United Tractors Mining Operations Yield Significant
Transcription
United Tractors Mining Operations Yield Significant
vol.2 2013 Thistle The Magazine of Jardine Matheson Good Trading Performances from Group Businesses > page 3 Outstanding Achievements from Pride in Performance Winners > page 5 Excellence from Land Rover Welwyn > page 21 United Tractors Mining Operations Yield Significant Rewards Achieving New Performance Heights As the Group’s 2012 results show, many of our businesses produced strong trading performances in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty and challenging markets. A key factor in our success is having the right people in our businesses to support that performance. In recent years our people have been the drivers of the Group’s significant expansion, but we need to ensure that we continue to have the depth and quality of talent required for future development. Where we have the right people, we must retain and help them to realize their potential and where we do not have them, we must undertake to find and attract them. As the high standard of entries in the 2013 Pride in Performance Awards programme demonstrated, we already have many excellent people producing outstanding performances across the Group. This was reflected particularly in the new category of ‘Inspiring Talent’ where we saw how talented people are inspired and energized to reach for and achieve new performance heights. In our feature on pages 14-19, we learn how Astra subsidiary United Tractors is achieving new performance heights following the implementation of a change strategy, which has seen the group develop a coal mining business and become a more integrated value-chain operation. Ben Keswick 2 Good Trading Performances from Group Businesses Outstanding Achievements from Pride in Performance Winners Lord Sassoon Attends China-UK Forum … Leadership 8 Latest Additions at Mandarin Oriental in Guangzhou and Shanghai Jardine Schindler Achieves New Heights Milestones for JEC Fresh Direction for Starmart … Feature 14 17 United Tractors Mining Operations Yield Significant Rewards Performance 20 20 Excellence from Land Rover Welwyn Hactl is the Best Superior Rating for Wellcome Taiwan … Spirit 26 Another Record-Breaking Walk Up Jardine House Jardine Ambassadors Spread Festive Greetings Astra Scholarships Provide Ongoing Support for Aceh School Zung Fu Provides Aid with Mercedes-Benz Vito Vans … People 32 34 Jardine Aviation Services and IATA Form Training Partnership Enduring Friendship Cycle & Carriage Recognizes Top Performers Enterprise at Work … Jardine Motors – Wolverhampton Audi CONTENTS At the Centre 2 Good Trading Performances from Group Businesses AT THE CENTRE The Jardine Matheson Group produced many good trading performances during 2012 despite the moderating effects on the region of global economic uncertainty. The Group’s revenue for 2012, including 100% of revenue from associates and joint ventures, was US$60.5 billion, compared with US$57.3 billion in 2011. Underlying profit before tax for the year of US$4,762 million was little changed from the previous year, as was underlying profit attributable to shareholders with a 1% decline at US$1,479 million. Underlying earnings per share were 2% lower at US$4.06. Standing Tall In his annual address to senior executives following the results’ announcement, Managing Director Ben Keswick said that the Group was still, fundamentally, on a growth trajectory and was expected to regain its momentum during 2013. “Even before we entered 2012, it looked like it was set to be a tougher year. So it is very pleasing that, in the face of continuing economic uncertainty and challenging markets, many of our businesses produced strong trading performances.” Looking ahead Mr Keswick said that the Group needed to ensure that it had the depth and quality of talent required to support its future development. At the Centre 3 Good Trading Performances from Group Businesses “Our people are recognized as our single most important success factor. Indeed, they have been the drivers of the Group’s significant expansion in recent years,” said Mr Keswick. “The key to our long-term success is our ability to attract, retain and develop great people... teaching them our values, and inspiring them to ‘Stand Tall’ and drive our businesses forward.” Group Chairman Meets New Politburo Member Wang Qishan in Beijing Jardine Matheson Group Chairman Sir Henry Keswick met with China’s Vice Premier Wang Qishan in Beijing shortly after the Vice Premier had been elevated to become a member of China’s top decision making body, the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee. Mr Wang subsequently relinquished his Vice Premier role on taking up his new appointment at the end of China’s Parliamentary Sessions in March. Trade, Wan Jifei, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Song Tao, and other senior officials. Wang Qishan greeted his old friend Sir Henry whom he had last met in London in 2011, most affably. Sir Henry congratulated Mr Wang on his appointment to the Standing Committee and informed him that many Jardine Matheson Group investments in China were developing well. Mr Wang paid tribute to Jardines’ business progress and welcomed its advanced management expertise, integrity and skills. The meeting was broadcast on China’s State television CCTV that evening while the following day’s People’s Daily described how Sir Henry and Mr Wang had discussed Sino British relations and co-operation in economy and trade. Thistle vol.2 2013 Sir Henry, accompanied by his wife Lady Tessa Keswick, Group Deputy Managing Director Adam Keswick, Hongkong Land Chief Executive Y K Pang, Jardine Matheson (China) Chairman David Hsu, Group Chief Representative Adam Williams and Beijing Senior Adviser Madam Liu Lu, was granted an audience with Mr Wang in the Ziguangge Hall of the Zhong Nan Hai Chinese central government compound. The then Vice Premier was accompanied by the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Left: Sir Henry Keswick meets with Wang Qishan in Beijing. Outstanding Achievements from Pride in Performance Winners Centre back: Jardine Matheson Group Managing Director Ben Keswick and Deputy Managing Director Adam Keswick celebrate with the winners of the 2013 Pride in Performance Awards. There were two exciting additions to the 2013 Pride in Performance (PIP) Awards programme – the introduction of a new category ‘Inspiring Talent’ and for the first time, the staging of the awards ceremony in Singapore. The addition of the ‘Inspiring Talent’ category reflects the Group’s strong emphasis on people and seeks to highlight and recognize initiatives undertaken by Group operating companies to energize people within as they reach for and achieve new performance heights. Entries were required to demonstrate how a team, unit or workforce had been inspired to ‘make things happen’. The staging of the awards ceremony in Singapore was a departure for the PIP programme from its traditional venue in Hong Kong. Held at Cycle & Carriage’s Mercedes-Benz Centre on Alexandra Road, the event highlighted the Group’s long-standing focus on Southeast Asia and its business operations across the region. Auto2000 Enhances Customer Engagement and Wins Grand Prize Indonesia’s main Toyota dealer, Astra’s Toyota Sales Operation – Auto2000, won the Customer Engagement category award and carried off the Grand Prize of the 2013 PIP Awards for a highly successful overhaul of its after-sales operations. To deal with anticipated market growth, Auto2000 first expanded its workshop network and increased its mobile car maintenance service. The company also introduced operational improvements aimed at boosting efficiency and upgrading productivity. With 63% of buyers citing good after-sales service as their key reason for selecting a Toyota vehicle, Auto2000 launched several strategies aimed at enhancing the ‘ownership experience’. These included the launch of a real-time Complaint Management System, the introduction of a Maintenance Reminder Service and an Integrated Appointment System. The financial results achieved saw revenue from repeated customers soar by 54% and profit from this customer segment jump 45% to US$87.5 million. Hongkong Land Inspiring Talent to Achieve Mission Impossible A team of six from Hongkong Land turned a ‘mission impossible’ into a stunning commercial success. The project – the redevelopment of a 37-year-old residential building in Hong Kong – was fraught with complications and faced numerous legal and business challenges. Despite team members having to learn radical new skills and competencies, each rose to the occasion, personifying the concept of ‘people inspiring people’. The end result, the new residential development, Serenade, has outperformed market expectations and achieved a net profit of US$264.3 million – 297% above