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Tag: asia

  • Kalmar to deliver fleet of container handling machines to DP World Australia

    Kalmar to deliver fleet of container handling machines to DP World Australia

    Kalmar, part of Cargotec, continues its long-term cooperation with DP World Australia, the country’s largest stevedore, with orders of 38 new machines for its new logistics arm, DP World Logistics Australia. The orders include 7 Kalmar reachstackers, 11 loaded and 20 empty container handlers. 22 units have successfully been delivered to DP World Logistics Australia’s Botany Intermodal terminal with the remaining equipment to be delivered by September 2017. The order was booked into Cargotec’s 2017 first quarter intake.

    The new machines add to DP World Australia’s existing fleet of Kalmar rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), straddle carriers and terminal tractors and will serve operations in Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle and DP World Australia’s semi-automated terminal in Brisbane.

    Kalmar reachstackers will be equipped with Kalmar K-Motion transmission technology, which secures uptime and productivity while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Four units will also include overheight legs. All the Kalmar machines will be powered by Volvo IV Final engines to meet emissions standards and will feature the Kalmar SmartFleet system for performance-boosting remote monitoring and reporting.

    Ron French, national engineering manager at DP World Australia: “Kalmar won a competitive tender to renew, and increase, our fleet of machines in all our facilities around Australia. Our existing relationship gave us leverage to secure the best outcome for DP World Australia with respect to pricing, service and ongoing support. The K-Motion option was very attractive due to lower fuel consumption and environmental impact.”

    Michael Wahab, director mobile equipment at Kalmar: “We are happy to continue to serve DP World Logistics Australia with reliable and efficient equipment tailored to their needs. The units are also equipped with environmentally conscious technology, including innovative K-Motion technology to significantly lessen fuel usage and reduce emissions by up to 40%.”

  • Uniqlo Singapore introduces Click & Collect

    Uniqlo Singapore introduces Click & Collect

    Uniqlo Singapore has launched the casualwear brand’s Click & Collect service, allowing shoppers to pick up their online purchases at any of its Singapore stores.

    Customers can choose from the Japanese brand’s full line-up of products, including extra sizes, on its online store. They can then opt to pick up their purchase from a nominated store islandwide, except for the Changi Airport Terminal 1 outlet).

    Using the free service, customers have 14 working days to pick up their orders after receiving their notification email or SMS message.

    Already available in China and Japan, the service will also be launched in Malaysia next month.

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  • Xiaomi Thailand launches with VST ECS

    Xiaomi Thailand launches with VST ECS

    Xiaomi Thailand has become the latest international beachhead for the Chinese smartphone maker, which has already established a presence in Vietnam, Russia and Mexico.

    In Thailand, Xiaomi is partnering with IT distributor VST ECS, which is handling distribution and after-sales services.

    Xiaomi products are available both online and offline. Its online partners include Lazada, an Alibaba Group e-commerce company, and IT City.

    Four Xiaomi models are initially available in Thailand.

  • Volkswagen, Kuehne + Nagel expand logistics partnership in China

    Volkswagen, Kuehne + Nagel expand logistics partnership in China

    Volkswagen FAW Engine (Dalian) Co., Ltd (VWED), an automotive part manufacturer operating in a joint-venture with Volkswagen (China), has signed a two-year agreement with Kuehne + Nagel to manage the inbound logistics operations in the Dalian and Changchun plants from 149 automotive engine part suppliers nationwide.

    The new contract leverages a sophisticated IT solution to address VWED’s requirements for improved efficiency of operations. The solution includes the use of dynamic planning to ensure cost optimisation while managing multi-leg journeys, line hauls and reverse movement. To provide more accurate real-time tracking of truck movements, Kuehne + Nagel leveraged China’s WeChat technology: Drivers use a mobile phone to scan a custom QR code to indicate a change in shipment status, automatically triggering an update in the order management system. Utilising the WeChat platform avoids the need to install additional apps or set-up additional hardware, allowing sub-contracted truckers to also utilise the same system. This, combined with an overarching operational control tower approach, ensures full transparency of the entire operation.

    Zhiyu Wang, logistic manager, VWED said: “Kuehne + Nagel took a complex set of demands and transformed it into a seemingly simple logistics solution. Kuehne + Nagel’s solution has delivered cost savings, efficiency and achieved full supply chain visibility for VWED.”

