Last Mile Fulfilment Asia (LMFAsia), a debut trade show and conference centered around last-mile fulfillment in logistics and e-commerce, will premiere in Singapore next year.
This is the first event of its kind to hone in on last-mile fulfillment challenges and prospects in Asia. SingEx anticipates the event will attract around 1,500 attendees, representatives, and exhibitors from the Asian region in its first year. LMFAsia aims to unite four crucial sectors – e-commerce, retail, logistics, and parcel delivery – under one roof to maximize business opportunities for e-commerce in Asia.
According to eMarketer, Asia Pacific will surpass North America as the world’s largest e-commerce market this year, with business-to-consumer e-commerce sales projected to balloon from US$383.9 million in 2013 to US$855.7 million by 2016. China, Indonesia, and India are expected to be the top three catalysts of e-commerce expansion in this region, with Southeast Asia also poised for robust growth. However, while consumers are eagerly purchasing, logistics providers, brand owners, and retailers are grappling with technological and infrastructural limitations in last-mile fulfillment, as well as higher fulfillment expenses within Asia.
SingEx Exhibitions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based SingEx Holdings, introduced LMFAsia to bridge this gap in the current market. This platform seeks to connect all stakeholders in the fulfillment ecosystem to tackle opportunities and challenges. It will bring together fulfillment centers, logistics providers, postal services, courier companies, and technology solution providers to connect with e-commerce businesses and retailers. The goal is to discuss and find solutions to last-mile obstacles, cultivate new partnerships, and unearth business opportunities in Asia.
Aloysius Arlando, CEO of SingEx Holdings, states, “Current industry happenings are addressing broader issues within the general logistics industry, thereby limiting the resources and platforms available to e-commerce businesses and retailers for last-mile fulfillment solutions. SingEx is in tune with the momentum and demands of Asian markets, and we recognized this gap as a prime opportunity to create an event that offers a dedicated platform for the fulfillment ecosystem.”
EDB Singapore has partnered with the event as a Strategic Partner. Lee Eng Keat, EDB’s Director of Logistics and Natural Resources, says, “Recognizing the expansion of e-commerce and the intricate nature of Asia’s fragmented trade and regulatory environment, we are bolstering Singapore’s e-commerce capabilities, spanning from consumer insights to last-mile fulfillment. LMFAsia will assemble thought leaders to exchange ideas on the complexities and potential solutions for last-mile fulfillment in Asia. The event will also provide brand owners with a clearer understanding of how partnering with Singapore can connect them to key markets and enhance their competitive advantage in the flourishing Asian market, particularly in Southeast Asia.”
“All our business partners prioritize e-commerce. They are all at different stages of development with various challenges and obstacles. With our global supply chain network and e-commerce expertise, we help our clients address and overcome these challenges, equipping them for growth in this exciting market,” says Mitat Aydindag, Head of arvato SCM/eCommerce Asia, arvato Bertelsmann, an exhibitor at the event.
Daniel Chen, Business Development Director of D’Trans, is eager for the networking opportunities with key players in the fulfillment ecosystem across Asia. He aims to leverage this event to develop robust e-commerce solutions that will enable D’Trans to deliver on its delivery promises to customers.
“D’Trans is committed to driving growth for all our clients by providing dedicated logistics services. We offer dependable, cost-effective, and secure transportation of our customers’ documents or products to their desired destinations. We look forward to connecting with our clients and harnessing the logistics network we establish through the LMFAsia platform,” says Chen.
LMFAsia will be held on March 19 and 20, 2015, at MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO. It will feature a two-day conference and an exhibition, with dedicated business matching and networking opportunities.