Imap delivers customized global logistics solutions

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and
spending roughly a decade in the logistics industry,Tamara Bennett
decided it was time to strike out on her own. It was at this point in
2002 that Bennett founded the Grapevine, Texas-based Imap Global
Logistics.

In the past five plus years since, Bennett and her team have
transformed Imap into a truly dynamic Lead Logistics Provider specializ-
ing in domestic and international air and surface transportation, ware-
housing and distribution, reverse logistics programs, exclusive use vehi-
cles and air charters.
“We customize our services to meet our client’s needs and strive to deliv-
er innovative solutions that add value and decrease costs,” Bennett said.

It
is because of the team’s dedication to fully servicing the customer that
Imap has grown substantially in the past two years — including increasing
its revenues by approximately 35 percent. “The key to our success is in
building long-term partnerships with our customers,” she said.“Ultimately,
we understand the sense of urgency and the need for timely and accurate
communication during the life of every shipment. Imap’s emphasis on
technology makes it easy to do business with us.”

CONQUERING CHALLENGES

In a highly competitive and always changing world of global commerce,
operating within the logistics realm is inherently full of challenges.
However, with the changes in the aviation industry and increased security
measures set forth by the Transportation Safety Administration over the
past few years, numerous new challenges have entered the picture for
logistics companies such as Imap.

“The added requirements for cargo inspection and known shipper status
affect the entire supply chain by limiting acceptable shippers and increas-
ing the required drop times for tendering freight to commercial airlines,”
Bennett explained.“This can, at times, increase costs and limit our options
for achieving service via air. Additionally, a decrease in the availability of
wide-body aircraft and the demise of the all-cargo carrier, Kitty Hawk, has
added further obstacles.”

Fortunately for Imap clients, Bennett and the team have creatively found
ways to address these challenges by expanding the firm’s resources in the
exclusive use or “hotshot” segment of its business.“With this service, goods
are transported from origin to destination via dedicated vehicle thus cir-
cumventing limited aircraft availability and security measures,” she says.

FORMIDABLE TEAM

A key component in meeting the various challenges
Imap faces has been the development and interaction of
a solid team of professionals. Dana Cappelletti, Imap’s
business development manager, is a prime example,
Bennett explained.
“Dana and I have worked together for a number of years,
even before the inception of Imap.

Over time I’ve grown to
respect her insight and opinions,” she said. “She exhibits a
steadfast determination to exceed customer’s expectations
and takes ownership in not only her own personal success
but in the success of Imap as a whole. She is truly an indi-
vidual who devotes her efforts to the betterment of the
company. She gladly accepts responsibility to do what is
necessary, never approaching a task with the attitude that it
is not her job.”

Cappelletti has also been actively involved with the
Women’s Business Council for the last four years, serving on
various committee’s and utilizing the networking opportuni-
ties presented through council functions to further promote
the Imap brand.

NOTICEABLE NICHE

According to Bennett, while Imap is fully committed to
serving its clientele beyond expectations, the firm is not
everything to everyone, and it remains attentive to its core
competencies.
“We are committed to providing out of the box services to
our clients.”
This is quite evident in an example focused on an existing
customer who called Imap late on a Friday afternoon look-
ing for a solution when it discovered that its small package
carrier did not provide delivery services to Puerto Rico on
the weekends.
“Although small package deliveries are not our usual niche,
we stepped in and handled the crisis for our customer,”
Bennett said.

“We packaged the product, prepared the inter-
national documentation and contacted each delivery location
to secure applicable hacienda tax information in order to
deliver the critical shipments to 45 retail locations by noon
on Saturday.”
Imap’s efforts were appreciated.
“They made the impossible, possible,” said John Humphrey
of Cockrell Printing.“Imap eased my concerns, going as far as
to call me at home with updates. The way Imap handles its
business is the way I handle business for my customers —
when the customer has a need you make it happen.

When I
have critical deadlines, I call Imap.”
Another example occurred when a manufacturer of sensi-
tive technology equipment called Imap to coordinate the
expedited transport and complex delivery coordination of
multiple oversized pieces of equipment. The items were
needed to meet the receiver’s production requirements and
delivery could not interrupt current levels of productivity
for the company.

Considering the urgency of a smooth tran-
sition, Imap sent a representative from its Dallas/Ft Worth
facility to the overseas delivery location to manage and
direct all aspects of the customer’s intricate transport and
delivery requirements.
Both instances are examples of how Bennett takes pride in
the fact that her firm is dedicated to servicing the customer
by paying attention to the crucial details that can make or
break any transaction.