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Hachem ... we are now better able to reach more
consumers worldwide

Aramex to boost e-commerce operations

DUBAI, June 29, 2016

Aramex, a leading global provider of logistics and transportation solutions, has joined hands with UK firm What3words for an innovative addressing system to boost its global e-commerce operations.

To date, Aramex has already invested in a number of mobile-based start-ups to improve its last-mile delivery solutions, including Grab and Logisure in India, Shippify in South America and CashBasha in Jordan and Saudi Arabia,  said a statement from the company.

The company has invested about $2.94 million in the What3words, a multi-award winning addressing platform, it stated.

What3words is an address system based on a global grid of 57 trillion 3mx3m squares, where each square has a unique pre-assigned three-word address. The solution helps everyone who needs to find or share a location - whether they are navigation apps, governments, logistics firms, travel guides or non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it added.

Aramex said it will use the address system in its e-commerce fulfilment operations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia (MEA) to further enhance its last-mile delivery solutions, said a statement.

Hussein Hachem, CEO of Aramex, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with what3words. By integrating three-word addresses into our e-commerce operations across the MEA, we are now better able to reach more consumers worldwide, even those in difficult to access locations.”

“The partnership is also perfectly aligned with our commitment to becoming a technology-based enterprise. We are always looking for new and innovative solutions to enhance our operations, and for new opportunities to invest in mobile-based start-ups with last-mile delivery capabilities,” he said.

Not finding the right delivery point, for example, is frustrating for consumers, and costs businesses a huge amount in failed deliveries and delays. The ‘last-mile deliveries’ account on average for 28 per cent of all delivery costs, said a statement.

According to the UN, 135 countries don’t have an adequate address system. This puts huge pressure on the logistics industry to find effective and efficient solutions to deliver parcels to consumers, it stated.

Already available in 10 languages and used in more than 170 countries, what3words will use the new investment to launch its voice recognition product in the smartphone, wearables, and automotive sectors and develop its three-word address system in several Asian languages. The investment will also support the growth of its team and further global expansion, it said.

Chris Sheldrick, CEO and co-founder of what3words, said: “We are on a mission to change the way people communicate location, to make the world a more efficient, less frustrating and a safer place with three-word addresses.”

“Aramex is recognised as one of the most innovative logistics providers in the world, and our partnership will help to propel us toward our goal of becoming a global addressing standard,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service




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