Ahead of the World Mail & Express Asia (WMX Asia) Conference in Hong Kong, we caught up with Georg Weidinger, CEO at Swiss Mail Solutions. Georg will be speaking at WMX Asia 2019 and offers his thoughts on the conference and the future of the industry.

This interview was originally published on Post & Parcel in August 2019.

P&P – Tell us a little bit about yourself and your company.

GW – After working several years as export manager for FMCG companies, I started my postal career in 1999 as International Business Development Manager at Austrian Post. From 2002 I worked for Swiss Post International; until 2006 as Global Account Manager for PPOs and from 2006 until 2012 as CEO of Swiss Post International Austria. In 2013 I founded swiss mail solutions where we provide warehousing and distribution solutions for the e-commerce industry mainly in Europe and Asia.

P&P – What will you be speaking about at WMX Asia this year?

GW – As the cross-border e-commerce industry in Asia is still growing and demands of sellers are changing, so to are the regulations on customs and duties in Europe. My presentation will focus on what to expect in the near future and how to cope with these changes. With the focus of selling to Europe I want to present an overview of these challenges and solutions.

P&P – What do you hope our delegates will take away from your presentation?

GW – I do hope that those delegates affected by the upcoming changes in Europe will be more aware of the necessary adaptations in the logistic and customs process.

P&P – What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing your business today?

GW – Keeping updated with changes in the import process and distribution and adapting our services accordingly along our value chain.

P&P – Apart from the presentations and content, what aspect of WMX Asia are you most looking forward to?

GW – Networking is always the most important part of these events; but also learning from other players in the industry.

P&P – What is the biggest challenge in the post and parcel industry at the moment?

GW – Developing solutions for distribution and preparing sufficient resources for the e-commerce industry.

P&P – What are the most critical changes that we must make to face the future effectively?

GW – Resources, resources, resources…

P&P – What’s the one piece of advice would you give to companies starting out in your sector?

GW – Automation of process in the fulfilment area and develop along the value chain with a focus of make or buy services. What can you do best and which parts should be outsourced?

P&P – Why is the Belt and Road Initiative so significant for global retail and their logistics partners?

GW – It’s a very important additional mean of transport between sea freight and air cargo.

Georg will be speaking at the World Mail & Express Asia Conference 2019. WMX Asia is taking place at the Mira Hong Kong (15 – 17 September 2019). Visit www.wmxasia.com for more information.