Tag: independent freight forwarders

Conqueror Origins- Part 2: From vision to a proven collaborative logistics model

Posted on | by Jesus

 

In the first chapter of Conqueror Origins, we looked back at how the network began, from its early days in 2011 to the landmark first Annual Meeting in Phuket and the sense of community that followed. It was a story about belief, trust, and the courage of independent freight forwarders who chose collaboration over competition.

This second chapter picks up where that story left off. With the foundation firmly in place, Conqueror entered a defining phase, transforming a strong idea into a structured, scalable, and results-focused network. What followed was not rapid expansion for its own sake, but a deliberate approach to growth, exclusivity, and cooperation, shaping the mature global network Conqueror is today.

From early momentum to structured growth

As the network began to expand internationally, Conqueror faced a familiar challenge in the logistics industry- how to grow without compromising trust, quality, or engagement. Rather than prioritizing speed, the network chose controlled and deliberate growth, carefully selecting members and markets. This approach allowed Conqueror to consolidate its foundations while expanding its global reach. Each new member strengthened the network not just geographically, but operationally, reinforcing standards, responsiveness, and mutual commitment. Growth was never an end in itself. Sustainability was.

Exclusivity as a strategic pillar

One of the key decisions shaping Conqueror’s identity was its city-based exclusivity policy. By limiting membership to one agent per city, the network removed internal competition and encouraged genuine cooperation. Exclusivity created clarity. Members knew exactly who represented Conqueror in each market and could collaborate with confidence, knowing their partners were equally invested in the relationship.

As one member explains:

CQR_Peru_Lima_Reynir_Gislason“This network protects and promotes its members better than most. Visibility, promotion, and unity have helped the IFS Group a lot.”
— Reynir Gislason, Conqueror Lima / Callao (INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT SHIPPING SAC)

Today, Conqueror operates in more than 130 countries and over 240 cities worldwide, while maintaining the same principle that guided its early expansion: quality over quantity.

Annual Meetings as a business accelerator

As the network matured, Annual Meetings became a central element of Conqueror’s collaborative model. These events were designed not as social gatherings, but as structured business platforms, with pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings and clear objectives. For many members, these meetings marked the beginning of long-term partnerships that continue to generate consistent business year after year.

CQR London. Neil O'Driscoll“We were looking for a network of agents whom we could trust and who would do a good job for us, and we found it in Conqueror.”
— Neil O’Driscoll, Conqueror London (BROOKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT SERVICES LTD)

These face-to-face interactions strengthened relationships beyond digital communication, turning introductions into reliable trade lanes and trusted operational partnerships.

Cooperation in practice, not just in theory

Conqueror’s strength lies in how cooperation is applied day to day. Members are expected to respond professionally, prioritize fellow agents, and approach collaboration as a shared responsibility, not a passive benefit of membership. This clarity of expectations has helped create a professional environment where partners understand not only who they are working with, but how those partners will perform when business is on the line. Cooperation within Conqueror is practical, active, and embedded in everyday operations.

Tools supporting a collaborative model

While relationships remain central, Conqueror has invested consistently in tools that support and enhance collaboration. Internal platforms and systems help members stay connected, exchange information efficiently, and respond quickly to opportunities. Solutions such as FreightViewer have been developed to improve quoting efficiency and standardize processes, allowing independent forwarders to compete more effectively with larger logistics groups. These tools act as enablers, reinforcing cooperation rather than replacing human relationships.

Impact on independent freight forwarders

For many members, joining Conqueror has meant gaining global reach without losing local identity. The network enables independent companies to remain autonomous while operating within a trusted international framework. Members report stronger partner confidence, improved international coverage, and more stable long-term relationships, key advantages in an increasingly competitive logistics environment.

A mature network with a long-term vision

What began as a carefully defined vision has evolved into a proven collaborative logistics model. Conqueror Freight Network today stands as an example of how structure, exclusivity, and consistent engagement can create lasting value for independent freight forwarders worldwide. Rather than pursuing scale for its own sake, the network continues to focus on sustainable growth, trusted partnerships, and cooperation built to last, the same principles that shaped its origins and continue to define its future.

Conqueror Origins- Part 1: Where It All Began

Posted on | by admin

If you’ve been with us for a while, you know Conqueror didn’t begin as a grand business plan. It started with a simple observation back in 2011. Independent freight forwarders were working twice as hard for half the visibility. You had the expertise, the customer loyalty, the hustle… but global reach? That was reserved for the giants.

Conqueror entered the scene with a simple but bold solution: unite strong, vetted, independent forwarders under one banner, with one exclusive member per city. Quality over volume. Collaboration over chaos.

