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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.

  • Lalamove Data Delivers Message of Market Success

    Lalamove Data Delivers Message of Market Success

    Hong Kong based on-demand delivery app Lalamove is firmly in the driving seat when it comes to leading the last-mile market, including B2B, B2C and C2C deliveries; revealing impressive data in 2018 to show a fast-track journey of success since the company was first set-up in 2013 by entrepreneur Chow Shing Yuk.

    In the last five years, Lalamove has received $160 million USD in funding, including Series C funding of $100 million USD in late 2017 and set in motion an expansion plan to establish a greater global identity and a presence in 100 more cities in Asia. Currently, Lalamove is a force to be reckoned with, operating in 126 cities in China and Southeast Asia, with 2,000 employees and 2.2 million drivers, including 50,000 drivers in Thailand alone. Some 25 million users have downloaded the Lalamove app, with the company’s fleet of motorcycles, cars, vans and trucks also set on course as part of the Lalamove food delivery platform too.

    Global fast-food chain Burger King announced a partnership with Lalamove in November 2017. Local, regional and international brands are set to partner with the delivery app in the next few months with new features added to updating the app too. In Thailand, Some 520 million km have been traveled since 2013 with delivery times shorter than a one hour lunch. With e-commerce markets set to rise, the number of new users in online hubs such as Thailand are expected to a hike 250% compared to 2017.

     

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  • Parcel Santa to Collaborate with Singapore Press Holdings and Buzz Express to Expand E-Commerce delivery coverage

    Parcel Santa to Collaborate with Singapore Press Holdings and Buzz Express to Expand E-Commerce delivery coverage

    One-year old sensor technology and parcel locker start up, Parcel Santa, has inked an agreement with Singapore Press Holdings and Buzz Express to utilize the latter’s extensive delivery network to make e-commerce deliveries to Parcel Santa lockers, located in Singapore condominiums.

    Parcel recipients will be informed via SMS when their parcels are delivered to secured lockers, which they have up to twenty-four hours to collect, using a One Time Password (OTP).  Recipients may choose to reschedule delivery to lockers or pay a small fee to extend the collection period.

    The entire delivery process is monitored by Parcel Santa’s back office system, with sensors able to identify when authorized recipients have collected their parcels.  The use of sensors and real-time communication ensures that parcels are received without repeated delivery attempts – which is in line with Parcel Santa and SPH’s corporate objectives to be environmentally friendly corporate citizens.

    As part of this collaboration, non-perishable items delivered by SPH’s network may also leverage Parcel Santa’s back office system and lockers as an end-mile collection point by recipients.

    The service offers the following benefits to the ecosystem:

    1. Environmental Sustainability – minimizes the use of motor vehicles to make repeated delivery attempts
    2. Safety and Security – parcels and couriers are pre-registered and tracked, and only authorized recipients may collect them
    3. Consumer Empowerment – to facilitate e-commerce, shoppers can make purchases and not have to wait for delivery
    4. Property Asset Enhancement – condominiums can offer this service with the latest customer-recognition, IoT (Internet of Things) and 3G/4G wireless transmission technology

    Parcel Santa lockers have been installed in one hundred residential condominium locations across Singapore.  The company is in the process of Series A fund raising to expand its target footprint of 500 condominium installations in Singapore – and initiate its expansion into the Southeast Asian region.  With the latest addition of SPH, Parcel Santa’s delivery partners include DHL Express, FedEx, UPS and WMG Delivery.  Once registered, couriers from partner companies may use Parcel Santa lockers to facilitate deliveries.

    “Since launching one year ago, we have been playing catch up with increasing e-commerce activity in Singapore as the demand for online shopping and other deliveries is on the rise, said Mr. Jim Huang, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Parcel Santa.  “The addition of SPH and Buzz Express’ networks is a very natural progression in partnering with one of Singapore’s most established delivery networks to provide wider convenience and brings great value to our customers”, he said.

