Meet Ninja Van’s mastermind, Chang Wen Lai, at TIA Singapore 2018

A few years ago, Southeast Asian ecommerce skyrocketed beyond precedent. However, with the rise of Lazada, Zalora, and Shopee, a new problem arose – the lack of logistics. Customers needed to get their packages delivered quickly and reliably. Demand just couldn’t cope.

Thankfully, a host of last-mile logistics services have spearheaded efforts to improve logistics in their respective countries. Ahead of this pack, Ninja Van’s Chang Wen Lai brings his flavour of tech-enabled logistics across the entire Southeast Asia region, apart from his home base in Singapore.

Catch Chang Wen at Tech in Asia Singapore 2018’s Main Stage on May 15 as he shares insights on the company’s challenges, scaling across Asia, and lessons throughout his journey in his fireside titled “No easy fleet: How Ninja Van defied roadblocks to be the last mile heroes”.

Fast fashion

Chang Wen’s first entrepreneurial project was Marcella, a startup designed to solve a man’s need for affordable but tailored apparel. Strangely, he didn’t even have prior experience with fashion. In fact, he would often joke that he doesn’t even have fashion sense. Regardless, Marcella succeeded in giving Chang Wen some valuable startup experience.

However, as Marcella progressed, demand quickly grew to unmanageable proportions. Customers started to complain about late deliveries and often ran into problems with unreliable courier services.

That was when Chang Wen and the co-founders decided to take matters into their own hands. As a result, Ninja Van was born in 2014.

Photo credit: Ninja Van.

Ninjas on the go

Much like Chang Wen’s lack of experience in fashion, the Ninja Van team had to learn the ins and outs of logistics overnight. However, rather than relying on dated logistical methods, they melded them with the convenience of technology.

Ninja Van uses algorithmic technology to optimize their deliveries. Instead of sorting their parcels by hand, they use their smartphones to scan packages and see where they are heading. Their fleet prides themselves on using mapping technology to plot the best delivery route.

Whether one is a seller or shopper, Ninja Van’s transparent processes backed by strong technology allows for a consistent, high quality service across all the markets they operate in. The ability to provide accurate cash-on-delivery and reconciliation amongst a host of tailored solutions for businesses of any size also means Southeast Asia’s logistics needs can now be satisfactorily met.

Success in Southeast Asia

Despite being around for only three years, Ninja Van has successfully set up shop in Southeast Asia and has operations in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Across the region, Ninja Van employs 2,000 full-time office employees, and close to 10,000 full-time delivery personnel.

Currently, Ninja Van is one of the core players in Southeast Asia’s logistics industry. Chang Wen attributes their success to localization, staff motivation, and consistent service quality throughout the region.

In January, the startup completed its Series C funding, reportedly raising US$87 million, one of the largest in the region’s history.

No easy fleet: Learn from Ninja Van’s story at TIA Singapore 2018

The entrepreneur will be speaking at Tech in Asia Singapore 2018’s Main Stage on 15 May. Besides insights on how the startup scaled across Southeast Asia and what they’ve learnt, he will share about his growth as an entrepreneur.

Apart from the Main Stage, you can check out other content stages where you can learn to maximize your revenue, leverage blockchain to your advantage, and create a product that sells. You can also interact and network with tons of promising startups exhibiting at Startup Factory.

A 10 percent discount (code: tiasg10) off passes has been extended till this Sunday, 6 May, 11:59PM (GMT +8), without any further extensions. Don’t miss your last chance to get your discounted tickets!