Flash Express, a Thailand-headquartered e-commerce logistics service provider, today announced the launch of its full services in the Philippine market.
The Philippine unit aims to assist local micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in growing their businesses and improving the logistics service industry.
According to a press statement, the company will provide clients with advanced logistical equipment, technology, and workforce. It will also enhance its serviceable regions of coverage through 138 hubs and centres across the country.
The Thai unicorn began its operation in the Philippines in August with Express service. It is now gearing toward making Flash Home available and operational to complement its current offerings to Filipinos.
Atty. Ruth B. Castelo, Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said at a press conference that Flash Express would contribute to the local logistics industry, boost the economy, and increase the employment rate.
“As Filipinos, we didn’t rely on the negative impact of the pandemic; in fact, we recorded a relevant increase in the online business category for the past year,” said Castelo.
Also read: How the logistics partner can make or break the online shopping experience
Founded in 2017 by CEO Komsan Saelee, Flash Express began in the Thailand market as a free door-to-door pickup and delivery service with low COD charges, around the clock customer service, and 365-day operations without holidays. The startup then evolved to become a one-stop full-service e-commerce logistics company.
Its business lines include Flash Logistics (large items delivery service), Flash Fulfillment (warehousing and fulfilment solutions), Flash Express (the express delivery service that utilises technology and Big Data to optimise efficiency and service), Flash Home (parcel delivery agent service), and Flash Money (financial service).
In June, the firm added US$150 million to its kitty and became Thailand’s first unicorn, aiming to expand into Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Earlier in 2020, it raised US$200 million in a Series D funding round led by PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company.
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the e-commerce sector witnessed a boom across Southeast Asia. This led to the emergence of a reliable network of e-commerce logistics solutions.
According to Ken Research, the pandemic has stimulated the Philippines’ e-commerce market, which has seen a surge in online consumer activity. The sector’s top players, such as Lazada and Shopee, even recorded an increase of more than 2 to 3 million visits per month on applications and websites.
Along with the government’s effort in providing tax incentives and infrastructure improvements, Ken Research estimated that the Philippines logistics market would cross US$19.8 billion by 2024 with a CAGR of 29.0 per cent over the forecast period 2020-2025.
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Image Credit: Flash Express
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