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This October the World Mail & Express Asia Pacific 2015 Conference will arrive in the cosmopolitan capital city Manila. Post & Parcel speaks to event sponsors and exhibitors to hear what they hope to gain from the symposium, what they are showcasing and the big conversations they hope to have.
“The Asia Pacific market represents the fastest growing parcel market in the world,” says Brody Buhler, Global Industry Managing Director at Accenture, one of the event sponsors. “Based on our research, within less than five years, it will surpass the North American parcel market,” he says explaining the strategic importance of the region to Accenture.
“As the market develops in Asia the delivery networks and organisations in this region will need to transform to accommodate significant domestic growth as well as significant cross-border shipments,” he notes.
Many of the companies attending the event are hoping to be the ones to provide newer, better solutions for e-commerce and cross border shopping. The event will provide the necessary space to network and share ideas with top postal executives and decision makers in the region including host sponsor PHLPost.
Atul Bhakta, Managing Director of One World Express, a global e-commerce B2C courier and logistics company, explains why the company has sponsored the event: “We are looking for strategic partnerships in this region whereby our platforms can be rolled out in these markets either through postal or private partnerships. One World is also keen to work closely with PHLPost and a number of projects are under discussion.” The event will also provide the opportunity to meet face to face with the Post.
Logistics of ecommerce
In the Philippines and across Asia Pacific, e-Commerce has been re-shaping the traditional retail, post and parcel industry as well as the local transport and logistics sector. It has opened up new opportunities for businesses to expand their markets beyond the local region and sell their goods internationally, while creating increased competition for local retailers from businesses overseas.
T&L distribution centres (DCs) are now having to find ways of coping with the increased movement of single goods. DCs built to deliver only to stores are now delivering to two channels – e-Commerce and store orders. Additionally, the e-commerce orders need to move much more quickly than the traditional store delivery DC model is designed for.
Honeywell Sensing & Productivity Solutions designs and delivers information logistics solutions from sensing, scanning to mobility, providing the most efficient interfaces between mobile workers, assets and customers. The company is keen to share its knowledge at the conference as Lynn Huang, Head of Marketing and Strategy, APAC explains: “As a leading T&L and e-Commerce workflow solution provider, Honeywell is proud to be a sponsor for the World Mail and Express Asia Pacific event. Through continuous innovation in hardware, software, services and integrated solutions Honeywell Sensing & Productivity Solutions helps customers realise the full potential of their people, time, space and information. We are glad that the event provides us a platform to engage with our customers and partners to connect with local post and parcel operators, 3PL’s and other logistics firms and exchange ideas with them on how the right processes and technologies can improve their business performance and cope with the new challenges.”
Being seen
Brand awareness is another key reason why companies sign up. Gavin Macrae, Group Executive Director, Corporate Partnerships at Neopost, explains: “We have decided to sponsor this event as it brings together leaders from the post, technology and e-commerce solutions providers in one place. Keeping our brand in the forefront and visible to these leaders is important for us as a company as we believe we are one of the key solutions providers when it comes to cross border e-commerce and our platforms which are developed in house delivery solutions which would help many companies in the industry be it private or public.”
Accenture is also keen to use the conference to broaden its appeal. As Brody Buhler explains: “Accenture is well known for its High Performing Post annual study and we want to broaden our market positioning to the courier, express and parcel industry.”
And it is not just companies from outside the Asia Pacific hoping to make their mark at the event: premium sponsor Messaging Solutions Provider, Inc. (MSPI), which is based in Manila, hopes to increase its company’s presence locally and globally.
“The Philippines is the birthplace of MSPI,” Lloyd Santos, Head of Marketing at the company, explains. “Since 1972 we have been distributing automated mailing machines and to date, we own 98% of our market share. We are full of appreciation for all the Filipino companies who believed in us, our skills and our vision,” he says. “The conference is our chance to reach beyond our everyday market,” he adds.
Conference theme
Every year Triangle Management choose a pertinent theme for the conference to help shape the conversation – this year the theme is, “Championing e-commerce: creating new supply chains”. The topic is of particular interest for companies hoping to create new business in the Asia Pacific region.
Neopost, for example, is keen to grow its Asia Pacific presence as it is the company’s fastest growing geographic region. The company is going through a period of investing extensively in its e-commerce capabilities. In recent months, Neopost acquired the Australian e-commerce specialist Temando and it also plans to launch its new partner’s technology in markets all over Asia.