    “SPH has a long history of delivering media and parcels in Singapore, with a reputation of being always on-time and reliable, said Mr. Spencer Tan, Deputy General Manager of SPH.  “With a delivery network of 3,000 delivery staff, SPH and its Buzz Express reaches every corner of Singapore as we deliver media and consumables.  As we strive to become a Greener player in the end mile logistics industry, Parcel Santa offers a unique ability to prevent or minimize failed or missed delivery attempts”, he said.

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  • VARTA Storage Launches Its Energy Storage Products in Australia

    VARTA Storage Launches Its Energy Storage Products in Australia

    Varta Storage GmbH enters the Australian market, bringing their quality “Made in Germany” energy storage solutions to the fifth continent. Customers will be able to buy and install VARTA Storage’s lineup of VARTA pulse solutions across the country.

    The VARTA pulse is a starter all-in-one package, which is easy to install and of a compact size. The devices combine a high energy density and is available in two sizes, i.e. with 3.3 kWh and 6.5 kWh. The energy storage solution is extremely reliable, robust, and fulfills all safety regulations. Through Plug & Play, the wall-mounted energy storage is instantly ready-to-use with only 30 minutes needed for installation and can be combined with all renewable energy sources. Hence it can be used to power the heating as well as all electrical household appliances, giving VARTA pulse owners the freedom to use their self-generated energy whenever and wherever they need it.

    “We are happy to be bringing our pulse energy storage solutions to the Australian market, enabling homes to not only generate their own energy, but also store it and then use it whenever they need,” said Gordon Clements, General Manager VARTA Storage. “The VARTA pulse portfolio is versatile, robust, and extremely reliable. Consumers receive an easy-to-install solution when deciding for a VARTA pulse devices.”

    “Australia is a significant growth opportunity for VARTA Storage. VARTA has more than 130 years of experience and expertise in working with energy, starting with developing the first battery in the world and growing the company to become a globally recognised innovator and provider in the space. VARTA is powering a multitude of different devices already, so the energy storage which can power homes and household machines is a natural extension of our portfolio. And we are very much looking forward to bringing our ‘Made in Germany’ quality to Australia,” said Roman Jordan, Head of Sales RES, VARTA Storage GmbH.

     

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  • GreyOrange launched AI-powered Butler PickPal to revolutionise autonomous fulfilment in logistics centers

    GreyOrange launched AI-powered Butler PickPal to revolutionise autonomous fulfilment in logistics centers

    Robotics and supply chain automation company GreyOrange announced its beta launch of the new-gen Butler PickPal, an autonomous picking solution, at LogiMat 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany. The Butler PickPal is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Vision to unlock the next level of efficiency in the order picking process. It works seamlessly with the goods-to-person GreyOrange Butler™ robotics system which enables warehouses to manage high-speed operations by automating order picking and fulfilment.

    The Butler PickPal addresses the challenges arising from the global boom in e-commerce as orders need to be fulfilled faster and accurately with more cost-efficiency as competition intensifies. Vertical and horizontal e-commerce industries that operate with a huge number of high-mix SKU inventory, require the shortest order-to-dispatch time and accurate piece-picking.

    Akash Gupta, Chief Technology Officer, GreyOrange said, “Working closely with our customers, we see that the order picking process for e-commerce products take up a high percentage of the resources of warehouse staff. As companies face increasing challenges in hiring employees, the adoption of automation is the answer to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve the turnaround time. The Collaborative Robots market is poised for exceptional growth over the next years, growing to 34% of the global robotics spending by 2025. The material handling segment is expected to experience the largest growth in collaborative robot instalments as more companies deploy them into their processes. We are excited to participate in this segment to help unlock the next level of efficiency in last-mile delivery for e-commerce operations.”

    Designed to revolutionise the auto-fulfilment process, the Butler PickPal reduces remarkably the time taken during order fulfilment, by identifying and picking products from shelves quickly and accurately. The PickPal is a collaborative robot, which works alongside a warehouse operator to pick, consolidate and fulfill orders, and together can achieve 500-600 picks per hour; easily doubling the throughput from the same picking station.

    The innovative combination of a scanning system and a 6-axis robotic arm delivers a unique solution that cuts down the time required for processing and picking orders. The Butler PickPal uses sophisticated Machine Vision algorithms to identify the SKU to be picked from the shelves. Using AI-based order processing, it can manage up to 48 orders at the same time.

