"We've decided early on to use technology in managing our processes and those of our customers, and that identification has been strategic in our success," Lee says. "We complement our technology with close partnerships with clients to understand their internal organisational processes as we become part of them under a business-process-outsourcing type of strategy."

This approach has given Elite an edge against the big names in global logistics. The company's electronic letters of credits, for instance, allow information to be immediately mapped into its system without having someone read or retype the documents. Full electronic integration with the clients' real-time database system also allows them to benefit from Elite's digital network, which includes shipping lines, booking agents, airlines, banks and customs brokers.

With 36 offices worldwide, eight of which are in China, Elite sees continued growth in global markets. While the discovery of shale gas has created excitement across the United States, Asia shares the action as the Middle East tries to move its products into China. The company sees greater demand for its services as petrochemical complexes crop up across the mainland, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. 

"We believe the adoption of technology can enhance global best practices, compliance and standardisation across the supply chain process that every industry leader is trying to achieve," Lee says.