BDP International is a global logistics business in the midst of an amazing journey. Founded in 1966 as a freight forwarder, and funded by a $1,200 home improvement loan, BDP is now one of the world’s leading logistics supply-chain management companies, with more than $2.7 billion in annual sales. It has a presence in 136 offices and 38 countries, providing support to organizations doing business in those markets through transportation services; import, export, and domestic facilitation; regulatory compliance support; warehousing and distribution; and much more.

The company’s fast growth has been mirrored by a similar rise in the volume of its transactions and outgoing payments. “We don’t make payments only to our vendors; we also make payments on behalf of our clients—payments such as customs duties, cargo fees due on a shipment’s arrival, and similar expenses,” explains Lilian Burke, vice president and corporate treasurer. “Timing is very important, both for these payments themselves and for delivery of payment confirmations to our counterparties, to facilitate the release of time-sensitive shipments.”

BDP executes about 3 million transactions each year. A delay in any of them could negatively impact the company’s reputation and, eventually, its market position.

Meg Waters

Meg Waters is the editor in chief of Treasury & Risk. She is the former editor in chief of BPM Magazine and the former managing editor of Business Finance.

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