    Pierre Li, senior vice-president contract logistics, Kuehne + Nagel North Asia said: “VWED is one of the largest international players in the automotive market in China and we are pleased to extend this partnership. This new contract showcases Kuehne + Nagel’s strength in the automotive parts industry in China bringing together the synergies of a tailored logistics solution supported by IT systems to provide full supply chain visibility.”

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  • Solid growth for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger in China

    Solid growth for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger in China

    Strong performances by Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger in China helped propel solid half-year and second-quarter sales and profit growth for parent PVH Corporation.

    Chairman and CEO Emanuel Chirico said “better than expected” second-quarter results reflect the continued momentum and ongoing operating efficiencies across the company’s diversified business model.

    “Our results reflect a planned increase of approximately $25 million of marketing compared to the prior year related to Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, which we believe will continue to drive market share gains and allow us to capitalise on the brands’ significant international expansion opportunities over the next several years.”

    Global revenue from the Calvin Klein business for the second quarter increased 8 per cent year-on-year to $786 million. But Calvin Klein’s non-US sales soared 20 per cent thanks to an “outstanding performance” in the wholesale business in Europe and China, and solid growth in the retail business, the latter due to a 6 per cent increase in international comparable-store sales and square footage expansion in company-operated stores.

    Calvin Klein North America revenue decreased 1 per cent.

    Tommy Hilfiger revenue rose 4 per cent to $892 million, with international revenue up 9 per cent to $492 million, again driven by strong performances in Europe and Asia. But Tommy Hilfiger North America revenue was down 2 per cent to $400 million compared to the prior year period.

    Consolidated group revenue was $2.1 billion, up 7 per cent year-on-year.

    For the first half year, Calvin Klein sales rose 6 per cent, Tommy Hilfiger by 5 per cent and total group revenue by 5 per cent  to $4.1 billion.

    Earnings before interest and taxes for the first six months of 2017 was $392 million, inclusive of a $17 million negative impact due to foreign currency exchange rates, compared to $371 million in the prior year period.

  • Deutsche Post DHL Group sells Williams Lea Tag to Advent

    Deutsche Post DHL Group sells Williams Lea Tag to Advent

    Deutsche Post DHL Group has agreed to sell its UK-headquartered provider of marketing and communications supply chain services, Williams Lea Tag to Advent International (“Advent”). Advent will assume all assets of the Williams Lea Tag business. The agreement will enable Deutsche Post DHL Group to strengthen its focus on its core logistics service offering. Williams Lea Tag will benefit from Advent’s expertise in building outstanding global businesses, enabling it to explore further development opportunities. The two companies will retain a close business relationship globally.

    Andy Dawson, Managing Director at Advent International, said, “We see great future growth potential in Williams Lea Tag on a global scale. Advent will support the company through targeted investment in people, technology and systems and strengthen its customer proposition and help its clients to realise the true potential of their brands. Advent’s expertise in executing complex carve-outs combined with our deep sector experience will ensure William Lea Tag’s transition to an independent company is smooth and will put it on a solid foundation from which it can grow and prosper.”

    The operations and assets of Williams Lea Tag are expected to transfer to Advent by the fourth quarter of 2017. The business currently employs over 10,000 people and operates in more than 40 countries globally.

    The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

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  • 11street Malaysia commits to long term after parent’s Indonesian exit

    11street Malaysia commits to long term after parent’s Indonesian exit

    Just days after its parent company announced an exit from Indonesia, 11street Malaysia says it is confident of its long-term growth prospects.

    11street is effectively the online business unit of giant Korean telco SK Telecom, which last week said it was selling its 50 per cent stake in Indonesian e-commerce venture Elevenia to Lotte, a company it is pursuing a joint venture opportunity with in their home market.

    In Malaysia, 11Street is operated by Celcom Planet, a joint venture between Celcom Axiata Berhad and SK Planet. Celcom Planet CEO Hoseok Kim (pictured) says since its launch in April 2015, 11Street Malaysia has rapidly grown into a first tier e-commerce provider of an open-market platform with 40 thousand listed sellers, 13 million registered products for sale and 16 million monthly visits.

    “We are very pleased with the success and progress that 11street Malaysia has made in less than three years since its launch and we are confident that we will be the number one marketplace in Malaysia within the next three years”, said Kim.

    He added that the company is currently looking at various strategic options including funding from strategic partners to prepare for the next phase of accelerated growth.

    Sungwon Suh, CEO of SK Planet, backed up Kim’s comments.

    “Recently, SK Planet has made a strategic decision to pick and choose battlegrounds where we can win and Malaysia is [one of] the battlegrounds, one of the fastest-growing and infrastructure-ready e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia,” said Suh.

