Acorn Industries is a Thailand-based manufacturer supplying specialist industrial components to customers across Europe, including a long-standing client in the United Kingdom. For many years, Acorn Industries relied on direct air freight services from Thailand to the UK to meet customer delivery requirements. Transit times were fast but rising air freight rates were threatening becoming prohibitively expensive for the customer.
Faced with losing a key customer, Acorn Industries approached out TCB Group team in Singapore to utilise our multi modal logistics solution from Changi Air Freight Centre to Manchester.
The Challenge:
Direct air freight shipments from Thailand were typically delivered within one week, but increasing air freight rates had become prohibitively expensive. The company required a sustainable alternative that balanced cost and transit times without major changes to their shipping operations.
Acorn Industries needed to achieve three objectives:
- Reduce international shipping costs without compromising service levels.
- Maintain reliable delivery schedules for its UK customer.
- Simplify freight forwarding and customs processes through a single logistics partner.
The Solution: TCB Group’s Multi Modal Service
TCB Group’s multi modal solution combines efficient regional sea freight movements with TCB Group’s daily UK-bound air freight consolidation service from Singapore to Manchester.
The Process
- Acorn Industries ships cargo from Thailand to Singapore by sea. The shipment arrives at TCB Group’s Singapore operation within approximately five days.
- Cargo is received and processed by TCB Group’s inhouse team within its Free Trade Zone warehouse. The goods are transhipped directly onto TCB Group’s dedicated air freight consol service to Manchester.
- TCB Group’s UK operation receives the air consol shipment, manages customs clearance, and coordinates final delivery to the customer.
By managing the entire process in-house, TCB Group provides a fully integrated freight solution with complete visibility from origin to destination.
Why the Multi Modal Approach Worked
By replacing direct air freight with a consolidated air freight service and also completing a portion of the journey with a cost-efficient sea freight leg, Acorn Industries dramatically reduced transportation costs without significantly increasing the overall transit time.
TCB Group’s ability to tranship the goods inhouse within Singapore’s FTZ, and also provide local support on arrival of the goods in Manchester also added significant value.
Key Benefits Delivered
Significant Cost Savings
By replacing direct air freight with a multimodal solution incorporating sea freight and consolidated air freight, Acorn Industries dramatically reduced the overall transportation costs.
Improved Supply Chain Stability
The dedicated daily air freight consol from Singapore provides predictable departure schedules and dependable transit performance, enabling better inventory planning and forecasting.
End-to-End Management
Unlike many multi modal providers that rely on multiple subcontractors, TCB Group controls every stage of the shipment process through its Singapore and UK operations, reducing communication gaps and operational risk.
The Results
Following implementation of the multi modal freight solution, Acorn Industries achieved:
- Significant reductions in overall freight costs.
- Retention of a valuable long-term UK customer.
- More predictable logistics planning.
- Improved supply chain efficiency.
- A fully managed freight forwarding solution from Thailand to final delivery in the UK.
Most importantly, the company was able to protect profitability while continuing to provide a high level of service to its customer.
Customer Testimonial
“TCB Group gave us a practical solution when rising air freight costs were becoming a serious concern. Their multi modal service gives us a balance between cost and transit time. The process is seamless, communication is excellent, and our customer remains happy with the service.”
Alex Saewong – Logistics Manager, Acorn Industries
Why Businesses Choose TCB Group for Multi Modal Freight
TCB Group’s multi modal service combines regional sea freight collection, in-house transhipment within Singapore’s Free Trade Zone, dedicated air freight consolidation to Manchester, customs clearance expertise, and final-mile delivery throughout the UK.
For exporters across South East Asia seeking a cost-effective alternative to direct air freight, TCB Group provides a proven multi modal solution that improves supply chain performance without sacrificing reliability.
Looking for a Multi Modal Freight Solution?
If your business is facing rising air freight costs or searching for a more efficient route into the UK, TCB Group can design a tailored multi modal solution that balances cost, speed, and reliability.
Contact our team to discuss how we can optimise your international supply chain.