Common Operational Challenges in Singapore’s Logistics Sector

Why Singaporean Forwarders Choose Logi-Sys

The Competitive Advantage of Unified Logistics Software

Designed for Growth, Not Bloat

The Bottom Line

Leading express delivery company DPD has signed a partnership with Wise to replace its legacy internal driver management system. This marks a major step forward in DPD’s commitment to even smarter, tech-led operations.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies and follows the successful initial implementation phase of the Wise platform. The new contract will see the cutting-edge Wise platform integrated across DPD’s entire UK operations of over 10,000 vehicles, streamlining core processes and enhancing network visibility.

A key component of this deal is Wise’s Network View functionality, which will centralise onboarding for both direct and indirect resources, manage payments to direct resources and ensure robust compliance across DPD’s fleet workforce. The platform will eliminate manual processes, improve data accuracy, and provide real-time insight, reducing administrative pressures and increasing operational efficiency.

The new Network View product was launched in April, and the rollout to the DPD network will start this month.

Express Delivery Operations

Dan Richards, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Wise, said: “We’re proud to deepen our partnership with DPD to support them in gaining full visibility across their network and confident that we will unlock real value for them operationally. The deal is a testament to the trust we’ve built and the proven impact our platform has had across their service.”

Dan Richards, Wise

Chris Betts, Head of Network at DPD, said: “We chose Wise because, simply put, they are the best in their field. Their software solution helps us to manage a vital resource, making it easier for us to train, manage, and monitor, minute by minute, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible delivery experience for our customers, 52 weeks of the year.”

Chris Betts, DPD

The Wise platform is trusted by over 250 businesses and this deal with DPD further reinforces Wise’s position as a market leader in onboarding, payments and compliance software for logistics companies.

Wise is a leading technology provider supporting logistics businesses to reduce compliance risk, streamline processes, and ensure regulatory adherence. Purpose-built for scale, Wise is a structured system and service providing businesses everything they need to operate compliantly.

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A British freight and logistics 3PL provider has praised the performance and reliability of Mitsubishi GRENDiA forklifts, after extending its 12-year partnership with their local Mitsubishi Forklift Truck distributor.

At their Essex-based site, Simarco International has used GRENDiA trucks intensively since 2013, working 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. The most recent additions, 10 LPG-powered forklifts, are now the third batch to prove themselves at the growing operation. Indeed, Simarco has come to trust the trucks – and their distributor’s support – so much that the business operates successfully with no backup vehicle in place.

A proven performer at a growing business

For nearly 30 years, Simarco has made a habit of delivering tailored solutions for clients in the UK, across Europe, and internationally across all trade routes. The company occupies 30,000 square metres of transit warehousing in the UK, giving its forklifts a constant workload. GRENDiA trucks’ sealed chassis and engine protection systems make the model a perfect fit, delivering robust performance on the hardworking site.

Head of UK and European Warehousing, Steve Pyne, explains: “We’ve used Mitsubishi GRENDiA trucks for years and they’ve never let us down. They’re incredibly reliable, which is vital because we don’t just have another backup truck waiting to be used – if the GRENDiA breaks down or stops performing, our operation comes to a halt.”

A successful, 12-year partnership

The Mitsubishi Forklift Truck authorised distributor for the area is proud to have played a role in Simarco’s success story. Managing Director, Joe Bronze, said: “Given their 24-hours-a-day, 6-days-a week-schedule, it is imperative that the equipment is top quality. Sticking with the GRENDiA model that’s worked so well in the past is a great choice. Over the years, we’ve seen the business grow and it’s great that we can continue to assist the team with their ongoing requirements. With our close working relationship, we’re always available to react to any changes they need – now, and in the future.”

Steve Pyne, Head of UK & European Warehousing at Simarco, also values the relationship: “The support and service from our local distributor is always excellent – and that’s crucial. With such a busy, intensive operation, any lost time will really hit us. But on the rare occasion we have an issue, they always respond to call-outs or questions very swiftly. I would have no hesitation in recommending them as a preferred supplier for materials handling equipment.”