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  • Hook Coffee eyes overseas markets

    Hook Coffee eyes overseas markets

    Raising S$250,000 (US$180,000) in two funding rounds, Hook Coffee subscription delivery service plans to expand in three markets overseas and double its team size over the next two years.

    In the 18 months since its founding, when it clinched a Spring Ace Startups grant of $50,000, the company has gained more than 10,000 subscribers and sold more than 500,000 cups of coffee, growing by 20 per cent month on month.

    It sources coffee beans that are sustainably grown and ethically produced, roasting them in Singapore and delivering them to customers’ mailboxes.

    Co-founders Faye Sit and Ernest Ting finished Masters degrees at the London School of Economics before earning coffee and roasting barista diplomas at the London School of Coffee

    When Sit flew to Latin America for fieldwork, she realised the impact a socially responsible startup could introduce to farming communities.

    “Specialty coffee should be about more than just better coffee, but also about bettering the lives of farmers and the environment,” she says.

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  • Amazon to open new fulfilment centre in Ohio

    Amazon to open new fulfilment centre in Ohio

    Amazon announced plans to open a new fulfilment centre in North Randall, Ohio, which will create more than 2,000 full-time associate roles with benefits and opportunities to engage with Amazon Robotics in a highly technological workplace.

    “Our ability to expand in Ohio is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce in the state,” said Sanjay Shah, Amazon’s vice president of North American Customer Fulfilment. “We very much appreciate the state and local elected leaders who have supported Amazon’s arrival in North Randall and look forward to bringing more jobs and investment in the coming months.”

    Amazon currently employs more than 4,500 full-time hourly associates at its two existing Ohio fulfilment centres in Etna and Obetz.

    “Along with Team NEO and the Village of North Randall, the Cleveland Port Authority, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership, we are pleased to partner with Amazon to revitalize and bring jobs back to a property that has stood vacant for too long,” said JobsOhio president and chief investment officer John Minor. “Amazon’s investment at a site where the nation’s largest shopping mall once stood will now support digital retail jobs.”

    Amazon employees at the more than 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship smaller customer items such as electronics, toys and books.

    “Words cannot begin to express what Amazon’s commitment to the development of its fulfillment center means for the Village of North Randall,” said Mayor David Smith. “This is a generational project that not only redefines the future of our community but the future of more than 2,000 Cuyahoga County residents who will be employed at the facility.”

    Full-time employees at Amazon receive highly-competitive pay, health insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company stock starting on day one. The company offers up to 20 weeks of paid leave and innovative benefits such as Leave Share and Ramp Back, which give new parents flexibility with their growing families. Amazon also offers hourly employees its Career Choice program which helps train employees for in-demand jobs at Amazon and other companies so they can prepare for the future and take full advantage of the nation’s innovation economy. The program pre-pays 95% of tuition for courses in in-demand, high-wage fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a future career at Amazon. Over 10,000 employees have participated in Career Choice and more are signing up every day.

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  • Canon Hong Kong offers consumer tracking

    Canon Hong Kong offers consumer tracking

    Consumer behaviour tracking technology linked to cloud-based video analytics for retailers is being offered by Canon Hong Kong.

    President/CEO Shunichi Morinaga says shops can increase sales revenue by using the Japanese system, which monitors consumers using real-time data analysis.

    Elements of the technology include a counter that can analyse about 1600 customers in a specified area via surveillance video and convert the data into business metrics; facial recognition to analyse age, gender and ethnicity of shoppers; and heat mapping to enable shopping-mall managers and real-estate developers to track foot traffic.

    Clients can access the data, hosted on NTT Communications’ cloud and data centre in Hong Kong, through desktops and mobile devices.

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  • E-commerce leap for Gome Retail

    E-commerce leap for Gome Retail

    A 54.24 per cent leap in e-commerce sales has been recorded by Gome Retail Holdings, formerly known as Gome Electrical Appliances Holding, for its first half.

    The company’s online-offline total gross merchandise volume grew by 22.87 per cent year on year, while sales revenue rose 7.82 per cent to about RMB38 billion (US$5.7 billion).

    Sales from the comparable stores increased by about 2.34 per cent and the consolidated gross profit margin went up by 1.46 points to 17.83 per cent.

    As a result, the profit attributable to the owners of the parent eased by 1.61 per cent to about RMB122 million.

    The weighted average sales area of the group’s stores was about 5.2 million sqm, with revenue per sqm about RMB7273, up by 12.41 per cent on the first half last year.

