For the latest edition of our Apollo member interview, we talked to Ken Behan from Dublin, Ireland. We discussed freight forwarding in a pre-internet world, the importance of offering your customers personal service and many other things.
How did you get started in the logistics industry and what has your journey been like so far?
I started in Logistics doing customs clearance, in those days we used to write the customs entries and hand-deliver them to the customs office. We had no idea about Internet tracking or EDI.
What was the most unusual/challenging shipment you recently handled?
Here we handle a lot of different commodities, by Road, Sea and Air and all shape and sizes of goods, so nothing is really unusual, but recently we handled 2×55 tonnes each electricity transformers for one of the new Data centres in Ireland which we don’t have every day.
If there is one thing that you could change to the logistics industry, what would it be and why?
This is an easy one for me, but most readers would be oblivious to it. Many airlines use trucking services from LHR/MAN/AMS to Ireland but these do not seem to be in anyway connected to the IT/ web tracking of many airlines and airfreight trucking service on some airlines leaves a lot to be desired.
What is the most important lesson working in logistics has taught you?
If you make a mistake, own up to it and then try to fix the problem.
What do you like most about the industry and your job in particular?
No two days are the same and its an everchanging business. Nobody in this business ever knows everything.
How do you set yourself apart from your competitors?
Service, service, service.
What do you like the most about being a member of our logistics network?
It’s not too big and hopefully we will get to meet as many like-minded companies and get to develop, profitable business together.
How do you relax in your free time?
Dreaming of winning the Lotto.
Thank you, Ken!