Tag: Logistics

  • JD.com expands logistics services to include parcel delivery

    JD.com expands logistics services to include parcel delivery

    Chinese e-commerce company JD is opening its logistics network up to consumers to send parcels around the country, marking the first entry by an e-commerce company into the parcel delivery business. The new JD parcel delivery service announced enables users of the company’s app in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to send items intra-city and throughout Mainland China, using the same fast and reliable delivery service JD offers with online purchases. The company, which will expand the program to include high-value items like luxury products and high-end consumer electronics, as well as more diverse options based on delivery timing, aims to eventually make residential and business deliveries for shippers from anywhere to anywhere within Mainland China in the future.

    JD is the only large-scale e-commerce company in the world to operate a nationwide in-house logistics network, down to the last mile. The company says its network, powered by its proprietary supply chain management technology, is able to deliver more than 90 per cent of orders same- or next-day, and reaches 99 per cent of China’s population.

    The new JD parcel delivery service includes a range of competitively priced options, including same-day delivery between different cities; same-day intra-city delivery; standard next-day or two-day delivery and next-day delivery between cities.

    “Depending on the delivery option chosen, packages may be sent by high-speed rail or air,” the company said in a statement. “Individual shippers can use the same JD app they use for shopping to schedule a pickup by one of JD’s full-time logistics staff, and have a parcel delivered thousands of miles away at the speed they choose. They will even be able to select JD’s luxury ‘white glove’ delivery service if they want to make the delivery extra special.”

    Zhenhui Wang, CEO of JD Logistics says the JD parcel delivery service marks the next step in leveraging the nationwide logistics network that JD has built over the past decade, to expand the range of services offered to its customers.

    “JD is known throughout China for the fastest and most reliable delivery, and we are confident that users will appreciate the convenience of this new service.”

    The program has already begun user trials with multiple ways for customers to request pickups. In addition to the JD app, shippers can request pickups on a JD Delivery mini program in WeChat, China’s largest social network operated by JD’s partner Tencent, and a JD “Delivery Team” WeChat account.

    JD unveiled the parcel delivery service at its 2018 Global Smart Supply Chain Summit held in Beijing today. Other initiatives announced at the summit – part of JD’s Global Smart Supply Chain Network Strategy – include JD’s smart warehouse management system initiative, an expansion of the company’s green initiatives, and the formation of a new energy union with 20 industry partners.

  • DHL Express Malta to expand capabilities on next-day deliveries

    DHL Express Malta to expand capabilities on next-day deliveries

    DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, has taken a strategic decision to focus the activities of its Malta operation solely on Time Definite International (express) deliveries, reinforcing its commitment to ensure its parcels and documents are delivered on time.

    “Our express business is growing, and we want to focus on the cross-border e-commerce opportunities,” Charles Schiavone, Country Manager of DHL Express, said. “We will dedicate our resources on Express Services and achieve growth through quality.”

    As the company gears up for the forthcoming seasonal peak, Schiavone is keen to ensure the amount of successfully delivered shipments grows even higher. This service promise is backed by a further strengthening of the On Demand Delivery infrastructure through strategically placed automated DHL Parcel Lockers that are highly popular with its clients and can be accessed 24/7.

    DHL Express Malta has plans for five new Parcel Lockers in localities around Malta, including Mellieha, Zabbar, Zebbug and Zejtun, taking the total to 13. Additionally, another three add-on units will increase capacity to existing lockers. This will ensure that customers have a broader range to choose their preferred hi-tech unit.

    “We have seen our shipments growing by 20 per cent in the first six months of this year and we expect a similar increase in inward e-commerce business towards the end of the year,” Schiavone said.

    DHL Express Malta also plans to double the size of its facility in Luqa by the end of next year.

  • DHL looks to pilot driverless trucks

    DHL looks to pilot driverless trucks

    A driverless car on Indian roads may still be a distant dream, but companies are actively looking at ways to use other autonomous vehicles like tractors, buses, trucks, and even choppers. German logistics giant DHL, for instance, feels driverless trucks can halve logistics costs and improve customer service.

    “In the last mile, on the line haul itself, the driverless technologies that are being piloted in Germany, we believe, have the potential to reduce line haul costs by 50 per cent,” Malcolm Monteiro, CEO, DHL eCommerce India told.

