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As a chronic online shopper, I’m familiar with all the different third-party logistics (3PL) providers that operate in Singapore. Whether it’s Ninja Van, Janio, J&T Express, or some other delivery firm, they’ve probably dropped off a package at my doorstep dozens of times.
Truth be told, I don’t really care about who delivers my package as long as it gets to me safely and on time. But the inner workings of these 3PL companies are often complex and intricate, and they have to navigate many challenges such as heightened competition and lower consumer spending.
Today’s premium story is part of our Big Interview series, and we’ve got Dylan Tey, the CFO of J&T Express, in the spotlight. He shares perspectives on the logistics landscape and the company’s position in this. Check it out.
Today we look at:
- How J&T Express is staying ahead in the logistics game
- Kopi Kenangan’s entry into India
- Other newsy highlights such as the state of fintech funding in Southeast Asia and an AI startup running large AI models without advanced GPUs
Premium summary
Tackling the question of logistics
Image credit: Timmy Loen
In October 2023, logistics firm J&T Express went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Despite market conditions, the listing successfully pulled in over US$451 million. In 2024, the company delivered nearly 25 billion parcels – the equivalent of delivering about three parcels to every person on Earth.
- Winning elements: According to Tey, J&T’s success comes from its focus on Southeast Asia and China. While China offers scale, Southeast Asia delivers the margins. The company has also been able to leverage the expansion of its ecommerce partners such as Shopee to go into new markets like Latin America.
- More players: J&T will have to navigate increasing competition, especially as ecommerce players start rolling out their own logistics services. However, Tey believes there’s “big enough” business for everyone – as long as ecommerce keeps growing.
- What’s next: Going public and turning a profit have also pushed J&T into investment mode across Southeast Asia, as it moves away from a purely asset-light model by investing heavily in owning assets like trucks and sorting centers for greater efficiency.
Read more: J&T Express CFO reveals how it’s beating logistics rivals
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