That was the beginning. No big speeches. No perfect roadmap. Just a belief that collaboration could change the game. City by city, we started building. Slowly at first, because we were selective and determined to get it right. Some of those first territories that joined us from Europe to Asia and are still part of Conqueror today. That continuity means more than numbers ever could. It means the early promise held true.

One of our founder members from Sialkot, Arif Nadeem of Teknik Movers, puts it well:
“It is with great pride that I state we passed through the best of times with Conqueror. We rest assured that Teknik Movers are your outpost in this territory.”

Conqueror freight network
Conqueror Freight Network: Helping freight forwarders succeed since 2011

Phuket, 2012: Where We Became a Family

Now, if there’s one moment that captures the soul of Conqueror, it’s Phuket. Our first Annual Meeting. 2012. Eighty-nine forwarders took a leap of faith and travelled to meet people they’d only exchanged emails or calls with.

The Welcome Cocktail reception broke the ice, and within hours, conversations flowed as if the members had known each other for years. Across the two days, more than 1,600 one-to-one meetings took place, a record at the time for a network of this size. Business cards exchanged, new partnerships formed, and trade lanes opened up. Members often say that Phuket was where Conqueror stopped being an idea and became a community.

The evening tour of Phuket cut through the formality and helped strangers become allies. It ended with a Gala Dinner that many still talk about. Deals were signed, laughter was shared, and several members walked away with business on day one, a rare outcome for a first-edition event.

Andrea Visone from Sev Stante, our founding member in Venice, who has also been a member in Genoa since 2015, summed up the spirit that emerged from those early days: “I have been working with Conqueror since 2011. Conqueror is a first-class tool and, more than this, it’s an opportunity to meet new friends. I am sure this is the right way to win new challenges in the shipping industry.”

From Phuket to Bali: A Journey Through the Years

Over the years, our Annual Meetings became milestones for the network, each reflecting the growth and spirit of Conqueror. After Phuket, meetings were held in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, and finally Bali in 2024. Even during the pandemic, our team made sure communication among members never faltered, arranging two virtual conferences. But that’s a story on its own! All our gatherings have been more than events; they were living proof of collaboration, connection, and community in action.

More than a decade later: Bali, 2024

Fast-forward to 2024. Conqueror celebrated its 10th in-person Annual Meeting in Bali-  a milestone considering the virtual years during the pandemic. It wasn’t just a reunion. It was a moment to honour the journey and the people who helped build it.

Founder members were felicitated in a special awards ceremony, a thank-you to those who believed in the vision from the start and helped shape what Conqueror is today. Almost fifteen years have passed, but the essence of Conqueror hasn’t changed. It began with connection, trust, and the belief that independent forwarders deserve a global platform. This first chapter sets the stage for what came next.

Conqueror Freight Network
Conqueror Freight Network’s Annual Meetings

Loyalty that says it all

Here’s the thing. Anyone can launch a network, but staying relevant, reliable, and united for over a decade is a remarkable achievement. Across the years, members have joined from every corner of the world, solidifying Conqueror as the largest exclusive freight forwarders network on the planet. But the most telling proof of the network’s strength is this: 51 of our founder members are still with us today. They’ve stayed from day one until now, which really speaks for itself. Loyalty like that isn’t bought, it is earned through consistency, trust, support, and shared growth.

One of our recent members, Gregorio Fernandez of AMAN Forwarding SLU in Las Palmas, Spain, shared his experience:
“This is truly a must-attend event, an opportunity not to be missed. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Conqueror team and all the members for their warm and gracious welcome. Although it was my first time attending, I felt an immediate sense of camaraderie, as if I had known everyone for many years. I look forward to participating again next year, wherever the event may be held.”

This kind of experience, whether for long-standing founder members or newcomers, is exactly what makes Conqueror Annual Meetings unique. Connections are forged, collaborations begin, and the global family keeps growing stronger.

Now, we’re closing this first chapter of our Conqueror Origins series with the same spirit the network was founded on: community, trust, and progress. And the story continues. We are now gearing up for yet another fruitful in-person meeting, this time in Bangkok, from 7 to 9 May. A new city, new opportunities, and the same Conqueror spirit that began all those years ago in Phuket.

 

Conqueror Freight Network Announces Dates and Venue for Its 12th Annual Meeting in Bangkok

Posted on | by admin

Conqueror’s 12th Annual Meeting will take place from 7th to 9th May 2026 at the Intercontinental Bangkok, bringing together freight forwarders from over 130 countries

Conqueror Freight Network has officially announced the dates and venue for its 12th Annual Meeting, which will take place from May 7th to 9th, 2026, at the Intercontinental Bangkok, Thailand.

