CMA CGM counts on TCM to collect unpaid invoices

I Dave Beeckmans (left): A/R manager CMA CGM, Kim Rutten (right): communications and marketing manager TCM Belgium

A few weeks ago, I (Kim Rutten) sat down, tired but satisfied, at Paviljoen Het Schor in the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe, which we had ploughed through (literally) all that afternoon. Not only were we treated to delicious food, but equally to a fantastic view of the Schelde.

Suddenly, I saw a CMA CGM ship pass by. I felt a sense of satisfaction, which could not only be explained by my full stomach, but also by the pride I felt in working (indirectly) for such a giant.

And I share this feeling with Dave Beeckmans, the A/R manager of CMA CGM Belgium. Dave agreed to an interview to explain the collaboration between CMA CGM and collection partner TCM Belgium.

CMA CGM?

End to end solutions in 160 landen

Collection partner TCM Belgium is affiliated to the international collection network TCM Group, and is a one-stop shop for tailor-made solutions for unpaid invoices worldwide.

Shipping company CMA CGM, founded in 1978, has also built a network operating in 160 countries, and aims to offer an end-to-end solution for the transport of all kinds of goods. Dave: “CMA CGM is mainly known for transporting containers worldwide, but with the group it offers end-to-end logistics solutions.”

A challenging game of Tetris

Dave: “We transport a variety of goods: from fruit that needs to be transported in refrigerated containers, to helicopters that need to be attached to flat racks. Inside containers, cars can also be loaded via an inclined rack, so there is still room under the cars to carry cargo, to name just 1 of the many possibilities.”

That sounds like a game of Tetris! What are flat racks? Dave: “Flat racks are containers with an open structure for cargo that cannot be transported in a closed container. Each transport thus comes with specific difficulties. Refrigerated containers (reefers), for instance, need to be connected to electricity to maintain temperature. So refrigerated containers should not have to wait too long on the quay.”

Sustainability

Along with Maersk and MSC, CMA CGM is among the giants within container transport. That ranking is determined on the basis of vessel capacity, rather than billed customers. Dave: “It’s all about the TEU (Twenty foot Equivalent Unit), the designation for container dimensions. By default, containers are 20 feet or 40 feet long.”

How does CMA CGM differentiate itself from the competition? Dave: “As a global player, we play a crucial role in global trade. Therefore, we need to create value for our environment, for our customers and for our employees. This culture of sustainability is implemented at every level. For example, the largest container ships operated by CMA CGM are the first to sail on the sustainable fuel LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). But equally, we regularly organise local sustainability actions such as a litter cleanup in our neighbourhood, or a river cleanup.”

Cooperation TCM Belgium

Old hand in the business

You seem to know CMA CGM inside and out! Dave: “It is mainly out of interest that I like to follow the ins and outs of the industry. A broader context obviously also helps me in my job as A/R manager. For example, what are specific invoiced costs? I have been working in finance departments in the maritime sector since 1989. In March 2013, I started at CMA CGM, so 11 years ago now as well.”

How many of you work for CMA CGM in total? Dave: “Only in Belgium we are about 200 employees, but globally there are about 160 000 people working for the whole group.”

Unpaid invoices

What problems do you face as an A/R manager? Dave: “Payment problems are a daily occurrence, usually related to extra costs that have arisen. Political conflicts or piracy sometimes mean that alternative and longer routes have to be taken. Or our containers are used as warehouses, which is obviously not the intention. The container must be available again within the agreed period. If this is not the case, ‘extra container rent’ will be charged. It also happens that the contents of the bill of lading do not match the actual contents of the container. Then the discussion arises as to who is responsible for the customs fines.”

Do you sometimes also encounter fraudulent cases? Dave: “One-off customers can sometimes cause unpaid invoices. They disappear into thin air, or have not budgeted for the extra costs.”

Help from TCM Belgium for special cases

What kind of files do you entrust to TCM Belgium? Dave: “So those are just those special cases as described above. With our internal team we work extensively on these first, so I honestly admit that it is our ‘dustbin’ that TCM receives.”

What are the benefits of working with TCM? Dave: “TCM carries out on-site visits to debtors, which definitely adds value. In addition, it is very easy to follow up files via the online platform. A user-friendly, efficient and transparent system. And of course the no cure no fee given, there is no financial risk attached to our cooperation. Commission is paid only on amounts actually collected.”

Are you satisfied with the collaboration? What are the possible working points? Dave: “We are satisfied, anyway as long as the money comes in! The intention is not to copy the internal process, that takes too much time. So the added value is in the extras. And strange eyes compel apparently! “

Thanks Dave for the interview, and the pleasant collaboration!

Do you have questions about collecting unpaid invoices? Please do not hesitate to contact us at s.dereze@tcm.be, or 0498 29 29 14.