    Sales revenue from the 1000 comparable stores was about RMB22.9 billion, up 2.34 per cent.

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  • Myer expands accessory offering

    Myer expands accessory offering

    Millers, Katies and Rivers owner Specialty Fashion has almost quadrupled its full-year loss to $8.39 million, from last year’s $2.19 million, amid subdued consumer spending.

    Revenue fell 2.1 per cent to $808.9 million for the 12 months to June 30 with comparable sales down two per cent on a year ago due to heavy discounting.

    Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), excluding impairments associated with the store exit costs of City Chic USA stores, rose 6.6 per cent to $26.7 million, but comparable store sales across the group declined 2 per cent for the year ended 30 June.

    A return to positive EBITDA growth at Rivers and strengthening sales for City Chic was offset by negative growth in the Millers, Crossroads, Autograph and Katies brands, with total group sales slipping 2.1 per cent to $808.9 million.

    Gross margins improved by 0.4 per cent through the year, but CEO Gary Perlstein has signalled intensifying promotional activity in the first weeks of FY18, which is expected to continue.

    The company gave no specific guidance, but said that there have been no additional discussions with prospective group buyer Al Alifia group since it signalled that an estate bungle was preventing it from transacting the prospective acquisition in February.

    $7.4 million in exit costs and impairments were recorded in relation to a decision to close City Chic’s US stores, with strengthening presence in department stores such as Macy’s and Nordstrom “removing the necessity for City Chic standalone stores”.

    “Depite it being a difficult trading enviroment, the improved EBITDA for the year was delivered through our core continuous business improvement strategy. This strategy focussed on profitability growth across all facets of the business, underpinned with a determination to control and reduce costs of doing business wherever possible,” Perlstein told the market on Tuesday morning.

    “Our clear focus for the year was the turnaround of Rivers to a profitable brand, and we successfully achieved this. City Chic was also a standout and continues its positive trajectory both locally and internationally. Our mature brands, including Millers, Katies, Crossroads and Autograph continued their growth in online sales, however found trade challenging,” he continued.

    Online sales increased by 15 per cent to $83.7 million through the year, bringing the total proportion of digital transactions to 10.4 per cent on the back of a network wide click-and-collect rollout.

    Weakening in-store sales correlated with 79 closures through the year, offset partially by 30 openings, bringing the total portfolio to 1,044.

    Underlying cost-of-doing business decreased by $7.7 million, but increased slightly as a proportion of sales due to slowing in-store momentum.

    Perlstein said the immediate focus in FY18 will be on “rejuvenating” mature brands within the portfolio, while enhancing the group’s digital position and continuing to grow River’s profitability.

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  • DHL to invest in growing regional Asian footprint

    DHL to invest in growing regional Asian footprint

    DHL Supply Chain has announced it will invest more than EUR 70 million in growing its regional footprint in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar by 2020. The first and only logistics company to acquire an operational business license in Myanmar since last month, DHL Supply Chain already benefits from a position of market leadership in Thailand and Vietnam, and will concentrate on Cambodia next for further growth opportunities. Over the next three years, the company plans to build new facilities, expand its fleet of trucks, and invest in new technology, creating an additional 5,000 jobs in the four countries.

    “Asia-Pacific is one the most important regions for DHL Supply Chain being accountable for a significant share of our revenues in 2016. Consumer, retail and tech industries drive these developments becoming evident in increased amounts of new and extended contracts. Being already the market leader for the region it is fully natural for us to foster our commitment in the region and remaining a reliable partner,” comments John Gilbert, CEO DHL Supply Chain.

    Regional footprint in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar

    DHL’s investment will also serve the wider needs of a growing Thailand, and an economy which is expected to return to accelerated growth. Government investment in mega projects i.e. infrastructure, EEC, airport expansion plans and so forth are attractive elements for foreign investors in Thailand. According to Kasikorn Bank research [1], Thai Land Transport and warehouse market value in 2017 growth is expected to be around five to seven percent. Kevin Burrell, CEO, Thailand Cluster, DHL Supply Chain Thailand explains, “With the technology and innovation that we invest in warehouse and transport operations in Thailand, coupled with our ability to deliver integrated solutions for customers, we are striving to drive enhanced value, which in turn acts as a strong differentiator for us in the market.”

