Supply chain service provider APL Logistics has opened in Vietnam another container freight station (CFS), currently its largest single-roof facility in Southeast Asia, attracted by the ongoing regional integration and the bloc’s efforts to forge free trade agreements beyond its borders.
The state-of-the-art consolidation center is located near major seaports and airports around Ho Chi Minh City, and is the company’s sixth warehousing facility in Vietnam. It includes over 500,000 square feet of bonded/CFS warehouse space, 80,000 square feet of secured parking space easily accommodating 200 forty-foot trucks, and 170 loading and receiving bays, translating to about 170 trucks at one time.
Besides being scale-efficient, the facility will have transport time to international seaports and airports that is equal or better than existing facilities around the city, the company said. The facility also complies with international standards for security and safety with state-of-the-art environmentally friendly features.
“Our latest facility will expand our capability to serve customers who are sourcing from Vietnam’s fast growing manufacturing base. It also strengthens our position within Vietnam and South East Asia as the go-to supply chain specialist for automotive, retail, consumer and industrial customers who want to leverage on global sourcing,” said Komol Roongruangyot, company head for Southeast Asia.
Anthony Tay, head for APL Logistics Vietnam said, ”Free trade agreements are increasingly being adopted in South East Asia to help drive global trade and make sourcing options even more attractive in this region. Our investment in this CFS facility and our global trade compliance expertise strengthens APL Logistics’ offering for customers who want to take advantage of these trade developments and get more out of their international supply chains.”
Ceva-3M collaboration in SEA strengthened
On the other hand, Ceva Logistics announced its extended collaboration with U.S.-based manufacturer 3M to be the latter’s preferred logistics service provider in warehouse management and distribution in the Southeast Asian countries of Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Under the terms of the renewed contract, Ceva will operate both 3M’s regional distribution center (RDC) and national DC in Singapore, with an increased warehouse footprint to nearly 28,000 square meters in total. Ceva also manages 3M’s national distribution centers in Malaysia and Indonesia. The scope of services to support 3M includes warehouse management activities, inbound and outbound operations, inventory management, bonded warehouse storage, raw materials, inbound logistics of the plants, and other value-added services.
In addition, Ceva will use its customized IT solution Matrix Warehouse Management System at the RDC to provide 3M with real-time visibility and better control of its supply chain.
The company, meanwhile, said it has appointed Arjan Kaaks as its chief financial officer, replacing Rubin McDougal, who is set to retire a few months from now.
Kaaks has joined the company and reports to Xavier Urbain, Ceva’s chief executive officer. Kaaks comes in from Maxeda DIY Group, a Benelux private equity-owned company focused on the do-it-yourself retail market, where he was chief financial officer. His prior experience includes chief operating officer and CFO of sports lifestyle brand O’Neill Group, and CFO of brewing firm Royal Grolsch. Kaaks worked in various finance positions, including supply chain, of increasing responsibility at global consumer market leader Unilever over a 12-year period. He received an MA in economics and finance from Groningen University.
Photo: Detlef von der Thüsen