    The Butler PickPal can handle different packaging types such as boxes, pouches, bottles and vacuum-sealed packages. It can grasp items up to 4kg (8.8 pounds). Using Machine Learning it devises the strategy to pick each item from the densely packed SKU inventory using a versatile gripper. It can identify and handle over 100,000 SKUs of the most popular products commonly found in its e-commerce operations.

    The new Butler PickPal will be deployed in selected sites by mid-year. It is expected to set new standards in operational efficiencies for picking velocity and throughput. The Butler robotics system from GreyOrange has been deployed internationally in distribution centers in Japan, Hong Kong, India, Europe and the Americas, reducing cost per shipment and enhancing productivity at its warehouse operations.

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  • DHL to set up Malaysia’s first Global Centre of Excellence

    DHL to set up Malaysia’s first Global Centre of Excellence

    Global logistics company DHL will set up its first Global Centre of Excellence (GCOE) in Malaysia at Iskandar Malaysia, the company announced today.

    The centre, which is expected to be operational in the second quarter of this year, will be set up by DHL in collaboration with Iskandar Innovations Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Iskandar Investment Bhd.

    The GCOE will provide supply chain consultancy services, and support businesses to design logistics solutions specific to some of Iskandar’s key industries including Automotive, Energy, Engineering & Manufacturing, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Technology.

    The centre also has the capabilities to power the region’s logistics ambitions with networking sessions and workshops where companies and industry experts come together to share best practices, to brainstorm innovative ideas that will form the future of Iskandar Malaysia.

    “We want to create an ecosystem within Iskandar Malaysia and to establish a single network that is conducive to all companies to explore and set up business in the region as their gateway to markets around the world,” GCOE Iskandar Malaysia managing director Philip Chu said in a statement.

    “Coupled with DHL’s sector-specific experience, it will underpin the bespoke logistics solutions that the GCOE will offer to the local industry.”

    Iskandar Investment president and chief executive officer Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad, meanwhile, said the creation of the GCOE will push the Iskandar region to the next level.

    “A strong base of logistics solutions and talent will not only allow the Iskandar region to achieve its ambitions of becoming an ASEAN supply chain hub, but also provide vital trade connectivity between its core industries and overseas markets where opportunities are aplenty,” he said.

    “As Iskandar’s population and foreign investment levels continue to rise steadily, the GCOE will play a strategic role in creating the job opportunities and export growth that underpin the region’s economic plans for the future.”

    DHL president, Global Fast Growing Enterprise and Regional head, Customer Solutions and Innovation Asia Pacific, Alfred Goh said the new GCOE could be linked to other GCOEs in the group.

    “The establishment of the GCOE will bring Iskandar’s supply chain capabilities up to speed with those of other logistics hubs in the region, including nearby Singapore where DHL has already run a Supply Chain Centre of Excellence (SCCE) for the last 10 years,” he said.

    “By complementing pure logistics skills and solutions with broader business development, market insights, and networking with key decision-makers around the world, we believe the GCOE will help Iskandar align its logistics investments with global demand and market forces more closely than ever before.”

    DHL had in 2007 established a similar SCCE in neighboring Singapore that delivered multi-million-dollar returns within its first 36 months of operation.

  • FedEx Hacked, Says No Data Compromised

    FedEx Hacked, Says No Data Compromised

    FedEx said that it has found no evidence that private customer data was “misappropriated” when it was made visible on an unsecured server earlier in February.

    According to news from Reuters, the server that was made visible contained more than 119,000 scanned documents from U.S. and international citizens, including passports, driver’s licenses and security identification. The potentially compromised data had been stored on an Amazon S3 storage service and was collected by Bongo International, which FedEx had acquired in 2014. Bongo, which added up international shipping prices, was terminated by the company.

    “After a preliminary investigation, we can confirm that some archived Bongo International account information located on a server hosted by a third-party, public cloud provider is secure,” FedEx spokesman Jim McCluskey said in a statement. “We have found no indication that any information has been misappropriated and will continue our investigation.”

