EFM Global Adopts Collaborative Global Account Model to Enhance International Client Service

EFM Global has implemented a global account model where offices across different time zones collaborate to provide consistent service for international clients. This approach proved effective when a UK client expanding into Saudi Arabia encountered shipment issues with their previous provider. EFM's UK and KSA teams coordinated to manage shipments and hold stock locally until the client secured warehouse space, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

The company measures success through both financial metrics and qualitative feedback, tracking accounts with annual revenue targets while valuing client referrals. A global fitness event operator's recommendation of EFM from their APAC operations to their US counterpart demonstrates the model's effectiveness in building trust across regions. In high-pressure situations such as critical one-time events, EFM emphasizes transparency by quoting without surprise costs and planning for contingencies with backup sailings and alternative air routes.

For the film Tenet production, EFM created a comprehensive master project plan that provided the studio with complete visibility and control over logistics operations. This preparedness was tested when an Australian promoter was informed that a carnet extension was impossible, threatening their entire tour schedule. EFM's team successfully secured the extension locally, preserving the tour timeline and converting the client into a long-term partner. The company's role in live entertainment logistics carries particularly high stakes, where delays can result in cancelled shows and damaged reputations.

Recent customs delays in Mexico threatened a critical shipment, but EFM's team quickly implemented alternative sailings and airfreight solutions, rerouting containers across multiple ports to meet tight deadlines. This operational agility, developed through historical scenario planning, ensures that failure is not an option when client reputations are on the line. EFM positions itself as a strategic consulting partner rather than merely a logistics provider, guiding clients through complex challenges such as resolving lost carnets for productions like the Fashion Freak Show through alternative routing solutions.

Emerging industry trends include growing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, with clients increasingly seeking suppliers who share their values. EFM has responded by partnering on carbon offset programs and offering greener transport options. Digitalization represents another significant shift, with the new digital carnet system launching in April 2026 expected to impact approximately 90% of EFM's operations. The company has already conducted pilot shipments to gain practical experience and prepare clients for this transition.

Potential tariff changes, particularly in the US market, could disrupt planning processes, and EFM actively monitors these developments to help clients adapt proactively. The company's differentiation stems from its people development approach, exemplified by the EFM Pathway program that cultivates talent from junior to senior roles. This program combines multimodal knowledge with practical on-site experience, producing leaders like Jason Bird who joined as a junior employee and now serves as VP of Music after 20 years of growth within the organization.

Looking forward, EFM plans to focus on expansion in the US market and entry into new verticals, supported by enhanced rate management tools and new sales platforms designed to streamline operations while maintaining service quality at scale. This strategic direction reinforces EFM's commitment to evolving as a trusted partner rather than simply a service provider in the global logistics landscape.