Streamline your supply chain operations with the forerunner of the industry Global4PL Supply Chain Services

The Silicon Review

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a significant part of any organization. It can be either a small or larger organization; SCM should be used to maximize the supply chain activities to have better customer value so that a sustainable competitive advantage can be achieved. SCM experts define it as design, execution, control, planning, and monitoring of supply chain functions. The main objective of the SCM is to build an infrastructure, create net value, leverage worldwide logistics, measure performance, and synchronize the supply and demand. Some of the other significant areas that the SCM focuses on are procurement, Information technology, and logistics. If the organizations make use of strategic SCM then they will be able to distribute and provide various materials and products.

Global4PL Supply Chain Services is a provider who specialized in SCM functions. The company was founded in 2004 and it is in various locations like Milpitas, CA, Amsterdam, France, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, Serbia, India, Panama, Chile and more. The company provides solutions like IOR/EOR service, Technology Solution, Trade Compliance, and Customs Brokerage. The company assists its clients in entering the new regional markets and it also optimizes the supply chain delivery models.

In conversation with Sergio Retamal CEO of Global4PL Supply Chain Services

Q. Brief us about the journey of the company from its inception till date.

Our company started off as an IOR-EOR service company to help clients establish their business and export their products to as many as 168 countries worldwide. Our aim was to make legal entities, customs brokerage, transportation management services and trade laws easier for our clients, so they can continue in their vision to expand their business despite geographical boundaries. As technology and trade expands and undergoes several changes and advancements, our company has build the foundation to help our clients overcome their operational deficiencies and cater to millions of customers that are limited by geographical constraints. Overtime, Global4PL established itself as a reliable and economical option that has become one of the most trusted and efficient partners for Fortune 5000 manufacturers, importers and retailers to grow internationally. Global4PL clients now have access to a true global supply chain network to advance their global capabilities and function worldwide to as many as 168 countries.

Q. Please help us understand the current market landscape?

The current market conditions have been turbulent due to the trade wars and their repercussions in terms of additional retaliation over US products overseas. Some countries that have been quite open in the past have retaliated with increased red tape in addition to tariffs. The foreseeable market conditions will continue to be turbulent as there is a clear need to migrate some of the manufacturing out of China, especially the latest and greatest technologies and hi-tech products. IP theft and forced transfer of technologies remain serious concerns. Realistically, any transfer of technology to China will not be able to be controlled, so ideally, the transfer should be discouraged to protect the latest and greatest IP.

Brief overview of the products and services offered by your company:

Our Main Areas of Concentration:

IOR/EOR service: IOR-EOR is a global program that enables companies to export to other countries efficiently and painlessly. Acting as your company’s in-country legal entity, Global4PL can support your sales and customer service while also allowing your company to keep spare inventory near your end customer sites to support quick turn repairs.
Compliance (BIS, CBP, and OFAC): We offer a comprehensive set of services to ensure compliance with import/export regulations and to improve the efficiency of our compliance processes. We develop and document a comprehensive import/export program proven to pass muster with CBP and/or BIS in the event of an audit. We will seek out Customs transaction errors to avoid costly fines. We will also identify any duty savings opportunities.
Supply Chain Services: We conduct a complete review of your supply chain management that spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption. We provide inbound & outbound services from customs clearance, warehousing, and reverse logistics functions, both domestically and internationally. Lastly, we identify inefficiencies and opportunities for cost savings.
Supply Chain & Global trade, and Visibility Software: Global4PL has a number of tools developed by the company to support global supply chain from visibility and traceability, document control, document creation, DPL Screening, and other tools required for companies to be able to have solid compliance and an efficient supply chain.

Who are some of your biggest clients? In which vertical do you see the most traction in?

