Bangkok--30 Jul--Hill & Knowlton DHL Exel Supply Chain Thailand, one of three business units of DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, has today officially launched its latest service — ’Pallet Thai’ — to more fully meet the needs of major traders and retailers, and extend its best-in-class service to small and medium-sized enterprises across all of Thailand. By improving utilization levels and filling the gap between small parcels and full truckloads, the service will increase efficiency and flexibility in the supply chain while helping to reduce the number of trucks on the roads; contributing to a reduced carbon footprint. The service is a new initiative from DHL, with Thailand selected as the first market in Asia for its implementation. According to the Ministry of Industry — in a report published in May 2008 discussing Thailand’s Logistics Development Strategy for 2007 to 2011 — the Thai government is aiming to optimize the country’s supply chains by improving internal processes and increasing capacity to ensure Thailand can compete more effectively in regional and global trade. “This domestic distribution service is very much in line with the government’s vision of enhancing Thailand’s logistics capabilities and services, and consolidating freight to reduce costs and energy consumption,” said Steve Daniel, Senior Vice President — South Asia & Thailand & Indo-China, DHL Exel Supply Chain Asia Pacific. “With issues such as cost efficiency, responsiveness, reliability, security and improved environmental responsibility close to the hearts of all SMEs, these businesses can now take advantage of consolidated deliveries to upcountry destinations if their own volumes are not sufficient enough to warrant a dedicated truck.” Further, manufacturers and traders that are based upcountry can also enjoy the benefits of a consolidation service at competitive rates for all Thai destinations, including Bangkok. Whether traders are large or small, they can now share space in the same fully-loaded DHL vehicle. With a prescheduled fast and reliable service leaving directly from Bangkok, Pallet Thai will also enable customers to remove their upcountry hubs and stockholding locations and reduce inventory by delivering more frequently without increasing their costs. “As a major trade facilitator, DHL has established the new Pallet Thai service to provide increased supply chain flexibility and to enhance distribution channels for Thai traders. The introduction of the new service is testament to Thailand’s strategic importance for DHL and to the company’s long term commitment to innovation within the Kingdom,” added Daniel. Operating on a daily basis, Pallet Thai collects goods from Bangkok and delivers them to destinations in 47 provinces nationwide with a guaranteed delivery time of 1-2 business days. The Pallet Thai service provides the same service in reverse, from upcountry destinations to anywhere within Thailand within 1-2 business days. The door-to-door service also includes a web-based track and trace system with proof-of-delivery. For more information on this innovative service, please call (66) 2 312 7677 or e-mail [email protected]. In the picture: Steve Daniel, Senior Vice President — South Asia & Thailand & Indo-China, DHL Exel Supply Chain Asia Pacific, introduces the latest service — ’Pallet Thai’ to more fully meet the needs of major traders, retailers and SMEs by improving utilization levels and filling the gap between small parcels and full truckloads to increase efficiency and flexibility in the domestic supply chain while helping to reduce the number of trucks on the roads; contributing to a reduced carbon footprint. For more information please contact: Hill & Knowlton Thailand Ms. Orawan Chuenwiratsakul Ms. Visa Cheawsamut Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext 212 or 107 Fax: 0-2627-3510 Email: , DHL Thailand Ms. Piyalak Chuenchompoonut Ms. Pimnatda Vijjupanont Tel: 0-2345-5602 or 0-2791-8009 Fax: 0-2285-5732 Email: piyalak.chuenchompoonut @dhl.com,