SARS-wary firms turn to couriers
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

The global outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is causing heartbreak to certain sectors such as the travel trade but to some other sectors, SARS could be considered as a blessing in disguise.

Local express courier and package delivery companies are benefiting from the SARS outbreak as most establishments are now relying on their multi-services.

"We are not thanking SARS because it is a major threat to humans in the absence of an antidote but we consider ourselves as a viable alternative and an answer amid the SARS fears," said a spokesperson of a local courier.

Courier companies did not suffer as their travel trade counterparts and there is no change in their intra-Asia routes. In fact, they saw a positive impact on business volumes as a result of SARS.

"We are providing an alternative where instead of company executives and employees doing the travel to deliver goods and services, they are now relying on us," he said.

He said the long-term picture was very positive in Asia Pacific as large manufacturers were seeking to strengthen relationships with package companies for total supply chain solutions to drive improved productivity and speed to the market, while smaller and medium-sized businesses were harnessing the power of air express in the globalised economy.

"I think it is too early to make any accurate assessments of this SARS-tainted economy, but the overall growth indicators paint a positive picture for air-cargo," he said.

Their customers range from small and medium-sized customers who require door-to-door express delivery for small packages and documents, to larger multinational manufacturers who require heavyweight deliveries and total logistics and supply chain solutions.

The companies also expressed confidence that there would still be a positive growth for the air cargo industry this year.

"We believe in constantly reviewing and enhancing our networks, introducing new products and services, expanding our infrastructure, adopting state-of-the art information technology practices and increasing workforce productivity through activities such as training and re-training," he said.

Apart from the express courier and package delivery companies, suppliers of teleconferencing and video-conferencing equipments are also reporting an increase in business.

This is due to the general fear of SARS, so meetings had to be conducted through virtual presence instead of physical attendance.

"Some companies were now conducting meetings with their overseas partners through video conferencing which did not need their physical presence. They felt much safer this way," they said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin