Here we are at the start of a new year and it’s always a good time for reflection and to set new goals. There is no doubt the last two years have arguably been the most challenging years we’ve ever seen and although we still have some challenges ahead of us, I’m optimistic that 2022 will be a better year for our industry and our customers. Here at MatchBox Exchange (MB), we believe the role we play within our industry is not only to provide innovative digital solutions for the container logistics industry, but to also help the industry adopt new thinking and new operating models that will deliver a better, faster, and smarter transport network. Offering smart digital products and services is one part of the solution but without adopting the right mindset it’s very likely you will not fully exploit the benefits these tools can offer your business. We call this mindset “THE MATCHBOX EXCHANGE MINDSET.” So, what is it exactly? Well before I get into explaining what it is, let me paint a picture of the current challenges faced by our industry and how adopting the MatchBox Exchange mindset can help. Today the container logistics industry is facing major challenges…
Singapore: MatchBox Exchange community networking event
Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Keeping the spirit alive of achieving more by working together, MatchBox Exchange (MB) Singapore hosted an evening for our customers, at Fame Entertainment in Jurong on Saturday, October 8th, 2022. Close to 40 customers attended the event along with the added support from Wan Hai, a key MB Partner. The event was conducted to appreciate all users for adopting and supporting MatchBox Exchange’s platform with reuse and exchange bookings. The evening marked a celebration where customers who often carry out exchanges with one another got an opportunity to network. This greatly contributed to bring the logistics community together through exchanges, a big part of the MatchBox Exchange mission. To honour our top users, a segment of the event included an award ceremony. a) Hock Seng Heng Transport & Trading Pte Ltd and CA Transportation & Warehousing Pte Ltd were recognized for making the Most Re-Use and Exchange bookings so far in 2022. b) Rejoice Container Services Pte Ltd, WYN2000 Transport & Container Services Pte Ltd and Waterfront Services Pte Ltd were awarded the title of MB’s Power Users for consistently booking on the…
What makes customers stay loyal to a brand?
Customers are the foundation of any business. A company’s ability to attract and retain customers is crucial to its success. In this blogpost, we’ll explore the reasons behind loyalty to a company or a brand. We’ll also shed some light on why customers keep coming back to MatchBox Exchange (MB). So, why do customers stay? In one word: value. Customers want to feel like they’re getting something worth their money, whether it’s a product, a service, or good customer experience. They’ll stick with businesses that provide them with what they need. To stand out from the competition, they need to offer something of value or a unique selling proposition that their customers can’t find anywhere else. Customers are also more likely to continue doing business with a company where their needs are well looked after. Good customer service plays a big role in this. By offering a high level of support and assistance, responsiveness to customers’ needs, and quick and efficient resolution of issues – businesses can create loyal relationships that last for years. More often than not, customers also stay because of trust and familiarity. They will support a company that they know will provide quality products or services…
Many ports and trucking companies operate 24 hours a day, should importers and exporters do the same?
Ports and many transport companies have invested in 24-hour operations to meet the demands of customers, exploit broader access to terminals, and increase the utilization of their assets. Despite the increasing shift to 24-hour operations, the majority of deliveries of containers still occur during daytime hours. I’m sure many of these companies would like to see more importers and exporters open their doors after hours so they can increase their fleet utilization and service more customers with the trucking assets they have. This is much better than having to buy more trucks or engage subcontractors to meet customer deliveries all squeezed into daytime operating hours. Utilization of port terminals and trucking remains low during nights and it’s a combination of lack of drivers and lack of customers willing to open their doors after hours that are some of the main reasons for this. Recently in the USA, the Port of Los Angeles extended its receival and dispatch operations at night in an effort to clear the large backlog, however this was not well supported by transport operators who struggled to find drivers and customers who were willing and able to receive or pack containers at night from their factories or…
Our top priority is to provide customers with immediate assistance
It takes more than a great idea and some capital to get a business off the ground. Excellent customer service needs to be part of a company’s DNA from day one. At MatchBox Exchange, meeting customers’ satisfaction is paramount and, that’s why top-notch customer support has been an integral part of our success from the very beginning. On the ball and ready to help, our team provides coverage across time zones and assists each customer with a smile. Here’s an insightful interview with our Head of Operations, Yogi Sharma and Operations and Customer Support in charge, Srishti Kalyankar. Why is good customer support important for any company? In a company, the customer support team bridges the gap between the product and the customer. All of us have experienced bad customer service at one point or another. Good customer support is accessible and reliable. The customer must feel confident enough to ask questions and trust the team to provide satisfactory answers. A hands-on customer support team is necessary to build a loyal customer base and maintain the company’s reputation. How does the MatchBox Exchange customer support work? What makes it different from any other customer support team? Anytime we receive customer queries, we follow simple steps to…
Embrace Digital Transformation and be Open to New Ideas
How many of you have heard the phrase …“Embrace digital transformation or die”? What does this mean? Well, I do know that in today’s world those that are agile, open to change and willing to challenge the status quo are most likely to succeed. At MatchBox Exchange, we believe digital transformation has a number of dimensions. People often think that simply digitising an existing manual process is ‘transformation’. Although we agree there is a lot of value in automating current manual processes, we feel true transformation comes from improving the underlying process by rethinking the operating model altogether. Let me give you an example. In our industry, we see companies investing in ways to make existing assets (trucks/depots/terminals) as efficient as they can be. Trucking companies invest in high productivity vehicles so they can move more containers in the same trip, depots invest in scheduling and appointment systems in an attempt to improve the flow of trucks through their facilities. Don’t get me wrong, these are important initiatives that help contribute to an improved transport network but… Our view is that rather than focus so much energy on maximising the efficiency of the current process why not consider a new…
What’s More Important: a Quality Product or an Excellent Team? Can one do without the other?