We have a number of Fortune 100 clients as well as mid to small companies in our portfolio. We have some of the better-known names in the industry as well as some new companies that have just started; we don’t mention them by name as they value our confidentiality and we value their privacy. In the future, we see the most traction in verticals that previously relied heavily on resellers. Customers that depend solely on supply chain services are going to have an ever increasing need for IOR services. We cater mostly to companies that don’t want to have multiple resellers worldwide, either because they do not have enough exports or the capacity to assure resellers of a persistent business. Companies that sell to customers in Europe, Middle East, Americas or Asia need to provide reassurances to their customers that they will have a reliable and proactive customer service in their home country, regardless of the products coming from abroad. Global4PL sees a huge potential in providing IOR/EOR and customer service facilities for these companies looking to attract a new customer base on a global scale. We assure our clients with our Critical Spare Part replacement program that they can provide guarantees to their customers in case any of their products need replacement, which was a field that many US manufacturers could not previously enter.

How is your company positioned in the current market scenario?

We have worked very tirelessly over the years to expand our network and we currently cover over 168 countries, which give us a unique market position to support our customers globally. We are truly a global network because we have that coverage, combined with the knowledge to operate in those countries. We have received a number of awards including the Presidential E Award for Export Services from the US Department of Commerce and the Exporter of the Year Award from American Express.

What is the road map ahead?

We need to multiply the number of countries we serve as well as growing the intra-country networks in the key countries where some migrations will happen in the next few years. We aim to expand our reach to as many countries as possible, so that clients with growing businesses can increase their reach globally. Many progressive and innovative companies are held back from reaching a new, wider range of customers because of laws and regulations in the foreign countries that they are aiming to sell their products in. Global4PL is striving towards improving both its strategic, tactical skills, and software to increase its overall efficiency, reliability, and security. We are constantly revamping our logistics and building on the realizations that we have to make practical, sure-fire ways to optimize our client’s business and supply chain. Global4PL hopes to become more cognizant of regulations and trade laws worldwide, to ease the IOR/EOR process for their clients, regardless of the kind of business environment that they have to function in. If we are well aware of the trade environment that we and our clients are functioning and hoping to expand in, we can provide first-class supply chain services that do not limit our client’s potential for growth - while also helping them find a cost-effective and secure solution.

Sergio Retamal CEO of Global4PL Supply Chain Services

Sergio Retamal is the CEO of Global4PL, a supply chain operations and consulting Services Company that helps organizations increase international sales, improves compliance, and achieves their full operational potential. Global4PL provides a full suite of supply chain services from Customs Brokerage, Air Freight Forwarding, IOR-EOR services in over 168 countries, technology solutions, and supply chain consulting services. Sergio Retamal, whose career spans 25+ years in procurement and supply chain management, is the CEO of Global4PL. Sergio’s professional experience includes management roles in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He has been widely recognized for his accomplishments. Some of these accolades include recognition by the Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine’s Pros-To-Know for an unprecedented 12th Times. Most recently, Global4PL was awarded with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Much of this can be owed to the unwavering contributions of Sergio and his team of professionals. Global4PL is the Recipient of The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Global4PL is the Recipient of the “Exporter of the Year 2018 Award” by America Express. In 2005, Sergio received the International Transportation Association’s Executive of the Year Award, whose prior recipients include Bruce T. Peterson, Jr., senior vice president of Wal-Mart; Thomas R. Carper, governor of the State of Delaware; and Gary Hammonds, chairman of David Oppenheimer Group of Companies. Prior to Global4PL and POHorizon, Mr. Retamal gained significant experience managing logistics and import/export teams in both established and early-stage companies, and is acclaimed as a leader in the field. He has led global logistics for a number of Fortune 100 companies, and has taught logistics for the California State University system. Sergio’s professional experience includes directing the development and management of complete supply chain networks in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Past roles involved planning and leading global supply chain strategies for companies such as Sun Microsystems, Ryder Integrated Logistics, Cost Plus, and Micropolis. Mr. Retamal holds a Master in Change Management from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and an MBA in International Business Administration from California State University, Northridge. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business from California State University.