2GO introduces first multi-temperature reefer vans in PH
2GO Group, Inc., a pioneer in less than container load (LCL) reefers in the Philippines, a subsidiary of SM Investments Corp., begins the New Year with the arrival of its new mixed temperature vans — the first in the country, in a move to boost the safe and secure transport of goods critical to spurring economic activity.
Managed by subsidiary 2GO Special Containers and Value-Added Services, Inc. (SCVASI), each van has multiple temperature settings, which allows it to store and transport both frozen and chilled food items at the same time, freeing up slots in vessels. Frozen foods — such as meat and fish — are typically preserved at a temperature of -20C, while chilled ones like fruits and vegetables are kept between -2 and -6C.
Each mixed-temperature reefer van has a length of 20 feet and will be used for its LCL reefer service.
On top of this, 2GO Special Containers has acquired LCL reefer vans for frozen foods. Together with the mixed-temperature vans, these will be deployed throughout the country. The addition of these assets increases 2GO Special Containers’ reefer van fleet by 25%.
“We continue to believe in the long-term growth potential of this sector and have made these strategic investments as we expect consumer growth to drive the economy. With these new assets, we raise our standards in transporting the freshest food possible, especially as customer demand rises in the coming weeks,” said 2GO SCVASI president Gener Lim.
Asialink teams up with Lazada, Shopee
Asialink Finance Corp., one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing finance companies, has partnered with e-commerce giants Lazada and Shopee to give its clients an easier way to make loan payments.
Asialink’s partnership with Shopee is powered by ECPay, enabling both offline and online channels with the One-Stop-Shop proposition. The Lazada partnership is powered by Bayad offering a whole suite of financial products and services, available in its physical and digital touchpoints.
Asialink has tapped into these all-in-one payment platforms to make it easier for its clients to pay their loans and insurance premiums.
“One of the challenges we want to overcome is payment of loans. We partnered with online and offline payment solutions so that our clients can easily settle their loans,” said Robert Jordan Jr., chief Executive Officer of Asialink.
Through ECPay, Asialink’s clients can also pay via Gcash, 7-Eleven CLIQQ, Truemoney, ExpressPay, Gaisano Grand, Cebuana, Tambunting and ECPay accredited sari-sari stores.
Loan payments are also made available thru Bayad’s all-in-one pera transaction applications, the Bayad Online, a web-based facility accessible thru www.online.bayad.com; and the Bayad App, a mobile-based solution downloadable via Google Play, App Store, and Huawei App Gallery.
Asialink also has payment partnership deals with Asia United Bank, BDO, Eastwest Bank, RCBC and Robinsons Bank.
Asialink offers several loan products that cater to its core clients — the unbanked and under-served sector.
5th site
Global tech care company Asurion recently announced it will open a new site in the Philippines, its fifth, in Clark where it will hire more than 700 team members.
Asurion has been operating in the Philippines since 2009 and employs more than 5,000 people across four facilities, including a distribution center in Calamba City, an IT service facility in Manila, and two customer service centers in Santa Rosa and Iloilo, respectively.
Asurion has more than 23,000 employees and is globally recognized as an employer of choice, and for driving operational and strategic excellence within the national tech industry.
Recognized as a Great Place to Work for prioritizing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees, the company team members will fill the growing consumer demand for round-the-clock tech support for phones and smart home devices.
Toyota PH continues to lead push to ‘Go Electrified’
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) kicked off 2023 with an electrified start with the first leg of its nationwide ‘Go Electrified with Toyota’ tour on January 19 to 22 at the Activity Center of Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.
As the leader of electrified mobility in the country, Toyota offers a wide variety of HEVs. Currently in the lineup are the Camry, Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross and RAV4 which will all be featured at the ‘Go Electrified’ activity.
Aside from vehicle displays, guests of the electrified experiential booth will also get the chance to test drive the featured HEVs and learn more from TMP’s pool of electrified vehicle experts ready to answer any queries or clarifications the public may have about various electric car technologies. Prizes are also at stake for active participants of the various learning and immersion sessions.
With its current portfolio of HEV’s, TMP believes in giving its customers diverse and accessible choices in order to shift electrified vehicles while still addressing their specific mobility needs today. This step is aligned with the principle that electrified vehicles can only make a significant impact to the environment with massive adoption of various carbon-neutral vehicle technologies. Under its multi-path approach to sustainable mobility, Toyota offers various technologies around the world from HEVs to Plug-In Electric Vehicles, Battery Electric Vehicles, and Fuel Cell and Hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Authorized service center for PlayStation
Highpoint Service Network (HSN) has been appointed authorized service center for PlayStation in the Philippines, serving major cities from north to south, including Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Legazpi City.
Through the integration of original parts and technological resources, HSN will provide local consumers with after-sales service for PlayStation game consoles and other products, during and after the warranty period. In addition to PlayStation, HSN also gained service licenses from other global brands.
HSN offers professional after-sales services to multiple countries, including maintenance, inspection and repairs. In addition, to fulfill the needs of its English-speaking customers, it also offers business process outsourcing services from the Philippines.
