The Asian Trucker Networking Night is back! We will host our signature event again this 4th of September, 18:00 - 21:00 in Out of Africa. Invitations will go our shortly. Make sure you get yours by signing up for our E-Newsletter.

Sinotruk Malaysia Sdn Bhd has been confirmed as the headline sponsor for this event and we would like to thank Mr. Loo and his team at Sinotruk for the support.

About Sinotruk
The Company offers a wide range of heavy trucks covering a broad set of applications from container haulage and general cargo to cement mixer and dump truck. With 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 combinations all possible uses can be applied from within the portfolio.

Sinotruk Malaysia was the first importer of Chinese trucks into Malaysia and has been expanding its service offer since. They are also winners of the Truck of the Year award 2013.

Asian Trucker “Networking Night” kembali lagi! Majlis ini akan dihoskan oleh Asian Truckerpada 4 September 2014, 18:00 - 21:00 bertempat di Out of Africa. Kad jemputan akan diedarkan tidak lama lagi. Pastikan anda mendapat kad jemputan kami dengan mendaftar E-newsletter Asian Trucker.

Sinotruk Malaysia Sdn Bhd telah disahkan sebagai penaja utama untuk majlis ini dan kami ingin mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Encik Loo dan pasukannya di Sinotruk diatas kerjasama yang diberikan.

Sinotruk
Syarikat ini menawarkan pelbagai trak berat yang merangkumi pengangkutan kontena dan kargo am bagi kegunaan trak simen dan trak pembuangan. Dengan 4x2, 6x2 dan 6x4 kombinasi semua penggunaan mungkin boleh digunakan dari dalam portfolio.

Sinotruk Malaysia adalah pengimport pertama trak China ke Malaysia dan perkhidmatannya semakin berkembang. Mereka juga adalah pemenang Anugerah Trak pada tahun 2013.

Given its centralized geographic position, much attention has been given to Thailand’s prowess to become the logistic hub in ASEAN. And in the light of the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015, the country of which logistic competency ranks the 3rd in Southeast Asia region as of 2012 (just behind Singapore and Malaysia) is expected to experience a change in the competitive landscape of the transportation, logistic and trade industries in the country - fuelling a strong growth momentum on all trades via Thailand linkage with CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Burma, and Vietnam) countries.

Thailand's Decreasing Logistic Costs

Thailand's logistics sector potentially generates about 300 billion baht added value to the economy annually, and the country has been witnessing a decline of share of logistic costs to GDP over the last few years.

Domestically, Thailand still relies heavily on land transport (accounting for 83% share) despite the increase in oil price which impacts transportation costs. Fuel subsidies are likely to be maintained over the near future as the government tried to contain inflationary pressures from soaring global oil prices in 2012. The government is now also working on improving its trade systems, such as an e-logistics system which is intended to cut logistics cost, reduce paperwork and the time spent on import and export..

The Impending Changes Brought by AEC 2015

The AEC which will come into realization in 2015 will increase the demand for logistics services in Thailand. Goods and services will be more freely transferred, especially for border and transit trade which are expected to expand substantially. The distribution of raw materials, goods, and labor will also increase significantly - boosting the demand for logistics services throughout the supply chain.

The AEC is expected to bring various benefits for ASEAN's logistics industries in terms of legal aspects and others such as simplified and harmonized customs procedures, improved road network, reduced tariffs/free trade agreement.

As for the trade of goods, CLMV countries will provide more opportunities in the export market over the next period due to the tariffs reduction.

Discover more comprehensive insights about Thailand's Logistics Opportunities in the Coming of AEC; download the complete white paper.

About Solidiance :
We are a leading Asia-centric B2B growth strategy advisory firm with full fledged presence in China - India - Indonesia - Malaysia - Myanmar - Singapore - Thailand - Vietnam. Our core forte is to help multinational corporations to accelerate their growth in the automotive and logistics sectors in Asia. www.solidiance.com

A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to consumers. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials, and components into a finished product that is delivered to the end customer. In a sophisticated supply chain, used products may re-enter the system at any point where residual value is recyclable. Two key components are crucial for the smooth operation of any supply chain: trucks and drivers.

Connecting the chain links
As there are many links in a chain, there needs to be a connector. It is seldom the case that all parties who contribute to a supply chain would be direct neighbours and they simply send the goods across the street. Through the lifecycle of a product it goes through many stages, of which the commercial vehicle is a key component in moving it from raw material to the end user. Take a soft drink in a can as an example. The starting point is the extraction of the ore that will be turned into aluminium. In a pit, commercial vehicles excavate and transport rocks and boulders, send crushed material to the smelter. From a smelter, the aluminium will be transported in bulk to the next manufacturer: on a truck.

