BDP beefs up its arms

US-based BDP International has opened a new Global Services Center (GSC) in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, having opened its first such centre in nearby Kuala Lumpur in March 2008. The new centre will offer the same services as the first, including import/export container and shipment tracking, SAP data entry, shipment data entry and billing and documentation, as well as import security filing for ex-US shipments. It will use standard operating procedures developed in the first centre in serving its predominantly US and European clients. Additionally, it will also work with clients to customise the processes they outsource to BDP.

"Its impressive economic growth and political stability made Malaysia an extremely attractive place to increase our investment in the region," says Richard Strollo, managing director of BDP South Asia. "It has a substantial manufacturing base, is a major oil exporter and is situated on a key international trade route. What resonated most, however, was the extraordinary quality of the country's workforce, in terms of skill sets, motivation and productivity."

BDP has also strengthened its presence in the UK with the appointments of Anthony Akerman and David Marshall as UK country manager and Aberdeen branch manager, respectively. "These appointments underscore the importance of the UK market in the global economy and world trade, particularly its energy and chemical sectors, where we have extensive experience and expertise," says Yves Letange, managing director of BDP International Europe. "The chemical industry is the country's largest export sector, contributing some £10bn a year to its balance of payments and providing vital support for the rest of its manufacturing sector."

Based in the company’s main office in Dartford, Kent and reporting to Antwerp-based Letange, Akerman will have responsibility for all UK operations, including branch locations, business development, employees, clients and vendors. Marshall, meanwhile, will be responsible for BDP’s operations in Aberdeen, Scotland, which in addition to conventional transport and logistics services include turnkey solutions from supply chain support for new and existing production facilities to the transport of heavy-lift structures and specialised logistics for offshore equipment and oil country tubular goods (OCTG). 

www.bdpinternational.com