the original target. Cycle & Carriage, Singapore Proves Marketing Excellence Works Cycle & Carriage (C&C), Singapore’s Mercedes-Benz After-Sales Division dramatically changed its contribution to the company’s bottom line after it ‘challenged’ independent workshops offering a cheaper service, head-on. A marketing campaign educated customers on the advantages of an authorized dealer, while C&C launched several initiatives. These included a Mercedes-Benz centralized booking system and strategically sited MercedesBenz Body Care Services and drive-in tyre outlets. The strategy worked and over the last four years, profit levels have increased by 190% to hit an all-time record of US$13.7 million. At the Centre 5 Innovative Ideas from Hactl with COSAC-Plus Learning that its biggest customer would turn into its biggest competitor following the start-up of its own cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport in 2013, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) launched a pre-emptive strike in 2011 with the redesign of its cargo management system software. Aimed at lifting service levels to unprecedented heights, the new software, COSACPlus, has transformed Hactl’s operations and redefined service levels for the air cargo terminals industry, enabling it to compete aggressively. In addition, during 2012, Hactl signed up ten new airlines. Auto2000, Indonesia – Customer Engagement and Grand Prize Winner Hongkong Land, Hong Kong – Inspiring Talent Zung Fu Delivers Superior Growth with Hyundai Turnaround In a turnaround strategy initiated in 2010, Zung Fu’s subsidiary Hyundai Hong Kong (HHK) delivered dramatic results. After seven years of negative returns, HHK achieved an increase in profits from US$825,000 in 2010 to US$4.3 million in 2012. Strategy included the introduction of the six-seater H1 and the new environmentally friendly Euro 5 H1 van, as well as innovative marketing to incentivize fleet owners. HHK also overhauled its supply chain and doubled its product range and by end 2012, total sales had jumped fourfold. Cycle & Carriage, Singapore – Marketing Excellence Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited, Hong Kong – Innovative Ideas Meanwhile, the business cases presented by the winners of last year’s Marketing Excellence and Successful New Initiative categories, Guardian and JLT India respectively, have been posted on the PIP website at www.jardinespipawards.com. Zung Fu, Hong Kong – Superior Growth Thistle vol.2 2013 Business Cases Posted on PIP Website Group Chairman Visits Southeast Asia and China Jardine Matheson Group Chairman Sir Henry Keswick visited eight countries in Southeast Asia and two cities in China during one of his regular trips to the region. During his month-long visit, Sir Henry visited Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and in China, Shanghai and Beijing. Sir Henry was received by senior government officials and leading local businessmen in meetings that focused on further developing key relationships and business across the region. He also toured various Group interests including in Indonesia, East Kalimantan where Sir Henry visited a number of Hero sites, as well as the new Astratel Eastkal port currently under development and United Tractor’s TOP and Asmin mines. In a speech to East Kalimantan managers, Sir Henry highlighted the importance of Kalimantan to the growth strategies of Astra and Hero. Sir Henry and Lady Keswick with members of the Dayak tribe of Kalimantan during their visit to Indonesia. Group Chairman Hosts Ambassador of Myanmar Jardine Matheson Group Chairman Sir Henry Keswick hosted a lunch for the Ambassador of Myanmar, Kyaw Myo Htut, at the Group’s London office in Lombard Street. The event was also attended by Jardine Matheson Directors Simon Keswick, Lord Leach of Fairford and Lord Sassoon. Lord Sassoon Attends China-UK Forum New Jardine Matheson Executive Director and former UK Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon attended the annual China-UK ‘Leadership for the Future’ Forum, a meeting between a cross-section of younger UK Members of Parliament who have a particular interest in China, and opposite numbers from the Communist Party of China. A small number of more senior UK parliamentarians customarily join the meetings and, in addition to Lord Sassoon, Matheson & Co Director Lord Powell of Bayswater and former UK Deputy Prime Minister Lord Mandelson were present. The Forum, which was held in Beijing, discussed issues of common interest, including the UK’s attitude to inward investment and the direction of the Chinese economy in light of the 18th Party Congress. Afterwards some members of the UK delegation went on to Tianjin to see aspects of economic development there. Front row, fifth right: Lord Sassoon and, third right, Lord Powell with participants in the China-UK ‘Leadership for the Future’ Forum. At the Centre 7 Maxim’s Growth in Mainland China Continues to Gather Momentum In the last 12 months, Maxim’s, which is Hong Kong’s leading restaurant and catering group and a 50% partnership with Dairy Farm, has expanded its portfolio of cake shops, Chinese and Western restaurants, sushi and ramen chains in Southern China while gearing up to move into Shanghai and Beijing and looking at opportunities in China’s second-tier cities. Before Maxim’s enters a market, extensive research, particularly on consumers’ taste profiles, is carried out as China is a vast country and the people across it have highly divergent eating preferences. While Maxim’s endeavours to retain the essence of core menus under different brands, adjustments for local taste are also carefully considered. Sushi, for example, is popular in Southern China where Maxim’s currently has ten Genki Sushi outlets in Shenzhen and Guangzhou and has just opened its first one in Hangzhou. At many Genki Sushi outlets, cooked food on top of sushi offerings is available in response to consumers’ preferences. As well as entering Hangzhou, Maxim’s also plans to expand its presence Popular European-style café bakery xing mei le is one of the Maxim’s brands now well established in Southern China and set for further expansion as the group’s growth strategy in mainland China gathers momentum. in Shanghai. Following on from its innovative ‘Chinese cuisine, Western service’ restaurant Wutongju, which opened at Shanghai Xintiandi in 2011, Maxim’s is to introduce Shanghai diners to its enduring Cantonese brand Jade Garden, which already has outlets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The younger, more affluent population in mainland China is a key target group especially for Maxim’s sushi and ramen chain restaurants, as research has shown that this market segment likes Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese food. Popular premium sushi chain sen-ryo will also enter Shanghai in the near future following in the footsteps of Maxim’s most recent success story, Ippudo. Maxim’s has opened four outlets of this well-known ramen brand in Guangzhou and Shanghai in the past nine months, with further expansion planned later this year. Another significant factor in Maxim’s success in mainland China is the value of its brand. As Hong Kong’s leading catering group, Maxim’s is well perceived in mainland China as a brand that provides quality products and excellent service. For example, its Mei-Xin mooncakes, which are available in major cities across China, are well received because consumers have trust in the brand and the fact that the products are made in Hong Kong. Maxim’s commitment to quality food is evident in its other brands too such as xing mei le, a European-style café bakery, which currently has three outlets in Shenzhen and Guangzhou with another due to open shortly in Shenzhen, and in principles such as the ‘no-added MSG’ policy at its Jade Garden restaurants. In all its operations, food and service quality is always of utmost concern and Maxim’s strives to uphold the best possible standards at all times. It is this commitment and the desire to introduce winning brands into the marketplace that are driving Maxim’s growth and success in mainland China. Thistle vol.2 2013 The growth of Maxim’s Group in mainland China continues to gather momentum as it leverages on its success in Hong Kong and introduces both new and established brands to the marketplace. Latest Additions at Mandarin Oriental in Guangzhou and Shanghai LEADERSHIP Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) has opened its first two city hotels in mainland China and added a new fan to its multi-million dollar global advertising campaign ‘He’s a Fan/She’s a Fan’. The 233-room Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou is located above TaiKoo Hui, a prestigious 358,000 sq. m., mixed-use development. The hotel has the largest standard guestrooms in the city as well as 30 suites and 24 