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Category: Logistics

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Logistics news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Dematic Awarded Automation Project for Two Americold Temperature-Controlled Warehouses

    Dematic Awarded Automation Project for Two Americold Temperature-Controlled Warehouses

    Dematic announced today it has been awarded an automation project for two temperature-controlled warehouses with Americold, a leading temperature-controlled infrastructure and supply chain solutions and services company, to improve efficiency for a major grocery retailer in the U.S.

    The Dematic integrated solution includes goods-in receiving, automatic delayering, tray handling, sortation, automatic pallet building, dispatch trailer sequencing and ergonomic case picking. The solution will feature both a Dematic high-bay unit load AS/RS for pallets and the Dematic Multishuttle® for case buffering and sequencing. The combination of these technologies, managed and operated by Dematic software, creates the most effective compact mixed-case handling solution on the market.

    “At Americold we have a unique lens into the temperature-controlled supply chain. To help us offer world-class service to our customers, we were seeking an automation partner to facilitate the future hyper-connected, enabled supply chain in retail fulfillment,” stated David Stuver, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions at Americold. “With large-scale global capabilities and innovative automation solutions, Dematic is an ideal partner to help us create state-of-the-art facilities that will help Americold transform the supply chain.”

    The new facilities will be true four-wall automated solutions with automated mixed-case palletising systems to ensure cube optimisation improvements. Highly efficient packing will mean fewer trucks needed for delivery, and shelf-ready pallets will allow for the quickest possible stocking of store shelves.

    Bernard Biolchini, CEO, Dematic Americas stated, “The Dematic Center of Excellence for Grocery worked in true partnership with Americold to develop the right solution. These fully automated facilities, powered by Dematic iQ software, will provide immense operational flexibility, supporting an omnichannel experience and multi-channel growth.”

    About Dematic

    Dematic is an intralogistics innovator that designs, builds and supports intelligent, automated solutions for manufacturing, warehouse and distribution environments for customers that are powering the future of commerce. With engineering centres, manufacturing facilities and service centres located in more than 25 countries, Dematic’s global network of 8,000 employees have helped achieve more than 6,000 worldwide customer installations for some of the world’s leading brands. Headquartered in Atlanta, Dematic is a member of KION Group, a global leader in industrial trucks, supply chain solutions and related services, and a leading provider of warehouse automation. 

    About Americold Realty Trust

    Americold is the world’s largest publicly traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition and development of temperature-controlled warehouses. Based in Atlanta, Ga., Americold owns and operates 183 temperature-controlled warehouses, with over 1 billion refrigerated cubic feet of storage, in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina as of March 31, 2020. Americold’s facilities are an integral component of the supply chain connecting food producers, processors, distributors and retailers to consumers.

     

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  • Dematic Powers the Future of Commerce with Launch of Micro-Fulfilment Solution, first system for Meijer

    Dematic Powers the Future of Commerce with Launch of Micro-Fulfilment Solution, first system for Meijer

    “We’re driven to make shopping at Meijer easy and convenient, so micro-fulfilment is another way our company is leaning into the future of retail. This micro-fulfilment technology will allow us to maximise space in our stores, help us expand our online shopping options and ultimately keep pace with consumer demand for personalized shopping solutions that puts their shopping preferences first.”

    Sid Handa, Director of Strategic Supply Chain Initiatives for Meijer

    Logistics automation innovator Dematic has launched its micro-fulfilment solution, designed to help retailers across industries address increased consumer demand for rapid online order fulfilment in a small footprint. The Dematic solution empowers customers with high throughput requirements to maximise space and achieve profitability with e-commerce ordering, ultimately, advancing their omni-channel distribution strategy to give customers what they want when they want it with one-hour fulfilment.

    Dematic’s micro-fulfilment solution implements a compact, automated goods-to-person shuttle system within a section of a retail store, dark store or urban fulfilment centre, in an area as small as 1,000 square metres. Automation enables the retailer to pick and process orders approximately ten times faster than the manual in-store method. Inventory information is available in real time and accuracy is near perfect, which results in satisfied customers who can pick up their order within one hour of placement. Orders can also be transferred to other stores or delivered directly to the consumer.