Once cans have been produced, they will be sent (in bulk again) on trucks to bottlers where the can will be filled with a drink. The filled cans are then transported to a central warehouse. From there, the journey goes on to the points of sale to the end user, mostly in smaller vehicles as they need to feed the small retailers.
In short: without trucks the entire chain comes to a grinding halt.

Dependability
Getting goods for processing from one place to another is crucial. Your warehouse may be top-notch and feature the latest in technology, but if your truck breaks down or you haven't got enough drivers, your goods aren't moving. Keeping trucks on the road and keeping them dependable is crucial for the success of the supply chain. In today's world trucks are the warehouses on wheels and there is seldom reserve stock that one can tap into. Just in time and just in sequence are good ways for manufacturers to reduce capital investment, but this shifts the burden to the truck operators.
Let's face it: trucks will break down. Truck operators have to take measures that ensure that broken down trucks will become mobile as quickly as possible while everyone in the supply chain has to look at ways to deal with delays and any eventualities.
Truck makers have realised that there is a tremendous emphasis on dependability and the design of a modern truck is built around this notion. There is even one truck brand that has this in its name: UD - Ultimate Dependability.

Where's me stuff?
Many branding projects have shown that pricing is seldom the deciding factor. Actually, pro-active problem notification and reliability are. The trucking industry can now rely on sophisticated tracking systems. With RFID technology one can now track individual lobsters in a shipment of seafood. Clients are typically given access to the tracking systems and can monitor exactly where the goods are. In cases of breakdowns (or hi-jacking) these systems provide multi-platform alerts. This in turn allows for the parties along a supply chain to take action to ensure that the overall process keeps flowing.

A responsible job
Modern trucks are sophisticated. So are supply chains. Drivers of commercial vehicles are doing more than just taking the wheel to ensure the truck stays on the road. Proper handling of customs documentation and responsible driving are just two key elements of the professional driver. Modern drivers also understand that their job is the one that keeps a supply chain moving. Timely delivery is not a luxury, but a must and a professional driver will make this a priority.
These days truck drivers are, in many cases, the front line for many companies. They are the ones that face the customers when collecting or delivering goods. The way they behave on the roads also reflects on their company’s brand image. One interesting aspect is that many trucks with company livery don't actually belong to the brand, but are merely painted in the corporate colours of a client. As a manager of a supply chain one also has to manage the way these drivers behave as it reflects on the brand itself.

Driver behaviour also has a huge impact on the environment. More and more companies are looking at reducing their carbon footprint. Highly trained truck drivers can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 %. As Benoit Henry, Managing Director of Continental in Malaysia put it: "We all want goods in the supermarket. For that we need transportation, but we have to make every possible effort to reduce the impact on the environment.”

So, the next time a logistic company is asking for more money to be able to conduct driver training, one should not hesitate to provide support.

Giovanni Siano, an independent consultant and a representative for a European manufacturer of specialised components, reviews the development of Thailand’s assembly and manufacture of specialised vehicles and the threats the industry powerhouse now faces.

Thailand is one of the most active countries in S.E. Asia in assembling a wide variety of specialised vehicles for its domestic market, but also for export to neighbouring Asian countries, the Indian Subcontinent and even the Middle East and Africa.

Bidding for Work
As in most Asian countries, until the 1980s the supply of specialised vehicles relied mostly on imported built-up units from overseas. The most common purchasing system has been (and still is) by means of local or international tenders issued by the competent authorities, both in the civilian field as well as by the police and army.

Unlike Europe, USA and Australia, where an extensive number of private operators in different sectors have their own fleets of specialised vehicles, in most Asian countries the great majority of public and municipal services are carried out by the government while private operators bid for jobs as sub-contractors. In recent years there has been a growing trend to privatise services, especially in health care and the environment.

Local Production
Specifically in Thailand, up to the mid 80s, very few companies had joint ventures with specialist firms from oversea in the manufacturing of garbage compactors and road tankers for fuel, nor with a well-know European manufacturer of fire trucks and specialised trailers. After that, local industries started developing, and gradually integrating, fully imported special vehicles from overseas with local built ones.

At first, fleet managers had to rely on their own inventiveness and entrepreneurial spirit in trying to find the most suitable technical solution. Only a few firms enjoyed the required know-how transfer or joint venture with oversea companies. In most cases, it was about gathering the needed crucial imported components (hydraulics, gears, pumps, cranes, platforms, etc..) and building up the best possible vehicle by using locally assembled truck chassis. The adaptation of foreign designs to local habits and practicality played an important role.

