Despite the crisis, TNT Express to continue investing in SEA, Philippines

TNT Philippines officials Chris Spanjaard (left) and Celtin Yalcin open the ceremonial crate, launching the TNT Express Pampanga depot.

SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA – They did not escape the brunt of the global financial and economic crisis, but for Netherlands-based TNT Express Worldwide, they will continue to invest in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, as part of their €100 million, 5-year-plan launched last year – and the Philippines is benefitting from that investment.

Last Wednesday, August 12, TNT Express opened its P15 million San Fernando, Pampanga depot, a strategic location as it is near Subic, Clark, Angeles in Pampanga and Bataan province. This investment of one of the world’s leading express integrators serves as proof to the potential of the region and the Philippines.

“We believe this (Pampanga) is a very promising area for business,” Celtin Yalcin, TNT Philippines country general manager, says.

“We’re affected by the downturn. We recognize the volatility of the market. It’s difficult to predict what would happen in the coming years. (That’s why) we’re also careful to bank on the future,” says Chris Spanjaard, operations director.

“But we continue to grow with new customers and new businesses. We continuously look for key locations and where our customers require us to be present. And the Philippines is one of the key areas where we’re investing,” Spanjaard adds.

“We’re not planning to decrease our investment. We don’t have any specific location yet after Pampanga depot. Whenever we see more opportunities, then we would strengthen our presence here (in the Philippines),” Yalcin says.

Yalcin adds that TNT Philippines is poised to hit a double-digit growth in volume handled this year, as it seeks new clients, including Texas Instruments (which invested $1 billion in Clark Freeport). The company, which Philippine presence dates back from 1982, aims to take advantage of the growth of the economic zones in Subic and Clark, even as other freight providers like Federal Express and UPS moved their regional hubs out of the country.

The TNT Philippines Pampanga depot is capable of handling 400 tons of shipments daily. It occupies 800-square-meter operational area for handling, check-in, Larose label printing, data entry, scanning, bagging, consolidation, and deconsolidation activities. It also includes a multi-pallet-position selective racking facility ideal for various storage requirements. CCTV cameras are also installed to ensure a 24/7 security. – LYNDA C. CORPUZ