This international gathering will bring together independent freight forwarders from more than 130 countries, offering members a unique opportunity to strengthen partnerships and discuss new business prospects. It gives agents the perfect chance to make the most of their Conqueror membership through face-to-face networking.

The Annual Meeting remains one of the most important events in the Conqueror calendar, a space where members not only build trust and cooperation but also exchange insights that help shape the future of their businesses. By facilitating direct interaction among agents, the event reinforces the network’s core mission: creating a collaborative platform where reliable freight forwarders can work together as one strong global team.

The meeting will feature pre-scheduled one-to-one sessions, where agents can book meetings with partners in their preferred territories, ensuring meaningful discussions and concrete business opportunities. In the logistics sector, where collaboration and trust are crucial, in-person communication remains indispensable for building stronger and lasting partnerships.

Bangkok was chosen as the venue for its strategic position as a logistics hub in Southeast Asia and its excellent connectivity with major global trade routes. The Intercontinental Bangkok, with its central location, exceptional conference facilities, and renowned hospitality, provides the perfect setting for Conqueror’s 12th Annual Meeting. It combines comfort, convenience, and world-class service for an outstanding networking experience.

Additionally, the three-day event will include plenty of opportunities for informal interaction. The Welcome Cocktail Reception, and Group Tour  on the first day, and the Gala Dinner Party, will create a relaxed environment for members to connect beyond business.

The Conqueror team invites all members to mark their calendars and get ready for three days of productive meetings, networking, and cultural discovery in one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

Freight forwarders gather in Bangkok to conquer the world: UK Haulier

Posted on | by admin

The Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok provided the location for the 2nd Annual Conqueror Meeting, where 115 agents from 50+ countries gathered to fan the flame of co-operation which burns bright at the heart of Conqueror Freight Network

logistics companies

Conqueror is a solid alliance in which carefully-selected independent freight forwarders in each major city in the world co-operate reciprocally and securely to expand their businesses, reduce costs and risks, and compete on more equal terms against the largest international companies.
At the opening of the meeting, Managing Director, Antonio Torres, congratulated members on their efforts to work co-operatively to serve clients globally and overcome client perceptions that independent forwarders are not equipped to provide a truly worldwide service.

“Co-operation is one important element in our strategy for boosting the business volume of our members; another is our city-exclusivity, like the multinationals, and the third and most important is our annual meeting. As you can see, members are making the most of their individual meetings as well as competing for each other’s attention away from them,” explained Mr Torres.

To read more, click here.

Interview with CQR Budapest

Posted on | by admin

Hunicorn joined Conqueror in August 2012 covering Budapest and then 4 months later took on Koper in Slovenia. Peter Schlembach, Hunicorn’s CEO, recently shared his thoughts on the challenges Freight Forwarders globally are facing and what their strategy is for meeting these challenges head on.


Q. Could you tell me a little about Hunicorn’s history and when you became involved with the company? A.Hunicorn was established in 1991 and I was there from the very beginning. Prior to Hunicorn, I worked in the overseas department of Masped, the only freight forwarder (state-owned) in Hungary during the socialist times. Once the opportunities for privatization opened up, Hunicorn was born! Over the past 22 years, as a company, we have had our ups and downs like everyone else. We became ISO certified in 1998, started airfreight in 1998 and overseas LCL at the dawn of the Millennium. Since then, we have grown year on year. Last year we opened our new office in Koper and are planning another in Prague. 2012 also saw the launch of two new services for us; dangerous goods and personal effects.

Q. On Hunicorn’s website, it proudly states that Hunicorn is 100% Hungarian owned. Why, in your opinion, is it so important to emphasise this?

A. In Hungary, the multinationals have bought and are in control of almost everything or at least that’s how it feels, but the reality isn’t that far off with them having the monopoly in most markets, freight forwarding included. Many small and medium sized Hungarian foreign trading companies, shippers and consignees are not happy with the services these multinationals provide and as a result they prefer to use the services of Hungarians. So it is important to let our clients, both current and potential, know that we are not controlled or influenced by foreign powers!

