Ryder Enters Local Market

By Aranee Jaiimsin, Bangkok Post, Thailand

Jun. 21–A US-based supply chain management and logistics provider is aiming to tap the automotive and high-technology industries in its first year of operations in Thailand.

Ryder System Inc (RSI) opened for business yesterday, with registered capital of three million baht.

It planned to compete by offering tailor-made supply chain management, mainly in the automotive, electronics and electrical industries, said Bobby Griffin, the president of international operations.

“Many world-class manufacturers [of automotive and high-technology products] are represented in Thailand and they always look to Ryder to provide solutions and services wherever they manufacture,” Mr Griffin said.

RSI’s clients included General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and Nissan.

Due to foreign ownership issues, RSI needs local strategic partners in warehousing and trucking, according to Keng Seng Choong, Ryder’s regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific.

Nevertheless, the legal inability to hold assets such as trucks or warehouses is not a big obstacle for RSI, he said, as the company could advise its clients to make the necessary purchases to improve their supply chain management.

Ryder reported US$5.7 billion of revenue with net profit of $385 million worldwide last year. Half of its revenue came from automotive logistics with the rest from logistics solutions for high-tech industries.

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