    Dematic Micro-Fulfilment Advantage:

    • Rapid picking and processing of orders: one-hour fulfillment
    • Installation in as little as 12 weeks
    • Configuration into footprints as small as 1,000 sqm
    • Industry standard-setting technology: Dematic Multishuttle and Goods-to-Person picking solutions
    • Cold zone environment capabilities
    • A global footprint that enables implementation at scale
    • Unmatched 24x7x365 local customer service

    The Dematic Micro-Fulfilment Difference

    Integrating the power of intelligent automation and human expertise, the Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution is a combination of automated technology and proprietary Dematic iQ software. The software provides seamless integration with inventory management, warehouse and ERP systems so that all stores, distribution centres and corporate offices are networked on the same platform.

    With the ability build and install in as quick as 12 weeks, the Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution is designed to be implemented close to the end consumer and is configured to fit into small footprints – in the back of a retail store, in a nearby dark store or urban fulfilment centre. Such close proximity enables retailers to better utilise and maximise space, making one-hour fulfillment possible while increasing profitability.

    Dematic’s Micro-Fulfilment solution leverages proven technology like the Dematic Multishuttle and Goods-to-Person Picking solutions that have set industry standards for decades. Additional features that differentiate the Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution from existing offerings include:

    • Cold zone environment capabilities with ambient, chilled and frozen temperature zones
    • A regional and global footprint that enables implementation at scale, making it possible for customers to install multiple micro-fulfilment solutions at once, at locations worldwide and across Asia
    • Unmatched 24x7x365 customer service with local operations in over 25 countries, supporting scale at speed

    “Dematic has been leading intralogistics innovation and invention for 200 years. We’ve helped automate some of the world’s biggest distribution centres, and now we have a creative solution that truly optimises the smaller footprints found in the backs of retail stores — our expertise in automation and our scale gives us a real advantage. The global effort to bring a Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution to life in less than six months is proof of that,” said Hasan Dandashly, CEO, Dematic. “Micro-fulfilment is a demonstration of our mission to power the future of commerce, and we aim to set a new standard for order fulfilment, together with our customers.”

    Leading U.S. Grocer Inks Deal for Immediate Installation

    Dematic has a customer installation already in progress with Meijer, a leading U.S. retailer credited with pioneering the modern supercentre concept.

    Grocery Is Just the Beginning

    Dematic’s highly configurable system can accommodate the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) capacity and order volume required by today’s grocers and wholesalers, but it also has application for apparel, auto parts, consumer electronics, sporting goods, industrial supplies and department stores that are re-purposing retail store space.

    The Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution addresses supply chain and distribution challenges now inherent to grocers as well as retailers of all sizes and across markets. This includes:

    • Anchoring online and in-store fulfilment from the back of a retail store — creating a true backroom — or from nearby urban fulfilment centres and dark stores, all in much closer proximity to consumers than remote distribution centres.
    • Optimising omni-channel distribution by more effectively using existing real estate for online order assembly, allowing retail consumers to pick up online orders at the closest retail store or service centre, or receive it using a delivery service to their home.

    The Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution is now available to customers worldwide. Follow along with Dematic micro-fulfilment news and developments on the Dematic blog, as well as on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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  • DHL Global Forwarding moves critical goods from China to Ghana

    DHL Global Forwarding moves critical goods from China to Ghana

    PPE shipment was transported as part of DHL’s dedicated weekly air freight solution from China to Africa; UbuntuConnect – the specific air freight solution for the China-Africa lane – will be extended due to high demand.

    DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services is leveraging its global network to facilitate the air transportation of critical personal protective equipment from China to Ghana, via Dubai. From the capital city, Accra, the shipment is distributed across the country to equip front-line healthcare workers in their fight against Covid-19.

    This was made possible as part of DHL’s dedicated 100-ton weekly air freight service from China into the Middle East and Africa launched last month. Aptly named after the Nguni Bantu word for “humanity”, UbuntuConnect sees cargo being consolidated across China into Guangzhou City and shipped via Dubai to several countries across Africa, within a span of two to three days. Leveraging Dubai’s strategic geographical locations as the gateway between the Orient and Africa, DHL has transported two shipments to Ghana thus far and expects more in the coming weeks.

    “The ongoing pandemic is causing a dearth in global air freight capacity making it ever critical that we continue to amass our resources globally to ensure a stable supply chain, especially for medical and critical supplies. With UbuntuConnect, we are carving out specific routes from the transit hub in Dubai to Africa, so life-saving essentials can continue to reach local communities in Ghana,” said Serigne Ndanck Mbaye, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding (West Africa) and Country Manager, Ghana.