    About 65 per cent of logistics movements in India happen by road and about 85 per cent of these are in the unorganised sector; typically, a driver takes a truck for a long distance, and has to make stops for rest and food, which reduces the efficiency of truck use.

    “There’s a tremendous shortage of skilled drivers. We’re looking to see whether these vehicles can ply driverless in line haul on the last mile. If that happens, it brings in a lot of reliability into the system, besides reducing cost. Then we’ll probably not have to work on a hub-and-spoke model; we can even work point to point. So the entire business models could be looked at afresh with these technologies,” Monteiro said.

    Govt ‘favourable’ to idea

    Monteiro said the initial discussions with the Indian government over driverless technologies have been positive. “The government is favourable in terms of looking into it because it does realise there is a tremendous shortage of skilled drivers. So it will look at any technology to make sure the demand side is addressed. But we don’t have a concrete timeline. The intent is there, there’s ongoing discussion,” he added.

    Safety aspects

    But Moteiro said the company will test the safety aspects of driverless technologies in Germany before beginning pilots in India to ensure there is no scepticism about the technology here.

    “If we get this to work, it might look at it, pilot it. The intent is there, there’s ongoing discussion,” said Monteiro.

    DHL, however, is taking it one step at a time. “For a vehicle to be autonomous, driven fully, one of the first things that needs to happen is the electrification; we have a concrete target for electrification. And for autonomy to happen, we need everything electric. So, we are really focussing more of our efforts to electrify all our vehicles as a first step,” said Pang Mei Yee, Vice-President, Head of Innovation, Asia Pacific, Customer Solutions & Innovation, DHL.

    Yee feels these technologies can make the existing trucks a lot safer and more efficient even as the company prepares itself for a fully autonomous future.

    “Our smart trucks are a fantastic example where we are introducing a lot of optimisation efforts, notification to drivers for their behaviours. There are sensors that allow drivers to get reminded when they are eating while driving or when they are dozing off. So, progressively you’ll see intelligence built into the truck. Full autonomous vehicles are still some time off,” Yee said.

  • Shopee Sellers in China to use DHL to Delivery across Thailand

    Shopee Sellers in China to use DHL to Delivery across Thailand

    DHL eCommerce, a division of logistics company, Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL), has announced a partnership in China with Shopee, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. The partnership enables sellers in China to access consumers nationwide in Thailand, with an expansion of the partnership to other Southeast Asian markets in the pipeline. According to Statista, the e-commerce gross merchandise revenue in Thailand will exceed US$5 billion by 2022, making it the second largest e-commerce market in Southeast Asia.

    “Direct selling to overseas consumers has never been easier and has become a key growth driver for many businesses, with e-commerce as an easy platform to enable international expansion. With logistics as a key enabler for cross-border retailing, we want to empower our customers to tap into this huge growth opportunity,” says Zhi Zheng, Managing Director, DHL eCommerce Greater China & North Asia.

    “Over the past few years, we have witnessed extremely strong growth of B2C parcels from China, mainly powered by e-commerce. We are pleased to partner Shopee to enable Chinese sellers to easily sell and deliver in Thailand, whether it’s doorstep delivery or for consumers to collect their orders from our growing network of easily accessible ServicePoints — which is set to reach over 1,000 in Thailand by end-2018.”

    With DHL eCommerce integrated on Shopee in China, sellers can easily sell and deliver on one single platform and keep track of all shipments directly on the app.

    “In recent years, we have witnessed the rapid development of Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market, and a growing number of Chinese brands and sellers are staking a claim in this e-commerce goldmine. However, the geographical complexity of this region has created some logistical challenges. As a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Shopee has built its Shopee Logistics Servcies (SLS), a highly efficient logistics delivery network that links China with Southeast Asia. We are delighted to work with DHL, the world’s leading logistics service provider, to grow SLS from strength to strength. Our collaboration will make Shopee the e-commerce platform of choice for cross-border sellers in China who aspire to sell into Southeast Asia,” said Jianghong Liu, Head of Shopee Cross Border eCommerce.

    Currently, Shopee’s SLS is operational in seven markets in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. With shipping costs 20% to 30% lower than typical market rates and better transit times, SLS makes cross border logistics a breeze for Chinese sellers. The collaboration between Shopee and DHL eCommerce will further enhance the capabilities of SLS. DHL will provide Shopee sellers with door-to-door logistics services, ensuring products will reach consumers in Thailand safely and quickly.

