Singapore-based, multinational shipping and logistics pioneer, Phee Group, has established Phee Central, a 60,000 square feet logistics centre in Myanmar to cater to a diverse array of logistics needs from businesses in the growing market. It is breaking into this new business segment after having specialised in freight forwarding for over 24 years in Myanmar. This was done with the support of International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, government agency promoting international trade and partnering Singapore companies to go global.
An investment of US$5 million, the ISO 9001: 2015 and HACCP and GMP certified Phee Central, a multi-temperature storage facility, is situated a mere 25 kilometres from the BSW, MIP and AWP ports and less than 25 kilometres from Yangon International Airport.
The facility serves a valuable logistics function with the potential to greatly optimise supply chains. Built on 3.2 acres of elevated ground with an around-the-clock security system, Phee Central is equipped with high capacity backup generators to provide an uninterrupted power supply. It is the first of its kind to support a state-of-the-art column-free design that maximises capacity and improves efficiency.
Phee Central distinguishes itself through delivering a higher standard of reliability matched by advanced technologies. Its Warehouse Management System (WMS) relays live updates of inventory statuses for each client’s warehouse activities. This data is accessible in real-time via web-enabled storage technology, ensuring both reliability and accuracy. Other value-added services include contract logistics, freight consolidation, carrier management, customs brokerage and trade compliance management.
Ben Phee, group managing director of OV Logistics and Phee Group, said, “It has always been our aspiration to provide a more extensive array of services that offer a peace-of-mind to our clients. With Phee Central, we are not only able to achieve this, we are also able to reduce the wastage of resources and materials due to inadequate storage. Coupled with our temperature-controlled delivery system, we are confident in delivering highly reliable all-rounded logistics solutions for our clients.
Above all, Phee Central illustrates our commitment to serve the Singapore and Myanmar community. On this note, we are honoured to be recognised by the respective Myanmar authorities for our professional experience and contribution to this country and supported by IE Singapore to realise our commitment of investing and expanding in Myanmar possible more rapidly.”
Phee Group has been working with IE Singapore on its expansion strategy in Myanmar. Its entry into specialised logistics solutions is timely as Myanmar’s economic reforms and rising middle class have attracted many foreign investments in various sectors of the economy, including food and beverage, hospitality and pharmaceutical equipment and medicines. This brings demand for specialised supply chain solutions such as temperature controlled logistics facilities. As the local logistics infrastructure is still in nascent stage, demand for such services presents opportunities for Singapore logistics companies. Phee Group has risen to bridge the market gaps with its new warehouse, Phee Central.
Said Law Chung Ming, group director of Transport & Logistics Group for IE Singapore, “It is important for Singapore companies to constantly transform themselves to capture opportunities in fast-growing regional markets such as Myanmar. Having established in Myanmar for over 20 years, Phee has built a firm understanding of the market needs, putting it in a good position to provide specialised cold chain logistics solutions. To build their business in Myanmar, we worked with the company to develop Singaporean talents with specific, customised skill sets in specialised logistics and market-readiness.”
IE Singapore supported Phee Group by developing a manpower strategy to improving its recruitment, training and retention processes for its operations at Phee Central warehouse. This included market attachments to help their new employees better understand the environment and the cold chain business landscape in Myanmar. Through IE’s support, Phee Group is able to achieve greater regional growth and expansion.
Headquartered in Singapore, Phee Group crafts unique integrated logistics solutions and practices that are thorough and reliable. Benchmarked to meet the conditions of the Myanmar marketplace, they also effectively resolve complex operations in a simple manner.
Phee is also looking to partner Singaporean companies to tap onto its logistics solutions, as well as share its insights and networks in the ASEAN market which it has operated in for over two decades.