    DHL Global Forwarding has been operating UbuntuConnect since April 21 to meet the ongoing demand for medical equipment and personal protective gear such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and goggles. From May 26, DHL Global Forwarding will begin to consolidate cargo across China, for an uplift in Shanghai – as part of ongoing efforts to adjust the network as needed to best meet customers’ needs.

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  • CapitaLand kicked new e-commerce platforms off in Singapore

    CapitaLand kicked new e-commerce platforms off in Singapore

    CapitaLand has launched new e-commerce and food ordering platforms in Singapore.

    The new eCapitaMall and Capita3Eats services are aiming to drive sales for retailers at its shopping malls during Singapore’s Phase 1 safe reopening protocol, as the country starts pulling itself out of the coronavirus lockdown. Both platforms will be accessible via the firm’s CapitaStar app and mall websites from June 1.

    “The circuit breaker has brought to the fore the importance of an omnichannel, 24/7 strategy for Singapore’s retailers,” said CapitaLand Singapore MD Chris Chong. “As the operator of Singapore’s largest mall network, we want to help our retailers reach out to more consumers and online business opportunities by using the strong brand awareness of CapitaLand and the digital capabilities we have built up over the years. Retailers on our eCapitaMall and Capita3Eats platforms will get a leg up in the digital space by tapping the more than 1 million CapitaStar members in Singapore and marketing reach through our physical network.”

    Customers using the app will be able to buy goods from (predominantly) retail tenants at CapitaLand malls, opting for home delivery or in-store collection. The food app is Singapore’s first mall-operated food ordering platform offering consumers three ways to fulfil their food orders – by delivery, takeaway or dine-in.

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  • DHL adapts mobile-first approach in new online platform

    DHL adapts mobile-first approach in new online platform

    DHL Global Forwarding has launched myDHLi, a fully integrated online platform for its freight forwarding customers. The platform merges existing online services like myDHLi Quote + Book and myDHLi Analytics with new services and features, and it can be accessed in all devices with a browser including tablets and smartphones.

    The launch begins with a pilot phase including selected customers from five continents (North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa). myDHLi is being rolled out in waves to ensure a smooth region-by-region transition. Interested customers can register for onboarding to myDHLi. Regular updates based on customer feedback will be shared. The previous customer portal, DHLi, will be available until the myDHLi roll-out is complete.

    Mobile-first approach

    The designers adopted a mobile-first approach for seamless use on all devices. Built-in popular social media features like follow and share functions simplify communication along the supply chain by enabling customers to exchange information with colleagues, customers and suppliers. Furthermore, data can be easily analyzed and exported or directly integrated to own systems, based on a suite of APIs.

    “Despite accelerating digitalization and super-fast connectivity customers have a need for reduced complexity. And that is exactly what our tool does,” says Tim Scharwath, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Freight. “We have created a one-stop customer portal that is tailored to the needs of our customers. By combining services like online quotation and booking with shipment tracking, document accessibility, and data analyses we are creating not only 360-degrees visibility, but also have laid the foundation for customers to manage their logistics — anytime and anywhere.”

    He added: “We strongly believe that digitalization bears the potential to ease and improve the daily business of shippers and freight forwarders simultaneously. This is even truer during unpredictable and challenging times such as those we are currently facing with COVID-19, and which might now act as an accelerator for digitizing the industry. That is what digitalization means to us and why we made it a cornerstone of our strategy 2025.”

    myDHLi’s highly intuitive user interface makes it easy to use and ensures that customers have all relevant information at hand. Reflecting already well-established social media functions like follow and share, relevant information can be easily accessed across organizations and trading partners. Completely transparent management of freight rates, offers, transport modes, carbon emissions, and all other relevant shipment data is readily available with just a few clicks and can be displayed in detailed analyses and reports. One of the most unique aspects is the benefit of full visibility and control over all shipping and transport modes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    Developed completely in-house, the platform’s new tracking service uses end-to-end information to make shipments across air and ocean visible nearly in real-time. This gives users complete control — from pick-up to final delivery.

    The service also offers raw data Excel extracts. Another new feature is myDHLi Documents, which offers quick and easy access to downloadable shipment documents. All documents — quotes, commercial invoice, packing list, house bill, invoice, proof of delivery, etc. — are stored in one place.

    myDHLi features a modular build-up. Users can individualize their portal by selecting the specific services they want. Thanks to the single sign-on registration process, all services are available from the beginning. No additional registration or sign-in processes are needed. myDHLi is free of charge for all DHL Global Forwarding customers.

