Have you ever wondered how your online overseas orders get to you so quickly?
Logistics is an industry that takes care of the transportation, storage, shipping, customs clearance, tracking and delivery of your orders, overcoming unprecedented disruptions like a global pandemic.
Singapore is a renowned logistics center that has been ranked first in Asia by the World Bank since 2007. One of the companies behind this achievement is JGL Worldwide.
The company, which has network offices in Asean, delivers footwear, clothing, canned food, furniture, electronics, auto parts, chemicals, solar panels, industrial items and other general cargo.
Revenue grew 366 percent from $12.8 million in 2018 to $59.6 million in 2021 for its Singapore office alone amid a surge in demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. With this, JGL Worldwide ranked 33rd in the list of fastest growing companies in Singapore 2023 by global research firm Statista and The Straits Times.
JGL Worldwide’s cargo transaction volume grew by 5 to 10 percent from 2018 to 2020, driven by existing business.
In 2021, the company retained not only existing clients, but also attracted new clients that contributed to a “significant volume” of cargo transactions, according to CEO Daniel Lim.
“The company saw an increase in the second half of 2021 when the demand for container space was critical in the market,” he adds.
The extraordinary rush in volume had to be met with the necessary price increases, a factor that also contributed to the increase in revenue, says Mr Lim.
Strong relationships and customized solutions
JGL Worldwide could respond to an increase in container demand amid global supply chain disruptions thanks primarily to strong partnerships.
The company’s history dates back to 1994 when Mr Lim and other co-founders founded G Link Express which was later sold twice.
In the second management buyout in 2013, Mr Lim, together with partners Mr David Hia and Mr Desmond Gay, reorganized and restructured the company to become what it is today.
As the company grew after restructuring, it also began to design logistics solutions that are current and relevant to the growing and diverse needs of customers. JGL Worldwide has reaped the rewards of its customized and personalized logistics solutions that have fueled its growth, especially during the pandemic, according to Mr. Hia, its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Business continuity plan and technology
The jump in revenue between 2018 and 2021 would not have been possible without the business continuity plan that guided the company through the pandemic.