In an exclusive interview, Aerodoc’s COO reflects on the company’s global expansion, the technological advancements implemented, and the expectations for 2025.
2024 marked a transformative year for Aerodoc, as the company continued its strategic expansion into new geographies and industries, particularly in the cross-border e-commerce and fulfillment sectors. A standout achievement was Aerodoc’s successful expansion beyond the Americas, setting the stage for continued growth on a global scale.
Dan Zonnenschein, COO of Aerodoc, shares insights into the challenges and successes of 2024, discussing key trends such as the rise of U.S. fulfillment services and the expansion of Importer of Record (IOR) solutions in international markets. He also provides a forward-looking perspective on 2025, highlighting opportunities in Europe, Asia, and Latin America—strategic regions for the company in the short and medium term.
What’s your overall assessment of 2024?
2024 was a positive year for Aerodoc, with significant customer base growth and expansion into new geographies. We also deepened our presence outside the Americas and launched new ventures in e-commerce, fulfillment, and warehousing services, focusing on contracts that demand delivery times measured in hours. Overall, it was a year filled with challenges and learning experiences. We set out to step out of our comfort zones and worked with a medium-term vision, emphasizing strategic planning and identifying new growth areas.
What challenges did you face this year?
One of the most significant challenges was balancing long-term planning with day-to-day operations while simultaneously developing new talent to take on greater responsibilities. This required part of the management team to devote substantial focus to strategic planning. Another key challenge was adapting to new geographies and markets, often dealing with customers in widely varying time zones. This required us to implement a “follow the sun” strategy and reorganize our operational structures to meet customers’ expectations in these new regions.
How did you address these challenges as a company?
Teamwork across all areas—commercial, marketing, operations, administration, and finance—was critical to addressing these challenges. We consistently fostered a culture of creative solutions, empowering our team members to overcome obstacles with autonomy. This collaborative approach and emphasis on creativity were essential in overcoming the year’s challenges.
Did you notice any emerging or deepening trends this past year?
We’ve identified several key trends. First and foremost is the growth of cross-border e-commerce, which involves purchases made in one country and delivered in another. This trend is closely tied to the expansion of Importer of Record (IOR) solutions, especially in the B2B services we provide to companies seeking to expand within or outside the United States. We’ve also seen increasing demand for IOR services outside the Americas and strong growth in fulfillment services within the United States, driven by businesses aiming to reach different marketplaces and expand their presence in new markets.
Which service was in the highest demand?
All our services experienced considerable growth, but the most notable areas were DDP with IOR and Warehouse Managed Services. However, we’ve noticed increased demand for IOR services outside the Americas. Furthermore, our logistics customers have started requesting different service levels, such as full DDP with IOR or standalone import services. This shift has required us to adapt to these new needs. Looking ahead, we anticipate huge short- and medium-term challenges, particularly in incorporating more technology and systematization to improve our responsiveness and optimize delivery times.
What are your expectations for 2025?
For 2025, we foresee continued growth driven by our consistently delivered high-quality service. This will allow us to increase our market penetration, cross-sell with AAA enterprise customers, and expand our business eastward, particularly in IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa), Europe, and Asia. Additionally, we will strengthen our presence in complex Latin American markets, specifically focusing on Brazil and Mexico. We also see substantial growth potential in cross-border e-commerce and fulfillment services, which will remain priorities as we deepen our operations in these areas.
What message would you like to share with the Aerodoc team, customers, and partners?
My message to the Aerodoc team, customers, and partners is gratitude. Thank you all for your commitment and effort—without each of you, we wouldn’t have been able to close 2024 with such great results. Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate both significant challenges and opportunities. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards to meet market demands, including ensuring our partners are equally prepared for these challenges. At Aerodoc, we are committed to investing in training, best practices, and certifications so that our entire ecosystem can meet market expectations and continue growing together.