While some might choose one over the other, both the product and team are equally important to achieve the best results. They work hand-in-hand because adopting any new product always requires a different approach. At MatchBox Exchange (MB), we are driven by a similar sense of innovation and encourage independent thinking to radically change conventional ways of empty container management. Led by experts in the fields of transportation and technology, the team can identify gaps in the container supply chain and find lasting solutions to complex challenges. The MatchBox Exchange mindset is well reflected in the digital platform itself through its simple to use user interface which makes the reuse and exchange of empty containers possible in just a few clicks. Available 24×7, its instant approval feature gives transport companies the ability to make quick decisions. Truckers and their customers benefit from reuse and exchange opportunities by saving time and increasing fleet utilisation. The platform also brings different parties together, helping transport companies work collaboratively through a central neutral open market platform that offers all members of the MatchBox Exchange network opportunities to exchange containers in a very safe and efficient way. It’s the engine that empowers collaboration between competitors in a way that creates…
Do current delivery models hamper your logistics business? Consider MatchBox Exchange
As logistics supply chains lag behind in the face of global disruptions, digital technology will play an increasingly central role in developing the industry and overcoming these challenges. But will digitising current workflows be enough or is a radical shift necessary to achieve tangible results? While most digital processes focus on improving the existing model of delivery, a few aim to fundamentally change the model altogether. One such idea is the MatchBox Exchange (MB) ‘open market’ platform that looks at the problem of returning and collecting empty shipping containers from a different perspective. What’s the inspiration behind this radical change? While heading one of Australia’s leading transport companies, Carl Marchese personally experienced the waste and cost that empty container parks add to international supply chains. Such container parks were unable to handle surging demands despite major improvements. In time, it became evident that modernising this outdated system was pointless and that reinvention was the only way forward. This thought inspired the vision for a better-faster-smarter approach. How does MatchBox Exchange work? Can it provide lasting solutions to long-standing problems? Scheduling a booking on MatchBox Exchange doesn’t require a subscription, joining fee or even monthly payments as registered users are only charged per transaction. Its 24×7 Instant Approval feature facilitates…
How to avoid the challenges and restrictions with Appointment Systems at depots, the solution is only a few clicks away!
Picture this: As a trucker, you need to return an empty container to the depot by 10am, however the only available appointment time is 2pm. Your truck has to reach the neighbouring port terminal on time to pick up another import to make the next customer delivery and a 4-hour delay is an inconvenience. In pressing situations like these, you can either send an extra truck to collect the empty container or offload the container at your trucking yard. But is there a better option at your disposal? Simple reuse or exchange would be an effective way to avoid such a problem. It is possible on MatchBox Exchange (MB), the world’s first open-market platform that allows trucking companies to reuse their empty containers or exchange them with other parties on the land-side. A reliable and secure solution, MatchBox Exchange helps trucking companies avoid the appointment system altogether as it eliminates the need to transit through empty container parks. Now, drivers can follow a schedule and reach more customers by using MB’s 24×7 Instant Approval feature to set up bookings throughout the day. Adopting the MatchBox Exchange advantage saves costs and time, improves productivity and brings more value to transport companies across markets. Moreover, fleet utilisation and operational…
The Power of Partnership: Why the world’s leading shipping lines partner with only the best
A lasting partnership begins with trust. Open communication and accessibility are equally important. But to be mutually beneficial means working together to achieve shared success. An example of one such partnership is between MatchBox Exchange and the world’s top shipping lines. MatchBox Exchange (MB) is the world’s first open market digital platform that allows transport operators, freight forwarders and shippers to reuse and exchange empty containers. A proven cloud-based SaaS platform, MatchBox Exchange delivers an end-to-end solution focusing on all aspects of customer adoption, training and support. Even its operating model is simple and effective. The team works with shipping lines on data sharing and EDI integration which it already has in place with other lines in multiple markets and languages. So why do shipping lines partner with MatchBox Exchange? (1.) MatchBox Exchange helps their shipping line partners and their customers to save on costs by removing the need for empty containers to transit through depots. (2.) Its digital solution offers 24/7 Instant Approval that saves time and improves the customer experience. (3.) Customers are more productive, enabling more triangulations and increased savings. (4.) MatchBox Exchange provides its partners with a true end-to-end solution covering all aspects of marketing, sales, training, onboarding, and customer support. A comprehensive service that ensures partners and customers maximise…