    The spokesman would not clarify which records were secure, and he wouldn’t disclose whether or not the company involved the authorities.

    The potential breach in data privacy comes as stocks from FedEx and its rival UPS have been under pressure after reports surfaced that Amazon was getting into the delivery market in a bigger way. The service, which is known as “Shipping with Amazon,” is launching in Los Angeles and possibly other locations, a person who has knowledge of the program told Reuters.

    Once investors got wind of the news, shares of both FedEx and UPS slid more than 4 percent late last week. Still, both delivery services — and analysts — are downplaying concerns the experiment is a threat to the business of FedEx or UPS in the near future. Cowen and Co Analyst Helane Becker, for example, said Amazon would have to spend an estimated $100 billion to build a network and acquire the equipment to go up against FedEx and UPS.

  • DHL Express launches inaugural passenger-to-freighter A330-300

    DHL Express launches inaugural passenger-to-freighter A330-300

    DHL Express has welcomed its first ever Airbus A330-300 aircraft at its Penang Gateway, making Malaysia the first country in the world to operate the first of its four A330-300s.

    In a statement today, the international express services provider said the A330 will join the DHL Express fleet under a new passenger-to-freighter (P2F) deal with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and Singapore Technologies Aerospace.

    DHL Express Malaysia & Brunei managing director Christopher Ong said Asia Pacific is one of the fastest growing regions driven by e-commerce trade.

    “By welcoming our first A330-300 P2F aircraft, we are ready to service increasing e-commerce volumes from Malaysia, which is expected to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% from now to 2022,” he said.

    He added that Malaysia’s trade performance is expected to maintain its growth momentum and hit RM1.8 trillion in 2018.

    “Being the only logistics company in the world to own and operate the A330-300 P2F aircraft, DHL will be able to enhance service standards and match e-commerce merchants’ and buyers’ demands,” he said, adding that the flight will be servicing the Vietnam and Hong Kong markets.

    Ong said the company’s improved capabilities will further support Malaysia’s economy by facilitating its customers’ access to the global markets, while embracing the fourth industrial revolution.

    With 33 per cent more freight capacity per flight, DHL Express said it aims to strengthen their delivery capabilities across its network, while enhancing its capacity to deliver more shipments than ever before.

    The A330-300 P2F will provide additional high-volume, low-density capacity in Malaysia with a gross payload of 61 metric tons.

    It will also import and export goods six times weekly from Penang to Hong Kong. The converted A330-300 P2F features a range of updates including reinforcements to its fuselage, floor structure, door frame shell, newly-installed safety barrier nets and a powered cargo loading system.

    “Our eyes are fully set on investing in the future. We have pioneered passenger-to-freighter conversions since 1997, and our innovation in efficiently expanding our fleet is aimed at further strengthening the DHL Express regional network,” said Ong.

    DHL Express said the Penang Gateway will continue to play a major role in facilitating greater connectivity to the key markets with a total fleet of two aircraft, 30 vans, 25 trucks and nine bikes.

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  • Bolloré Logistics launches its weekly river shuttle in France

    Bolloré Logistics launches its weekly river shuttle in France

    Bolloré Logistics is launching its brand new river transport solution today, with the first commissioning of a river unit service running between Le Havre and Bonneuilsur- Marne via Gennevilliers, near Paris (France).
    This new service is fully consistent with the development strategy undertaken by Bolloré Logistics for the Seine Valley and its drive to develop innovative and eco-friendly solutions to meet customers’ needs.

    Designed as a flexible solution, the service offers several advantages. First of all, the environmental benefits of waterway transport, which is low in pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Bolloré Logistics will thus be reducing the share of road transport in favour of a barge service, allowing it to ship deliveries to its customers located in the Paris consumer basin. A “last mile” service, primarily operated by trucks running on natural gas, will
    round out this new logistics solution.

    Bolloré Logistics also wants to offer its customers the benefits of optimized cost management by taking advantage of the best port franchises offered by the Seine corridor. “The river corridor solution can help optimise the costs of parking import containers in Le Havre. Our goal is to offer our customers a flexible solution that reduces these costs.” says Laurent Foloppe, Director of the Normandy Region at Bolloré Logistics.