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The future is built with smarter operations: join thousands of game-changing leaders for three days of innovation and inspiration, June 23–26th at the Marriott Marquis, San Diego Marina. Share stories with partners and peers, gain transformative insights, and learn new ways to take safety, efficiency, and sustainability to the next level at the premier event for physical operations.

Samsara Beyond is the company’s annual jamboree for customers, partners and media, previously staged in San Francisco, Austin and Chicago. Logistics Business Publisher David Priestman will be reporting from there again.

Register to attend here.

At its 2024 Beyond conference, Samsara Inc. (NYSE: IOT), announced new products and solutions built to empower the physical operations leaders who run the world. The conference, which took place June 26-28 in Chicago, Illinois, gathered over 2,000 innovators across the industry, including Fortune 500 companies such as DHL, Sysco, SLB, and more.

“Our customers keep the world running. They have large, complex operations that are asset and labour-intensive, and data and AI are helping them solve their unique challenges,” said Sanjit Biswas, CEO and Co-Founder at Samsara. “AI-driven insights are transforming our customers’ operations, keeping their frontline workers safe and saving their organizations millions of dollars. We are proud to partner with our customers to help them operate smarter.”

Serving tens of thousands of organizations across North America and Europe, the scale of Samsara’s Connected Operations™ Cloud is already contributing to dramatic improvements for customers and the communities they serve. In one year alone, Samsara has helped prevent over 200,000 crashes, digitized 230 million workflows, and reduced 3 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. Today, Samsara announced new innovations that further connect every aspect of physical operations and fuel AI-powered insights to drive tangible results.

Create better, safer jobs for frontline workers

Samsara’s customer feedback loop has allowed the company to maintain a rapid pace of innovation and iterate to meet changing customer needs. Samsara has already launched several safety products to create better, safer jobs for frontline workers. These include Virtual Coach,
which helps drivers self-coach in the field, and new AI detections currently rolling out to customers for Drowsiness, Forward Collisions, and Lane Departures, which alert drivers of risky behaviour in the moment.

Now, Samsara has launched new solutions to further this commitment to safety and efficiency:

● Connected Training: Despite being one of the most dangerous industries with millions of injuries each year, the transportation sector lacks modernized training methods that are customized and adaptable for their unique work environments. With Connected Training, customers can have a data-driven training experience designed for continuous, remote learning via the Samsara Driver App. Managers can upskill their workforce by consolidating all training within the Samsara platform and connecting with existing workflows for a seamless employee experience.

● Connected Workflows: Last year, Samsara introduced Connected Forms to digitize paper processes for physical operations. Today, the company announced a new product, Connected Workflows, which goes beyond form digitization to orchestrating multi-step workflows. Connected Workflows can automatically assign forms, manage approvals, and create tasks based on contextual insights, like entering a geofence or detecting a vehicle crash. Now every department – from operations to HR – can automate workflows to make work safer and easier for frontline employees and administrators.

NexTier Completion Solutions is the second-largest provider of well completion and production services in the U.S., including hydraulic fracturing, wireline operations, and oilfield logistics. As the organization experienced rapid growth, it began to suffer from siloed systems and operational inefficiencies. With Samsara, they found a solution that allowed them to improve safety performance with streamlined workflows and consolidate data into a single platform.

“Automating critical workflows and building our safety checklist with Samsara has given us results that we could only dream of,” said Renee Merchant, DOT Fleet Systems Lead at NexTier. “Drivers not only complete the forms faster, but the information is more accurate than ever
before.”

Connect every aspect of operations and drive results that matter

As sensors get more sophisticated, yet smaller and easier to install, the world of telematics has expanded. It’s now possible to connect virtually anything to the cloud, whether it’s trailers, tools, or equipment. Today, Samsara has launched the industry’s first enterprise-grade Asset Tag built around this opportunity. Samsara’s Asset Tag was designed to meet customer demand for tracking and managing small, high-value assets. It leverages the Samsara Network of millions of devices to help organizations minimize their downtime spent searching for lost or stolen items, reduce associated costs, and simplify inventory management.