serviced apartments. It also brings an inspired mix of traditional Chinese and Western classic dining with some modern flourishes to the city’s restaurant scene including Jiang by Chef Fei and Ebony, while The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou offers both city dwellers and visitors a rare opportunity for peace and tranquillity. MOHG made its debut in China’s commercial capital of Shanghai in April with the opening of the 362-room Mandarin Oriental, Pudong on the east bank of the Huangpu River. The hotel also offers 210 fully serviced riverside apartments and the largest Presidential Suite in Shanghai. World-class dining choices include contemporary French restaurant Fifty 8° Grill, and Jiang Nan Chinese cuisine at Yong Yi Ting, while additional recreational facilities comprise a Fitness & Wellness Centre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and a thermal bathing facility all linked to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Pudong by a central sky-lit garden. Meanwhile, internationally renowned Italian actress and model Caterina Murino has become the latest Mandarin Oriental ‘Fan’. She was Leadership 9 Latest Additions at Mandarin Oriental in Guangzhou and Shanghai Mandarin Oriental’s latest ‘Fan’ is internationally renowned Italian actress and model Caterina Murino. photographed for the campaign in Sardinia, where she was born, by well-known portrait photographer Mary McCartney and says she is particularly looking forward to Mandarin Oriental’s forthcoming debut in Milan. Port Successes for Jardine Shipping Services Jardine Shipping Services (JSS) has notched up recent successes through Jardine United International Shipping Agencies Ltd (JUNISA), a joint venture with Shenzhen United International Shipping Agency Co. JUNISIA delivered port agency services for the luxury cruise liner, ‘Costa Victoria’ when she became the first international cruise vessel to use the Nansha Container Terminal with its larger berthing facilities. “With the luxury cruise sector expanding at a phenomenal pace in China, we can leverage the combined expertise of JUNISA and JSS to extend our reach into the Mainland market,” said JSS Chief Executive Eric van der Hoeven. JSS Hong Kong provided port services for the ‘MV Logos Hope’, the world’s largest floating bookstore-cumlibrary, when she docked at Ocean Terminal. Meanwhile, JSS Hong Kong provided port services for the ‘MV Logos Hope’, the world’s largest floating bookstorecum-library, when she docked at Ocean Terminal, while colleagues in the Philippines and Thailand delivered similar services when the ship docked in their respective countries. Thistle vol.2 2013 For the third year running, the combined efforts of JSS and JUNISIA also achieved in excess of 3,000 port calls in China during 2012. Sixty per cent of these were in the bulk category, followed by 30% in tankers. Hongkong Land Launches Central Mansions in Phnom Penh Hongkong Land has launched Central Mansions, a newly rebranded and refurbished collection of serviced apartments and penthouses in the heart of Phnom Penh’s commercial district. “Hongkong Land is proud to make its mark here in line with our strategy of developing prestige properties in the cities where we invest. We believe the Cambodian property market offers significant opportunities which will attract long-term institutional capital and international occupiers.” Central Mansions in Phnom Penh, which have been refurbished and newly rebranded by Hongkong Land. Previously known as Colonial Mansions, Central Mansions now provides 101 serviced apartments and five luxury penthouses in two towers and offers the best residential accommodation at the centre of the Cambodian capital. Addressing guests at the launch ceremony, Hongkong Land Chief Executive Y K Pang said, Jardine Schindler Achieves New Heights Jardine Schindler Macao (JSLM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schindler Hong Kong, has further consolidated its business in the Special Administrative Region by winning another contract from developer Melco Crown Entertainment, which owns the City of Dreams on the Cotai strip. JSLM is to provide 91 lifts, six builder’s lifts and 28 escalators for the Studio City resort, which will include a variety of interactive, production studio-derived attractions as well as over 2,000 hotel rooms. This latest project follows JSLM contracts to supply the lifts and escalators for the City of Dreams’ Hard Rock and Grand Hyatt hotels. In recent years, JSLM has also been involved in other significant projects along the Cotai strip including the Venetian Parcels 1 and 2, which incorporated the Four Seasons Hotel, and Parcels 5 and 6 featuring the Conrad Hotel, the Holiday Inn and the Sheraton Hotel. This latest contract will consolidate Schindler’s strong impact on the Cotai strip and further JSLM’s growth strategy in Macau. Meanwhile, the Jardine Schindler Group has launched its own YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/ jardineschindler. The channel showcases Schindler’s latest elevator and escalator innovations, including its intelligent building transit management system, known as PORT Technology. It also gives viewers a visual guide through Schindler’s major projects across the globe. Jardine Schindler Macao is to provide 91 lifts, six builder’s lifts and 28 escalators for the Studio City resort, further consolidating its business in the Special Administrative Region. Finnair is the latest addition to the portfolio of Jardine Aviation Services (JAS) at Hong Kong International Airport. JAS will provide passenger and ramp handling services for the airline’s passenger flights and for its cargo flights operated under Nordic Global Airlines. Finnair operates seven passenger flights weekly between Helsinki and Hong Kong using A330 and A340 aircraft while Nordic Global Airlines operates two freighters per week using M11F aircraft. A Jardine Aviation Services ramp team at work servicing a Finnair flight on arrival from Helsinki. Milestones for JEC Jardine Engineering Corporation (JEC) has been awarded the contract for the design, supply and installation of a suspended metal ceiling on five levels of the Midfield Concourse at Hong Kong International Airport. In addition to project management, on-site installation and quality control, JEC will also co-ordinate with the manufacturer on all the design and production elements of the ceiling. The project is due to be completed in 2015. Meanwhile, over 250 staff, former directors and retirees gathered together to celebrate JEC’s 90th Anniversary Day. During the event, JEC Chief Executive Wilson Kwong presented prizes to the winners of the 90th anniversary polo shirt design competition and JEC staff and their families were given a tour of the group’s offices. Enhanced Image for Mannings China Leadership 11 Jardine Aviation Services Adds Finnair to Portfolio Centre: Mannings China Chief Executive Officer Paul Sheldrake discusses the new enhancements to the renovated Comic City store with two of Mannings’ suppliers. Following a month of renovations, one of Mannings’ top stores in China, Mannings Comic City in Guangzhou, reopened for business with an enhanced logo and increased visibility, authority and shoppability, all designed to make better use of store space, while providing a more comfortable and convenient shopping environment for customers. The renovations included the use of ‘waterfall’ type shelves so that customers can select products without having to bend down, clearer signage across all categories and more cash registers to reduce queuing time. The store has also expanded its existing range of Health & Beauty products to give customers more choice and added the sale of over the counter drugs and a pharmacist service. JEC celebrated its 90th Anniversary with over 250 staff, former directors and retirees attending the milestone event. “Mannings encourages its customers to live a healthy, beautiful, positive and energetic life,” explained Mannings China Chief Executive Officer Paul Sheldrake, “and we will continue to make improvements to offer them ‘wellbeing led beauty’. The renovated Mannings Comic City store is just the beginning.” Thistle vol.2 2013 Since reopening, Mannings’ Comic City store has won high praise from customers and increased sales. Fresh Direction for Starmart A store upgrade and fresher ready to eat food are part of the new direction for Starmart outlets in Indonesia. Starmart, which is owned by Dairy Farm through its Indonesian subsidiary PT Hero Supermarket Tbk, has moved in a new direction to become more of a convenience store rather than the mini market of the past. A pilot project at Starmart BRI Office Complex in the centre of Jakarta’s commercial district upgraded the store and added fresher ready to eat food. This included a new logo, staff uniform, façade, and interior