Panalpina, Ericsson expand partnership in Middle East

Ericsson launched its first telecom equipment hardware and software distribution center in the Middle East Earlier this month, situated in Panalpina’s Dubai South facility.    Ericsson, a global provider of technology and services to telecom operators, launched its first telecom equipment hardware and software distribution center in the Middle East Earlier this month, situated in Panalpina’s Dubai South facility, Panalpina said.
   The new facility is Ericsson’s first distribution center globally that incorporates hardware assembly and software load under one roof.
   After Panalpina’s engineers and technicians pick SKD units and configure, assemble and test them with the latest software uploaded, the freight forwarding and logistics company inspects and packs the finished products on site. The products are then delivered directly to Ericsson’s end customers in the region.
   “We can call off components, manufacture and ship in one day,” Panalpina Regional Head of Logistics for the Middle East, Africa and CIS (MEAC) Anthonie Verploegh said in a statement.
   In addition, the configure-to-order process customizes the product as late as possible in the supply chain, which allows materials to be allocated against orders only when required in the order fulfillment process.
   “With this postponed manufacturing approach, customers like Ericsson can significantly reduce working capital requirements and order fulfilment lead times,” Verploegh said.
   Ericsson and Panalpina have been working together in the United Arab Emirates since 2010.
   “We started off with a spare parts operation and have now moved into manufacturing,” Panalpina CEO for the MEAC region Peter Triebel said in a statement. “The journey is far from over. We see more opportunities where we can add value for Ericsson and grow together. We are already investing in resources and infrastructure to support this.”