Samsara has also announced new next-generation Smart Trailer features to help customers run a safer, more efficient trailer operation. For example, Trailer Telematics will allow fleets to diagnose anti-lock braking system (ABS) issues and electrical power failures for the first time. As a result, they can optimize trailer maintenance, keep drivers safe, and maintain high Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores. In addition, new driver efficiency tools from Samsara will help customers save time and reduce costs by minimizing manual errors and increasing operational efficiency.

“We are helping our customers get data from every corner of their operations – from small assets to large equipment to paperless workflows. More data means new insights to help customers improve their operations,” said Kiren Sekar, Chief Product Officer at Samsara. “Everything we announced today at Beyond will give our customers additional tools to make the jobs of their frontline workers better and safer.”

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Agrigem, one of the UK’s biggest distributors of plant protection products, has grown turnover by 80% and increased profit margins by 40% after adopting Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.

Agrigem offers thousands of products, including weed killer, moss killer, fertiliser, grass seed, biological controls, and equipment to homeowners, and those working in the horticulture, equine, forestry, sports and amenity sectors. Given the breadth and depth of its product range, Agrigem needed to streamline operations by managing these product lines, multiple payment methods and different customer requirements, which had previously been a significant challenge.

“We were in desperate need of greater efficiencies and to streamline our processes,” said Dave Best, Operations Director, Agrigem. “We had ambitious growth plans, and the set-up at the time was not going to support that growth. Not only is Orderwise inherently scalable but it has all the functionality we required to get on top of our operational organisation.”

Orderwise is an ERP solution deployed by wholesalers, distributors, retailers, manufacturers, and other businesses with complex requirements. It helps connect processes, optimise workflows, and revolutionise stock management.

It reduced the need for Agrigem to take on additional administrative resources as it grew by automating report generation, data imports, and other manual tasks. Furthermore, by having data presented automatically, Orderwise allowed them to make critical decisions faster and more efficiently, contributing to overall business growth.

“Investing in the right technology can set a business up for long-term success, and Orderwise undoubtedly falls into that category,” continued Best. “It takes away unnecessary decision-making and reduces reliance on manual processes, both of which have been highly beneficial to our ongoing growth trajectory. It has also made it much easier for us to offer overnight delivery throughout the UK, which is critical for customers.”

Since implementing Orderwise, Agrigem has also benefited from complete visibility into its operational metrics. This allows the company to act quickly and effectively, such as adjusting pricing or changing product ranges, thereby avoiding delays that could impact the business negatively.

“When customers use our technology in this way, we feel like we have made a major contribution to their growth,” said Tom Price, Director, Forterro. “Orderwise is especially suited to retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers. It’s very much our core user base, and we are constantly and iteratively improving the product based on the ongoing feedback we get from customers. Agrigem is a leader in its field and precisely the type of business we love to work with.”

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As the logistics sector continues to evolve at pace, the demand for smarter, faster, and more sustainable infrastructure is growing. In response, Assa Abloy Entrance Systems has played a key role in the delivery of two state-of-the-art industrial units at Fradley Link, equipped with cutting-edge technology. Of particular note is the UK’s first major installation of the Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive sectional overhead door — a next-generation solution redefining performance standards in speed, efficiency, and sustainability.

Strategic Development in the UK’s Golden Triangle

Fradley Park, one of the UK’s most strategically located logistics hubs, continues to reinforce its position as a first-class destination for distribution and manufacturing. Located near Lichfield in Staffordshire, at the heart of the country’s Golden Triangle of logistics, this key site offers exceptional motorway connectivity and infrastructure—making it an ideal choice for major occupiers seeking sustainable and scalable warehousing solutions.

Evans Property Group has successfully completed development on the latest phase of the site, known as Fradley Link. The speculative scheme spans approximately 280,000 sq ft and includes two highly sustainable, flexible-use industrial units of 204,500 sq ft and 78,500 sq ft respectively. Both are being delivered to exacting standards, targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings, and are equipped with EV charging capabilities, solar-ready roofing systems, symphonic drainage, and secure cycle storage.