    The Bolloré Logistics motor barge will provide a shuttle service every Wednesday, running between the multimodal terminal of Le Havre and Bonneuil-sur-Marne to the south west of Paris, offering additional stops at the ports of Gennevilliers and Rouen. This solution allows Bolloré Logistics to offer a capacity of more than 5,000 TEUs to Paris’ Ports (Paris port and waterways authority). The motor barge will depart loaded from the two Parisian ports to Rouen
    and Le Havre.

     

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  • DHL gives India top ranking for growth in the ‘Big Seven’

    DHL gives India top ranking for growth in the ‘Big Seven’

    India’s economy holds the brightest growth prospects of the world’s seven largest economies, according to results from the Global Trade Barometer (GTB) from logistics company DHL.

    GTB analytics assigned India the highest growth indices of the seven countries assessed, due to strong and sustained increases in both air and ocean freight in and out of the country.

    The country’s trade in machinery and high-tech goods continues to underpin its growth, while increased imports of industrial raw materials point to an extended period of trade development for the nation.

    “More than any of the world’s largest economies, India’s major industries have displayed levels of resilience and growth that will buoy business confidence in the short-to-medium term,” said George Lawson, managing director, DHL Global Forwarding India.

    “India’s economy has built up terrific momentum in recent times: Since 2008, its GDP has risen every single year to US$2.44 trillion last year, more than double the levels of a decade ago. As the country continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, we expect it to continue its upward trajectory for the foreseeable future.”

    According to the GTB, businesses in India can expect ocean trade to further improve on already-high levels, largely thanks to demand for commodities and industrial materials from overseas.

    Air freight demand is projected to remain stable at its current highs, sustained by growth in machinery and technology imports. Both India’s air and ocean freight forecasts proved stronger than those of any other country in the GTB — in large part due to every major sector making a positive contribution to the country’s trade.

    Developed jointly by DHL and Accenture, the GTB provides a quarterly outlook on future trade, taking into consideration the import and export data of seven large economies: China, South Korea, Germany, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, these countries account for 75 per cent of world trade, making their aggregated data an effective bellwether for near-term predictions on global trade. The GTB, which assesses commodities that serve as the basis for further industrial production, predicts that global trade will continue to grow in the next three months, despite slight losses in momentum.

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  • GreyOrange to unveil new Butler XL for end-to-end supply chain automation in larger warehouses

    GreyOrange to unveil new Butler XL for end-to-end supply chain automation in larger warehouses

    Robotics and supply chain automation company GreyOrange is set to unveil at the 16th edition of LogiMat 2018 in Germany, its expanded range of Butler robots capable of managing a variety of payloads from 100 to 1600 kgs (220 to 3500 lbs).

    The goods-to-person Butler™ system lets warehouses run high-speed operations by automating inventory storage (putaway) and order fulfilment. It has been deployed in distribution centers in Japan, Hong Kong, India, Europe and the Americas for industries such as 3PL, e-commerce and retail. The robotics systems handle a variety of items including apparel, home furnishing and personal care, reducing cost per shipment and enhancing productivity of warehouse operations by more than four times.

    The new Butler XL handles payloads of up to 1600 kgs (3500 lbs). Its versatility is ideal for handling bulk inventory in factory warehouses, omnichannel fulfilment centers and large distribution hubs.  A wide range of loads from raw materials to finished goods, including automotive components, manufacturing material and liquids can be moved on and put or picked from pallets, drums, sacks, crates and cases.

    Sid Chatterjee, Vice President – Products, GreyOrange said, “We are delighted to add the Butler XL to the growing Butler family. The entire Butler range operates with minimal supervision using our software platform, GreyMatter, developed by GreyOrange to revolutionise warehouse operations by connecting people, process and technology more efficiently using Artificial Intelligence. In real-time, it integrates and delivers all of the functionality, intelligence and services required for optimum warehouse operations.”

    At every step of the order process, from receiving to storage, picking to fulfillment, the orders are managed by the software platform GreyMatterTM. One of the key advantages of the expanding Butler family is its ability to manage multi-floor operations with the use of an elevator. This provides greater flexibility in handling material and inventory on multiple floors, and optimises space utilisation vertically in a warehouse.