Gavin Macrae at Neopost comments: “By sponsoring this prestigious event, Neopost hopes to expose our extensive capabilities in the field of e-commerce and logistics and to strengthen our understanding of the key trends and innovations that are shaping this dynamic region. We hope to position ourselves as a key partner for growth in the region.”
Atul Bhakta at One World Express says this year’s theme is fitting for his company as it reflect how the company has progressed over the last three to four years. “We have embraced technology in delivering solutions that are very much required in managing the e-commerce boom and our focus has been on cross border which today is the biggest growth area around the world. One World continues to enhance their platforms which assists in delivering consumers expectations when it comes to cross border. End to end visibility on cross border e-commerce parcels movements has been a key focus for us and to deliver this on a mobile device is the key.”
Lloyd Santos at MSPI says that the theme personifies his company’s vision “in regard to mailing innovation across digital via commerce or simply by the letter mailing automation – MSPI can supply and back-up these processes and concepts.”
Brody Buhler from Accenture will be giving a keynote speech at the conference where he will showcase the 2015 edition of Accenture’s High Performance Post and Parcel study. “This year, we have introduced a digital index where we evaluate the digital readiness and success of delivery companies according to their digital strategy, digital service and digital enablement. It is a great tool to understand how prepared your organization is to take advantage of digital and where investment will be needed to drive digital growth,” he explains.
Showcase exhibition
In addition to the presentations there will also be a showcase exhibition adjacent to the conference hall where delegates can convene during breaks. Sixteen companies will be showcasing including host sponsor PHLPost. From launching new products to making new contacts, the showcase exhibition is the place to be seen.
“Triangle events are always a great place for us to showcase our products and meet with C-level postal executives,” says Alex Alexander, Global Business Development at internet postage service provider, Endicia.
Endicia will be showcasing three technologies to help postal administrators and parcel carriers as well as cutting edge e-commerce technology. Firstly, white label solutions for postal operators to help them connect online retailers with postal services. Secondly, the company will be demonstrating Endicia’s USPS last mile solutions to facilitate the movement of parcels from Asia to U.S. based consumers. Thirdly, the organisation will be launching its new Endicia Global Shipping platform to facilitate the movement of goods from Asia to Brazil, Mexico and rest of Latin America.
“South-east Asia is a good market for Endicia’s technology as most of the postal operators are looking for proven ecommerce technology,” Alex Alexander explains. “They need technology that will help them connect with customers and deliver world class solutions to the broader market.”
Another exhibitor at the event is PRIME – a global network of 135 national postal operators and the leading enabler of tracked packet solutions for the e-commerce delivery market. “For PRIME, World Mail & Express Asia Pacific is one of the main events on the exhibition calendar,” says Kathleen Treannor, Head of PRIME.
PRIME’s exhibition stand will hold a complete portfolio of products and services specifically developed for Posts to succeed in e-commerce returns and delivery, including PRIME Exprès and the advanced Customer Service System (GCSS) for a faster, more efficient enquiry service for your customers.
“We believe that this event attracts the right audience for our range of cross-border tracked packet products. And we have a lot to talk about,” says Kathleen Treannor. “For instance, we’ll be announcing our new website for members. The event also provides the opportunity to meet with our many members in one place, giving us a cost-effective forum to discuss our new innovations in e-commerce returns. PRIME is owned by Posts and we manage their budget very carefully.”
Toshiba Corporation is also exhibiting at the event. Ura Ryuichiro explains the company’s motivation: “This event has created many business opportunities in the past and so we wanted to exhibit this year.” Toshiba considers Asia Pacific as one of its most important markets to focus on due to the growth in the region. “Toshiba will be showcasing its latest projects, technology and solutions and hope to use the opportunity to find out more about the latest trends of our customers,” Ura adds.
The World Mail & Express Asia Pacific 2015 Conference is shaping up to be the best one yet.
Tom Ross-Joannou, Managing Director, Media and Events shares his thoughts: “You can be confident that our speakers will address e-commerce challenges and opportunities from a wide range of perspectives. We expect lively debate within the conference itself and during the numerous opportunities for networking that are a feature of the event. Triangle looks forward to welcoming you as delegates to Manila.”
World Mail & Express Asia Pacific 2015 is being held from 19-21 October 2015 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Philippines. For more information contact: [email protected] or CLICK HERE to find out more
