Page 6 - BusinessWest January 23, 2023

“When the pandemic hit, because there
was so much uncertainty in the general economy, you saw companies all over the world closing down and canceling orders that had been in place for a long time.”
in both locations, the company has returned to its roots — and its routes — as a freight broker and forwarder.
As he explained the operation, Billy said that, in a nutshell, AST goes about finding global shipping solutions for its many kinds of clients, most of them manufacturers. About 80% of the company customers are based in Western and Central Mass., Northern Con- necticut, and Rhode Island, he said, with the rest spread out over the country.
As a broker, AST will work with a client to secure the shipping
of goods to or from their business. To do so, it works with trucking outfits across the region and around the country, as well as rail- service providers and sea and air carriers. What separates the many (as in thousands) of competitors in this field is their ability to make and maintain connections with carriers, know and understand the market, move quickly (many clients want same-day service), and deliver on both price and quality of service.
The global shipping industry is highly competitive and ever- changing, and the pandemic only added several additional layers of challenge.
And all this requires an experienced, talented workforce. “You need a staff that is familiar with the marketplace and has all the tools and technology they need to succeed,” Billy explained. “It’s a fast-moving, time-sensitive, rate-conscious industry — that’s what it’s about.
“We have other customers that we’ve done business with for years and years ... they don’t ask us for rate on every load,” he went on. “In many cases, we have the ability with those customers to move up or down as we need to, to service their needs and ours. And that only comes from years of good faith and years of trust,
Taxation
WE SPEAK IN CODE.
At MBK, we navigate the ever-changing tax code and increasing regulatory environment to help you minimize your taxes and maximize your opportunities. We work closely with you to understand your big- picture goals and develop tax strategies that support them.
413-536-8510 | mbkcpa.com
6 JANUARY 23, 2023 << FEATURE >> BusinessWest