  • DHL Global Forwarding puts Japan’s FIA races into top gear

    DHL Global Forwarding puts Japan’s FIA races into top gear

     DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, will provide end-to-end multimodal freight support for the back-to-back Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the WTCR — FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) Race in Japan. As the official logistics partner of the global championship races for the seventh year, DHL Global Forwarding will deliver racing cars, spares and equipment via air, ocean and land freight to the WEC’s Fuji International Speedway and WTCR’s Suzuka Circuit.

    To support the races, DHL Global Forwarding will manage all transportation, customs clearance, and ground handling for 36 racecars, spares, and ancillary equipment — including everything from specialized tires to high-performance engine blocks. Prior to the WEC race at Mount Fuji, DHL will ship the cargos via a combination of ocean and air freight from the United Kingdom and Germany to the Port of Tokyo, before delivering the cars and other equipment to the race circuits via road. In the lead-up to the WTCR’s race, a second set of vehicles will arrive via ocean freight direct from their previous race in Wuhan, China.

    “It is our honor to be partnering with the FIA once again for both the World Endurance Championship as well as the WTCR Race of Japan,” said Charles Kaufmann, President/Representative Director — Japan K.K, and CEO, North Asia South Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding. “As with all of the motorsports events we support around the world, our goal remains the same: deliver the race’s critical ingredients with speed and agility, while also ensuring the utmost safety and regulatory compliance of these precious cargos. Given the relatively tight scheduling between each championship’s events, we’ve also optimized our delivery patterns to ensure the cars move swiftly from their prior engagements to Japan before continuing on their global tours.”

    DHL Global Forwarding’s rapid shipments and expertise in automotive handling will play a major role in ensuring the cars move from circuit to circuit according to the FIA’s precise schedule. Immediately after each race, DHL’s teams will load all goods, transport them from circuit to port, and clear customs within 72 hours, before conveying the cars to their next outings in Shanghai (WEC) and Macau (WTCR).

    The FIA WEC, also known as 6 Hours of Fuji, will be held from 12-14 October 2018 at the foothills of Mount Fuji. The three-day event will see the likes of world-renowned racers like Fernando Alonso, Bruno Senna, Jenson Button and Oliver Webb race to the finish line during an endurance competition that lasts six hours, stretching over a 4.5-kilometer loop with 16 spectacular twists and turns.

    Meanwhile, the WTCR Race of Japan will be held over the weekend of 26-28 October 2018, consisting of three races totaling 42 laps and 168 kilometers. At the Suzuka Circuit, home to the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix since 1987, drivers will be tested on their skills thanks to a unique figure-of-eight layout and variety of corners.

  • Some of Amazon’s brand-new Mercedes delivery vans are facing mechanical failures

    Some of Amazon’s brand-new Mercedes delivery vans are facing mechanical failures

    Mercedes-Benz has identified a power-steering problem plaguing its highly touted Sprinter vans. The cause of the problem is a fluid leak that can make it difficult to turn the wheel of the vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman, Catherine Gebhardt. It has affected Amazon, which recently became Daimler AG’s biggest buyer of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans with an order of 20,000 vehicles — up from a previous order of 5,000 — for its growing last-mile-delivery program. The program enables courier companies to lease the vans, which are emblazoned with the Prime logo, for Amazon package deliveries.

    One Amazon delivery service provider has encountered the power-steering problem in about a quarter of the 40 Mercedes-Benz vans that the company received at a delivery station in early September, according to an employee of the company, who asked to remain anonymous. This person said Mercedes-Benz had since repaired the affected vehicles.

    Mercedes-Benz notified Amazon’s delivery service partners of the issue on September 18 and asked them to schedule an on-site inspection of the power-steering system with their local Mercedes-Benz dealer, Gebhardt said.

    “This is being done as a proactive measure to minimize downtime,” she said, adding that the vehicles can still be driven safely in the event of a leak.

    “If there is a leak in the power-steering system, the power assist (especially at a standstill) may be greatly reduced,” Gebhardt said. “When driving at slow speeds it will require some additional steering effort, but again, the van can still be controlled.”

    It’s likely that other Mercedes-Benz Sprinter customers in addition to Amazon have been affected by the issue. Mercedes-Benz declined to comment on other customers and on how many vehicles have been impaired by the power-steering issue overall.

