theceomagazine.com | 61BUSINESS
According to the World Bank,
Singapore provides one of the
world’s most business-friendly
regulatory environments for
local entrepreneurs and is
ranked among the world’s most
competitive economies – with
a gross national income of
US$52,600 per capita in 2017.
The country’s Economic
Development Board suggests
that around 37,400 international
companies base their operations
in Singapore, including 7,000
multinational corporations – with
more than half of those running
their Asia–Pacific businesses from
the city-state.TRADE
While it may be geographically
small – 700 square kilometres, to
be exact – Singapore’s trade value
amounts to a massive 3.5 times
its GDP. Not only is it home to
the world’s largest transhipment
container port, which is linked
to some 600 ports worldwide,
but Singapore’s Changi Airport
has also been voted World’s
Best Airport 2018 by Skytrax for
the sixth year running – served
by around 6,800 weekly flights
to 330 cities.SPOTLIGHT
ON SINGAPORE
PASSIONATE PEOPLE
While automation is changing the face of
the logistics industry, Charlie believes it’s
important to remember that people come
before technology. “Our biggest challenge is
also our greatest strength, and that is helping
our people to embrace a digital mindset so
we’re able to fully harness employee potential.
We want to equip our current staff with
a new set of skills so we can embrace the
digital age together. At the same time, we’re
working hard to acquire and retain a new
generation of skills and talents that will help
us transform and thrive in this new digital
logistics environment.”
Schenker Singapore’s workforce comes
from all corners of the world and includes
people from different cultures and
backgrounds, who bring a wealth of
international talent and experience. “We have
people from India, Germany and France, as
well as Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia and China.
Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths,”
Charlie explains. “We’re also strong supporters
of gender equality. In the Singapore business,
we have four women in the top management
team, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Commercial Officer, Chief HR Officer and
Vice President of CL/SCM.”
Charlie leads his team with the belief
that its biggest competitor is itself. “I tell
them not to compare themselves or their
work to others, and instead focus on leading
and always improving. We can’t do the same
thing we did yesterday – we have to be
better. Our ability to deliver the highest
quality of service is what makes us the
market leader. We believe in keeping our
people motivated and passionate in achieving
their best. If we take care of our people, they
will take care of our business. This is the
secret to business success,” he explains. “We
call Schenker Singapore a family because
when you think about it, we spend more »
“We are excited to be part of Schenker’s journey
towards automation in their new logistics facility in
Singapore. When finished, this facility will house
one of the largest automated multi-user order
fulfilment systems in the region, delivering significant
improvements in productivity, accuracy, response
times and inventory security.” Michael Bradshaw,
Snr Director Integrated Systems ASEAN, Sales
Management, Demantic SEA
Interview | INSPIRE