Q. In your opinion, what are the current challenges facing independent forwarders such as Hunicorn, both in your country and worldwide?A. That is a very good question. We have had students from the Foreign Trading University, who are studying logistics and who come to us for experience and to write their final dissertations and many of them have chosen just this issue you are asking about. The answer to this question is clear, the multinationals. We have to fight the multinationals who have better global contracts with carriers, more money to finance their business and who take all the business on offer from international companies such as Nokia, RIM, Samsung, Phillips, Unilever, car manufacturers etc.Q. Clearly the multinationals aren’t too much of a challenge for Hunicorn, as the company is now over 20 years old and is going from strength to strength. What is the secret to Hunicorn’s success and how does it meet the challenge of the multinationals?
A. The only chance we have for success is by providing a high quality personalised service. Thankfully, not all clients are interested in the cheapest ‘solution.’ Everywhere, everything has its price and of course we cannot be the most expensive. We have learnt that if the price difference between us and the multinationals is over a certain level we will lose. Anything below that level and the customers are happy with us and over time, as we increase our volumes, we are able to offer better and better rates thus narrowing the gap. Furthermore, I have come to realise that Hunicorn alone will never actually be enough in certain fields of freight forwarding. This is why we have found strategic partners who, although technically our competitors, are also suffering at the dominant hands of the multinationals. We know that if we join forces, we can fight them!
Q. Hunicorn joined Conqueror 6 months ago, what initially attracted you to Conqueror as opposed to other networks?

A. We receive many recruiting emails from many networks every week. I am of the opinion that if a network is serious enough, there is no need to recruit new members like this. Actually, by sending these emails, they are saying they don’t care who joins, they are just interested in collecting the annual membership fee and that’s it! Conqueror seemed different especially because of its very serious application process. Plus, in the past, we had worked with some Conqueror agents and our experience was positive. When we began investigating, we saw that there were opportunities for us in Central Europe which is where we are currently opening new offices.
Q. I know that you and your network coordinator, Mihály Csapucha, are both attending our meeting in Bangkok this May. How do you think Hunicorn will benefit from your attendance?

A. We believe that Hunicorn will benefit a lot from the two of us attending this meeting. I strongly believe it will signal Hunicorn’s firm establishment in Conqueror. Exchanging hundreds of emails, even with our best customers, cannot compare to visiting them in person because it is during these face to face encounters that new issues come up. Our aims are to introduce ourselves and to meet as many members as possible and to discover their abilities and needs. We are sure that after the meeting our cooperation with individual members will grow!

With its eyes open to the challenges faced by freight forwarding companies, Hunicorn is ready for the fight!

We invite all members with shipments from/to Budapest and Koper to get in touch with the Hunicorn team.

Virtual Multinational members meet in the flesh: Shanghai International Shipping Institute

Posted on | by admin

Phuket- a staggering 90 members from the world’s first virtual freight network, Conqueror, gathered for its inaugural conference, 23rd-25th May

best freight forwarder network

An unprecedented number of delegates for a first conference, 90 in total from 40 countries, made the journey to Thailand. “Considering what other networks have managed at their initial conferences, this number is a great achievement,” said Antonio Torres, the brains behind this ‘one of a kind’ freight forwarding network.
This one off ‘Virtual Multinational’ is paving the way for a new generation of networks which want to mobilize independent freight forwarders to work together as global ‘mega-forwarders.’
This desire to join forces was evident at the conference as members vied for each other’s time across every aspect of the conference. “At the heart of Conqueror is mutual cooperation,” explained Torres. “Without it, the network simply would not function.” The 3-day conference provided over 1,600 one-to-one meetings to enable members to strengthen this cooperation.
“One perk of Conqueror’s focus on cooperation, is that all the members do business with a give and take attitude,” said one member. “This cooperation is made even easier by each of us being the only agent in our city which, of course, cuts out all competition. What’s left is a desire to work together.”

Virtual Multinational Network members meet in the flesh- Exim India

Posted on | by admin

Ninety members (from 40 countries) of the world’s first virtual freight network, Conqueror, gathered for its inaugural conference here on May 23-25

This is seen as international logistics service provideran unprecedented number of delegates for a first conference. “Considering what other networks have managed at their initial conferences, this number is a great achievement,” said Mr Antonio Torres, the brains behind this ‘one of a kind’ freight forwarding network.

This one-off ‘Virtual Multinational’ is paving the way for a new generation of networks that want to mobilise independent freight forwarders to work together as global ‘mega-forwarders.’
The desire to join forces was evident at the conference as members vied for each other’s time across every aspect of the conference. “At the heart of Conqueror is mutual cooperation,” explained Mr Torres. “Without it, the network simply would not function.” The 3-day conference facilitated over 1,600+ one-to-one meetings to enable members to strengthen this cooperation.
“One perk of Conqueror’s focus on cooperation, is that all the members do business with a give and take attitude,” said one member. “This cooperation is made even easier by each of us being the only agent in our city which, of course, cuts out all competition. What’s left is a desire to work together.”
Conqueror is aiming at setting up an exclusive ‘virtual branch’ in each of the 472 major cities in the 175 countries it has identified. This is clearly one of its charms. “I can provide global coverage, under a common global brand as if I am part of a multinational and, more importantly, work with agents I trust,” said one satisfied delegate.