    DHL Supply Chain Thailand also recently completed a move to new premises located in Bangkok’s business area. The company already benefits from a reputation of being the Number 1 in contract logistics in Thailand and DHL’s nationwide network comprises of a combined warehouse space of approximately 650,000 sqm across more than 70 facilities, supported by 10,000 dedicated employees. Working as a beneficial extension to its crucially important human talent, DHL has also employed intelligent systems in both warehouse and transport operations such as in automation and robotics, unmanned vehicles, vision picking, transport control tower and telematics.

    Kevin adds, “DHL provides sector-specific services across the entire supply chain, encompassing warehousing management, transportation for various business types, expertise in end-to-end supply chain solutions and full management services. DHL Supply Chain provides globally standardized, cost-efficient, high-quality and innovative solutions. We are committed to supporting customers by delivering exceptional operational services and innovation across Thailand’s entire supply chain, helping the country to become the premier logistics center for Southeast Asia. We will continue to consolidate and support markets in which we lead, namely Thailand and Vietnam, and invest in markets where we aim to lead such as Myanmar and Cambodia.”

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  • Indonesia’s e-commerce market set to hit $130b by 2020

    Indonesia’s e-commerce market set to hit $130b by 2020

    Indonesia has the biggest and fastest growing online retail sector in Southeast Asia, according to Research and Markets.

    In this environment, RTB House, a provider of retargeting technology for advertisers, anticipates that Indonesia’s e-commerce players will increase adoption and reliance on retargeting to improve customer engagement and conversion rates, strengthen branding, and enhance ROI on their marketing spends.

    Personalized retargeting is a mechanism by which ads are tailored to the behavior and preferences of particular internet users.

    This form of online advertising helps keep brands on top of customers’ minds at every step of the customer journey, after they visit and left certain websites before they could make a purchase.

    The online consumption market has seen an alarming increase in e-commerce cart abandonment from 60% in 2006 to 78% in 2016, according to a Baymard Institute report. Retargeting technology will allow brands to prompt higher conversion rates among these users.

    The 2017 Digital Yearbook report by Hootsuite and Wearesocial estimates that 51% of Indonesians have access to the Internet. With mobile subscription standing at 142%, there is recognition that the country represents one of the largest online marketplaces in the world flanking China and India.

    Next to investment and manufacturing, the consumption market which includes e-commerce is among the largest economic segments in Indonesia. E-commerce is expected to grow to up to $130 billion in 2020, according to Indonesia’s Information and Communications Technology Ministry.

    Indonesia’s burgeoning digital environment presents companies like RTB House a lucrative opportunity to deliver advanced retargeting solutions to a wide array of customers including e-commerce, online travel sites and classifieds.

    A report by eMarketer and Interactive Advertising Bureau Singapore (IAB Singapore) forecasted digital advertising spending in Indonesia will double up to 20.5% of the total media ad spending by 2020 due to rapid internet adoption, particularly through smartphones.

    “We expect a substantial growth in Indonesian e-commerce players’ adoption of retargeting and what will really drive this is improved ROI on their marketing spend as our technology based on deep learning, helps to profitably and effectively drive new customer acquisition and entice existing users to their online marketplace,” RTB House country director for Southeast Asia  Chandra Kuncara said.

    “Deep learning is currently the most promising subfield of artificial intelligence. We believe these new digital ways will help our customers (marketers) succeed.”

  • Symbio launches sub-wholesale MVNO service

    Symbio launches sub-wholesale MVNO service

    Australian wholesale telecoms operator Symbio Networks has launched an innovative new sub-wholesale MVNO offering allowing the activation of new SIMs within seven seconds of order placement.

    Through an agreement with Australia’s largest mobile operator Telstra, Symbio Networks will provide a service providing 4G coverage of 95% and combined 4G and 3G coverage of 98.8% of Australia’s far-flung population.

    The service will use Symbio’s iBoss platform to allow new mobile players to go to market in four weeks and activate SIMs in seconds.

    The white label service will allow customers to manage their own billing and communications with customers. Symbio also offers a conventional agency model iBoss MVNO service for customers which do not want to handle their own billing.

    Symbio said it has already signed up a number of new mobile players, including ISP Aussie Broadband.

    “Symbio and [parent company] MNF Group have a proven track record of delivering innovative, first to market solutions for our customers,” MNF Group CEO and co-founder Rene Sugo said.

    “While our agency MVNO offer has been welcomed by wholesale customers, we also found that there was a growing demand for services through a sub-wholesale model. This new MVNO offer will give our customers unprecedented control over their own consumers when it comes to billing and communication; we simply deliver the SIM card and the 4G mobile coverage.”

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