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  • Kerry Logistics forms new joint venture in Sri Lanka

    Kerry Logistics forms new joint venture in Sri Lanka

    Kerry Logistics Network Limited (‘Kerry Logistics’; Stock Code 0636.HK) announced a new joint venture, Kerry Logistics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (‘Kerry Lanka’), formed with IAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd in Sri Lanka to strengthen its international freight forwarding (‘IFF’) capabilities in South Asia.

    Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Kerry Lanka sits at the strategic crossroads of East Asia, South and South East Asia, Africa and Europe. As part of Kerry Logistics’ South Asia operation, Kerry Lanka operates an office in Colombo, as well as a bonded facility and office for export purposes at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

    In 2019, 46% of the total export of Sri Lanka derived from the textiles and garments industry, amounting to US$5.6 billion, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s external sector performance review. There are more than 300 apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka, which are well connected to the super brands in Europe and the US. Kerry Logistics’ expansion to Sri Lanka will enable it to tap into the opportunities therein by offering a suite of services consisting of air and ocean freight, customs brokerage, inland trucking, multi-country consolidation, project cargo, warehousing and value-added services such as pick/pack, purchase order management, quality control, packaging and labelling, garment-on-hangers and entrepôt services.

    Patrick Cheah, Executive Director – Global Air of Kerry Logistics, said, “Located in Sri Lanka, the intersection of freight routes in South Asia, Kerry Lanka will become a significant hub for Kerry Logistics and give a strong boost to our global connectivity. Plans are also in place to aggressively focus on the upstream of the supply chain to support the fashion industry vertical. The forming of the joint venture also marks the deepening of our presence in the South Asian subcontinent, rounding out our full suite of services in the region.”

    In addition to Kerry Indev Logistics in India, Kerry Logistics has also established a subsidiary in Pakistan in 2018 to extend its footprint in the Indian subcontinent.

  • DHL Express names Best Workplace in Asia for second consecutive year

    DHL Express names Best Workplace in Asia for second consecutive year

    Global people analytics and consulting firm Great Place to Work has named DHL Express as the Best Workplace in Asia for the second consecutive year. Great Place to Work identifies the top organizations that create great workplaces through its annual Best Workplaces in Asia list. For the 2020 award, more than 2.2 million employees participated in the survey in 8 Asian countries where Great Place to Work is represented.

    Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express, Asia-Pacific, said, “We are honored to be recognized as the Best Workplace in Asia for the second consecutive year. At DHL Express, we are committed to creating an environment where all employees can thrive and reach their full potential. Whether it is through our annual Employee Opinion Survey, our award-winning Certified training programs, or our push for greater diversity, we want to make sure our employees have their Best Day, Every Day at work.”

    For the 2020 award, DHL Express was recognized for its continuous investment in leadership development and talent growth, including its Certified International Specialist (CIS) and Certified International Manager (CIM) programs that have provided more than 320,000 training sessions to employees in Asia-Pacific. This series of training is meant to create a powerful sense of community that enables employees to combine best-in-class product quality with incomparable service excellence, according to DHL Express.

    Since 2014, DHL Express Asia-Pacific has received 245 awards for its workplace and corporate culture, and in 2019 alone, the company received a total of 53 awards. In February, DHL Express was named 2020 Top Employer for Asia-Pacific, as well as nine countries and territories in the region, by the Top Employers Institute.

    Mateen Thiruselvaam, senior vice-president, Human Resources, DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said, “With tens of thousands of employees across one of the most diverse regions in the world, it is imperative that we have a robust set of employee engagement and development initiatives to keep the entire DHL network operating as one. To be ranked as the Best Workplace in Asia again is a fantastic recognition of our efforts and the dedication of our people to deliver great service quality for our customers.”

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  • DHL adds American flights due to COVID-19

    DHL adds American flights due to COVID-19

    DHL Express has seen imports from Asia to the Americas increase substantially as it helps battle COVID-19. Asian imports, coming primarily from China, are up 70% year-on-year, with DHL Express moving more than 168,000 shipments of masks, gloves, respirators, and disinfectant products into the Americas in just one week.

    Air capacity has been reduced with airlines canceling flights, so DHL has increased its services, with additional flights and charters meeting the demand for PPE shipments.

