Clinical trial shipments from Asia to the US are set to double by 2006 and are seen as a key area of growth for clinical trial logistics. Currently, Asia-US shipments account for about 10% of the industry estimated to be worth US$30 million a year – half of which originate in Singapore. “An estimated 70% of diagnostic shipments from test centres across Asia are sent to Singapore for testing, and it is logical that the shipments are consolidated and sent to the US from there,” says Onno Boots, Director Global Account Management, TNT Express.
“Diagnostic shipments from Asia to US are traditionally the strong hold of US-based logistic providers,” he adds. “TNT Express has taken a bold, but critical step in establishing Clinical Express in the USA, which is the largest clinical trial logistic market in the world.”
TNT Express is the world's leading business to business express delivery company. The company delivers 3.3 million parcels, documents and pieces of freight a week to over 200 countries using its network of nearly 900 depots, hubs and sortation centres. TNT Express operates over 18,000 road vehicles and 42 aircraft and has the biggest door-to-door air and road express delivery infrastructure in Europe.
TNT Express employs 43,000 staff worldwide and is the first ever organisation to achieve global recognition as an Investor in People. The company reported sales in 2004 of €4.7 billion. Profits of €373 million earned by TNT Express during 2004 were higher by 35% than the same period in 2003 (€276 million). The TNT Express website is: www.tnt.com
TNT N.V. is a global provider of mail, express and logistics services. The group employs over 162,000 people in 63 countries and serves over 200 countries. For 2004 the company reported sales of € 12.6 billion. TNT N.V. is publicly listed on the stock exchanges of Amsterdam, New York, London and Frankfurt.
About AirNet Systems:
AirNet Systems, Inc. (NYSE: ANS) focuses its resources on providing value-added, time-critical aviation services to a diverse set of customers in the most service-intensive, cost-effective manner possible. AirNet operates an integrated national transportation network that provides expedited transportation services to banks and time-critical small package shippers nationwide. Jetride, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, provides passenger charter services nationwide to individuals and businesses. The Company currently operates 128 cargo and passenger aircraft located strategically throughout the United States. To find out more, visit AirNet's website at www.airnet.com