    Amazon announced its bulk order of the Prime-branded vans at a joint press conference with Mercedes-Benz in September celebrating the opening of the automaker’s new factory in North Charleston, South Carolina, which specializes in making Sprinter vans.

    The vans can be leased to Amazon’s existing delivery service partners, some of which have worked for Amazon since 2015, as well as partners that have been recruited through the new program.

  • DHL MENA launches new e-com campaign for merchants

    DHL MENA launches new e-com campaign for merchants

    DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, is set to launch its global campaign ‘Where Everything Clicks’ in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, to guide online merchants to navigate and access the booming and lucrative global e-commerce marketplace. DHL Express aims for the campaign to reach companies ranging from start-ups to large enterprises, advising merchants on how to optimize their websites for international sales and to create a competitive advantage via shipping options offered. DHL helps sellers traverse an increasingly global landscape, in which buyers progressively make purchases from international websites.

    The campaign reveals purchasing habits of online shoppers, including always important delivery preferences, and shows merchants how to use this information to increase sales.

    ‘Where Everything Clicks’ includes a rich database of how-to videos, white papers, customer insights, and trend videos that inform merchants and business about evolving consumer behaviour.

    A 2017 study by KPMG reports that consumers across Middle East and Africa were the most likely to import consumer products bought online, almost 50 percent of purchases, showcasing  the rise in cross-border shopping that is driving international retail trade.

    The survey also revealed ‘Enhanced Delivery Options’ as one of the key company attributes that contribute to deciding where shoppers choose to buy online.

    The study findings illustrate that companies must continually innovate to improve and shorten delivery times, to satisfy increasingly demanding consumer expectations.

    “The MENA region is witnessing rapid growth and change in e-commerce trends. Cross border e-commerce presents strong growth opportunities that is yet to be tapped into by many businesses in the region,” said Nour Suliman, CEO MENA, DHL Express. “With the proliferation of online trade, a product in one corner of the world today is now easily accessible to customers at the opposite end in just a few clicks. This has allowed online merchants to access markets and customers from around the globe.”

    Faysal Elhajjami, DHL Express MD, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said: “We recognise that our customers’ success is closely tied to their buyers’ satisfaction with the delivery experience and the delivery options offered. With ‘Where Everything Clicks’ campaign we want to showcase to business across KSA  how an international express shipping option can increase e-commerce value helping merchants boost revenue and tap into new markets.”

    Geoff Walsh, UAE Country Manager, DHL Express said DHL would be particularly focusing on SMEs and start-ups. “We aim to support local ecommerce start-ups by providing them with tailor made solutions that will allow them to easily address potential global consumers, therefore improving their e-commerce proposition within the current market,” he said. “The ‘Where Everything Clicks’ campaign highlights how an international express shipping option can increase e-commerce value helping merchants boost revenue and tap into new markets.”

    DHL has developed services that enhance customer experience and support web merchants as they access new markets. Using advanced market intelligence tools, DHL can quickly identify shopping sites that receive traffic from international locations, identifying potential sales outside of the seller’s core market. DHL can compare website engagement metrics and suggest service enhancement via addition of a cross-border express delivery option.

    With DHL’s On Demand Delivery, buyers are notified proactively via email or SMS about a shipment’s progress. Receivers can schedule delivery for another day, arrange delivery to a nearby DHL Service Point or an alternate address, and even request that a shipment is held during vacation. DHL Express offers On Demand Delivery in over 100 countries, with about 50 more coming this year.

  • Singpost Links up With Axa Insurances

    Singpost Links up With Axa Insurances

    AXA Insurance and Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) have announced the launch of a pilot for AXA@POST Virtual Assist, a digital sales advisory service that virtually connects SingPost customers with AXA Financial Consultants who can provide high quality advice and services. This is the first advisory service in Singapore that provides financial advice to customers remotely, coupled with the ease and convenience of online application for insurance solutions for their car, home, family, travel, business, savings, health, and life protection and investment needs.

    With AXA@POST Virtual Assist, SingPost customers will receive end-to-end sales advisory services via a live, interactive video feed – from having their financial needs and goals ascertained, to receiving advice on insurance solutions based on suitability, and completing the entire insurance application online in one sitting. Onsite SingPost Financial Services Ambassadors (FSAs) will guide customers to the AXA@POST Virtual Assist booth, where they will begin their discussion with an AXA Financial Consultant via a video interface.

