Logistics company, DHL, has named the new Head of its Asia Pacific Innovation Center (APIC) in Singapore.
Lau Tian Chen has accepted the position. APIC is the first dedicated facility for innovative logistics services in Asia Pacific and one of four DHL innovation centres globally (Troisdorf, Germany; Chicago, US; and Dubai, UAE).
APIC is reported to be a collaborative platform for customers, partners and other innovative thinkers regarding emerging logistics-related technologies, showcasing the latest innovations to reinvent supply chains.
“The world is moving at an unprecedented rate of digital transformation, with Asia Pacific at its forefront,” said DHL Global Head of Innovation and Commercial Development, Matthias Heutger.
“By 2023, IDC predicts that one in three companies in Asia Pacific will generate more than 30 per cent of their revenues from digital products and services.
“Digitalisation is key to the future success of businesses. We strive to propagate new technological solutions through our innovation centres and collaborate with customers, partners and thought leaders to solve complex logistics challenges and create long-term value for businesses.
“I believe Tian Chen’s experience, commercial focus and his devotion to mentoring colleagues will be invaluable to the APIC team.”
With over two decades of experience driving business growth in various business units in DHL, Chen has proven to be a high-performing and adaptable leader. His most recent role is Vice President, Head of Business Development at the DHL Asia Pacific Innovation Center. Chen’s career began at DHL Express Malaysia in 2002, before moving to DHL Global Forwarding as Head of Business Development in 2006, and subsequently promoted to Head of Commercial in 2008. In 2010, he was one of the Fast Growing Enterprise founding members, with his last held role as Vice President, Business Development, SEA. Thereafter, he headed up the Global Center of Excellence in Iskandar, Malaysia.
“It is an exciting time to deep dive into emerging logistics trends and engage industry partners to advance innovation in the region,” said Chen.
“We aim to simplify tech buzz words like IoT, digital twin, big data, and blockchain and utilise it to develop commercially viable solutions that can help businesses solve real problems and to impact lives of their customers.
“What drives me at work every day is the talented team at APIC and the possibilities they bring to solve problems of today and the future with technology. I look forward to further deepening collaboration with my colleagues across the DHL family, and forming stronger bonds with innovation partners in the public and private sectors.”
Earlier this year, DHL Supply Chain (DSC), a business division under Deutsche Post DHL Group, made changes in its leadership team in Asia Pacific.