Crucial Components Only
Already penalised by heavy import duties, and with the rise of the local manufacturing, the import of complete built-up vehicles slowed down dramatically resulting in only the import of the crucial components, which has become the norm throughout Asia. In some cases, truck body builders import the complete special superstructure and mount it on locally available truck chassis.

The government of the Kingdom of Thailand has dealt, on a number of occasions, with government-to-government contract aids and special economic transactions that are favoured by particular banking deals. Some foreign countries financed, at very low interest rates, the purchase of a large number of specialised trucks, particularly emergency and military vehicles. It is therefore common to spot imported vehicles in the streets of Thai cities.

Apart from these cases, the bulk of special vehicles in Thailand are fully local manufactured; from garbage compactors to water tankers, trailers to cement carriers, from fire trucks to fuel tankers and all other types you can think of!

Meeting Local Needs
A number of specialised assemblers provide a strong supply of vehicles to meet local needs and in some cases also for export. Among the companies that have contributed to this Thailand success are: Chase Enterprise (emergency and rescue vehicles), Cosmo Trucks (very wide range of specialised vehicles), CTV-Dollasien (Airport logistic trucks and other specialised units), Panus Trailers (trailers, cars carriers, tankers), Sammitr Motors (construction dumpers platforms, tankers, compactors). These are all companies with large order portfolios, but an equally important number of small and medium companies provide backup for minor orders, repairs and small customisations, at times cooperating with the larger groups.

Thailand is a powerhouse in the auto industry where a massive quantity of trucks and car components are being manufactured and exported all over the world, including for American and Japanese producers. The four Japanese truck manufacturers: Hino, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Nissan, have assembly plants in Thailand. Volvo and Scania assemble a selected number of series/models, so the availability of chassis is higher than in neighbouring countries giving an edge to local assemblers in model choices, at least for right hand drive models.

China Enters the Scene
The Thai market is loyal to the four Japanese and the European brands. Recently a relatively small number of Chinese made trucks have started entering the market, but unlike some neighbouring countries, the presence is still rather limited, but according to many is on the rise. This is inevitable as Chinese producers of truck chassis now rank as top world manufacturers of heavy commercial vehicles having, in 2010, surpassed European and American companies with well over 30% of worldwide production.

Local assemblers have to gain a competitive edge considering that most jobs are government tenders with the lowest price winning the bid. It is important to keep a balance between quality and competitive prices since reputation and trust are very important issues in Thailand. This is a crucial point that will determine which companies will do better than others, and receiving a due appreciation in term of quality and reliability in the long term.

Chinese Special Vehicles
Along with the growth of production of truck chassis in China, a new threat is coming for Thai bodybuilders from the importation of Chinese made complete built up special vehicles. For example, a number of suction road sweepers have already been imported into the Kingdom with mixed opinion about their quality, but their low price provides an advantage. Other SE Asian countries are already importing a good number of Chinese made specialised trucks and trailers.

Innovative engineering and the use of quality-imported components and materials whenever what is available locally cannot cope with the requirements, coupled with updated manufacturing methods, will be a winning factor. Cheap labour is no longer a key factor to survive in this competitive environment with new players appearing and eager to take a part of the business.

For decades, Hino Motors has been doing its best to present to corporate clients world-class trucks of varying range, while boasting its reliability, ease of operation and durability which are crucial elements for truck owners. After years of dedication and firm commitment to continuous technology breakthroughs and sustainable development, the debut of all new Hino 300 Hybrid is now a readily available option calling for environmental-conscience corporate clients. The debut reflects a strong commitment to a sustainable development in the Hong Kong market and showcases the vision of Hino Motors in setting a new standard for driving efficiency and comfort in the form of the debut of the All New Hino 300 Hybrid.

A grand launch ceremony for the All New Hino 300 Hybridwas held on 15 January 2014 at the Hino showroom at Lai Chi Kok (Hong Kong SAR), with the presence of Mr. Yoshio Shimo, Managing Officer of Overseas Sales & Marketing, Hino Motors Ltd and Mr. Masahiro Kumasaka, Chief Engineer of Hino 300 of Hino Motors Ltd., both flying in from Japan to attend this ceremony. To kick off the unveiling ceremony, Mr. Yoshio Shimo delivered a welcoming speech while Mr. Masahiro Kumasaka delivered the product presentation. Following that, Mr. Patrick S Lee, CEO of Inchape North Asia and China, together with Mr. Ernest Wong, General Manager of Hino & Public Vehicles Division, Crown Motors Ltd jointly officiated the event and toasted to the success of the All New Hino 300 Hybrid.