  • UPS Expands My Choice Service in Asia to Facilitate Intensifying E-commerce Demand

    UPS Expands My Choice Service in Asia to Facilitate Intensifying E-commerce Demand

    Today announced the global expansion of UPS My Choice service to 96 additional countries and territories, bringing the total to 112 served. With the entrance into countries and regions in Asia Pacific, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Caribbean and Central and South America, Middle East and Oceania, and an expansion in Europe, this package-delivery management service has the ability to help more busy consumers and consignees around the world to track, schedule, and redirect their packages—just in time for the peak holiday shipping season.

    In Asia Pacific, UPS My Choice will be introduced in 13 markets, including Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This expansion, the largest since the service was launched seven years ago, comes as membership in UPS My Choice crosses the 52 million-member mark worldwide. This combination of scale and geography provides shippers a distinct advantage as cross-border shopping increases.

    Every UPS My Choice user will have access to e-mail and text notifications that a delivery is on its way, a day before delivery alert and a delivery notification. In countries and territories where technology allows delivery change options, users can route packages to another address, opt to hold the delivery or reschedule for delivery on another day.

    The expansion, which takes UPS My Choice service far beyond the original 16-country-and-territory footprint, comes in two phases: The first brought the service to 48 additional locations worldwide over the summer. Phase two, which includes another 48 countries and territories, begins this month.

    This service expansion is reflective of the impact e-commerce is having on global and intra-Asia trade. According to the 2018 global UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper™ study, consumers in Asia are increasingly shopping beyond their own borders to buy from overseas retailers, with 55 percent of respondents indicating that they had made one or more international e-commerce purchases within the three months prior to the survey. Among those, 77 percent were purchased from retailers based in Asia.

    “While UPS has offered package tracking for more than a quarter of a century, we know that consumers today expect even more flexibility, control and convenience,” said Ross McCullough, President, UPS Asia Pacific Region. “The expansion of UPS My Choice into Asia, and other regions of the world, will equip both shippers and consumers with the tools they need to keep businesses and personal schedules running more smoothly, leading to a happier and easier transaction for everyone involved. With a new member signing up for UPS My Choice every four seconds, it’s easy to see that the benefits are valuable to online shoppers.”

  • Flipkart arm to invest Rs 991 cr for logistics hub in Bengal

    Flipkart arm to invest Rs 991 cr for logistics hub in Bengal

    Instakart Services, a part of the online e-commerce major Flipkart, is set to invest Rs 991 crore for setting up a logistics hub in West Bengal, a Minister said on Wednesday.

    “The company proposes to invest Rs 991 crore for setting up a logistic park at our Haringhata Industrial park which has road network advantage and is near the airport. According to the detailed project report, it will provide 18,310 jobs,” Finance, Commerce and Industries Minister Amit Mitra said.

    West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), in its board meet on Wednesday approved in principle the company’s proposal, which will now go to the Cabinet standing committee for its nod, he said.

    The state government has about 358 acres of land at an industrial park, of which the company will be provided around 100 acres at Rs 63.49 lakh per acre, Mitra said adding that it will act an as anchor investor in the park.

  • DHL Express recognized as Asia Pacific Best Employer in 2018

    DHL Express recognized as Asia Pacific Best Employer in 2018

    DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, has been named Asia Pacific Best Employer 2018 by Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc. This is the fifth time DHL Express has won this award in the region, since 2013.

    This accolade is conferred to companies which have won Aon Hewitt awards in at least three countries across the region, and DHL has exceeded this expectation by winning Best Employer in India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

    Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific said, “It is an honor to be recognized as a leading employer and an excellent workplace in Asia Pacific again. This award is a huge win for the region because it is strong proof that we have been successful in building positive relationships with our employees, who are such vital assets to the success of our organization. As we aim to remain Employer of Choice, employee engagement continues to be our top priority and we are committed to sustained investment in our employees to help them realize their full potential.”

    Based on a comprehensive study, nominated companies were thoroughly assessed by an independent external committee based on three types of sources: employee opinion survey, human resources practices, and CEO questionnaire and interview. According to Aon Hewitt, DHL Express has demonstrated and achieved consistently high performance in key areas of Employee Engagement, Compelling Employer Brand, Effective Leadership and High Performance Culture across the region. Additionally, employee perception indicates that DHL Express excels in critical execution enablers including infrastructure and technology that drive productivity and encourage collaboration, and openness to diversity in the environment.