store design. Packaged fruit, an ice-cream corner, a mobile phone charging station, sitting area and Wi-Fi hotspot were also introduced along with popular ‘Giant Fried Chicken’ and ‘Brew Box Coffee’ products. Following the launch of the new concept, the number of customers at the BRI Starmart has risen by more than 60% and sales have increased by more than 40%. It has since been successfully incorporated into the new Starmart at the WTC 2 Building owned by Jakarta Land and will become the model for all subsequent Starmart stores. Hactl Handles its Largest-Ever Horse Charter Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has handled the largest horse shipment on a single flight in its 37year history. The 63 horses were flown in from Liege, Belgium to take part in the Longines Hong Kong Masters at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong’s first international show-jumping event and the only five-star accredited competition on the equestrian calendar to take place in Asia. On arrival in Hong Kong, the horses were unloaded from the aircraft and taken to Hactl’s Livestock Handling Centre, which is conveniently located to minimize the transfer time from the airport apron. The loading platform at the centre is surfaced with non-slip rubber matting and bordered with rubber-padded fencing, essential to protect the horses and prevent leg injuries. Hactl deployed a team of highlytrained professionals to assist in handling the shipment, which also included the departure of the horses after the event. “Show-jumping in Hong Kong and Asia is fast growing in popularity and we expect such shipments to become more frequent in the future,” said Hactl Chief Executive Mark Whitehead. “We are confident that our HK$14 million (US$1.8 million) investment in our Livestock Handling Centre will contribute to Hong Kong’s appeal as a major international show-jumping venue.” Horses arriving for Hong Kong’s first international show-jumping event are transferred to air-conditioned horse boxes at Hactl’s Livestock Handling Centre. New Tenants Reflect Commitment to Marina Bay Financial Centre Hongkong Land’s joint venture development, Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) in Singapore, has signed a number of new tenants at its Tower 3 office building, bringing the overall commitment level there to 83.6%. Occupying approximately 80,000 sq. ft of office space, the new tenants include leading multinational companies in the fields of technology, energy trading, financial services, commodities and specialist food providers. Altogether more than 1.1 million sq. ft of Tower 3 is now committed. “MBFC’s flexibility in meeting the varied space requirements of companies from diverse sectors has been a key attraction for our new tenants,” said Warren Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of Raffles Quay Asset Management, the manager for MBFC. “As Singapore’s largest integrated mixed-use development located in the heart of the new downtown of Marina Bay, MBFC continues to build on its reputation as the city state’s most prestigious business address.” Leadership 13 C&C Auto Events Create Customer Excitement Cycle & Carriage (C&C) has held several recent auto events in Singapore, which have created much excitement for customers. In the first, the new AMG Performance Centre at the Mercedes-Benz Centre was unveiled. The luxurious facility allows customers to experience an exclusive dedicated environment where they can discuss their carbuying requirements in a more personal manner. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT on display at the new AMG Performance Centre. In conjunction, C&C also launched the new SLS AMG GT, which boasts enhanced driving dynamics and even better racetrack performance. Customers were invited to view the car, which is available both as a Coupé and Roadster, while being entertained by saxophonist Nicole Duffell. In addition, President and Chief Executive of Daimler South East Asia Wolfgang Huppenbauer outlined the full range of exciting AMG activities planned for customers for 2013. Meanwhile, seven new Kia Sorento owners were invited to the Kia showroom in Alexandra Road to take delivery of their cars in a special handover ceremony. The seven Sorentos were covered with a red silk drape and each customer was presented with a bottle of champagne for the unveiling. This was followed by video interviews with the customers in which they expressed their happiness at being the proud owners of a Kia Sorento and among the first to drive this latest model on the road. In the third event, Citroën customers had a chance to admire the design, styling and practicality of the new C4 – a hatchback with a ‘grand’ view. The latest addition to the C line was unveiled at the Citroën Pod, which attracted a large group of customers. The introduction of the Citroën C4 e-HDi variant also marked the debut in Singapore of the first Citroën diesel passenger car, a vehicle which has been awarded the ‘Airdream’ eco-label stamp. Sleepover at IKEA Taiwan Generates Wide Interest Following the launch of the ‘A Comfortable Sleepover at IKEA’ event, more than 100,000 people visited the IKEA website with 7,500 signing up to participate. Twenty teams were selected including a mother-to-be whose expected delivery day was the actual day of the sleepover and ‘have-a-lot-to-share’ sisters. Two days before her sister’s wedding day, the younger sister wanted to recreate the childhood memory where she had shared a bed with her elder sister. Manager Roxy Cheng. “It also generated free media valued at more than NT$6 million (US$201,000).” On the night, IKEA prepared 20 different sets of bed linen to demonstrate its extensive range of bedroom textiles, and then helped participants to choose their preferences before they settled down for a good night’s sleep. “The event attracted extensive media coverage,” said IKEA Taiwan Marketing The 40 consumers who participated in the ‘Sleepover at IKEA’ event prepare to enjoy a good night’s sleep at the IKEA Hsin Chung store. Thistle vol.2 2013 A sleepover held at IKEA Taiwan’s Hsin Chung store generated wide interest and increased consumers’ interest in furnishing their own bedrooms by providing them with the experience of a good night’s sleep. United Tractors Mining Operations Yield Significant Rewards FEATURE Some six years ago, UT implemented a change strategy aimed at becoming a more integrated value-chain business and took the initial step of expanding its presence in the mining sector with the acquisition of its first coal mine. Today the company’s mining operations are making a significant financial contribution accounting for 10.4% of its total consolidated revenue in 2012 and creating leverage with other business segments. Although challenging economic conditions, which actually saw the selling price for coal on the global market fall as much as 21% in 2012, and increasing competition are having an impact, the demand for coal, both for the domestic and global markets, is expected to produce an increased demand for mine products in the long term. “In the Asia Pacific region, coal has been the largest energy source with an average consumption growth rate of 9% for the last few years,” said UT President Director Djoko Pranoto. “Indonesia is the world’s leading exporter of thermal coal and domestic requirements for energy are also fuelling the need for increased United Tractors’ mining operations currently account for 10.4% of its consolidated revenue. production. The Government’s plans to develop power generating plants alone require some 70 million tonnes of coal a year.” Over the next few years, UT intends to expand and develop its mining business through acquisitions and productivity improvement. It also envisages further synergy with its heavy equipment business as well as the growth of other related businesses such as coal barging and second-line mining contracting. “Bearing in mind its strategic value and the prospects for increased demand for coal, we see our mining business becoming an even more significant contributor to UT’s financial performance in the future,” said Mr Pranoto. Thistle vol.2 2013 While retaining and enhancing its already existing ranking as Indonesia’s largest distributor of heavy equipment, Astra subsidiary United Tractors (UT) has built on its position as the country’s leading mining contractor and developed a coal mining business. It has achieved this through the acquisition of existing coal mines as well as new sites, and sharing with existing coal concession owners. Feature 15 United Tractors Mining Operations Yield Significant Rewards World Class Mining Contracting Services from Pama The embryo of Pama was originally formed in 1974 as the heavy equipment rental division of United Tractors, which at that time was engaged in construction, mining and oil projects, land preparation