The China Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), seen as a bellwether of manufacturing activity in the country, rose to 53.5 in April from 52.4 in March, according to Reuters. This is the second straight month the index has finished in excess of 50, which indicates an expansion of activity in the manufacturing sector. A reading of below 50 suggests a contraction. The PMI, compiled by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, plummeted to a record low of 38.8 last November. Various sub-indexes … [Read more...] about China's manufacturing gains strength
Logistics
Panalpina Q1 profit nose dives 94%
Swiss logistics group Panalpina reported a 94 per cent drop in first-quarter profit to 1.9 million Swiss francs (US$1.64 million), but said it was on track to reach its cost-cutting goal for 2009 which includes cutting 10 per cent of its workforce. "The massive recession-related global volume decline seen since the end of 2008 has impacted Panalpina on all major trade lanes and had negative effects on the results in the first quarter," said chief executive Monika Ribar. "However, with the … [Read more...] about Panalpina Q1 profit nose dives 94%
Cargo drop stabilised but Swine flu new threat
A stabilisation of global inventory levels has helped stabilise air freight demand and halted the freefall according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as it warned that concerns over a swine flu pandemic could have a significant impact on air traffic. IATA's latest statistics show that air cargo demand has "moved sideways" in the -21 to -24 per cent range since its plunge from -7.9 to -23.2 per cent between October last year and January 2009. Freight demand in March was … [Read more...] about Cargo drop stabilised but Swine flu new threat
Agility opens new Asia Pac HQ in Singapore
Agility has announced the establishment of its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore and unveiled an additional state-of-the art Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) in the city. The new regional HQ will consolidate many of the regional and global management teams for business units such as logistics, operations and transformation, fairs and events, IT, project logistics, chemicals, and oil and gas. The 14,500 square meter bonded distribution centre at Changi North has three floors designed for … [Read more...] about Agility opens new Asia Pac HQ in Singapore
TNT opens expanded Regional Hub in Singapore
The expanded S$20 million facility, capable of handling over 300 tonnes of cargo per day, is a key component of the express logistics company's pan-Asian road network and is Singapore's first integrated air and road hub. In late 2005 TNT hit upon the idea of developing a road network connecting China with Southeast Asia, creating what was essentially a small scale version of their extensive European road network. Named the Asia Road Network (ARN), the basic pan-Asian land network linking China … [Read more...] about TNT opens expanded Regional Hub in Singapore
Semiconductor decline may be moderating
Global semiconductor sales declined again in February, down 30.4 per cent year-on-year to US$14.2 billion, but there is some indication the rate of decline is moderating from the fourth quarter of last year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). "The global semiconductor industry is going through one of the steepest corrections in its history," said George Scalise, SIA president. "While it would be premature to conclude that the sales decline has hit bottom, there are some … [Read more...] about Semiconductor decline may be moderating