Loading Bay Solutions Designed to Enhance Speed

Supporting this high-specification development, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems was appointed to deliver a comprehensive entrance and loading bay solution in partnership with architect Kilmartin Plowman & Partners, main contractor GMI Construction Group, and developer Evans Property Group. The project represents a significant milestone for ASSA ABLOY in the UK, as it marks the first major installation of the recently launched Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive sectional overhead door — an innovation designed to deliver a whole new level of speed, efficiency, safety, and security in modern industrial environments.

High-Spec Installations Across Two Warehouses

The larger of the two buildings, at 204,500 sq ft, has been fitted with a full suite of loading bay equipment to support streamlined operations. This includes 20 standard and tall loading bays, each equipped with swing lip dock levellers, OH1142P Dual Drive doors, and mechanical dock shelters designed to accommodate a range of vehicle sizes. Complementary accessories such as dock lights, traffic control systems, and wheel guides were also installed to ensure safety and efficiency across all docking operations.

In addition, four ASSA ABLOY OH1042P level access overhead sectional doors were supplied to align with the building’s architectural palette — finished externally in RAL 7016 and internally in RAL 9002. These doors not only match the visual identity of the site but also deliver excellent thermal performance, achieving an overall U-value of 1.3 W/m²K.

The second building, at 78,500 sq ft, has been completed to a similar specification, featuring ten loading bays supported by the same combination of dock levellers, OH1142P doors, and dock shelters. Four level access OH1042P doors were also integrated, mirroring the installation in the adjacent, larger unit.

First for the Dual Drive

A standout feature of the Fradley Link development is its status as the first major UK project to incorporate the Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive sectional overhead door—ASSA ABLOY’s most advanced overhead door system to date. This next-generation solution has been designed from the ground up to meet the evolving needs of high-performance logistics environments, with a focus on energy efficiency, operational speed, and minimal maintenance.

The OH1142P Dual Drive represents a leap forward in entrance system technology. Its state-of-the-art design operates without traditional springs or cables, significantly reducing the number of moving parts and thereby cutting long-term maintenance requirements. The simplified, maintenance-friendly configuration also eliminates the need for structural preparation or additional reinforcements—saving time and space during installation and streamlining integration with modern warehouse architecture.

Engineered for speed and efficiency, the OH1142P opens and closes up to 30% faster than standard overhead doors, helping to reduce energy loss and improve internal climate control. This faster cycle time not only boosts operational productivity but also directly supports the sustainability goals of modern developments such as Fradley Link, where energy optimisation is a core performance metric.

Enhanced security is built in as standard, with automatic electric locking and remote monitoring capabilities via integrated smart technology. These features allow facilities teams to oversee and manage door operations more effectively, enhancing both safety and operational visibility across the site.

By requiring minimal structural prep and offering lower lifecycle costs through fewer components, the OH1142P Dual Drive supports a future-proof, cost-effective approach to industrial design. Its inclusion at Fradley Link signals a strong commitment to innovation from Evans Property Group and sets a new precedent for UK logistics developments.

Enhanced Safety and Sustainability at Every Bay

The dock shelters used across both units have been carefully selected to enhance energy efficiency and maintain optimal conditions during loading. Unlike sloped-roof designs that allow water run-off onto trailers, ASSA ABLOY’s flat-roof shelters incorporate integral rain channels that divert water away from the loading area—helping to protect goods and improve safety on site. The shelters accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes and maintain consistent performance in all weather conditions.

Each loading bay also features ASSA ABLOY’s high-spec rubber dock buffers with steel face and top plate, and all wheel guides were supplied with a yellow painted finish, ensuring enhanced visibility and long-term resistance to wear and weathering.

Delivering the Future of Industrial Infrastructure

This installation reflects not just a technical achievement, but a broader alignment with the values driving the future of logistics property development—efficiency, safety, sustainability, and future-readiness. Through collaboration with Evans Property Group and the wider project team, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has helped deliver a logistics hub that sets new standards in operational performance and environmental responsibility.

Fradley Link is more than a new industrial scheme — it is a model for what the next generation of distribution infrastructure can and should be. With innovation like the Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive at its core, the site is now equipped to support occupiers with the performance, reliability, and resilience required in today’s fast-moving supply chain environment.

