New e-commerce facility helps industry to capitalise on the “new normal”

Hactl’s value-added logistics subsidiary, Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry Services Limited (Hacis), has responded to the recent boom in e-commerce with the opening of the Hacis E-commerce Fulfilment Centre within Hactl’s SuperTerminal 1 facility.

In a post-COVID world, e-commerce is taking over from traditional shopping in many commodities and markets — enabling customers to shop from the safety of their homes even during isolation and lockdown, and overcoming the stock shortages often found in retail outlets, resulting from ongoing supply chain disruption.

The new Centre provides all the necessary resources to enable e-commerce operators to deal with online shopping orders. Cutsomers simply transmit orders to Hacis, which then picks, packs and labels the goods, and delivers them to the carrier. Hacis’ IT system interfaces with other systems to provide seamless data flows, and maintain the information continuity essential to e-commerce vendors’ tracking systems.

The Hacis E-commerce Fulfilment Centre dispenses with the need for e-commerce businesses to operate their own storage and fulfilment facilities — a major benefit for Hong Kong companies which would otherwise be faced with the extremely high cost of operating their own premises in this space-constrained city.

Another bonus offered by the Centre is Hacis’ close proximity to Hong Kong’s airline handling facilities: goods awaiting shipment are just minutes away from the cargo receiving points for all airlines and express carriers serving the airport.

A major benefit for Hong Kong companies which would otherwise be faced with the extremely high cost of operating their own premises in this space-constrained city.

Says Ringo Chan, General Manager of Hacis: “Almost overnight, e-commerce has been transformed from an exciting business opportunity to a vital element in global trade. I would go so far as to say that any retail business without an e-commerce channel now has a questionable future.

“Our primary goal in opening this new Centre is to bring more of the world’s e-commerce cargos through Hong Kong. Hong Kong has unrivalled airfreight capacity and connections to the whole world, and can also provide the freighter uplift necessary for many e-commerce shipments. It has modern, trade-friendly Customs, and is renowned for its efficiency as the world’s no.1 air cargo hub.

“And Hacis is literally on the airport’s doorstep. That means the fastest possible dispatch of urgent e-commerce orders to customers around the world. In e-commerce, speed is everything, and is increasingly seen as an integral part of the overall product offering. Product that is delivered fast, and in good condition, commands a premium and gives the seller a competitive edge.”

The new Center is co-located with Hactl at SuperTerminal 1, adjacent to its comprehensive container- and pallet build-up and storage facilities — further streamlining the process from initial online order through to global despatch. The Centre also has direct access to Hactl’s Box Storage System, which can serve as an extended storage area in the event of any sudden upsurge in customer storage requirements.

The establishment of the new Centre marks a shift from Hacis’ traditional focus on bulk shipments of general cargo, into mini-shipments of a wider range of commodities. “This has required re-thinking of logistical processes, facilities, and even ways of communicating with our customers,” adds Ringo.

He concludes: “The Hacis E-commerce Fulfilment Centre demonstrates Hacis’ awareness of, and responsiveness to, the air cargo industry’s opportunities and needs. The common denominator in everything which Hacis and Hactl do, is our determination to support our airline and forwarder customers, and equip them with the tools to maximise every business opportunity.

“E-commerce is part of our industry’s new normal, and we have the resources and know-how to enable our industry to benefit from this growing and maturing channel."