Next-morning guarantee by TNT Express
David Record with a TNT fast-delivery machine.
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TNT Express has launched a guaranteed 9am express delivery service in Thailand as a marketing strategy it expects will lead to 10-per-cent business growth this year.
The next-morning service will be the first of its kind in Thailand. TNT's country general manager, David Record, yesterday said the new service would cover major cities and business areas in 18 provinces that provide more than half of the company's business. It will use 280 vehicles. A further 12 provinces will be added by end of July, including Chiang Mai and Phuket, where the express business is expected to grow with economic development. Record said companies were demanding express deliveries in the morning before the start of each working day. Therefore, TNT will guarantee delivery before noon. Customers will be able to use the 9am express service by paying a surcharge on top of normal express service rates. The surcharge is Bt500 per consignment for packages weighing up to 500kg. However, receivers of goods will be charged an extra Bt100 for Saturday delivery, while parcels sent on Saturday will be delivered on Monday morning. "Demand for this service came from companies sending and receiving critical spare parts, components to be used in manufacturing, launching new products and ordering emergency medicine or medical supplies for patients," Record said. "The cost of land transport is always 40 per cent cheaper than air freight services. This is one reason to help the land express business to grow further." The company operates 25 depots across the country. It plans to add three more this year, in Thon Buri, Koh Samui and a city in the Northeast. TNT invested Bt100 million last year in moving to Suvarnabhumi Airport, an IT system and depot expansion. It also moved its Thailand head office after the company's HQ in the Netherlands sold its logistics division to focus on express services. "This year will be a challenge for further expansion, particular in express, but we expected the business to grow by 10 per cent," Record said. Meanwhile, TNT is continuing to develop its Asia road network by extending it into China. The network began in 2005 by coordinating road transport between Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Vietnam was added last year and the network will reach Nanning in China this year.
Suchat Sritama The Nation
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