China’s SF Express eyes home-grown technology as means to expand globally – South China Morning Post

SF Express, one of Chinas largest logistics service providers, wants to transform into a technology-driven courier and adopt home grown Chinese technology to boost its business internationally.

One of our primary objectives is to understand how we use technology to differentiate ourselves [from our rivals], David Adams, chief executive officer of the international business unit of SF Express, told the South China Morning Post. China already has tremendous technologies and we will primarily use Chinese technology as a foundation to expand our business.

For example, the Shenzhen-based SF Express has already started commercial drone deliveries after receiving Chinas first drone airspace license. Drones are really useful in special delivery situations such as emergencies and remote areas, Adams said. But right now, from my understanding, there are no plans to use drones outside China.

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To expand the international business, SF Express will adopt two different models depending on the region.

In some Asian countries such as Singapore and Korea, which are closer to China, we will invest directly in infrastructure and service development, Adams said. In Singapore, SF Express offers domestic delivery services and will introduce the same in Malaysia later this year.

For countries further away, such as the United States and in Europe, SF Express will use an asset light model.

[In these countries], we will find partners to help us with our service, he said.

We do not generally offer domestic service outside China. Within Europe, we do not offer delivery service from one country to anotherbut only connect Europe and China or Asian countries.

Adams said the company will primarily invest in technology, expertise, human resources and equipment when it comes to markets further away from China.

Consequently, SF Express isnt worried that its international business expansion will be caught up in Chinas tightening rules on outbound capital as the asset light investment model doesnt involve large capital outflows.

Cross-border business between the US and China, the largest two economies in the world, is a priority for the companys international business expansion, but initially the courier will focus on US exports to China.

We primarily focus on B2C cross-border business, [mainly helping] US e-commerce merchants enter the Chinese market and sell their products in China, Adams said.

In Hong Kong, where SF Express founder Wang Wei originally started his business, Adams said the company is already quite large and ubiquitous but wont shy away from expanding its presence even more in the city.

Cainiao and SF Express to resume data sharing after Chinas State Post Bureau intervenes

In March this year SF Express officially completed its so-called backdoor listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, with the resulting surge in share price temporarily making Wang Wei the countrys third-richest man. But the stock price has since slipped on a disagreement with Cainiao, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba Group, over the sharing of data. However, the two firms have since resumed data sharing. Alibaba is the owner of the Post.

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China's SF Express eyes home-grown technology as means to expand globally - South China Morning Post