    Large and heavy pallets or slow moving inventory may be stored on one floor, while fast moving goods may be stored on another level. The software platform, GreyMatter, manages the Butlers across floors. Such auto-fulfilment improves order-to-dispatch time tremendously, with enhanced inventory traceability, increased fulfilment accuracy and minimising order returns. Putaway and picking processes often take up the majority of resources of warehouse staff – between 50-70%. Using the Butler system can lead to faster stock availability, improving efficiency multifold and shortens delivery times from days to just hours.

    It is easy to add the Butler system to existing operations as it requires minimal changes to infrastructure. The Butler range shares a similar footprint and can navigate within the same width of aisles. This versatility makes it easy to configure the Butlers to work in different parts of a warehouse for end-to-end autonomous fulfilment.

    Several units of the new Butler XL will be integrated in sites by mid-year. It is expected to set new standards in operational efficiencies in picking velocity and productivity.

    The Butler system conforms to applicable international safety and regulatory standards like CE Marking, ANSI/ITSDF B56.5 (US standard), JIS D6802 (Japanese standard), RoHS emergency response to fire and earthquake. The superior chemistry of lithium-ion batteries used in the Butler XL – similar to those of high-end electric vehicles – provide a continuous and long runtime on a single charge to complete a 24-hour shift, with a fast charge when necessary. Based on the workload and schedule during a shift, its Artificial Intelligence assigns Butler robots for Opportunity Charging to ensure the system delivers the optimum uptime.

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  • A Successful Singapore Airshow 2018

    A Successful Singapore Airshow 2018

    Bolloré Logistics Asia-Pacific is happy to announce that this year’s edition of the Singapore Airshow was a resounding success. This edition of the biennial event was the 6th since the show’s inception in 2008. With a plethora of exhibitors from 38 countries, there were plenty of opportunities to boost Bolloré Logistics’ recognition at Asia’s largest Aerospace and Defense Airshow. This year featured not just one, but two Bolloré locations within the trade show, both at the booth and chalet.

    The Bolloré Logistics booth has been visited by many people. A lot of information was available through our marketing materials such as our dedicated brochures showcasing our tailored services for Airlines & MROs, Aerospace, and Helicopters, as well as our Press Kit. The presence of IER, a company belonging to the Bolloré Group, which develops and deploys mobile and self-service machines for passenger processing, and also offers track and trace tools for supply chains and logistics providers, was also a great success.

    “The entire industry has embraced self-service solutions and technology, which for airlines and airports also enhances customer experience,” says Fabrice Godeau, Managing Director at IER for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

    “We have teams of solution designers tailoring systems for clients, and creating end-to-end service for passengers who increasingly demand there be less time and fewer steps involved between entering terminals to their planes taking off.”

    The Bolloré chalet was equally busy between multiple events such as Speed Meetings, Workshops, and daily Business Luncheons. Over the Trade Days from February 6-9, 2018, executives had the chance to network across 24 different Bolloré Logistics entities. Our internal Speed Meetings brought together both Regional and Key Account Managers to create innovative solutions to address concerns in the Aerospace industry. In addition, some workshops were conducted to improve our approach to challenges in Asian countries that require greater finesse in complying with government and regulatory standards.

    Bolloré Logistics’ clients were also welcomed into the chalet during our daily Business Luncheons. Over a scrumptious buffet, clients and executives fostered a better understanding of their needs and goals. Some clients were even treated to special access visits to our notable hubs in order to gain a better sense of our infrastructure and capabilities. Upon their exit of the chalet, clients received a goodie bag containing – amongst other things – a mock-up of a boarding pass which allowed them to enter a lucky draw at our booth.

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  • FedEx Opens Shanghai Hub, Prepares for A Surge On eCommerce in Asia

    FedEx Opens Shanghai Hub, Prepares for A Surge On eCommerce in Asia

    FedEx recently opened its 1.4 million square foot Shanghai Pudong International Airport hub on January 8. FedEx’s new hub is now considered as the largest of its kind, installed with the latest sortation technology temperature-controlled storage.

