KOREAN logistics company Asia Pacific Express Corp (Apex) is optimistic of maintaining its leadership position in the handling of cargo to and from Korea.
Apex president and chief executive officer Edward Chang told PortCalls the company is targeting to keep its 60-70% share in consol services between Korea and the Philippines, a market that has grown significantly since 2003.
Apex said the active special project cargo-handling industry in the Philippines and the strong volume from Philippine and Korean semiconductor and electronics clients will help it maintain its lead.
A huge boost to business is Apex’s exclusive logistics contract with Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco). Kepco began building a $300-million power plant in Cebu last year. The project will last until 2011.
“Our consol service is stronger than ever,” Chang said. “With the strong showing of the Kepco project in Cebu, we see very good business for Apex here and in Korea at least for 2009 despite the crisis.”
The ISO 9001-14001 certified company will open branches in Davao and Zamboanga to further improve its reach and cement its hold as the top consol provider in the Philippines-Korea trade.
Among its notable clients are Samsung, LG Electronics, LG Display, Samsung Motors, Hyundai, Doosan, POSCO, and KEPCO, all giant groups in Korea.
Hiring displaced working
Chang, who is also president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (KCCP), said Apex is looking at joining a KCCP project that will employ displaced Filipino workers in Korea.
About 7,000 Filipinos are expected to be repatriated from Korea this year, victims of the global economic crisis, he said.
KCCP, including Apex and the other 2,500 Korean firms registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission, are currently active in job matching.
Established in 1997 during the onslaught of the Asian financial crisis, Apex is a member of the Aircargo Forwarders Association of the Philippines, Inc., the International Air Transport Association, Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association of the Philippines, and the International Association of Movers in USA.
