As a local forwarder, we are able to look after our customers well, providing personalised service to our customers and taking a long-term view. Each of our Customer Services Officers is responsible for only two or three customers to ensure that our customers are given the status and priority they deserve.
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Sep 2013
Jet-Speed success built on loyalty & passion
Mr. Arthur Antonio da Silva, better known as Archie, is a veteran of Hong Kong’s freight forwarding industry, and a gentleman who enjoys every moment of his life. Archie is a passionate horse lover and often associated with his legendary racehorse “Silent Witness”, who had led Hong Kong Racing to international glory and recognition.
Arthur Antonio da Silva joined Jet-Speed Air Cargo Forwarders (HK) Ltd in 1970 as an employee and took over the business in 1976. For over 40 years, he has built the business from a respected freight forwarding company in Hong Kong to a company with a global network in 50 countries. His passion for the industry and belief in long term relationship are the keys to success.
Arthur Antonio da Silva - Managing Director - Jet-Speed Air Cargo Forwarders (HK) Ltd
A Loyalty Leader
Archie firmly believes that loyalty is an essential trait in business and in life. At Jet-Speed, this belief translates into loyalty to its suppliers, customers and employees.
“Our high standards of customer service are our most enduring and unique selling proposition. Being loyal to our partners and our employees means we receive very reliable and high-quality service and this helps us continue to deliver reliability and quality to our customers. We should always remember and appreciate their hard work and contribution,” Archie says.
Hacis’ First Customer
Archie particularly appreciates Jet-Speed’s relationship with Hacis, which he describes as “very special to my heart”. Jet-Speed became Hacis’ first customer when Hacis launched at the old Kai Tak Airport in 1984 and remained its largest for many years. The company no longer has that record, but it remains one of the most important customers of Hacis.
“The value of the Hacis service lies in its efficiency and reliability. It isn’t the cheapest, but it is the most cost-effective. Hacis gets the outbound cargo into Hactl really fast, so we can rush cargo for customers if need be. On the import side, we get our cargo cleared and ready to load onto our trucks at the earliest possible time because we use Hacis. There are lots of advantages in terms of service and we pass these on to our customers,” Archie explains.
Mr Arthue Antonio da Silva with Vivien Lau, Managing Director of Hacis.
Brighter Days Ahead
Jet-Speed began expanding into China in 1991, with the first office opened in Guangzhou and the second in Shanghai in 1992. It now has a network of 11 offices across China, as well as operations in other parts of the world. In the near-term, it plans to continue to grow in China while also expanding in Southeast Asia and the promising South America.
“Here in Hong Kong, the business climate is improving a little,” Archie says. “I feel that 2014 will remain difficult, though perhaps a bit improved over this year, but I’m hoping for better things in 2015. I am a firm believer of the economic troughs and peaks which has been the pattern in the past 50 years. Certainly though, this is an extended trough—it’s been five years since the US subprime mortgage supply crisis of 2008—but I’m sure the peak will come. And when it does, Hong Kong will be in a good position as a gateway for China trade.”
A Passion for Life
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Archie attended La Salle College and the University of Hong Kong. He can trace his family back nine generations to his ancestor’s arrival in Macau in 1690 and is fourth-generation in Hong Kong. He did not follow the footstep of his father, who was one of the most famous lawyers in Hong Kong, and entered the air freight industry almost by chance. Lured by the promise of a familiarisation trip to Japan, he took a position with Jardine Aviation Services as a junior executive. Since then, he has grown with the business and found a passion for it.
“I’m driven by a passion not to lose out, to show that local forwarders can compete with the multinationals,” he reveals with a smile. “And that drives the success of Jet-Speed.”
While continuing to get considerable enjoyment from his career in air cargo, Archie also has great enthusiasm for horse-racing. With more races to run and new markets to explore, life continues to be an adventure for him.