    DHL Express’ continuous investment in talent growth, including its Certified International Specialist (CIS) and Certified International Manager (CIM) programs has trained over 60,000 employees in Asia Pacific as of 2017. Employees are trained on the company strategy, and fundamentals of international and management skills such as ensuring respect and results while interacting with colleagues.

    In addition to the CIS and CIM programs, DHL Express regularly organizes activities that celebrate and recognize employees’ dedication and cultivate employee engagements at all levels. These include initiatives such as ‘Staff Appreciation Week’ and ‘Employee of the Year’. Most recently in August 2018, DHL Express held its DHL AsiaCup in Singapore — the annual employee football and cheerleading event involving more than 1,000 employees, to rally teams across the region to build an even stronger employee network and celebrate their successes.

    First conducted in Asia in 2001, Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers study aims to recognize companies that have a real competitive advantage by investing in its people, and to explore the winning attributes of a workplace of choice.

  • Indonesian logistics startup Waresix secures $1.6m funding

    Indonesian logistics startup Waresix secures $1.6m funding

    Indonesia’s US$240 billion logistics market is said to be growing by double digits per year. Tapping into that opportunity is Waresix, a startup that aims to improve warehouse services in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

    Waresix today announced that it has obtained US$1.6 million in pre-series A funding from investors led by East Ventures and Monk’s Hill Ventures.

    Founded in 2017, the startup built a marketplace that connects businesses and individuals in need of warehouse space with warehouse operators. The site allows users to book a wide range of storage options in less than 24 hours. It also provides cross-border warehousing services for overseas customers looking to distribute goods in Indonesia.

    Waresix covers 26 cities across the archipelago. It has partnered with more than 75 warehouse operators that handle general cargo, retail fulfillment, and cold storage.

    Warehouse and fulfilment needs account for 16 percent of Indonesia’s logistics market – equal to a market size of over US$30 billion, according to market estimates. This segment is expected to expand significantly alongside the country’s ecommerce sector.

    “As the ecommerce industry grows at extremely fast pace, it’s important to ensure that movement of goods is as efficient as possible – which makes the warehousing industry an inevitable part of supply chain optimization,” explains East Ventures managing partner Willson Cuaca.

    SMDV and Triputra Group were the other investors that participated in this latest fundraise, which comes months after Waresix raised its seed round.

  • Logistics startup Expedito wins Seedstars Jakarta

    Logistics startup Expedito wins Seedstars Jakarta

    Seedstars Jakarta, the Indonesian round of global seed-stage startup competition Seedstars World, on Friday named logistics startup Expedito as its first winner at Ruang & Tempo, South Jakarta.

    Expedito is a price comparison website and online booking service for international shipping.

    Selected out of nine finalists, Expedito will take part in the week-long Seedstars Summit in Switzerland in April 2019. The startup will have an opportunity to meet more than 65 winners from other Seedstars competitions, as well as investors and mentors from around the world. At the final day of the summit, the startups will pitch for an opportunity to win up to US$1 million in equity investment and other prizes.

    In addition to Expedito, sharia-based P2P lending platform Ammana has been named as second prize winner while equity crowdfunding platform Bizshare has been named as third prize winner.

    The finalists are include retail solutions provider Do-Cart, recruitment startup for blue collar jobs Pakaruto, GPS-tracking solutions provider Lacak, agritech startup Aglonera, queueing app Qiwii, and healthtech platform for patients of varicose vein disease Varises Indonesia.

    The panel of jury for this event includes Arum Kalbuadi Putri (Openspace Ventures), Melina Subastian (Alpha JWC Ventures), Paul Luo (BStartup), Joseph de Leon (Gravitas Prime), Octa Ramayana (Digitaraya), and Gaby Fernandez Scala (Seedstars).

    For this year’s event, Seedstars World Asia partners with Merck Accelerator to support early stage startups with a focus on life sciences.

    To organise the Jakarta event, Seedstars work with Digitraraya, Kumpul, Prosehat and Ruang & Tempo, with support by Kibar, Greenhouse, FlySpaces, Freak Out, Bat Ventures, RASI, Asosiasi Tech Startup Indonesia, ANGIN and media partner Daily Social.