Diagnosis equipment milestone
Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) recently received accreditations from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its 3Tesla MRI.
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnostic imaging tool that produces detailed images of the body’s internal organs and tissues, as well as three-dimensional images which can be viewed from different angles. The machine is vital in helping medical experts in diagnosing patients and providing more accurate treatment.
MakatiMed’s 3 Tesla MRI machine operates at twice the normal strength of a magnetic field (1.5 Tesla) while generating the highest quality images. The latest technology has numerous benefits for both the patients and the hospital’s healthcare professionals. The 3 Tesla MRI provides a better patient experience due to its efficiency which leads to shorter examination times and lessens the sense of being confined in an enclosed space.
The machine’s higher resolution produces more detailed images which are advantageous when diagnosing pathological conditions involving the brain, spine and musculoskeletal system. This allows Radiologists to identify smaller lesions or anatomical structures not possible in less optimal scanners. Its high imaging quality also lowers the risk of distorted images and the need for repeat scans, while allowing for more advanced imaging procedures with more accurate diagnosis.
With the accredited 3 Tesla MRI, MakatiMed continues to provide reliable, quality and compassionate healthcare to Filipinos.
UBX closes 2022 with exponential growth
UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, ended 2022 on a positive note, as it ramped up efforts to advance open finance in the country while promoting financial inclusion.
Since its inception in 2018, UBX has achieved multiple major milestones through its financial ventures, empowered by its desire to make sure that underserved and unbanked communities in the Philippines have access to various financial tools and solutions.
Over the last three years, UBX’s customer base grew by 184x, bringing transaction volumes to a growth rate of 411x to P41 billion at end-2022. The platform also boasts over 230,000 business-to-business (B2B) customers that serve millions of local customers daily.
In 2022, UBX boosted its drive for financial inclusion through its extensive range of embedded financial services and solutions and a network of the biggest and most reputable financial institutions and service providers, insurers, lenders, and payment channels in the country. These included
i2i, SeekCap, BUx, Artifract, among others. UBX also beefed up its partnerships with the government in 2022, launching the Digital Transformation ng Pilipinas Initiative, a multistakeholder advocacy group, focused on the digital transformation of the country.
DepEd recognizes Security Bank
Security Bank Corp. and its corporate social responsibility arm Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) were recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) for its programs and investments in advancing quality education in the Philippines through the Adopt-a-School Program.
DepEd held its “Partners Appreciation Program” last December 13 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Mandaluyong City to recognize private and public partners who have provided assistance and services like classrooms, trainings, learning equipment, and resources for the benefit of public schools.
Security Bank Foundation’s advocacy in education began in 2011, through its flagship program, Build A School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project, a holistic education program where SBFI provides safe, conducive and structurally sound learning spaces for public schools in need and complements these with training for principals and teachers. SBFI also repairs previously donated classrooms to ensure continuous usability and conduciveness for learning.
iQor Ph is great place to work
iQor has earned the Great Place to Work Certification in the Philippines for 2023.
The certification honors iQor’s ability to create rewarding employee experiences through its value-driven culture. The recognition is issued by Great Place to Work®, a global authority on workplace culture.
The Great Place to Work® Certificationâ„¢ is awarded to organizations that deliver excellent employee experiences and demonstrate best-in-class people practices. The rigorous assessment process includes an independent survey of employees and a workforce questionnaire. Great Place to Work® analyzes the responses using their research-backed data-driven methodology to verify an excellent company culture and a great employee experience.
More than 8 out of 10 survey respondents indicated that iQor is a Great Place to Work. Employee feedback specified a wide range of positive work experiences, including a fair and just work environment in which management promotes inclusive behaviors, a friendly and welcoming team environment with a strong sense of community, high levels of camaraderie and workplace enjoyment in which employees take pride in their work, excellent training and growth opportunities as well as recognition of accomplishments, and open communication between management and employees.
Consumer trends
With the rise of e-commerce and micro, small and medium enterprises, businesses need to understand the diverse needs of their consumers, who are increasingly becoming digital-first.. Thi
In line with this, Shopee shares 3 key consumer trends shaping the digital economy in 2023, to help local businesses grow their online presence.
1. Increased and more savvy use of digital services
Across the region, more shoppers are transitioning to the digital space and recognizing the ease and convenience that e-commerce offers. Double day sales have become highly-anticipated by Filipinos looking to score the best deals and enjoy greater savings.
2. Growing adoption of digital services outside Metro Manila
The number of buyers and sellers outside Metro Manila has increased over time, as more Filipinos venture into e-commerce to transcend geographical borders. During the 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale, shoppers from Davao, Cebu, Bulacan, and Rizal enjoyed great deals and emerged as cities with the most number of orders outside Metro Manila.
3. The rise of more purposeful buyers
In this new age, shoppers are looking to support brands that align with their values and contribute to the community. Digital platforms like Shopee, connect users with businesses that help them keep the Filipino spirit of bayanihan alive. Last November, shoppers heavily supported local sellers with one of them even seeing a 7 times uplift in orders during the 11.11 Mega Pamasko Sale.