    The America’s hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport welcomed an extra flight to Canada to transport 45,000 shipments of masks and other items in April. Another flight from London was added and a Cincinnati-Los Angeles-Sydney-Singapore route was added using a Boeing 777 Freighter, bringing the total to seven flights a week.

    DHL Express sent 10,000 shipments to the Americas via Miami, Florida, with 180,000 test kits going to Central America in March.

    Miami has also benefitted from connections to Brussels, Belgium, offering 225 tons of capacity per week.

    DHL Express is working with governments in Central America to transport equipment including 60 valves for digital respirators in Guatemala and test kits in Honduras.

    In South America, the first 5,000 test kits arrived in Quito, Ecuador, two weeks ago followed by another 50,000 last week.

    DHL Express donated 10,000 N95 protective masks to the Northwell Health network of hospitals and healthcare facilities across New York state.

    The masks had been flown in from abroad via the DHL Express Gateway facility at New York’s John F Kennedy airport.

    Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Americas, said, “We’re open for business and our operations are being mobilized around the world to deal with this global crisis. We have been largely focused on bringing the much-needed supplies to protect and support frontline employees from all industries, particularly the medical professionals and first responders who continue fighting to keep us safe and essential businesses running.”

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  • DHL Survey Reveals COVID-19 Impact on International Trade

    DHL Survey Reveals COVID-19 Impact on International Trade

    In addition to the current economic issues caused by COVID-19, there are other significant events in 2020, such as the U.S. presidential election and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) implementation, which could directly affect international trade.

    To collect deeper insights into how businesses are being impacted by COVID-19 and capture their perspectives on international trade developments, DHL conducted a survey of U.S. SMEs, including its customers.

    Key findings from the more than 2,000 responses include:

    • COVID-19 causes pullback on international business outlook: Almost half (49%) of respondents said the coronavirus has resulted in them taking a more conservative approach to their business’ global trade strategy. Only 15% are taking a more aggressive approach, while 36% are staying the path on their international approach as a result of coronavirus. It is no surprise that the majority are being conservative since according to our survey, overwhelming 78% of respondents have had business revenues decrease either slightly or significantly due to COVID-19.

    • International policies will the tip scales at the voting booths: An overwhelming majority (78%) of respondents said the U.S. presidential candidate’s view on international trade will affect the way they vote this election year.

    • Business owners are willing to make sacrifices to make trade easier: 37% would forgo all their vacation for a year if it guaranteed no additional international trade barriers/regulations for their business.

    • Asia remains a top business target: Despite COVID-19 originating in China, almost one-third (32%) of respondents said Asia is the top priority region for their business this year. In last year’s survey, 21% selected Asia as their top priority region. The YOY increase in confidence in Asia is likely due to progress in potential relief with China tariffs. Additionally, other countries in Asia, such as Vietnam and Japan, have emerged as top trade and manufacturing partners for U.S. businesses as a result of the U.S.-China trade war.

    Rosemary Coates, President of Blue Silk Consulting and a columnist for Supply Chain Management Review, feels that relations between the U.S. and China remain fragile:

    “The U.S. government is creating even more animosity toward China, blaming them for the pandemic and threatening more tariffs in retaliation for allowing the virus to spread to America,” she said. “This is creating an even bigger gap in cross-border trade and cooperation that will likely enflame the trade wars even further.”

  • DHL helps Australia to Import Goods

    DHL helps Australia to Import Goods

    DHL Global Forwarding has been selected to be part of new air freight network launched by the Australian government to bridge air freight capacity gap.

    The Australian Department of Agriculture has identified supply chain disruptions as the biggest threat to farmers and fishermen in the country, where around 65% of agricultural products are exported, with a majority going to China, Japan, the United States, South Korea and several Asia Pacific countries.

    DHL Global Forwarding Australia reveals that virtually all of its high-value perishables exports, including fruits, vegetables, pre-marinated and fresh meat, seafood and dairy products, are now catered to food retail businesses such as supermarkets. This is in contrast to the pre-COVID supply chain distribution dominated by wholesale networks where some 70% of the company’s food exports typically go to foodservice businesses.

    DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, has been appointed to be part of the new air freight network established by the government to facilitate international freight as commercial airlines tepidly return to normalcy.  The network will allow the Government’s $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) to ramp-up assistance to exporters and re-establish global supply chains, in turn also assisting importers of essential goods, such as healthcare supplies, personal protective equipment, automobile spare parts, and construction and manufacturing materials.

