What distinguishes QCS from global player, Hewlett Packard? At least the beginnings of both companies were similar. While the breathtaking rise of HP began 1939, in a Californian garage, Qualified started its activities in the private apartment of Founder and President, Lisa Olson. Meanwhile, office space has been rented and 6 employees now work for the forwarding agent. The result: sales are constantly growing.
During the initial phase, “we were primarily moving sea freight, with only 5% being air freight,” Ms. Olson recalls. Then, Matthew Kilarski joined the team, and cargo sales developed
into a strong mainstay of the company, accounting for 30% of the total business, she says. And this is just an interim result: “I forecast that air cargo will continue to grow, reaching
between 40% to 50% of our total business over the next two years.”
There is no magic formula for the permanent upturn of her company. Instead, Qualified’s success is based on hard work, a strong cohesion of the team, an approach to work wherein accomplishing an
urgent job comes first, and above all – extremely close collaboration with customers.
Tour Edge Golf MfG
That's what the following testimonials prove. For instance, from the manufacturer and global vendor of golf clubs, Batavia, Illinois-headquartered Tour Edge Golf MfG: “We have worked with
Lisa and her team for the last 5 years. Their level of customer service and attention to detail while working with our staff and vendors, is second to none. They do a wonderful job guiding us
through the difficult challenges we face within our supply chain. We have learned that having a logistics partner that you can count on during a global pandemic, can make or break your business.
We are thankful to have Lisa and her team at QCS.”
K.R. Komarek Inc.
The management of K.R. Komarek Inc. similarly assesses the cooperation which began five years ago and continues to this day. Komarek is a leading producer of briquetting machines and
compaction/granulation systems, based in Wood Dale, Illinois: “From day one, Qualified Cargo Solutions has done an amazing job working with our company to move equipment all over the world.
Even though our equipment delivers to very remote areas at times, Qualified Cargo was there to help and handle with ease! Not only are they experienced and very knowledgeable, but they also have
the best customer service in town!
We always feel special and oftentimes like their only customer due to their quick and helpful responses. Qualified Cargo is a great freight forwarder and in a very large SEA of companies,
they are second to none!”
Maximum Mold
To round the testimonials off, here are words based on experience from Benton Harbor, Michigan-based Maximum Mold, a specialist in manufacturing die casting molds: “We have worked with the
QCS team and Lisa since day one. They are very professional and go above and beyond to get our team the best rates, timing, and weekly information for all our logistical needs. Even during the
most recent two-year pandemic struggles, her team continued to make things happen in order to keep our deliveries moving and on time. Lisa and her staff are great, and we won’t go anywhere else
with our work!”
Growing customer base
In addition to the existing customers cited here, QCS has acquired several new accounts in the past two years. This has led to a surge in air freight volumes, from 162,500 kg in 2020 to 232,000
kg last year. Consequently, the range of products transported has grown and led to new or additional service offerings tailored to customer demand.
Commodities include batteries for Lamborghini cars, fragrances for the world’s leading brands of consumer products, soil testing equipment for new construction, billiards supplies, musical
instruments, container chassis, and lubricating oils for time-critical shipside deliveries to vessels docked in various ports around the world.
More offices to come?
Against the backdrop of the forwarding agent’s steadily growing business, the question is whether Qualified is looking to establish offices in other U.S. cities or in Canada? Here is Lisa’s
reply: “We have considered adding sales teams in other locations. However, we currently travel where necessary and manage shipments throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico without issue. We
are not opposed to opening other offices once it makes good business sense.”
Which clarifies this point as well. Hence, it will likely be some time before Qualified Cargo Solutions reaches Hewlett Packard dimensions.
Heiner Siegmund
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