No longer 'the hidden profession'

Empty supermarket shelves. Rationing of toilet paper. PPE shortages. Vaccine distribution delays. Along with images of over-stretched intensive care units, these events dominated the headlines in 2020. The pandemic shone the spotlight on supply chain management and logistics and forced us all to think about where our products come from and how many people are involved in bringing them to us.

With nearly 30 years’ experience in international logistics and the transportation industry, University of London alumnus Eddie Sng (BSc Economics in Management Studies 1992) knows all about the challenges that the pandemic has brought, as well as the importance of supply chain management. As Managing Director of Agility International Logistics Pte Ltd, Eddie understands that one of the best ways to face the challenges is by thinking differently, noting that “we have to be more creative in seeking out alternatives.”

To Eddie, the pandemic meant that “we realised very quickly that we needed to adapt to the ‘new normal’, that what we were so used to previously needed to change.” He continues, “When the pandemic was at its height, borders were closed, ports and airports were shut down, cities faced lockdowns and moving freight was a nightmare.” The landscape seemed grim as “the supply chain was facing unprecedented disruption.”

Exploring new options

But like many innovative companies, Agility responded to the crisis by adapting and resetting the way one looks at how operations run: “What used to be ‘unthinkable’ may now become a viable option.” To illustrate his point, Eddie uses the example of shipping, specifically cross-border trucking: “Who would have thought that we could truck from Singapore to Hong Kong. Most shippers will only consider air freight or sea freight. But with ports and airports facing closures and issues like manpower shortage, cross border trucking suddenly became an acceptable mode of transportation.”

Alongside having to solve questions about supply chain management, Eddie also carried the mantra of strong ‘people management’ skills. He sees people skills as key in his work as there are many stakeholders involved. Ensuring that everyone in the chain succeeds is a priority because the goal of creating a “win-win partnership” is important, “more so now than ever.”

New manufacturing models

Given how operations have changed since the pandemic hit, Eddie sees the industry adopting to the Just-In-Case model as stockpiling has become necessary. According to the Financial Times, “…companies must transform their supply chains from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ models. The pandemic has underlined the need for suppliers and customers to work together.” Eddie agrees, noting “…the industry was so focused on Just-In-Time fulfillment that when the pandemic hit us and transportation nodes were impacted, supply chains were severely disrupted. Today, manufacturers are more acceptable to Just-In-Case and are rebuilding their inventory levels to buffer for emergencies.”

An in-demand industry

Because of the dynamic and ever-moving nature of the industry, Eddie concedes that a career in logistics “isn’t for everyone,” but insists that “if you can make your mark, you will be amply rewarded. The amount of satisfaction you gain from completing what many think is impossible is really satisfying.” He also advises that anyone interested in a career in logistics should enter the industry with patience and an open mind.

And because of its necessity in manufacturing and trade, logistics is a field that will always be in demand. “Until teleportation becomes a reality, the movement of products around the globe will continue,” Eddie said. “Logistics and supply chain will continue to be relevant.”

Please visit the University of London website to find out more about the MSc Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics programme.
Read more about the ‘hidden profession’ of supply chains in our London Connection article.

Peter Piatkowski, Alumni Engagement Manager at the
University of London.