World Transport Overseas (WTO), one of the fastest growing logistics companies, with headquarters in Eastern Europe and branches in Bulgaria, China, Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia, was declared “Company of the Year for 2020” in the Bulgarian service sector at the Forbes Awards
Innovation and the complete digitalisation of all processes – as crucial elements for all companies operating in the field of logistics and transport – remain a priority for our operations, reveals WTO Sales Manager Bogdan Gavrilović, while stressing that employees represent the most important factor of the company’s success.
Your company introduced numerous innovations a year and a half ago, at the start of 2020. What was included in everything that you’ve changed? – Prior to the pandemic, we introduced numerous changes to our corporate identity. We adopted a strategic plan, under the title ‘Vision 2030’, with the aim of opening additional branches in all logistics centres around the world over the next 10 years, by the end of this decade, because we think that’s the only way that we can meet all the needs of our clients.
An important step in the implementation of the strategy is represented by the opening of a branch in China, under the name World Transport Overseas China, which started operating as a NVOCC [Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier] on 1st September 2020.
The company has actually had a new logo since August, because changing the visual identity is part of the brand’s evolution. The new logo symbolises the global presence of World Transport Overseas in the sector of providing logistics and all directly and indirectly related services, as well as the three types of transport that we successfully implement: sea, road and air.
Last year, which was very important for you, was marked by the pandemic, as was a large part of this year. Has the pandemic changed the way you operate?
Under the difficult conditions that emerged following the spread of the COVID-19 virus and in the face of the global pandemic, we didn’t stop working, thanks to the digitalisation of our business processes. By respecting all recommendations for preserving the safety of our employees and clients, we responded successfully to all requests, and continue to do so now. On a daily basis, we monitor the situation that’s important in our field of activity and adapt to unfolding changes.
As a response to the growing volume of work, we also increased the number of jobs this year, enriching our collective with more educated young people
You have a new platform that you also finished introducing last year… Could you tell us about it?
– Yes, yes … Last year we also completed the introduction of MS Dynamic NAV at all WTO offices. This new IT platform ensures sophisticated management of the supply chain, which integrates the operations and needs of all WTO offices into a single operating system. The combined functional areas include the tracking of shipments, communication, data and document management, financial activities, warehousing, sales and – most importantly – user support.
And while we’re already talking about what’s most important, for us that’s our employees.
They are our most valuable and most precious resource, without which the progress achieved wouldn’t have been possible. As a response to the growing volume of work, we also increased the number of jobs this year, enriching our collective with more educated young people.
How is WTO preparing for the future challenges?
– World Transport Overseas started the integration of its own ERP system onto the TradeLens blockchain platform, helping ensure a more timely and consistent view of logistics data for its containerized freight around the world.
TradeLens is an open and neutral supply chain platform underpinned by blockchain technology. In addition, it is an interconnected ecosystem of supply chain partners — cargo owners, ocean and inland carriers, freight forwarders and logistics providers, ports and terminals, customs authorities, and more. Currently, we are the first company in Bulgaria and the region to utilise this platform.