    FedEx Corp. anticipates a growth in online transactions in China as the company opens its new hub in the country. Air cargo volume in China has grown steadily together with the demand of cross-border eCommerce market.

    It is approximate that the value of goods to increase to at least 43 percent to $117 billion this year. China’s air cargo volume is projected to increase to at least 6.2 percent in 2018, which is now considered as the biggest gain in the past 7 years, according to China’s Civil Aviation Administration.

    “There’s an opportunity to bring a lot of products and a lot of convenience to the Chinese consumers… With the wealth of Chinese consumers and the worldliness of Chinese consumers, they’re going to demand goods from the U.S. and Europe and parts all over the world,” David Cunningham Jr. Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Express

    China’s growing demand for cross-border eCommerce

    FedEx says that their latest facility can send real-time information such as shipment and flight status to its customers’ mobile smartphone devices. The hub also has dedicated areas for entry-exit inspection and quarantine to speed the customs clearance process.

    China’s growing demand for cross-border eCommerce has generally increased for the past 10 years, urging carriers to reorient their operations to mainly focus on the Chinese Market.

    United Parcel Service Inc. has now set up at least $10 million venture with SF Holding Co. in Hong Kong in May to cater to the growing demand of the Chinese Market. FedEx currently operates 66 flights in and out of the Shanghai hub each week.

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  • DHL to offer more secure shipment service in Indonesia

    DHL to offer more secure shipment service in Indonesia

    DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has obtained an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification by Indonesia’s customs authority, The Directorate General of Customs and Excise. The AEO certification will allow DHL Global Forwarding Indonesia to provide secure and quality logistics services while offering cost savings that can help customers become more globally competitive.

    The AEO accreditation is a cornerstone of the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, and to date, fewer than 70 companies in Indonesia have been recognized with the certification. The country’s adoption of the AEO program as part of its ongoing Customs and Excise Reform will give trusted companies like DHL Global Forwarding a number of added benefits, including fewer physical consignment checks and preferential treatment in terms of customs regulations. Under the AEO principle of Mutual Recognition, DHL Global Forwarding will now also benefit from being part of a global supply chain that connects AEO-certified organizations, further decreasing shipment time.

    Thomas Tieber, CEO for ASEAN and South Asia, DHL Global Forwarding, said: “Global trade continues to grow positively, and this raises important security concerns for customs authorities around the world. However, stricter security and safety measures alone risk increasing the complexity of cross-border movement of goods and adding transaction costs to the overall supply chain process, potentially impacting the ability of all participants to remain globally competitive.”

    With the AEO, the Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise has helped to ease processing at ports, reduce logistics cost and promote greater ease of business in Indonesia. The Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise also plan to increase the number of AEO-certified companies in Indonesia so as to amplify end-to-end trade synergies and provide a safe and secure trading environment in the country.

    The program shares the same methodology as ISO in terms of implementation, execution, risk assessment and management engagement. To obtain AEO certification in Indonesia, DHL Global Forwarding set up a dedicated AEO team to ensure the business met or exceeded rigorous logistics and customs-related criteria, and high accounting and security standards, as well as proved financial solvency, among other requirements.

    Vincent Yong, Managing Director, DHL Global Forwarding Indonesia, said, “Achieving AEO status in Indonesia not only confirms our commitment to high safety and supply chain security standards in global trade, but also serves as a strong argument for our customers when choosing a logistics partner. The certification will enable us to offer an even more efficient service and deliver better value for our customers.”

    World Customs Organization (WCO) launched the SAFE program globally post 9-11 incident in New York to encourage customs authorities and certified businesses such as logistics providers, exporters and shippers, to be jointly responsible for safe and secure cross-border transactions and keep world trade flowing swiftly. WCO is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations. There are 182 WCO members, which together process about 98 per cent of world trade.

  • Vietnam enjoys bright prospects for e-logistics development

    Vietnam enjoys bright prospects for e-logistics development

    As one of the fastest growing e-commerce countries in the world, Việt Nam is considered a high-potential market for e-logistics, analysts have said.

