F E AT U RE After oce closures during lockdown, Asian Express International Movers is now addressing a backlog of work, with jobs in Hong Kong and China mainly outbound JOSEPH LAI, UNIGROUP ASIA HONG KONG GENERAL MANAGER Weve taken the stance that, as a family of employees, well weather the storm together, even if it means protability for 2020 has been reduced cash challenge and been slow in processing payments. Up until COVID-19, wed had a pretty good year, despite the trade war involving China and downturn in some economies. Things should pick up though how sustainable that will be is unknown. But China will continue to be important globally in the mobility market. Despite the financial headwinds, UniGroup Asia managed to avoid laying off staff or cutting salaries. Weve taken the stance that, as a family of employees, well weather the storm together, even if it means profitability for 2020 has been reduced, Joseph Lai, the firms Hong Kong General Manager told FIDI Focus. One consequence of COVID-19, says Lai, has been a catalytic push to take advantage of current technology, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Skype. It was the only means for the business to continue. Sales teams and clients are now more receptive to digital/virtual surveys, rather than pushing for physical ones. Lai believes countries with a robust and developed/ accessible medical healthcare infrastructure will be the markets that recover faster. Within the moving 34 FF298 AugSept20 pp30-37 Asia Recovery.indd 34 industry, health and safety policies no longer apply only to transport and lifting, and will, ultimately, need updating, he says, to address transmittable diseases. In recent years, UniGroup Asia has diversified, broadening its business base from its dependence on import/export of HHGs (household goods) into areas such as commercial logistics and asset storage management. We will have gone over a road bump, but will bounce back steadily over time when borders open, says Lai. Firms with strong cash-flow management will survive with no problems. Firms heavily reliant on accounts with 90 days credit terms will most likely suffer the most. I imagine there will be further M&A within the industry because of the pandemic. Business in Hong Kong had already been battered by violent protests over proposed extradition laws, while Chinas proposed national security law, which has now been approved, stoked tensions further. Things were on the turn before COVID-19, says Warwick Woodley, Global Mobility Director for Asian Express International Movers. As the economy has suffered, so has our industry. Job numbers WW W. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 20/07/2020 16:05