快递服务业概述外文翻译 外文翻译原文An Overview of Express Delivery ServicesMaterial Source: A Report By US-ASEAN Business Council,2005Author: James I. Campbell Jr. A. Characteristics of an Express Delivery Company Four major integrators ? UPS, FedEx, TNT, and DHL ? account for almost 85 percent of the worlds express shipments. The services that these companies provide generally share the following characteristics which differentiate them from other traditional forms of delivery services: - Door-to-door delivery: This includes the seamless transfer across multiple modes of transport. The “integrated” aspect of the service offered frees the customer from the need to make complex transportation arrangements for pick-up and delivery. - Close custodial control: Using sophisticated information systems that enhance security, EDS firms maintain close custodial and administrative control over all shipments. This is particularly important to reduce the risk of loss or damage to goods in transit. - Track and trace technology: Shippers and consignees may track the precise movement and location of their shipments and confirm delivery with the use of sophisticated track and trace technology that an EDS firm provides. - Facilitation of customs clearance: EDS firms assist with customs clearance so that customers do not have to navigate bureaucratic customs regimes and the required paperwork. - High level of reliability: EDS firms promise that packages will arrive at the required destination, on time. This is particularly important for shipments of high-tech components due for production lines, as well as essential financial documents. - Global service: The major EDS firms offer their customers delivery to markets and cities worldwide through an intricate network of air hubs and stations. EDS is a network business. - Speed of delivery: Most importantly, Overnight and Second-day express services reduce overall inventory and warehousing needs, and imize supply chain efficiency. The average shipping time from the U.S. to Southeast Asia is about 2-3 working days door-to door. Together, these characteristics bring businesses timely, secure, and guaranteed worldwide delivery of documents, products, components, and spare parts to assist with efficient supply chain management. B. Benefits to Businesses Air cargo represents 40 percent of the value of global trade. The bulk of this is handled by EDS firms. Servicing the needs of both multinational corporations and the emergent small and medium enterprise SME sector in their manufacturing, import, and export activities, this industry has been an important engine for economic growth. Sectors which heavily rely on EDS to remain competitive are knowledge-based and technologically advanced, including that of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, information technology and telecoms, textiles, automotive & transport, engineering, financial and business services, and traditional manufacturing. To remain competitive, companies today focus not only on product performance but also factor in how well costs can be managed and reduced through distribution and production, and how quickly parts can be brought together, assembled, and distributed to global markets. EDS firms help with the smooth orchestration of these activities and are therefore part of the critical infrastructure for efficient supply chain management. Reducing Inventory and Other Indirect Costs With the support of EDS, companies no longer have to maintain large inventories and can therefore carry out better concentration, rationalization, and location of warehouses. In a study conducted by Gausch and Kogan 2001, companies in developing countries were found to have 2 - 5 times more inventory holdings in the manufacturing sector than companies in the U.S. Halving these inventories could consequently reduce unit production costs by 20 percent. In a typical Asian emerging market, logistics supply chain costs is as high as 22 - 24 percent of total production costs for manufacturers. In another study, it was found that for every $1 spent on express transportation, companies would save $1.50 in warehousing and inventory cost. For manufacturers, taking advantage of the availability of EDS allows for more efficient stock management and production techniques to be practiced, including the ability to respond more quickly to stock outages, and production interruptions. These indirect costs are not always visible and often overlooked but are critical to SMEs in emerging economies. Other immediate cost savings can also be realized through greater flexibility in sourcing. The flexibility allows companies to source from a wider array of suppliers and reduce their input costs. Introducing Flexibility into Business Structure EDS allows for more flexible business solutions. Relying on EDS to bridge distances removes the traditionally important time-to-ma