Starting as a freight forwarder agent 54 years ago, Aviomar S.A. has expanded into a full-service logistics group, which employs more than 440 people and offers bonded warehousing (Snider Y Cia.), customs handling (COLVAN S.A.), relocation services (LARM Colombia) as well.
“When the large international players came into Colombia, we decided to specialize in door-to-door household goods removals and expatriate relocation. Today, we control 65 percent of the market, and customs statistics will prove that,” said President Felice Snider, the son of the company’s founder.
“We also have the only bonded warehouse set up inside the cargo terminal at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, which reduces the lead time for our customers. What we aim for is to be able to clear goods at the airport within 24 hours. We are in the process of establishing 24/7 operations at the airport,” he added.
As the company grows, Snider has recognized the importance of remaining flexible and adjusting to increasing competition in the industry.
“What sets us apart is that we want our customers to become our friends. In order to compete with the larger players, we need to be more flexible than them. So, as a service provider, we need to adjust our processes and procedures to fit our customers’ needs, and not the other way around,” he said.
As trade relations between Japan and Colombia recover to previous levels, Aviomar is ready to renew its commitment to serve the Japanese business community in the country. “At one point, many Japanese left Colombia. As they start to come back, we look forward to working with them again,” stressed Snider.
- Originally prepared by Global Media for The Japan Times Special Report on Colombia 2013 (Credit: Philippe Le Saux)