    Bernie Cooney, Perishables and Livestock Manager, DHL Global Forwarding Australia commented: “In perishables logistics, time is of the essence as fresh meats and produce need to arrive with their freshness and quality intact, and that is now possible as we can secure capacity through the air freight network for our customers. We are working towards restoring supply chains for all our customers. We are hopeful that with these measures, we can start to restore some of the pre-COVID volumes for perishable exports, and more if the Asian markets start to open up again once containment measures prove successful.”

    Import of much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and essentials to keep businesses going

    In addition to the export of high-value perishables, DHL Global Forwarding is supporting the Australian Government IFAM program with the import of critical products like PPE and other essential goods.

    George Lawson, Country Manager of DHL Global Forwarding Australia added: “Trade, which is the lifeblood of our economy, has been heavily impacted by travel restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. As the market leader in the export of premium agricultural products and the import of healthcare, technology and infrastructure goods, we are uniquely positioned to support the Australian Governments IFAM program in jumpstarting trade activity. With our team of global trade experts, worldwide network and digital solutions, our aim is to improve lives by keeping Australian businesses running.”

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  • Kerry Logistics expands its coffee business into Taiwan

    Kerry Logistics expands its coffee business into Taiwan

    Kerry Logistics Network Limited (‘Kerry Logistics’; Stock Code 0636.HK) announced the expansion of its coffee trading business into Taiwan, as the sole distributor of Italian coffee group illycaffè’s complete product range in Taiwan. The move marks Kerry Logistics’ extension of its footprint into a society with a rich coffee culture.

    Kerry Logistics, through its sub-brand Kerry Coffee, is now the sole distributor of illycaffè’s iperEspresso coffee machines, capsules, coffee beans and other coffee-making equipment and accessories in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

    Kerry Coffee was established in 2019 for the trading and distribution of illycaffè’s products in Hong Kong and Macau. It was a progression of the partnership between Kerry Logistics and illycaffè that began in 2017 to provide total integrated logistics solutions for illycaffè and act as the sole distributor of iperEspresso coffee machines and capsules in Hong Kong.

    Robert Berger, Executive Director of Kerry Coffee (Hong Kong), said, “We are delighted to take our collaboration with illycaffè further and into a society that appreciates the finer points of coffee. Taiwan has a deep-rooted and booming coffee culture. So we are optimistic in deepening Taiwan’s love of coffee by bringing the unique Italian coffee culture and flavour embodied by illycaffè there. This expansion is a substantial increase in presence for the illy brand, complementing Kerry Coffee’s existing operation in Hong Kong and Macau and strengthening its position in the coffee market.”

    illycaffè is one of the world’s most global coffee brands. As its sole distributor in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Kerry Coffee is responsible for providing total logistics solutions, sales and marketing to its entire product selection.

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  • Tigers releases business intelligence updates for its SmartHub

    Tigers releases business intelligence updates for its SmartHub

    Global logistics and transportation company Tigers has released new updates for its SmartHub:Connect freight and e-commerce portal, which are designed to help customers during current disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and to support them in the aftermath of the crisis.

    SmartHub:Connect has seen a spike in logins and has been supporting increased e-commerce volumes since the beginning of March.

    The new features, which will help manage rapidly changing customer demands, include streamlined Purchase Order functions, online notification to the customer or operations if a booking needs attention, and bulk upload of order exceptions.

    “In the last month, we have continued to see an upsurge in health-related products and some of the more essential e-commerce items, with conversely B2B and luxury clothing items seeing a dip,” said Mark Gatenby, Chief Information Officer, Tigers

    “At the same time, we are noticing that demand for outdoor leisurewear, while not increasing, is holding steady, and we believe we can reasonably expect a surge as people are more likely to take holidays nearer to home; certainly, interest is there.

    “With the e-commerce and logistics landscape changing so rapidly as these examples demonstrate, Tigers has been working on new SmartHub:Connect features designed to help people get through the crisis and its aftermath.”

    Tigers plans to release real-time alerts for delayed sailings or flights, and is further developing its SmartHub:Connect app as part of the ongoing improvements

    Tigers last week organised the safe transportation of over 1.38 million masks and 53 large ventilators on a charter flight from Shanghai, China, to Rome, Italy to support the Italian Government’s fight against Covid-19

    The medical supplies travelled in the bellyhold and on the passenger deck of a Boeing 777-200 from Shanghai Pudong Airport, to Fiumicino Airport.

