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AMI opens 6th US branch, links up with 10 South American countries

THE world's largest trade-only air freight and express wholesaler AMI has taken a major step forward in developing its business in South America, with the opening of a new office in Miami, and the establishment of a strategic partnership with the region's premier wholesaler covering 10 South American countries.

AMI Miami will serve the local air freight agent community - as well as acting as the control centre for transshipments between AMI's US and global networks and South America, a company statement announced.

AMI's new strategic partner is Brazil-based neutral ocean- and air freight wholesaler and NVOCC Craft Group.

Craft has 600 staff working at established offices in 27 centres throughout Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay and will handle and clear AMI imports to these countries, as well as selling AMI's global network of direct and via-Miami services.

Said AMI vice president Mike Pattinson: "Miami is a cost-effective gateway linking South America with the US and the world, but it demands a solid presence on the spot to manage the transshipment process. AMI now has that presence.

"Meanwhile, Craft Group is one of very few other truly trade-only wholesalers in the world, and so enables AMI to maintain the integrity of its neutral business model. Craft is the ideal complement to AMI's existing global network."

Said Craft air freight director Priscilla Bueno: "This collaboration we gain access to AMI's impressive global coverage both for exports and imports, and we can also help AMI to develop in South America through our robust operational presence in ten countries."

AMI's five other US branches are in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. It also has branches in the UK (London and Manchester), continental Europe (Amsterdam and Frankfurt), South Africa (Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town), India (Mumbai), the Far East (Hong Kong), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin) and New Zealand (Auckland and Christchurch).