JAS Worldwide
6195 Barfield Rd.
Atlanta, GA, USA
Sonal Singhal never planned to work in freight forwarding. She had always aspired to be a doctor. Fate, however, had other plans for her when she stumbled upon a summer job in a freight forwarding company. Little did she know that this serendipitous opportunity would lay the foundation for her inspiring career in logistics.
Fast forward more than 20 years, and now a seasoned veteran in the industry, Sonal joined JAS in 2020, where her initial days were met with many challenges. With no time for doubt or hesitation, she faced them head-on. Stepping into the role of Director of Sales & Marketing for India, she embarked on a journey of building a team from scratch during a global pandemic, and leading sales – something she had never done before. "While I couldn't travel and meet teams and customers in person, I was able to use that extra time to double down on the behind-the-scenes work," she recounts.
Sonal's abilities and talents did not go unnoticed. In less than a year, she was named as Managing Director of India – making her one of just two female Managing Directors at JAS. Under her leadership, JAS India has experienced a change of culture coupled with remarkable growth and has become a pivotal player in the logistics space.
She is humble in all her accomplishments but recognizes there is still work to be done.
"I take pride in my role, but I also feel like I have a responsibility to mentor more women in this space, for leadership roles," she affirms, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, representation, and empowerment. As a woman navigating a predominantly male-dominated industry, Sonal acknowledges the challenges she's faced. "There are certain gender biases that still exist, it takes time to break those stigmas," she observes. Despite these obstacles, Sonal remains resilient, offering words of encouragement to aspiring women in the field. "Don't give up, and just keep doing your best," she advises, embodying perseverance and determination.
She is passionate about the powerful role of encouragement and mentorship, as she knows first-hand how it feels when someone believes in you more than you believe in yourself. She recalls what made her stay on at her first freight forwarding company, "I actually didn't want to stay, but the head of the organization loved my work and encouraged me that I could succeed. I think the faith and belief he showed in me then was something that influenced me to stay. And history repeated itself at JAS, where leadership has entrusted the same confidence in me and gave me an opportunity which I couldn't have dreamed for myself, at least not so soon. This is a great sign at JAS with male allies promoting inclusivity and driving the change."
Sonal remembers how that empowerment made her feel and now ingrains the same sentiment into her leadership philosophy. "Failures are yours, and success belongs to the team," she asserts, embodying a collaborative approach to leadership. She champions democratic decision-making and fosters a culture of open communication and feedback, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Sonal is a devoted mother of two teenage boys and is a loving daughter. Balancing her career with family responsibilities, she finds fulfillment in nurturing her children and maintaining strong ties with her parents – all with the support of her spouse, without which it would have been impossible. "I'm trying my best to raise them as men a society would like to see," Sonal lovingly shares.
Sonal's journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and dedication. As she continues to pave the way for women in logistics, her impact extends far beyond the boardroom, inspiring future generations of female leaders.
JAS Middle East recently broke ground on an innovative 'Build to Suit' Logistics Hub in Dubai South.
This state-of-the-art facility will boast a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and environmental consciousness, aligning with JAS’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Spanning a land plot of 212,160 square feet and a built-up area of 127,300 square feet, the ESG-compliant hub will be designed to tailor to specific logistic needs and prioritize eco-friendly practices.
In addition to its functional aspects, the property will incorporate other sustainability measures such as the installation of solar panels on its roof—allowing JAS Middle East to achieve ESG credentials. These panels will not only offset monthly utility costs but will help JAS Middle East increase its independence from the national grid (DEWA).
The office space within the hub, spanning 13,347 square feet over two floors, will offer modern amenities such as meeting rooms, open-plan working areas, and recreational spaces, ensuring a conducive environment for employees and clients.
“This project represents a significant milestone for JAS Middle East and its esteemed customers,” says Erwin Wittemaier, Area VP for the Middle East, “This strategic investment underscores our commitment to our customers and the UAE market. We look forward to deploying new technology to provide best-in-class logistics solutions.”
With the exciting groundbreaking of the Dubai Logistics Hub, JAS Middle East not only strengthens its position in the logistics sector but also sets a standard for sustainable infrastructure development in the region.
JAS Worldwide is excited to welcome Christian Heinze as Global Head of the Technology Vertical, effective April 2, 2024. With this strategic addition to the leadership team, JAS reaffirms its push to expand its presence and expertise in the Technology and Semiconductor sector.
Christian brings over two decades of success serving in senior operational and commercial roles within the global logistics industry. His deep knowledge of the semiconductor and solar industries has shaped critical supply chain transformations for clients across all modes of global transportation.
Throughout his career, Christian has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative commercial strategies that have contributed to significant business growth and fostered customer collaboration. His innate understanding of the industry landscape and proven track record of driving operational excellence make him a valuable asset to JAS’s growing technology vertical.
"Christian’s wealth of experience and passion for innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional services to our Technology clients. His leadership will play a crucial role in expanding our service portfolio and solidifying JAS's position as a key player in the dynamic and fast-evolving semiconductor industry," Manuele Mazzacurati, EVP, Sales & Marketing, JAS Worldwide, expresses with enthusiasm.
Christian Heinze's appointment comes at a key time as JAS continues its focus on operational excellence, offering innovative solutions, and adopting a sustainable approach to drive growth and create value for its customers globally.
Dear Valued Customer,
Due to the recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, we are raising awareness that our services and contracts are affected by this situation.
Therefore, in conjunction with similar actions taken by ocean carriers, Blue World Line hereby provides this notice, in accordance with the clauses 11 and 12 of its bill of lading, of the necessary re-routing of some vessels currently sailing to and from the Port of Baltimore.
Cargo currently at the terminals in Baltimore will remain at the port until further notice and imports originally set to call the port of Baltimore have been rerouted to other US East Coast ports.
JAS Worldwide, as agent for Blue World Line, is taking all necessary steps to preserve its transportation services for our customers and to mitigate the impact of this situation on your shipments.
Lastly, this disruption will continue to impact our services along the east coast of the United States and drive booking and routing changes on both imports and exports calling the port of Baltimore. We will continue our best efforts to keep you updated on the status of your shipments and any developments as they happen.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this difficult situation, and we will keep you updated on any additional developments. Please check back often at www.jas.com for the latest news.
For any questions and concerns, please contact your local JAS office.
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