The awards designated as “awards of consolidation” were given by Security Watch to these courier companies in recognition of their outstanding contributions towards delivering shipments and mails in a secure manner in Nigeria. According to Mr. Patrick Agbambu, the National Coordinator, Security Watch Awards, the award winners emerged through views collected during Security Watch on AIT, nominations from the public who were beneficiaries of the services rendered by the organizations and discreet but physical assessment of the organizations.

Speaking after receiving the award on behalf of Tradeways Express, Mr. Chimezie Nwankwo, the General Manager, Operations and Services stated that the award did not come to the company as a surprise considering the fact that it has set out   to achieve a pleasant difference in the courier industry.

 He said he was dedicating the award to the entire staff members of Tradeways Express who have shown great zeal, commitment and dedication to their duties.Continuing, he disclosed that his company has been working on ISO requirements for certification in no distant future.

In his reaction, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tradeways Express International Limited, Mr. Larry Chinekezi, who thanked the organizers for rewarding professionalism and performance said his company was committed to delighting its customers through constant improvement on its procedures  in order to deliver excellent courier and logistics services.

 Tradeways Express, a recipient of West Africa’s Best Courier / Logistics Company by Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria among other awards, offers services that traverse International & Domestic Courier, International Cargo, Warehousing and Customs Brokerage, Haulage, Transport and Logistics. The Company operates 90 offices nationwide and makes delivery to 220 countries and territories.

 In a statement by the Chairman, Mr. Obinna Ezeuko, the Company reaffirmed its mission to be dynamic and well focused, developing opportunities for profitable growth in all areas of its business and extracting the greatest value from existing assets and maintaining strict control on costs.Mr. Ezeuko went further to report a turnover of N467.3 Million which was better than the 2005 result. He pointed out that turnover grew by 45% while profit after tax grew by 30%. He said that by the earnings this year of N89.7 Million, the cash management strategies have improved so much that the company has been able to wipe  out the losses of the

past three years (over N43 Million) and now has a retained profit figure of over N81 Million. The board, according to him recommends, for the shareholders approval, a dividend of N148 Million that is, N1 per share subject to the deduction of withholding tax at the appropriate rates.

While thanking God for his mercy and faithfulness, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tradeways Express, Mr. Larry Chinekezi pointed out that he is not surprised about the successes recorded by the company within four years of commencing operations. He said that right from the inception, the board, management and staff were committed to building a viable indigenous company that can compete favorably internationally. He added that plans are underway to extend the services of the company to Ghana before the end of the year and subsequently to other parts of Africa.The award-winning company renders excellent services in areas that span express delivery, import express, customs clearing and warehousing, wholesale courier, haulage and transportation. The company also delivers to all destinations in Nigeria and about 220 countries and territories.

In his opening speech, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Larry Chinekezi, thanked all those pioneer staff members who have kept faith with the company and promised a fair deal for all staff members. He expressed delight and satisfaction at the growth rate of the company and commended members of staff for their individual and collective contributions towards achieving this feat. He also urged them not to rest on their oars as there is fierce competition in the market.

 While welcoming all participants, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr ThankGod Ntaku noted that this year’s summit was an improvement on what we had last year and reminded participants that the summit provides an opportunity for brainstorming on how to position our company as a brand of choice in the Courier/Logistics industry.

The Guest Lecturer, Mr. Ike Emeagwali of the Lagos Business School, said Tradeways Express has achieving sustainable growth and maintaining customer service excellence as the major challenges facing it. He noted that unless top teams win today’s battle for intellectual leadership, they will be unlikely to win tomorrows battle for market leadership.

A very spectacular event that took place at the summit was the launching of Service is it Campaign for the 2006/2007 financial year by the Managing Director, Mr. Larry Chinekezi while the ‘Beyond Service’ manual was unveiled by the Guest Lecturer, Mr. Ike Emeagwali. The Service is it campaign is focused on rein forcing the company’s commitment to rendering excellent, effective and efficient service to its valued customers while the Beyond Service Manual is a publication which contains standard operating procedures produced to explain measures already put in place in the company to ensure guaranteed service to customers. At the summit, it was unanimously agreed in the group presentations that business growth can only be achieved through excellent service delivery. In all, the efforts exerted on organization of the summit were worth it, as it was a success in all ramifications

 Mr. Larry Chinekezi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tradeways Express, while thanking God for his mercy and favour, said the success achieved so far by the company is by no means an easy feat. He said the success is attributed to the core values of the company, namely; Professionalism, Productivity and Profitability which have set the company on a pedestal to render clear-cut, distinct and quality world-class service to its numerous customers.

 He expressed his heart-felt appreciation to customers who have kept faith with the company and promised them better days ahead.The General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Mr ThankGod Ntaku, said the company was effectively and constantly positioning itself in order to gain brand equity. He noted the numerous accolades and awards won by the company within three years of operations were undeniable proofs of its high level of acceptability by the public.

Mr. Ntaku pointed out that Tradeways brand image had considerably improved and that the company will always be guided by its vision of providing a top class, one-stop global network for the express procurement, warehousing and delivery of goods and packages.

A global courier and logistics company run by professionals and technology driven, Tradeways operates a network of 75 offices and express centres nationwide and delivers to 1154 cities and locations in Nigeria. It is a member of the Worldwide Partnership Cargo Link (WWPC) which enables it to deliver shipments to 220 destinations worldwide.Tradeways Express offers such services as express delivery of documents and packages, international freight, customs clearing, warehousing, haulage and transportation and logistics.