and logging. In 1989, the expanding division was established as a separate independent subsidiary named PT Pamapersada Nusantara (Pama). While Pama undertakes a range of activities including dam construction and road works as well as excavation and transportation projects throughout Indonesia, its main focus is on mining contracting, particularly in the coal industry, where it is the leading coal mining contractor in Indonesia with a market share in 2012, based on revenue, of 41%. Pama operates in major coal mining projects across the country providing a wide range of services along with its six subsidiaries, PT Kalimantan Prima Persada, PT Pama Indo Mining, PT Multi Prima Universal, PT Asmin Bara Bronang, PT Asmin Bara Jaan and PT Prima Multi Mineral. These include mine design, exploration, infrastructure construction, mining, transportation, barging, loading and sales. Often also responsible for the technical operations at mining locations, Pama will be contracted to cover drilling and geological investigation, coal quality control, production planning and scheduling, coal mining and environmental management. In addition, the company operates a vast fleet of trucks for overburden (removal of spoil) and coal transport – excavators, shovels, dump trucks and wheel loaders – as well as supporting equipment such as bulldozers, motor graders, road compaction equipment, water and service trucks, lighting, pumps, trailer trucks and man haul. In 2012, Pama’s fleet of heavy equipment increased to 3,886 units, up from 3,566 units in 2011. “A good example of our integrated value-chain is the close co-operation between Pama and the team at United Tractors, particularly in the units, parts and services divisions, on the procurement and maintenance of Pama’s heavy equipment,” explained Pama President Director Frans Kesuma. Pama is constantly optimizing equipment and introducing innovations to successfully meet increased coal production demands while improving efficiency. A Reliability Centre Maintenance programme for equipment has improved performance and reduced carbon emissions. In addition, Pama has developed lighter vessels to improve transportation productivity and reduce the amount of fuel used, and introduced a Pama Auto Dispatch System to optimize overburden operations. ‘Change Shift Management’ and several other systems have also increased operational efficiency. This commitment to service, quality and good management saw Pama once again record an improved performance in 2012. Volumes of overburden removal and coal production rose by 7.4% and 8.8%, respectively, while revenue in 2012 increased 24.9% to Rp27.99 trillion (US$2.82 billion) from Rp22.42 trillion (US$2.26 billion) in 2011. “This performance is a clear demonstration of Pama’s ability to meet increased demand for coal production while improving efficiency,” added Mr Kesuma. Pama is constantly optimizing equipment to successfully meet increased coal production demands. Feature 17 UT’s Mining Division Delivers Results UT’s mining operations have gone from strength to strength since the acquisition by Pama in 2007 of its first coal mine through its stake in PT Prima Multi Mineral (MPP), located in South Kalimantan. While UT’s sales of coal through PMM and TTA showed an increase of 24.1% in 2012, this was not sufficient to compensate for the combined effect of falling market prices and an increase in fuel costs, which resulted UT’s coal reserves amount to some 424 million tonnes. in revenue value rising by only 6.8% to Rp5.8 trillion (US$588 million). “In addition, profitability levels are greatly influenced by stripping ratio – the amount of overburden that must be removed to gain access to a unit amount of coal,” explained TTA President Director and UT Vice President Director Gidion Hasan. “The higher the stripping ratio, the greater the volume of overburden to be removed and the greater the amount of fuel required, so any rise in the cost of fuel also has a significant impact.” In the long term, however, contributions from UT’s mining operations are projected to continue rising in line with its plans to scale up mine production, particularly new mines that have achieved the required permits and are now entering the final stages of infrastructure completion. “So far only two of these mines are in operation so as more come on stream, commercial production will increase in the coming years,” said Mr Hasan. Thistle vol.2 2013 In 2008, UT acquired PT Tuah Turangga Agung (TTA) in Central Kalimantan, a concession area of 4,897 hectares, which started commercial production in May 2010. Further expansion took place that year when UT purchased another Central Kalimantan mine, PT Agung Bara Prima (ABP), through TTA. In 2011 and 2012, UT made significant additions to its portfolio with the acquisition of a total of six new mines through Pama and TTA. Altogether UT currently holds nine coal mine concessions in Kalimantan and Sumatra with combined estimated coal reserves of 424 million tonnes. United Tractors expects to significantly increase its commercial production of coal as the six new mines acquired in the last two years come on stream. Success of Mining Division Generates Related Businesses The growth of UT’s coal mining division has nurtured the development of other related businesses. These include second-line mining contracting and coal barging. Multi Prima Universal Multi Prima Universal (MPU), a subsidiary of Pama, was established in 2008 as a fully-fledged company from the Used Equipment department within UT’s Marketing Division. “Essentially MPU was set up to meet the potential demand being created by the growth of the mining sector,” explained MPU President Director Lilik Sutanto. “It was obvious that there was a need for heavy equipment where customers’ requirements were becoming a lot more specific.” Today MPU fulfils customers’ demands mostly in the mining sector through its heavy equipment rental business and used heavy equipment sales, which are mainly focused on the Komatsu brand, as well as mining contracting for smallmedium scale projects. “Through MPU, we have been able to take advantage of opportunities resulting from increasing demand for mining contracting services, Students attending the UT School, which was established in 2008 as part of the company’s contribution towards empowering the younger generation, learn all the skills required to become a mechanic or heavy equipment operator. while adding new customers and substantially improving production capacity,” said Mr Sutanto. “MPU’s existence under the flagship of Pama provides a good alternative for smaller scale businesses seeking contracting services.” In 2012, PML recorded a significant increase in revenue of 53.1%, which reflected improved performance at all levels. This included the transportation of 5.5 million tonnes of coal comprising 4.3 million tonnes by barging and 1.2 million tonnes by transshipment. PT Patria Maritime Lines In another development of this burgeoning coal transportation business, UT last year also acquired PT Perkasa Melati (PM), since renamed PT Patria Maritime Perkasa (PMP), which manufactures and repairs ships in Batam, Pekanbaru. This complements another subsidiary, PT Patria Maritime Industry (PAMI), which repairs and maintains ships and was acquired in 2011. PT Patria Maritime Lines (PML) was also formed by UT in 2008 and is involved in the river transportation of coal or coal barging services. This reflects the increase in demand for such services as more coal concessions open in Central Kalimantan, where rivers are the only means of transportation to the main port of Taboneo in the south. In 2012, UT subsidiary PT Patria Maritime Lines (PML) transported 4.3 million tonnes of coal by barge along the rivers of Central Kalimantan to the southern port of Taboneo. Feature 19 Excellent Prospects for Mining Sector While the fortunes of Indonesia’s coal mining sector are being affected by the global economic situation, the longerterm outlook remains promising. Recent international studies have also confirmed that global demand for coal as an energy source will grow more quickly than the use of other fossil fuels, including petroleum. The Asia Pacific region remains the main market for Indonesia’s coal, with the greatest demand from China and India. However, rapid economic growth in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam is also creating a need for more coal while in Japan too, the decision to close all nuclear power plants following the earthquake and tsunami there, is expected to generate further demand. the last year, the falling demand and weak prices on the world market have caused mine owners to reduce stocks and the intensity of their mining. Last year the Indonesian government also enacted a policy setting export duty on various mine products. “While the aim is to promote growth