Access Technology Solutions' Latest Low-Cost Shipping Lane Ramps Up Global Trade With Canada

    PROVO, UT, January 20, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Access Technology Solutions (ATS) is announcing the launch of yet another dedicated low-cost consolidated shipping lane -- this one serving Canada's fast-growing direct-to-consumer market. ATS' new Canadian express and freight logistics service joins the company's recently announced Chinese consolidated shipping lane and its long-established, high-volume Japan, Hong Kong and Australia shipping operations.

As changing Canadian purchase behaviors spur the growth of the direct-to-consumer market in Canada, many industry observers predict a growing influx of consumer product brands from all around the globe in the coming years. Many well-known U.S. and international brands have recently targeted Canada as a promising growth market. Brands including Target, J. Crew, Japan-based UNIQLO and some fast-growing U.S. direct selling companies, such as ItWorks, Uppercase Living, and Shelf Reliance have increased their Canadian presence by announcing plans to launch direct selling operations into Canada.

"After spending nearly two months working with one of the two biggest U.S. carriers to prep our shipments into Canada, our team was continuing to struggle with all of their rigid integration and set up requirements. We contacted ATS and within just 5 business days, their team had fully implemented our Canadian logistic support system and helped us begin shipping our unique, high-demand products into the Canada," said Jason Norton, Executive Vice President of Shelf Reliance (www.shelfreliance.com). "I can't begin to tell you how happy ATS has made our sales consultants throughout Canada."

Shelf Reliance is an excellent case study that highlights how a growing number of Canadians are discovering new and unique international brands. The embrace of direct-to-consumer brands from all around the world is starting to show up in the country's global trade statistics. For instance, Canada's total trade with China totaled C$57 billion in 2010 and was up 16% through June of 2011. Imports from China, Canada's second-largest merchandise import supplier, rose by $4.8 billion to reach almost $44.5 billion last year. Imports from Japan, Canada's fourth largest importer, increased 8.8% to $13.4 billion in 2010. Imports from seventh-ranked Korea were up 3.7% to $6.1 billion.

ATS' dedicated Canadian shipping and logistics solution will considerably increase the speed of product delivery to destinations throughout Canada. Although open to brands throughout the world, ATS' Canadian lane will provide brands in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific markets significant increases in delivery speed -- and equally dramatic decreases in shipping costs. ATS has built a strong reputation in the biggest Asia-Pacific markets during the last decade and today handles fast-growing volumes of freight into and out of the region.

"For years our clients in Europe, the U.S. and throughout Asia have told us how frustrated they've been with the high cross-border barriers to Canadian trade. We're pleased to be able to offer a real alternative to other shippers that continue taking advantage of these barriers to drive up the costs of serving Canadian customers," said Chris Boyle, ATS' co-founder and CEO. "Canada is a very sophisticated and fast-growing direct market where consumer choice has been limited by unnecessarily high international shipping costs and cross-border complexities. We're proud to be able to provide direct-to-consumer brands and their customers with smarter choices when it comes to the international shipping and logistics."

Canadian merchandise exports to the world rose to $399.4 billion in 2010, while imports tallied $403.3 billion. Canada and the United States are each other's top global trading partners, accounting for over $525 billion in total trade in 2010. Through October of 2011, overall trade between the U.S. and Canada has grown almost 14% after growing an impressive 22% in 2010. Exports from the U.S. to Canada through October of 2011 have grown 13%.

In years past, Canadians tended to shop and purchase domestically. But in recent years, more and more Canadians have embraced the Internet and online shopping, a key proxy for broader direct-to-consumer marketing and direct selling efforts. In 2010, 51% of Canadian Internet users ordered goods or services for personal or household use. In total, Canadians placed nearly 114 million orders, valued at approximately $15.3 billion. Among those who placed an order online, individuals averaged about 10 orders over a 12-month period, with an average total value of $1,362 per person.

Top European importers to Canada include Germany (#5 with a 5.9% increase to $11.4 billion), the U.K. (#6 with a 13.9% increase to $10.7 billion) and France, the only one of the top ten importer whose imports to Canada fell (3.65 to $5.4 billion) in 2010.

Access Technology Solutions is a leading international commerce technology and logistics provider for retail and consumer brands, e-commerce and multichannel companies and direct selling firms.

ATS helps leading U.S. brands sell and ship products all over the world. ATS' international commerce platform and logistics solution offers companies a simple, low risk way to sell profitably into international markets at significantly lower costs. ATS has established itself as the leading facilitator of international expansion into Asia and the South Pacific for these direct-to-consumer brands.

ATS' Global Access shipping platform converts U.S. prices into local currencies around the world, localizes the shopping experience, offers secure local payment systems and guarantees precise landed costs (e.g. all customs fees, taxes and shipping charges). ATS' dock-to-doorstep logistical service handles all outbound U.S. logistics (including pre-ship screening for restricted items and order item accuracy), bypasses customs-clearing bottlenecks and coordinates final-mile delivery for its clients.Brands can quickly integrate ATS' web services and secure, risk-free local payment options into existing websites, distributor portals, global commerce systems and call centers.

ATS has been included in the top 10 of the Utah Fast 50 program since 2007 and was named to the 2011 MountainWest Capital Network's Utah 100. ATS was also featured in the prestigious 2010 Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S.

To learn more about extending the reach of your online brand into China and throughout Asia/Pacific Rim and across Europe, contact Tom McGurran ([email protected]) at 1-877-811-8188.

Access Technology Solutions is the leading company providing technology solutions for international logistics for U.S. direct sales and eCommerce companies expanding overseas.

Website: http://www.accessts.com

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