This month, AEB joined the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). CILT represents the interests of businesses in the logistics and transport sector. Its over 20,000 members receive information on the latest trends and enjoy access (including online) to one of the largest logistics and transport libraries. The institute publishes reports and submits recommendations as part of its active role in shaping regulations. (www.ciltuk.org.uk)
Mark Brannan, Senior Business Systems Analyst at AEB in Warwick: “CILT sees it as its objective to promote excellence in logistics. We regard membership in CILT and the possibility of participating in round-table discussions and conferences as an expanded opportunity to network and share information with other professionals. Naturally, we also hope to raise awareness of our services. We will pursue this objective through an advertising campaign in the CILT monthly magazine highlighting our ASSIST4 solution suite.”
In July 2009, AEB also joined AFSS (Association of Freight Software Suppliers). AFSS represents leading suppliers of the freight and transportation industry. The association keeps in regular contact with Customs organizations worldwide and is actively involved in working groups that focus on Customs and security issues. Mark Brannan: “AFSS is a lobbying organization recognized by HM Revenue & Customs and the British International Freight Association. We aim to provide representation on behalf of our customers.”

New EU legislation controlling exports, transfers, brokering and transit of dual-use items from, within or through the European Community came into force on August 27, 2009. The re-cast regulation, which is directly applicable in all member states, replaces the existing Dual-Use Council Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2000. A summary of main changes:

• New controls on the provision of brokering services of dual-use items listed in Annex I of the re-cast regulation if the broker has been informed by the competent authorities in the member state where he or she is established that the items are or may be intended for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) end-use; and where the broker is aware that such items are intended for WMD end-use, he or she must notify the authorities, who will decide whether to inform;
• Controls on transit of non-community dual-use items listed in Annex I of the re-cast regulation if the items are or may be intended for WMD end-use;
• National options to extend transit and brokering controls to non-listed dual-use items for WMD end-use;
• Addition of a specific license format for dual-use brokering services;
• Other changes relating to harmonization of member states’ practices, including information-sharing and cooperation.

This and other information can be found at the website of the U.K. Department of Business, Innovation and Skills: www.berr.gov.uk
Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5th May 2009

On September 2, 2009, AEB Asia Pacific, in collaboration with the trade journal Logistics Inside Asia, organized a breakfast event entitled “Visibility through the Supply Chain—Transparency from Top to Bottom and Back Again” at Singapore’s Hilton Hotel. With a total of 80 supply chain professionals from Singapore and Malaysia attending, including manufacturers and logistics service providers, the response to the invitation among the logistics community was overwhelming. The full agenda included interesting speeches by Frost & Sullivan, IBM and AEB plus a panel discussion among experts from industry and science examining how to achieve optimal visibility in the supply chain. Business Development Director of AEB Asia Pacific, Dr. Torsten Mallée, was on the expert panel. His summary: “The success of this event shows that in times of strategic readjustments, “better visibility” is a fundamental need. Such events only provide a snapshot, of course. Individual discussions are necessary to prepare real decisions.”
Logistics Inside Asia reports on the successful event in its September/October issue:
PDF Supply Chain Visibility Forum | www.logasiamag.com
See the NEWS section of our website for photos of the event.

It’s that time of the year again: The most important coming-together of the logistics community is before us. AEB will be there once again, exhibiting under the motto “AEB makes connections.” AEB’s logistics solutions make it possible to link all the partners in a supply chain: shippers, carriers, suppliers—you name it. Everyone who logs on to the Wi-Fi network at or near the AEB booth will be given a password and become eligible to win an iPod Nano. Also making its debut: the new PARCEL||XPRESS interface. Those who pack their bags and come to Berlin will have an opportunity to meet the supply chain management experts at the AEB booth. Where: Hotel Intercontinental, Potsdam foyer, booth FP/11. Follow the stack of packages to find us. The German Logistics Congress team looks forward to meeting you.

Trade publications such as Hamburg’s Deutsche Verkehrszeitung, FM – Das Logistik-Magazin, DV-Dialog and Logistik-Journal are all reporting on AEB’s 30th anniversary. Now, the trade journal LOGISTIK HEUTE is publishing a feature portrait of AEB founder Peter Michael Belz in its September issue. The editor-in-chief traces AEB’s path from its beginnings in an attic office through various milestones to today’s international enterprise for foreign trade and logistics. AEB now supports over 5,000 customers worldwide. It was 30 years ago that the young Peter Michael Belz turned down an offer from IBM to go to New York as a sales director.
The new millennium began with overseas expansions and the opening of offices in Warwick in 2000 and Singapore in 2001. The Asian operations were also the impetus for the key decision to expand the ASSIST4 suite with the Warehouse Management module.
For other milestones in AEB history, visit our website.