Business english. Logistics Services

Logistics uses lots of acronyms. How many do you know? Test your-self by writing these ones out

Exercise 3. Listen to three logistics providers presenting their services. Complete the table

Exercise 4. Listen to the recording again and complete the sentences

provider • shipping lines • fleet of vehicles • air carriers • transport companies • documentation

1. We are one of the world’s leading _________ with a freight volume of 600,000 containers per year.
2. We can offer our customers competitive rates with all major _________.
3. With a modern _________ , we can ensure fast, safe delivery of your consignments.
4. Our services include order picking, packing, distribution, and handling of all transport _________.
5. Cargo Express is Asia’s leading _________ with a freight volume of 600,000 containers per year.
6. We work closely with of air freight services. around the world for the fastest delivery available.

Exercise 5 Complete the sentences with words from the box

happy • provide • range • specialize • major • ensure • customized

1. As a _________ non-vessel operating common carrier, we can offer our customers competitive rates with all major shipping lines.
2. We _________ in solutions for full container loads (FCL) and less than container consolidated loads (LCL).
3. As a specialist in home textiles, we can offer our clients _________ services to meet their needs.
4. Our team will be _________ to assist you in all matters regarding your order.
5. We can _________ you with tailor-made solutions for your air transport requirements.
6. We closely co-operate with air carriers around the world and can offer our customers a wide _________ of flexible and cost-effective services.

Now listen and check your answers

SELLING YOUR COMPANY’S LOGISTICS SERVICES TO THE CUSTOMER

When describing a company’s services or portfolio, we often use the following expressions: We can offer you a wide range of...
We can provide (you with) customized/tailor-made logistics solutions for...
We specialize in...
As a specialist for/in ... we can...
With our many years of experience ...
We have experience and expertise in providing...
Our team will be happy to handle/assist you ...
With our dedicated team of logistics experts we can ...

Exercise 6. Complete the list with your own company’s services. Then present it to your partner using phrases from this unit

1. range of products or services _________.
2. specialist in _________.
3. experience _________.
4. extra services for customers _________.
7. Present the company’s services to your partner. Use phrases from this unit.

Exercise 7

Exercise 8. Read the following text from a logistics company magazine about new trends in third-party logistics. Then label the paragraphs with the correct headings from the list

Today’s role of major providers • Changing logistics requirements for manufacturers • 3PL in the past • New challenges for 3PL • Change in logistics concepts Recent trends in 3PL

1
Until a few years ago, companies used to outsource only parts of their logistics operations to providers specializing in services such as distribution or warehousing. A single company sometimes had several third-party logistics providers (3PLS).
2
The globalization of trade and increasing demand for services, however, has ted to a drastic shift in logistics concepts and management with an impact on both producers and logistics providers.
3
As far as manufacturers are concerned, logistics management has become a lot more complex. By now, many of them have learned that outsourcing single segments to different providers has not really made their logistics operations more efficient. That is why they are looking for providers who can provide a higher level of service and more comprehensive supply chain solutions.
4
For 3PL.S all over the world, requirements keep getting more demanding with customers asking for a wider range of logistics solutions. Apart from that, logistics providers today are facing an increasingly tough and highly competitive market. In recent years, growing pressure on prices has led to a decrease in profit margins. In order to compensate for this, many third-party logistics providers now offer value-added services for their customers. Due to fierce competition in the 3PL market, however, experts predict that only the big international players will be able to work profitably in the future.
5
The big global players, also called super- 3PLS, can provide their customers with comprehensive supply chain or end-to-end solutions. These services usually include forwarding, transportation, consolidation, customs brokerage, warehousing, and distribution, as well as a range of value- added services.

Exercise 9. Now say which of these statements are true ✓ or false X

1. In the past, companies used to outsource only segments of their logistics operations.
2. Manufacturers found out that outsourcing to 3PL providers is not efficient.
3. In the past few years many 3PL providers have increased their profit margins.
4. Customers today are demanding more complex logistics solutions.
5. Super-3PLs provide comprehensive solutions to logistics problems.

Exercise 10. Match the words (1-6) from the text with the correct definition (a-f)

Exercise 11. Look at the three website advertisements for value-added services. Then complete the table

Exercise 12. Listen to two short presentations about online logistics services. Then say which of the statements are true (√) or false (X)

EXPLAINING ONLINE SERVICES

When describing online functions or tools, you can use the following phrases and expressions: The price request tool allows you to obtain prices for shipments. E-Shipping helps you prepare/print/track/select... online.
To ..., Oust) sign up/register for/log on to ...
For price requests, please use ...
To access shipment details, click ...

Exercise 13. Match the beginnings of the sentences (1-6) with the endings (a~f) to make sentences from the recording

Exercise 14. Three people describe how IT has changed their jobs. Complete their statements with words from the box

RFID • enter • track • mobile phone • device • digital • GPS-based • tag
1. Customer
Tracking shipments is a lot easier with SMS-Fast Track. Now I can use my 1 to find out where my shipment is. I just have to 2 my air waybill number on my mobile and wait a few seconds. Then I get a reply with the details of my consignment’s current status. It’s such a great idea!
2. Truck driver
All our trucks are equipped with a truck support system now. For me that’s a great help as I can always use maps that show me exactly where I am and where I have to go. Obviously, it’s also useful for the company. They can my vehicle at any time, see the route I’m taking and where I make stops. And what’s very handy for me - the system also comes with a camera so I can take photos if there’s a problem while I’m on the road.
3. Manager at a trailer storage yard
I work at a trailer yard where trailers filled with packaged goods are kept until they go out to the customers. The site is very large and we have four different areas for trailer storage. Until the new_6 tag system was introduced, it could easily take a couple of hours to find the trailer we wanted. Now it’s a matter of minutes to locate the vehicle we’re looking for. All we have to do now is put the_7 on a trailer and use a mobile_8 to identify it. It really saves us a lot of time.
4. A new tracking device for US postal services
An American company based in California has recently developed a tracking device which may help post offices to improve their services. It can be used to find out more about hold-ups and delays in postal operations.

The small tracker, called the Letter Logger uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to store information about an item's position in transit. Similar devices have been used in the past to track expensive consumer goods like cars, but until now none of these systems wcs small enough to travel in an envelope. Now that's all changed. As well as fitting into a US standard-size business letter, the GPS Letter Logger also meets other postal requirements: it is bendable and able to withstand rough handling. This is particularly important as the envelopes are thrown into sacks, then transported by van to automatic sorting locations where they run through high-speed shuffling systems. The tracker itself does not transmit its position during transit, but stores the journey log on a memory card which can be read by a laptop computer. The GPS device offers several programming options ranging from checking its position every few minutes to checking only when on the move. The Letter Logger does not help, however, if the envelope carrying it does not arrive at its destination within about seven days, as the battery runs flat after about a week.

Over you

1. Have you ever experienced delays in postal services when sending or receiving letters?
2. Do you think this device should be used in your home country’s postal service?
3. Do you know any other useful electronic devices in logistics and transport?

KEYS

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