    A total of 1,385,000 masks, 53 large ventilators, and a consignment of ventilator accessories were delivered to hospitals across the Italian capital, with more flights expected over the coming weeks.

  • Honestbee lays off most of its staff as it struggles to secure funding

    Honestbee lays off most of its staff as it struggles to secure funding

    Singaporean delivery firm Honestbee has laid off around 80 percent of its staff as it searches for funding to remain trading.

    According to DealStreetAsia, the startup has dropped around 100 employees – including both local and foreign staff – and salaries will be delayed until further funding can be secured.

    Its futuristic grocery store business Habitat has been closed for a full month and will reportedly shift to smaller premises.

    “Due to several external commercial pressures that have resulted in the protracted closure of Habitat by Honestbee, the company has made the strategic decision to reduce its staff force,” read a statement from the firm. “As a result, the company has decided to reduce its non-core staff as it does not foresee operating Habitat in its full strength over the next few weeks.”

    The firm had been anticipating a cash injection of around $50 million from an unidentified retail conglomerate, although that deal has failed to materialize following the advent of the coronavirus epidemic.

    Honestbee is currently moving to restructure itself out of a debt of about $230 million, including salaries to more than 200 former staff members. It is currently trading under court protection from its creditors.

  • Lalamove partners with Klook in Hong Kong for food-delivery service

    Lalamove partners with Klook in Hong Kong for food-delivery service

    Hong Kong on-demand delivery startup Lalamove and travel-activities booking platform Klook have collaborated to offer a new express food-delivery service to support the local food-and-beverage industry.

    Available on Klook as “A Guide to the Best Meal” until March 31, consumers can order from six partner restaurants with no location restrictions to then arrange a delivery time through Lalamove.

    Klook has also introduced its ‘Grab n Go’ self pick-up takeaway service with its partners, available until May 31.

    “We are now exploring more F&B experiences and looking into leisure activities, to diversify our activities spectrum and bring the most fantastic experiences to our customers,” said Percy Kwan, Klook’s marketing director for Hong Kong.

    The latest government figures indicate a 14.3-per-cent year-on-year drop in fourth-quarter Hong Kong restaurant receipts. The partnership between the two local unicorns aims to help food establishments open up new sales and promotional channels by offering consumers convenience along with discounts and food packages.

    As citizens opt to stay-in and employees work from home during the coronavirus crisis, a dramatic surge in online food deliveries has created new business opportunities for other local players as well, including Foodpanda, which has launched a 15-minute express-delivery service.

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  • Vietjet to venture into cargo business in Malaysia

    Vietjet to venture into cargo business in Malaysia

    In order to enhance and further develop its cargo network, the new-age carrier Vietjet is pleased to announce that its subsidiary and cargo arm, Vietjet Cargo is opening a tender for a cargo General Sales Agent (GSA) in Kuala Lumpur and is inviting companies to bid for the first time in Malaysia on February 2020.

    The GSA will be responsible for all the commercial activities for sales, marketing and promotion on Vietjet’s flight network connecting to over 400 flights daily covering more than 140 destinations across Vietnam and internationally such as Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, etc. which includes a daily flight from Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City.

    The GSA will also be actively controlling the pricing policy and space management, working with the cargo warehouse and ground handling agency, supervising the operations, maximizing the uplifted cargo and securing the service level commitment to clients directly.

    Nguyen Thanh Son, Vietjet Vice President, said: “At Vietjet, we believe in diversification to create sustainable business prospects. Following the establishment of Vietjet Cargo in 2014, we have independently and strategically developed and grown demand for air cargo services in Vietnam in addition to our main function as a commercial airline. Today, we have grown internationally, taking the necessary steps to expand our cargo business to the Malaysian market.

    To-date, Vietjet has transported nearly 100 million passengers in Vietnam with a fleet of 80 Airbus aircraft, comprising the Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, a world-class high-tech airplane in the aviation industry, with a capacity of four to five tons of cargo per flight and more.

    Moving forward, Vietjet will continue to work towards the establishment of its subsidiaries in the aviation industry worldwide, bringing a wide range of services and business opportunities to potential partners not only in Malaysia, but also in other countries while expanding Vietjet’s flight network globally.