Seeking deeper relationships with air cargo firms in at least 10 Latin American nations, airfreight and express wholesaler Air Menzies International (AMI) has opened a new office in Miami, which will act as a gateway for transshipments between North and South America. AMI Miami, as the office will be known, will act as a liaison between the local airfreight community, AMI’s overall U.S. and global networks and South American markets.
To strengthen the bonds, AMI has also established a strategic partnership with Brazil-based wholesaler Craft Group, which employs a staff of 600 in 27 locations throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Craft will manage customs for AMI imports to South America and will sell via AMI’s global network.
“Miami is a cost-effective gateway linking South America with the U.S. and the world, but it demands a solid presence on the spot to manage the transshipment process. AMI now has that presence,” said Mike Pattinison, AMI’s vice president, USA. “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.”
Priscilla Bueno, Craft Group’s corporate airfreight director, said the collaboration with AMI “opens up many new opportunities in both directions,” providing access to AMI’s global networks and helping AMI develop a presence in 10 South American nations,
The opening of Miami AMI now gives the firm six U.S, branches in total, with other offices located in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. AMI also has several other branches in Europe, South Africa, India, China, Australia and New Zealand.
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