and development particularly in the mineral smelting industry and provide added value to the export market, these taxes have contributed to a reduction in mining,” explained Mr Kesuma. In the longer term, however, the coal industry in Indonesia, as a relatively cheap source of energy, is expected to continue to represent strategic value. As demand increases, UT and Pama are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities for further development and uphold their leading position in the market. “We are confident in the future prospects for the coal mining industry in Indonesia.” said Djoko Pranoto. “Even more important is the further potential for the business value-chain within the UT group’s portfolio. We will continue to develop and leverage the strong synergy of our heavy equipment, mining contracting and coal mining operations as well as our other additional businesses such as coal barging.” As the coal industry in Indonesia continues to expand, Pama and its subsidiaries will further develop mining contracting services in major coal mining projects across the country. “The competitive advantage of Indonesian coal is its relatively low production costs, and this is expected to have a positive effect, which in turn is predicted to trigger greater mining and coal mining contracting activity,” explained Frans Kesuma. Mining contracting services in Indonesia are tightly related to fluctuations in the price of coal. In UT has made management of the environment and occupational health and safety a major priority of all its operations. introduced various programmes to improve the welfare and economy of local communities as well as help develop their infrastructure facilities. Through its ‘Public Contribution Roadmap’, UT is focused on creating a green-aware corporation. Initiatives include activities to support the conservation of nature while reducing UT’s use of natural resources by a minimum of 5% per year. UT has also In the mines owned and operated by Pama, the company takes steps to limit the environmental impact of its coal mining activities. These include reinstating the surrounding areas after mines are closed by returning the original topsoil and planting trees. UT’s commitment to occupational health and safety is an integrated programme, which includes employees, their families, communities in operational areas and other key stakeholders. In 2012, UT successfully reduced the level of work accidents resulting in working days lost, a key indicator. It is currently conducting training programmes to further raise awareness in all employees and improve the supervisory process. Thistle vol.2 2013 Environment and Health a UT Priority Excellence from Land Rover Welwyn Performance UK dealership Land Rover Welwyn, which was acquired by Jardine Motors three years ago, has carried off two major honours at the Land Rover Dealer of the Year Awards. Clare Whitby was presented with the first place ‘Sales Dealer of the Year’ award on behalf of the sales team at Welwyn, while Paul Ivory achieved second place in the ‘Overall Dealer of the Year’ award out of 120 national dealers. The Sales Dealer of the Year award is measured against key short-term objectives such as the number of new and used vehicles sold, as well as the longer-term metrics that drive sustainability. These include Finance Penetration and CSI – Sales Satisfaction. The Overall Dealer of the Year award recognizes the ‘very best of the very best’ and took into account the entire spectrum of business performance for dealers who performed consistently well throughout the whole of 2012. “The awards ceremony was a celebration of the achievements of those who really go above and beyond; those who consistently strive for excellence; not just occasionally but consistently for a whole year,” said Jardine Motors Group Chief Executive Mark Herbert. “Our congratulations go to the entire team at Welwyn for these outstanding accolades achieved through leadership and teamwork.” Performance 21 Excellence from Land Rover Welwyn Hactl is the Best In the first, Hactl was named ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal’ at the 2013 CAPITAL Outstanding Enterprise Awards. CAPITAL is a leading magazine focusing on enterprises in Hong Kong and Greater China and the award recognizes Hactl’s excellence in customer service, management and marketing strategies, as well as its efforts in technology research and development, staff training and environmental initiatives. Hactl also carried off the Gold Award in the ‘Best Business (Application)’ category of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2013, which laud creative ICT solutions that contribute to the development of information technology in Hong Kong. This was the latest recognition for Hactl’s sophisticated air cargo management system COSAC-Plus, which was also named winner of the ‘Innovative Ideas’ category in the Jardine Matheson Group’s 2013 Pride in Performance Awards. COSAC-Plus is a sophisticated air cargo management system capable of processing more than 1 million daily data transactions for up to 3.5 million tonnes of cargo transporting through Hong Kong International Airport. Following its launch in 2011, more than 100 airlines and 1,000 freight forwarders are now using the system to manage their cargo efficiently, online or through mobile phones. “All these awards Right: HKSAR Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung are very encouraging Bing-leung and Hactl Chief Executive Mark Whitehead officiate at the because they kick-off ceremony for the International Forklift and Pallet Building Competition of Hactl. encompass many aspects of the SuperTerminal 1. The competition technology that we have developed for highlights best practices and safety the air cargo industry,” said Hactl Chief awareness in ground handling and Executive Mark Whitehead. “They cargo terminal operations. are also the driving force for Hactl to continue to invest in innovative technology and contribute to the community.” Meanwhile, some 150 spectators attended Hactl’s annual International Forklift and Pallet Building Competition, which was held at Now in its seventh year, the 2013 event was extended to include more international airlines and ground handlers, with three new teams competing for the first time. After a hard-fought competition, Air Canada Cargo emerged as the overall champion. Thistle vol.2 2013 Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has won several new awards. Best Construction Site Housekeeping Award for JEC The Drainage Services Department (DSD) in Hong Kong has presented Jardine Engineering Corporation (JEC) with a ‘Best Construction Site Housekeeping Award’ in the Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Works Contracts category. JEC won the award for outstanding site housekeeping during 2012 while carrying out the supply and installation of E&M equipment for Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works Stage 5. “JEC successfully addressed the environmental concerns while always maintaining a high standard of housekeeping on this project site,” said JEC E&M Contracting Division Operations Director C K Tam. Since being launched in 2004, the Construction Sites Housekeeping Award Scheme has encouraged DSD’s contractors, consultants and in-house site supervisory staff engaged on the same project to work as a team in upholding efforts to keep sites clean, tidy and hygienic. Second left: JEC E&M Contracting Division Operations Director C K Tam receives the ‘Best Construction Site Housekeeping Award’ from HKSAR Drainage Services Department Director C C Chan. Lambeth Wins Gold Safety Awards Gammon in-house engineering consultancy Lambeth has received the Gold Award for ‘Leadership in Safety’ in the Architect-Consultant category from the Lighthouse Club and Construction Industry Council in Hong Kong. Right: Chief Assistant Secretary for Development Bureau (Works) Michael Fong presents the Gold Award to (centre) Lambeth Associates General Manager Ian Askew accompanied by Engineering Development Manager Ted Lawton. The awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to health and safety standards in Hong Kong’s construction industry. Lambeth was cited ‘for their commitment to not compromising on health and safety, and for bringing about change by innovating and ensuring that significantly safer alternatives are put into use, and widely promoted to become the norm’. “This is an excellent achievement and recognizes Lambeth’s efforts in working towards our ‘Zero Harm Plan’,” said Lambeth Associates General Manager Ian Askew. Superior Rating for Wellcome Taiwan Wellcome Taiwan has been rated as ‘Superior’ for Pesticide Residue by Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan. As part of its commitment to offering consumers safe vegetables and fruit, Wellcome Taiwan has been a voluntary participant in the system of pesticide residue inspection for over seven years and has asked their suppliers to either join the system, or provide already certified produce. Staff at Wellcome Taiwan’s Fresh Production Center also inspect all vegetables and fruit on a daily basis to ensure that it is certified, as well as carrying out random tests. “Due to these rigorous efforts, Wellcome Taiwan is proud to say that we have been rated as ‘Superior’ for Pesticide Residue since 2006,” said Wellcome Taiwan Supply Chain Director Eric Song. Wellcome Taiwan’s rating as ‘Superior’ for Pesticide Residue means that consumers can rely on its fresh fruit and vegetables being safe. Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) Employee Benefits has scored a hat trick of honours at the Corporate Adviser Awards 2013, which were held in London. The company won ‘Pension Adviser of the Year’, ‘Best Use of Technology by a Corporate Adviser’ and ‘Best International Benefits Adviser’. Comments from the judges of the awards praised JLT Employee Benefits’ clear track record of providing quality pensions advice and their excellent use of technology across a truly global business. They said that JLT’s achievement of ‘a 99% take-up of pension benefits while increasing employee contributions by 22% and reducing charges by a third is what everyone wants from their technology solution these days’. “The significant investment made by JLT in terms of people and money since launching our online benefits management system, BenPal, in 2009 is beginning to pay ample dividends and will form a core global strategy for our employee benefits business over the next decade,” said JLT Employee Benefits Director Jon Bryant. BenPal, which unifies all benefits data on a single online system and helps companies, individual employees and insurers co-ordinate and manage their benefits programmes more effectively, has been extremely successful in the UK, most recently as a tool for pensions auto-enrolment. It has also been progressively rolled out to countries around the world and is currently being used in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Ireland, Peru, Singapore and South Africa. In addition to English, BenPal is also now available in Spanish and Portuguese. Performance 23 Hat Trick of Awards for Jardine Lloyd Thompson Employee Benefits From left: Steve Fidgeon, Senior Account Director, Richard Roper, Managing Director, and Jon Bryant, Business Development Director, with their Corporate Adviser Awards. High Rankings for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Eight of the group’s hotels achieved Five Star distinction in both the hotel and spa categories. For the first time, Mandarin Oriental, Miami achieved the Forbes Five Star Award across all three categories, for its hotel, spa and restaurant, and becomes the second property within the group to garner this accolade along with Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. These properties are now two of only six hotels worldwide to hold this prestigious honour. In addition, out of 35 Forbes Five Star Spas, eight are Spas at Mandarin Oriental, more than any other hotel company, while in recognition of the group’s dining excellence, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Azul at Mandarin Oriental, Miami achieved Five Star awards and three other restaurants, the Four Star mark. “We are delighted for so many of our properties to have been honoured,” said MOHG Chief Marketing Officer Michael Hobson. “This is truly a testament of our hotels’ legendary service and commitment to excellence.” Azul at Mandarin Oriental, Miami has achieved a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award. Thistle vol.2 2013 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) has attained high rankings for its hotels, restaurants and spas in the 55th annual ‘Oscars’ of the hotel industry, the Forbes Travel Guide Five & Four Star Awards. Tunas Daihatsu is Best Dealer Tunas Group’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service has received national recognition in the form of the ‘Best Dealer Outlet 2012’ award for the Tunas Daihatsu branch at Soepomo. Tunas Daihatsu won the award, which recognizes sales and service, for the third time in a row, following the success of Soepomo branch in 2010 and Mampang branch in 2011. Other award winners included the Tunas Daihatsu aftersales branch at Soekarno-Hatta, which achieved second place in the ‘Best Service Adviser’ category with the branch at Bandengan coming third, and Tunas Daihatsu at Mampang, which was second in the ‘Best Cleanest Workshop’ category. “These successes have been made possible by years of focused and continuous efforts in marketing, business processes and customer service, as well as in training for our employees,” said Tunas Group President Director Rico Setiawan. “We will continue to strive to improve our services and technical skills to meet the challenges of the future.” From left: Toto Suryana Wijaya, Chief Operating Officer, Astra – Daihatsu Sales Operations; Rico Setiawan, President Director, Tunas Group; Sriyono, Branch Head, Tunas Daihatsu Soepomo; Soeparno Djasmin, Chief Executive Officer, Astra – Daihatsu Sales Operations; and Anton Leoman, Director, Tunas Ridean display their awards at the Daihatsu Dealers Convention 2013. THACO Becomes a National Brand Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO), in which Jardine Cycle & Carriage holds a 32% interest, has been named a ‘National Brand Name 2012’ at a ceremony held in the Hanoi Opera House by the Government of Vietnam’s National Brand Name Council. THACO was one of 54 brand names in Vietnam to receive the accolade, which is awarded to enterprises that achieve excellent business results with a positive contribution to the development of the community. Maxim’s Group Receives Achievement Award Left: Maxim’s Group General Manager of Finance & IT Keith Siu receives the achievement award from HKSAR Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah. Maxim’s Group has been awarded a ‘Hong Kong Top Brand Ten Year Achievement Award’ for its achievements in business performance, brand strategy and management, and contribution to industry and society. To be eligible for the award, which is jointly organized by the Hong Kong Brand Development Council and The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, candidate companies must already be a ‘Hong Kong Premier Brand’ winner and have been named a ‘Hong Kong Top Brand’ for at least ten years. Maxim’s Group was one of only two recipients of the ‘Hong Kong Top Brand Ten Year Achievement Award’ in 2012 and becomes one of only 14 brands to have been presented with the award since its inception in 2008. Left: Chairman and CEO of THACO Tran Ba Duong receives the National Brand award from the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Hoang Trung Hai. Jardine OneSolution (JOS) China has become the first foreign corporation in Huangpu District to be recognized by Shanghai Urban Construction and Communications Commission as a ‘Third Grade Professional Contractor in Intelligent Engineering’. The national accreditation guarantees that JOS is capable of implementing various intelligent building works and integrated building management systems for intelligent communities. Second left: JOS Hong Kong Managing Director Edmand Cheung with the ‘2012 Outstanding Performance Distributor’ Award which he received from (third right) Rose Chen, Senior Vice President of H3C, at the 2013 H3C Channel Summit in Tianjin. “This accreditation is further proof that our track record in China is well recognized by the municipal government and enterprise clients,” said JOS China Managing Director Thomas Wan. “We will ride on our success and continue to explore more business opportunities in China.” Performance 25 Accolades for Jardine OneSolution Meanwhile in Hong Kong, JOS Distribution has been named ‘2012 Outstanding Performance Distributor’ by leading supplier of IP-based products and solutions H3C. JOS Distribution’s dedication to promoting sales, technical enablement and marketing saw it achieve the highest sales growth for a distributor in its field in Hong Kong and Macau last year. InnovAstra Continues to Inspire Addressing the event, Astra Chief of Human Capital and Development F X Martono said he hoped that the new VCI category would boost synergy between Astra group companies. “Be a role model to your colleagues in making improvements and creating innovations. Continuously enhance the results of your improvements and innovations in order to become a better person. Do not hesitate to share knowledge with others, because by sharing we are driven to seek new things,” he advised. In a CEO Insight Forum held as part of InnovAstra, Astra President Director Prijono Sugiarto said that to date, Astra had developed more than five