DHL is expanding its operations as demand grows in the region Planning how to get products from maker to consumer is a big job and one that is crucial to success. Macau's booming economy has seen the logistics business grow rapidly with increased demand for everything from construction material to food and beverages. DHL Express Macau, an international express, overland transport and freight company, started in the region 23 years ago. It is now growing in an effort to keep pace with the thriving economy, fuelled by the gaming industry. According to Macau's Statistics and Census Service, its gross domestic product grew 28.9 per cent in the first half of this year. Faced with outdated infrastructure and limited suppliers, Macau's hotel and casino operators have been forced to import massive amounts of equipment and hotel supplies. This includes everything from construction materials, furniture, fixtures and equipment to gaming supplies, room amenities and textiles. DHL Express (Hong Kong) general manager Connie Tang Fung-ming said she saw many opportunities in Macau, and DHL had experienced 'good growth' in the region in recent years. To cope with the increased demand, DHL is expanding its Macau team and looking for sales executives, customer service clerks, couriers and data entry staff. 'The majority of our business involves providing express and logistics services to corporates,' Ms Tang said. 'Our major clients include large banking corporations, hotel and entertainment, building and construction, telecoms and some offshore companies.' According to Ms Tang there are three major factors that will continue to drive economic growth in Macau. These are closer business ties between southern China and Macau due to the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Macau's gradual integration into the mainland's highway and rail network and the proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Ms Tang said she was confident these three things would work to enhance Macau's economic standing and create an environment for its logistics industry to develop beyond regional boundaries. She said managing growth was always a challenge, and this was made increasingly difficult in Macau due to the labour shortage. 'Given Macau's phenomenal economic growth and the increasing number of large international corporations entering the market, competition for the right talent or people will be challenging for us. 'The fast-growing economy also means that the express and logistics industry may face increasing employee-related cost pressure. Talent who possess good knowledge and experience will be in great demand.' People with strong supply chain, logistics and procurement expertise are also highly sought after in the Middle East. With the growth in jobs, the options for getting into the industry are expanding. In the past, many have fallen into express and logistics from another part of the business such as finance, engineering or marketing. But companies today are seeing supply chain as a career path and are hiring graduates for training programmes. Ways into the industry include a sideways move within a company, or through universities that offer qualifications such as a bachelor of business in logistics and supply chain management, or master of business in logistics management. In an effort to keep up with increased industry competition, DHL has its own in-house training programme and it established the DHL Logistics Management University in Shanghai two years ago. Ms Tang said the university was used as a training centre for both employees and customers throughout Asia and the Pacific. Courses are aimed at developing management staff within DHL and providing systems training for supply chain workers for customers. In its first year of operation more than 200 DHL staff undertook courses at the university. 'It was established in line with our commitment to raise the standards and level of professionalism of our employees and the logistics industry,' Ms Tang said. 'While we look for certain qualities or professional qualifications in relation to particular positions, we also provide a structured and solid platform for career development and advancement.' Through the university, DHL has a partnership with Fudan University, in Shanghai, and the China-Europe International Business School to assist in putting together management development programmes. Ms Tang said people applying for jobs with DHL needed to be willing to learn and should have leadership qualities. 'Customer-oriented attitudes, communication skills and the ability to work under pressure are qualities very important to us when we are hiring people.' For the sales executive positions, applicants must have sales and marketing experience. Ms Tang described any improvement in the city's infrastructure as 'good for long-term business'. 'Better infrastructure will alleviate the long-standing traffic problems in Macau,' she said. '[It] presents new business opportunities as construction companies demand efficient and timely express and delivery services.' Opportunity knocks Gaming industry boom has led to a big growth in Macau's logistics industry DHL Express Macau is looking for sales and support staff Stronger economic links to the mainland to fuel further growth. In-house training programmes on offer Strong competition from the Middle East for staff