargo founded?
KDS represents the initials of the three entrepreneurs – Kuyper, Van Dam, and Smeer – who decided to apply their expertise in ocean freight forwarding by starting their own company in the Port of Rotterdam in the year 1756.
For more than two and half centuries, KDS has successfully dealt with difficult times (world wars, economic crises). Between 1960 and 1980 KDS started to offer airfreight service to their customers. In 1986, the airfreight division of KDS (KDS Air), with its own office at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, separated from the KDS ocean freight activities in Rotterdam. In 1994 KDS Air established itself as the first (!) company at the new business area at Schiphol South-East, with their own warehouse. As KDS Air grew into a total provider of logistical services, in 1998 the name 'KDS Air' was changed to a name that better covered its activities: KDS Cargo.
What can be done by entrepreneurs and Government to further the interests of the Freight Industry in The Netherlands?
Government must continue to invest in the infrastructure which will allow The Netherlands to keep her prominent position as a ‘gateway to Europe’. The focus must be on the expansion of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in order to keep a competitive edge on neighbouring airports in Germany and Belgium. We also could use close corporation between governmental bodies, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, IATA and air freight industry with focus on safety and security (x-ray, e-Freight, etc.).
How would you assess The Netherlands’ economic performance in 2015?
The Netherlands has a strong and stable economy, appreciated with the highest possible ranking status by major international banks, law firms and other financial organizations.
You will be participating in the Amsterdam Business Networking Event on March 8. With whom would you be most interested in connecting, in terms of networking?
Companies that are exporting general cargo products to West Africa (mainly Nigeria and Ghana), South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique.
What would you want other participants to contact you for?
We offer help with freight forwarding and assistance in logistics. Expert knowledge in most recent developments in safety and security in airfreight process would be most welcome.
What can you say about the targets, plans and ambitions of KDS Cargo in 2016?
To continue being an important freight forwarder for middle sized companies, with a focus on growing our airfreight volume in the West African market.
We also aim to act as a global player with local knowledge by offering a network of partners who have been selected based on financial stability, expertise and experience.
Which African countries do you predict will perform best in 2016?
I’ll place a bet on Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, in no particular order. I see an interesting year for these countries.
www.linkedin.com/in/mariusdaudeij
Africa Business Communities Networking Event
Tuesday 8 March 2016
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Amstel Hotel | Amsterdam | The Netherlands
amsterdam.intercontinental.com/en/
After great editions in Hamburg, Lagos and Accra the Africa Business Communities Networking Event is returning to Amsterdam!