LOGISTICS RELOADED

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR FEDEX EXPRESS STEERS LOGISTICS FROM RESILIENCE TO INNOVATION INTO A BRAVE AND MORE CONTEMPORARY ERA.

In the thick of Singapore’s bustling shipping industry, Eric Tan reflects on FedEx Express’s journey. Under his leadership as managing director, the company has woven itself into the fabric of the region’s economic resilience and logistical evolution. “We’ve definitely come a long way,” he begins with characteristic modesty.

He reminds me that FedEx’s presence here spans four decades, a milestone that coincides with The Peak’s 40-year celebration. It’s a convergence fitting for a story that traces FedEx’s transformative impact in Singapore, not just as a logistics provider but as a lifeline that kept the country — and much of Asia — moving in times of crisis.

From its humble beginnings at a warehouse in Kaki Bukit with fewer than ten routes and couriers, FedEx Singapore has become a powerhouse with a staff of over 1,100. Its South Pacific Regional Hub is a testament to its growth. But for Tan, the dynamism of the industry has kept him at FedEx for nearly 24 years.

“In logistics, no single day is ever boring or the same,” he shares. “It’s an industry always in motion — new projects, new demands, especially now.”

Tan’s journey is marked by adaptability, a trait that proved vital during the pandemic, a defining chapter; one etched deeply into Tan’s memory. As Singapore’s skies emptied and the world shuttered down, FedEx was classified as an essential industry and became an unsung hero. “At one point, packages were piling up so high in the warehouse, I could barely see the floor,” he recalls. Even then, the team’s commitment was unwavering, though not without anxiety. Employees feared exposure to the virus but recognised the critical nature of their work.