【正文】 a manager, it can be explained as providing more services to the customers, which is the extension of their core business. However, this concept can also be regarded as a matter of relationship between the parties within the whole supply chain. Just in time can be a key factor for a pany to be success, such as Japanese automobile manufacturers However this concept is no longer suitable to all logistics panies. Gates Rubber Company is one of the exceptional cases. The JIT concept can only be used under customers’ requests. Automation is a way to increase the efficiency in managing a warehouse. However Caterpillar has no intention to change the warehouse into an automatic one. The manager in Caterpillar emphasises the high cost of installing the equipment. Although Caterpillar Logistics forms longterm agreements with several firms, also it built a headquarters for Daimler Chrysler. Cost of implementing automatic warehouse is still a problem to such a large firm. Caterpillar is not the only firm to reject to change to automatic warehouse. During the visit, TransLink Express Pte Ltd is another firm which does not adopt the automation. The reason behind is related to the climate in Singapore. High humidity will affect the operation of the automatic equipments such as the sensor between the ground and the machinery.Besides automatic warehouse, panies may face problems when using hitech equipments, such as handheld device. Richland upgrades their equipments for the purpose of improving their services However their staff has some difficulties in adapting the use of the device. The pany needs to put extra effort on teaching their staff to use as well as allowing more time for them to learn. Besides, Richland also requested the manufacturer to make the handheld device in a more user friendly.After the firms visit, I found out that the brand name of the pany is not important to the end customers. What the consumers concern is the quality of the product. They will not consider the logistics services provider It can explain why Caterpillar’s warehouse is willing to use the name of their trade partner Daimler Chrysler, instead of its own name. It also explains why Richland is adopting open policy – allow their client’s logo print on their truck and their uniform.20 / 45Name: Lam Chun WangStudent id: 03254547dIn this eight days tour, I had learnt knowledge outside textbooks, which use in reality. I can see different views, visions and values of pany. Some panies believe only in advanced, most updated facilities which can bring success to them while some believe simple is the best. Some panies focus much on interaction with customers, while some say providing good logistics service can attract customer automatically. By the detail explanation of scenario the pany faced, I understand what factor needed to consider when making decision. Even better, the tour inspired me a lot. From scheduling new shipping line to making new size containers, different panies tried different methods to survive in the keen petitive market. Creativity and long sight would be critical factors of sustainable profitability and development of the pany. Of course, this tour gave me much technical knowledge of how different warehouses operate. Different types of warehouse services for different customers customized and specialized for their modities. Visiting warehouse gave me idea of difficulties of operation, positioning of modities, necessary accessory facilities etc. In that way, I can understand physical and mental factors needed to be concern in o。U Logistics.Although most SME panies would thank the Government that she has standardized most of the process, the government controls or interventions may not be wele by the giant global player. TNT Singapore Global Account Director Mr. Damien Tan likened Singapore an orchestra, Hong Kong a Jazz band . Singapore is highly regulated but in a harmonizing manner, whereas, according to the latest report by Wall Street Journal, Hong Kong has the most flexible economic system and the most free market. Commercial sectors, especially the giant players, prefer the system in Hong Kong more.Employee’s QualityMr. Lee, warehouse manager of TransLink Express Pte Ltd., has worked in warehouse industry in Hong Kong for many years. He has a very rich experience in warehouse knowhow and management. He said that the land and labor cost in Singapore were not cheap and facing the high cost petition paring to Singapore’s surrounding cities. The situation is very similar to Hong Kong, but the working attitude and language skill of the employees are much better. He said that the culture was very different. Employees are more selfmotivated to carry out the tasks. Besides, their language skill is also one of the strengths. A relatively moderate educated employee, such as a diploma holder, can speak fluent English, Mandarin and other foreign languages. However, an ordinary degree holder in Hong Kong, like me, cannot speak as fluently as they can. This may be a critical factor that contributed to Caterpillar Logistics’ decision when she chose Singapore as a regional hub, instead of Hong Kong.My Singaporean friend and other tourmates have concluded that the night life in Singapore is really boring, but I think they have interpreted it from a negative side ignoring the benefit of that boredom. There is not many pastimes that can distract people. This definitely helps students and employees to concentrate on their study and job.16 / 45Strategic Management PhilosophySome panies, including IMC, said that they could not get great profit from the logistics business, unless panies could differentiate themselves from other petitors.IMC is previously a pure ocean bulk carrier. She also establishes a logistics division that caters the customer’s needs, but s