    The event stated that it had attracted interest from over 110 startups and around 70 attendees.

  • DHL E-commerce Makes it Easier to Ship from China to Australia

    DHL E-commerce Makes it Easier to Ship from China to Australia

    DHL eCommerce has partnered with AuMake, an ASX listed retailer connecting Australian suppliers directly with Chinese consumers, to enable quality deliveries direct from Australia to China, starting today. AuMake’s growing database of over 80,000 members will now be able to ship direct to China with DHL eCommerce Parcel International Direct shipping solution, a high quality and affordable tracked solution with fast transit times of 5-7 days.

    “We’re proud to partner with AuMake to offer Parcel International Direct China to their customers and provide reliable and high quality direct shipping solutions. We understand that trust is highly important for Chinese shoppers particularly in the delivery process. Our shipping solution offers great transit times, high quality handling and tracking visibility to connect Australian brands to Chinese consumers,” said Denise McGrouther, Managing Director, DHL eCommerce Australia.

    Australian products are highly sought after by Chinese online shoppers, contributing to 20% of cross-border purchases into China in 2017, up 9% from 2016[1]. In addition, there are an estimated 400,000 ‘daigous’ operating in Australia who act as an overseas personal shopper to buy and ship products from Australia to China.

    Through its growing footprint of showroom-style stores, AuMake and Kiwi Buy across Sydney, Australia, customers can easily make purchases and arrange a pick up by DHL eCommerce for international deliveries from AuMake’s retail stores with the launch of the new service.

    “The demand for Australian products from China is insatiable and through AuMake’s retail stores and the collaboration with DHL eCommerce, we are making it easier to ship from Australia to China. AuMake’s customers can shop and ship with the additional choice of using a well known and trusted logistics provide like DHL eCommerce, providing peace of mind that their purchases will be safely and quickly delivered,” said Joshua Zhou, Managing Director, AuMake International Limited.

  • New CEO for DHL Global Forwarding to drive Growth in North Asia

    New CEO for DHL Global Forwarding to drive Growth in North Asia

    Charles Kaufmann has been appointed by DHL Global Forwarding as CEO, DGF North Asia South Pacific with effect from 1 October 2018.

    Kaufmann brings more than 40 years of logistics experience to the new regional cluster, most recently serving as the leader of DHL Global Forwarding’s operations in North Asia and Japan as well as Head of Value-Added Services in the Asia Pacific region.

    “Charles understands the nuances of trade and freight forwarding in North Asia like no one else, and has shown remarkable ability to continuously improve operational standards and customer satisfaction with each passing year,” said Kelvin Leung, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

    “His experience lies at the intersection of logistics innovation and sustainable, efficient freight solutions, making him our obvious choice to tackle the rapidly evolving needs of both North Asia and the South Pacific.”

    Since joining Deutsche Post DHL in 1973, Kaufmann’s expertise has steadily broadened from air and ocean freight into fields like customs brokerage, integrated warehousing, and international supply chain solutions. As CEO of DHL Global Forwarding North Asia, he led the enhancement of innovative products in the division’s core businesses of air and ocean freight, as well as the development of new multimodal services by sea and rail from Korea and Japan via China to Europe.

    “Despite volatile rumblings in the global trade environment, the future for North Asia’s economic powerhouses like South Korea and Japan continues to look bright, and I’m looking forward to further building on the strong network and service standards that we’ve established in the past few years to give the region’s industries a stable platform for growth no matter the headwinds,” said Kaufmann. “At the same time, we see significant opportunities to help businesses in the South Pacific to grow internationally in a sustained and cost-effective manner.

    “Even as Australia and New Zealand remain on track for steady economic growth, emerging countries like Papua New Guinea and Fiji are beginning to build stronger links to the world’s biggest markets, giving us a clear mandate to support these developments with more cost-effective freight connections, streamlined logistics solutions, and market-leading service at every customer touchpoint. I’m excited about taking up this expanded remit, and look forward to working with our extremely accomplished teams in North Asia and the South Pacific as best I can.”

    Kaufmann takes over from Tony Boll, outgoing CEO of DHL Global Forwarding South Pacific and Country Manager for DHL Global Forwarding Australia, who enters retirement in February 2019 after more than 52 years in the Deutsche Post DHL Group.