12/07/2024

CMA CGM counts on TCM to collect unpaid invoices

I Dave Beeckmans (left): A/R manager CMA CGM, Kim Rutten (right): communications and marketing manager TCM Belgium

A few weeks ago, I (Kim Rutten) sat down, tired but satisfied, at Paviljoen Het Schor in the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe, which we had ploughed through (literally) all that afternoon. Not only were we treated to delicious food, but equally to a fantastic view of the Schelde.

Suddenly, I saw a CMA CGM ship pass by. I felt a sense of satisfaction, which could not only be explained by my full stomach, but also by the pride I felt in working (indirectly) for such a giant.

And I share this feeling with Dave Beeckmans, the A/R manager of CMA CGM Belgium. Dave agreed to an interview to explain the collaboration between CMA CGM and collection partner TCM Belgium.

CMA CGM?

End to end solutions in 160 landen

Collection partner TCM Belgium is affiliated to the international collection network TCM Group, and is a one-stop shop for tailor-made solutions for unpaid invoices worldwide.

Shipping company CMA CGM, founded in 1978, has also built a network operating in 160 countries, and aims to offer an end-to-end solution for the transport of all kinds of goods. Dave: “CMA CGM is mainly known for transporting containers worldwide, but with the group it offers end-to-end logistics solutions.”

A challenging game of Tetris

Dave: “We transport a variety of goods: from fruit that needs to be transported in refrigerated containers, to helicopters that need to be attached to flat racks. Inside containers, cars can also be loaded via an inclined rack, so there is still room under the cars to carry cargo, to name just 1 of the many possibilities.”

That sounds like a game of Tetris! What are flat racks? Dave: “Flat racks are containers with an open structure for cargo that cannot be transported in a closed container. Each transport thus comes with specific difficulties. Refrigerated containers (reefers), for instance, need to be connected to electricity to maintain temperature. So refrigerated containers should not have to wait too long on the quay.”

Sustainability

Along with Maersk and MSC, CMA CGM is among the giants within container transport. That ranking is determined on the basis of vessel capacity, rather than billed customers. Dave: “It’s all about the TEU (Twenty foot Equivalent Unit), the designation for container dimensions. By default, containers are 20 feet or 40 feet long.”

How does CMA CGM differentiate itself from the competition? Dave: “As a global player, we play a crucial role in global trade. Therefore, we need to create value for our environment, for our customers and for our employees. This culture of sustainability is implemented at every level. For example, the largest container ships operated by CMA CGM are the first to sail on the sustainable fuel LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). But equally, we regularly organise local sustainability actions such as a litter cleanup in our neighbourhood, or a river cleanup.”

Cooperation TCM Belgium

Old hand in the business

You seem to know CMA CGM inside and out! Dave: “It is mainly out of interest that I like to follow the ins and outs of the industry. A broader context obviously also helps me in my job as A/R manager. For example, what are specific invoiced costs? I have been working in finance departments in the maritime sector since 1989. In March 2013, I started at CMA CGM, so 11 years ago now as well.”

How many of you work for CMA CGM in total? Dave: “Only in Belgium we are about 200 employees, but globally there are about 160 000 people working for the whole group.”

Unpaid invoices

What problems do you face as an A/R manager? Dave: “Payment problems are a daily occurrence, usually related to extra costs that have arisen. Political conflicts or piracy sometimes mean that alternative and longer routes have to be taken. Or our containers are used as warehouses, which is obviously not the intention. The container must be available again within the agreed period. If this is not the case, ‘extra container rent’ will be charged. It also happens that the contents of the bill of lading do not match the actual contents of the container. Then the discussion arises as to who is responsible for the customs fines.”

Do you sometimes also encounter fraudulent cases? Dave: “One-off customers can sometimes cause unpaid invoices. They disappear into thin air, or have not budgeted for the extra costs.”

Help from TCM Belgium for special cases

What kind of files do you entrust to TCM Belgium? Dave: “So those are just those special cases as described above. With our internal team we work extensively on these first, so I honestly admit that it is our ‘dustbin’ that TCM receives.”

What are the benefits of working with TCM? Dave: “TCM carries out on-site visits to debtors, which definitely adds value. In addition, it is very easy to follow up files via the online platform. A user-friendly, efficient and transparent system. And of course the no cure no fee given, there is no financial risk attached to our cooperation. Commission is paid only on amounts actually collected.”

Are you satisfied with the collaboration? What are the possible working points? Dave: “We are satisfied, anyway as long as the money comes in! The intention is not to copy the internal process, that takes too much time. So the added value is in the extras. And strange eyes compel apparently! “

Thanks Dave for the interview, and the pleasant collaboration!

Do you have questions about collecting unpaid invoices? Please do not hesitate to contact us at s.dereze@tcm.be, or 0498 29 29 14.

12/07/2024