    Việt Nam has an average annual growth rate of 35 per cent.

    The boom in online shopping and home delivery in the country in recent years have also created many opportunities for e-logistics operators, they said.

    In 2017 alone, over 50 domestic and foreign e-logistics providers entered the market, which is predicted to reach US$200 million by 2020. They include Lazada, Giaohangnhanh or Grab Express or Speedlink.

    The combination of local and international expertise has created a tailored, unique solution for the Vietnamese e-logistics sector, paving the way for endless e-commerce growth, Fabian Wandt, country manager of Lazada eLogistics said.

    Another delivery operator, Giaohangnhanh, is also upbeat about the prospect of the delivery market reaching a three-fold annual increase, particularly with investments from both local and foreign players to enhance their technology, network and offerings.

    Giaohangnhanh CEO Nguyễn Trần Thi said that his company planned to expand its operations by more than double this year and targeted to reach 1,500 customer collection points by the end of 2018.

    Backed by State regulations

    According to analysts, opportunities for companies providing e-logistics services are brighter, especially since new regulations aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the logistics sector will soon come into force. Decision No 200/QĐ-TTg, which will provide the action plan to develop and raise the competitiveness of the logistics industry in Việt Nam until 2025, will have a positive impact on the development of logistics companies.

    With the State’s assistance in information technology, human resource training and operation cost reduction, the new decree is expected to help logistics companies, especially those providing e-logistics services, to sharpen their competitiveness in the time to come, analysts said.

    Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has also issued Decree No 163 on logistics services, which will come into force on February 20. The decree is expected to open up the e-logistics market to foreign investments. Under certain circumstances, foreign investors can establish enterprises or contribute capital to Vietnamese businesses engaged in maritime freight transport (excluding inland transportation), container handling services as part of maritime transport support services, freight transport services as part of inland waterway transport services and freight transport services as part of road transport services.

     

  • Arvato welcomes NATIVE UNION as new customer

    Arvato welcomes NATIVE UNION as new customer

    Arvato SCM Solutions in Asia adds NATIVE UNION as a new customer. NATIVE UNION is an internationally acclaimed Hong Kong and Los Angeles based tech accessories company that was founded in 2009. Arvato SCM Solutions’ business unit Hightech & Entertainment is now handling NATIVE UNION’s global logistics services.

    As part of its services for NATIVE UNION, Arvato provides global warehousing and distribution from its logistics center in Hong Kong, supplying the brand’s products to retailers and distributors across Europe, USA and Asia. In doing so, Arvato offers both domestic and international freight management solutions to NATIVE UNION. In addition to this, Arvato also provides value added services including labelling and bundling, and is responsible for the brands e-commerce fulfillment.

    “We were looking for an international supply chain partner that would give us a true competitive edge, supporting us on our continuous growth path,” says Farouk Merzougui, Chief Operating Officer at NATIVE UNION. “In Arvato, we have found this partner. They are as passionate about our goals as we are.”

    Finding solutions for the ever increasing need for flexibility and agility in the supply chain is crucial. The speedy ramp up showcases Arvato’s ability to develop and implement tailored strategies for its clients in a global marketplace. „Worldwide, the demand for NATIVE UNION’s products is booming. Our Hong Kong SCM team led by Andreas Podwojewski has successfully implemented the business in the shortest amount of time possible to meet this raising demand”, says Raoul Kuetemeier, Head of Asia at Arvato SCM Solutions.

    In total, more than 500,000 units were shipped in the first three months of the collaboration. One of NATIVE UNION’s popular products is the multi-USB charger and cable management system ECLIPSE CHARGER that came on the back of a very successful kickstarter campaign, where Arvato shipped almost 10,000 orders of the new product to customers all around the world. Overall, Arvato SCM Solutions covers 48 countries from its Hong Kong site.

    “NATIVE UNION is a client with a lot of potential in its field, fulfilling the consumer’s increasing demands for high quality, design-led products,” says Kuetemeier. “We have been happy about our partnership and collaboration since day one and we are very excited about developing and expanding business with NATIVE UNION – in Hong Kong and beyond.”

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