With the growing demand today, Duromac expects 10-15% yearly growth over next five years. Duromc proudly had launched the 100th unit Bucher Schoerling road sweeper for the Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on April 10 2014. The launching ceremony of the 100th Duromac Cityfant 60 road sweeper was also attended by the Swiss ambassador to Malaysia, H.E Dr. Rolf Lenz, together with Mr. Thomas Dubach, Managing Director, Bucher Schoerling AG.

Holding 80% of the market share in Malaysia is enough to prove how strong they are in this industry segment and the management is confident of maintaining its pole position with the introduction of new innovative products, equipment and services in the near future.

Future Step
“Being in a highly niche industry, this new milestone marks yet another historic moment for us. We take even greater pride today for the recognition of our capabilities by Bucher Schoerling. Not only for conforming to the stringent global quality standards, but also for our commitment in offering cost-efficient products and services to both our existing and future customers,” said Mr Arul Das, Managing Director.

Malaysia Market
Duromac found Malaysia's market to be an advanced one, suitable for their expanding business. The business is expanding to cater to the worldwide market. The trucks used as a basis for the road sweepers are mainly UD trucks. According to Mr Arus Das, UD Trucks have been supporting the company since the day one. In Malaysia, UD trucks are distributed by TCIE.

Duromac has been a partner of Bucher Schoerling since 1996, which is a division of Switzerland’s Bucher Group. Bucher Schoerling is the world’s leading manufacturer of municipal vehicles for efficient surface cleaning in public and private areas.

“As an international company, we will try to work together as partner because we have the passion to drive this field forward,” said Mr Arul Das.

The company is also exploring with Bucher Schoerling the possibility of introducing vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) for a greener environment.

The all new Isuzu ELF is set to perform with comfort and ease. A complete new development and not just a face-lift, it designed using computers and perfected by humans. In an event hosting dealers, customers and the media, Isuzu Malaysia unveiled this truck in MIECC, just outside Kuala Lumpur.

Yesterday, Isuzu had the grand launched of the all new Isuzu ELF at the Mines. The proceedings started with a press conference to provide the media with an overview and insightful details about the development of the latest generation Isuzu ELF. Welcoming the media were Kimitoshi Kurokawa, CEO of Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Ryozo Tsukioka, Board Member of Isuzu Corporation Limited. The media was then given an in-depth explanation about the product planning and development of Isuzu ELF and light-duty market in Malaysia by Wan Zaqi Zacary.

The truck is designed to deliver, featuring a modern outlook and stylish features. The Isuzu ELF has gained a firm place in the market through years of leadership in major countries such as Japan, America, Australia and even in Malaysia.
“Our engineers spent many hours each day riding with truck users all over the world to learn how they use their vehicles. We learnt what drivers face each day, what they need and what they want from their truck” said Mr Kimitoshi Kurokawa, CEO of Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

“With this new truck, given the demand for Isuzu light duty trucks, we should remain strong and we expect that we should be able to retain the leading position once again this year. We expect a total sales of 6,500 units of light-duty Isuzu trucks,” he added.

Durability
• Bigger Axle Capacity (up to 9.7 tons)
• Wider brake lining: More durable when carrying maximum load and contributes to longer-lasting brakes.

Exterior
• Bigger Halogen Headlamps.
• Excellent Ingress/Egress
• Vertical Outside Handles

Interior
• Biggest Cabin Space.
• Ergonomic Instrument Panel Design
• Central Locking and Power Window

Safety at its best
The all new Isuzu ELF comes with a wider windscreen and bigger side mirrors which offers extra visibility of surroundings and reducing blind spots (in compliance with UNECE regulation). Furthermore, it has load sensing proportioning valves that work as sensing the load on the vehicle and evenly distributing brake force to avoid skidding during sudden braking. The 6-stud Radial Tyres will contribute to durability when supporting heavier loads. Isuzu ELF even incorporates Hydraulic Brake Booster (HBB) which provide higher brake assist force with more durable brake lining. Drivers now have better protection against injury through rigorous active and passive safety design elements, making the all-new Isuzu ELF one of the safest trucks in the market today.

Isuzu applies their SEE-Global approach to the entire product portfolio. SEE stands for:
S- safety. Protecting drivers and cargo.
E-environment. Environment friendly product.
E-economy. Benefiting customers.