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Port of NEOM, set to become an advanced and sustainable port, has marked a major milestone with the arrival of the first fully automated, remote-controlled Ship-To-Shore (STS) and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes in KSA — advancing its goal to become a global hub for smart, sustainable trade.

Strategically located on the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, Port of NEOM is already serving as a critical gateway on the East–West trade route. The newly arrived state-of-the-art cranes will play a critical role in the port’s automation strategy, unlocking the potential for high-volume, high-efficiency operations. Importantly, their remote-control capability allows for a future-ready workforce model, where operators can manage equipment from secure, ergonomic environments.

Development of Port of NEOM continues at pace ahead of the 2026 opening of Terminal 1, a next-generation container terminal, with recent infrastructure milestones including the completion of a 900-meter quay wall and the deepening of the port channel to 18.5 metres — enabling the world’s largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal to call at Port of NEOM.

Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation as part of the broader goal to achieve full automation. Once operational, these technologies will significantly expand the port’s logistics capacity, driving regional industrial growth, opening access to global markets, enhancing supply chain resilience and unlocking business opportunities.

Sean Kelly, Managing Director of Port of NEOM, said: “The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port. We’re not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, we’re setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.”

In parallel with its investments in infrastructure and automation, Port of NEOM is also committed to developing local talent, including training Saudi women to take on high-tech roles. Central to this effort is a pioneering initiative to train the next generation of Production Specialists to gain the skills to become remote crane operators, thereby helping shape a more inclusive future for the logistics and industrial sectors.

Ten participants from the Tabuk region are currently enrolled in an intensive two-year program that blends technical instruction and hands-on training with dedicated mentorship. Hajjer Alatawi, a trainee participating in the program, said: “This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it’s about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.”

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

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Körber Business Area Supply Chain celebrated the groundbreaking of its newest manufacturing facility in Portugal, marking a major milestone in the company’s continued investment in innovation, capacity, and people. Located in the Ermida Industrial Park in Santo Tirso, near Porto, the new site will serve as a flagship for Körber’s operational excellence.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held 2nd June, welcomed Körber’s Porto leadership team, the City Hall President Dr. Alberto Costa, and strategic partners to celebrate the beginning of the construction. With this symbolic event, Körber underscores its strategic commitment to long-term growth and industrial leadership.

“With the groundbreaking of our new facility in Santo Tirso, we are investing in state-of-the-art technology, a highly skilled workforce, and a strong future for Körber and the Porto region,” said Körber CEO Stephan Seifert. “This project underlines our global growth strategy and demonstrates our belief in Portugal’s potential and innovative spirit. Together with our teams, partners, and the local community, we aim to set new standards for the future.”

Factory for the future

Expected to be in operation by the second half of 2026, the new 11,400-square-metre site will significantly expand Körber Business Area Supply Chain’s logistics and manufacturing capacity. The facility will focus on the development and production of Körber’s state-of-the-art technology for supply chain solutions, including mechanical, electrical, and software automation integration.

Designed to accommodate up to 60 flexible workstations, the factory will also feature:

• A Research and Development area for prototyping and innovation
• State-of-the-art-showroom with automation technologies
• BREEAM “Very Good” certification for sustainability
• Advanced testing areas for each equipment stream

The new factory supports Körber’s strategic pillars of sustainable growth, best-in-class solutions, and operational excellence. It also positions Portugal as a key industrial and innovation hub within Körber’s global network.

“This investment will allow Körber to further strengthen our market position in Europe and globally, and highlights Körber’s confidence in Porto” said Helena Garriga, Körber Executive Board Member and President Business Area Supply Chain. “This is a strategic step to strengthen our leadership in the global intralogistics market.”

Körber is proactively strengthening its teams across the organization to support competitive growth, with plans to employ over 400 full-time staff in Porto by the end of 2025. New local job opportunities will span nearly every area of the business: Customer Service, Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Project Management, Solution Design, and Sales.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, foundation work will begin in July 2025, with operations expected to begin by the second half of 2026. Körber will continue to engage with Invest Santo Tirso and other regional partners to create new employment opportunities, invest in local skills development, and collaborate with universities and training institutions.

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