million projects through InnovAstra and that innovation culture must be preserved. “To become a capable innovator, a human being must be constantly challenged, must not be complacent and must never give up,” he added. The prizewinners in the Astra Awards for ‘winning team, winning concept, winning system’ were Group 1 – PT Pamapersada Nusantara; Group 2 – PT Astra Sedaya Finance; and Group 3 – PT Marga Mandalasakti. First place in the new VCI category went to PT Astra International Tbk – Toyota Sales Operation. Left: Astra President Director Prijono Sugiarto with Head of Knowledge Management Department Fredericus Radix Wikanto during the CEO Insight Forum, which was held as part of InnovAstra. Thistle vol.2 2013 Now in its 29th year, the 2013 InnovAstra continued to inspire innovation with the participation of 32 Astra companies and a new addition to the competition, the Value Chain Innovation (VCI) category. Another Record-Breaking Walk Up Jardine House SPIRIT Spirit 27 On Mental Health from the Jardine Ambassadors Another Record-Breaking Walk Up Jardine House The 2013 Walk Up Jardine House was another record-breaking event. It raised a record HK$3.7 million (US$477,000) for MINDSET and saw a record 200 participants join MINDSET Chairman and Jardine Matheson Group Managing Director Ben Keswick in a mass walk up to the Penthouse. For the first time, the event also had its own Facebook page. Over 500 staff from Group business units, business associates, families and their friends took part in the event with the competitive element involving a total of 33 individuals, 61 teams and six school teams who ran up 49 floors, covering 947 steps, to reach the top of the building at a height of 600 feet. MINDSET Chairman and Jardine Matheson Group Managing Director Ben Keswick poses for a celebratory photograph with the Hactl team which won the Walk Up Jardine House Fancy Dress award for the fifth consecutive year. Highlights included a performance by members of the MINDSET Club of Castle Peak Hospital and the singing of ‘Togetherness’ by the Jardine Ambassadors to express their thanks to all involved, as well as many impressive fancy dress outfits. Health in Mind Activities Look After Both Mental and Physical Wellbeing Jardine Ambassadors organized their first Health in Mind Sports Day to cultivate the team and ‘can do’ spirit of both service users and Health in Mind programme student advocates. A total of 48 Ambassadors together with 120 student advocates from the nine schools participating in the second year of the programme and 68 service users from Caritas Fanling Hostel, MINDSET Place and New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, took part. Held at the sports ground of Fung Kai No. 1 Secondary School, one of the participating schools, groups of nine to ten student advocates paired up with service users and joined in fun, yet competitive, sporting activities such as a tug-of-war, skipping and a three-legged race. Playing games helps students learn to accommodate people with different personalities and temperaments – an important step in promoting acceptance. ‘‘We Ambassadors were delighted to see everyone enjoy themselves and were particularly impressed with the levels of co-operation between teammates regardless of whether they were winning or losing,” said Jardine Ambassador Ryan Hui of Jardine Aviation Services. Meanwhile, at a workshop on SelfImage and Eating Disorders conducted by Professor Freedom Y K Leung, Anita Lee and Debbie Pong of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Clinical and Health Psychology Centre, Health in Mind student advocates learnt to appreciate inner beauty rather than outward appearance. During the event, Professor Leung illustrated the adverse effects of anorexia and bulimia on the body and mind and shared with them ways to enhance self-esteem. Thistle vol.2 2013 Recent Health in Mind programme activities focused on both the mental and physical wellbeing of participants. Jardine Ambassadors Spread Festive Greetings Jardine Ambassadors spread festive Chinese New Year greetings with visits to MINDSET Place, service users of the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong in Kwun Tong, and children at Tuen Mun Hospital. MINDSET Chairman and Group Managing Director Ben Keswick together with MINDSET Governor Neil McNamara joined the visit to the residents of MINDSET Place where they enjoyed a ‘poon choi’ feast and Mr Keswick followed Chinese tradition by handing out ‘lai see’ and wishing everyone ‘good fortune’ in the Year of the Snake. make goldfish by using lai see packets and draw greeting cards for their families and friends. Accompanied by social workers, the Jardine Ambassadors paid home visits to live-alone service users of the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong in Kwun Tong, bringing with them goody bags sponsored by Wellcome. The final visit was to the children’s ward at Tuen Mun Hospital where the young patients were entertained by the ‘God of Wealth’, a Jardine Ambassador in disguise, and learnt to MINDSET Chairman and Jardine Matheson Group Managing Director Ben Keswick distributes ‘lai see’ to residents of MINDSET Place. Service Users Enjoy Pizza Making and Table Manners Workshop Service users of Caritas in Fanling enjoyed a pizza making and table manners workshop organized by Pizza Hut Hong Kong’s Jardine Ambassadors. Smiles all round during the pizza making session at Lai Chi Kok Pizza Hut. The visit to Lai Chi Kok Pizza Hut started with the back-of-house operation where the service users learnt about the process involved in making pizzas. Restaurant staff then introduced the business in more detail and demonstrated the standard table manners for dining in a western restaurant. There was much excitement when service users being given the opportunity to make their own pizzas and eat them fresh from the oven. First Peer Support Workers Complete Course The first 18 ‘graduates’ in the MINDSET Peer Support Workers Project have completed their first course and recently taken up a variety of posts in peer support and drop-in roles at several community, residential and work rehabilitation facilities. Participants in the MINDSET Peer Support Workers course learn about recovery during a training session. To complete the course, the participants had to undertake 16 three-hour training sessions as well as 52 hours of practical work at a Halfway House, Sheltered Workshop and Integrated Community Centre of Mental Wellness. The training sessions covered a wide range of topics, which included the concept of peer support, a Wellness Recovery Action Plan, codes of conduct and crisis intervention. “All the participants gained self confidence during the course,” said one of its graduates, F Y Lin, “and agreed that living with mental illness was a unique and valuable experience for themselves as well as the other people they might help in recovery.” Spirit 29 City Orienteering Event Explores Local Culture The 2013 MINDSET City Orienteering event sent first year Health in Mind student advocates together with service users from three non-governmental organizations on an exploration of the heritage of Kowloon and Tsuen Wan districts with the objective of building mutual understanding and acceptance along the way. Divided into groups of four to six persons, each led by a Jardine Ambassador, some 130 students and 50 service users of Castle Peak Hospital, Kwai Chung Hospital and Phoenix Clubhouse completed designated tasks in Hunghom, Mei Foo, Kowloon Tong, Sham Shui Po, Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsuen Wan. These included tasting tofu pudding in a traditional tofu shop and making their own bracelets from accessories found in one of the local fashion wholesalers. Working as a team and accommodating different points of view were some of the lessons learned during the course of the day. One of the teams participating in the 2013 MINDSET City Orienteering event discusses its next task during the exploration of Kowloon and Tsuen Wan districts. “It was great to see students and service users getting along so well and taking care of each other throughout the adventure,” said Jardine Ambassador Vivian Li of 7-Eleven. “Through activities such as City Orienteering, we can effectively promote the acceptance and understanding of people recovered or recovering from mental illness.” Singapore’s Inaugural Jardine Ambassadors Complete Their Term At the ceremony, MINDSET Singapore Chairman Alex Newbigging paid tribute to the inaugural Jardine Ambassadors. The 2013-2014 Jardine Ambassaors at the Appreciationcum-Appointment ceremony. “Being a pioneer batch was more challenging in many ways, but with their positive attitude and determination, they never failed to rise to the occasion. In fact, on multiple occasions, they delivered above and beyond our expectations.” Since MINDSET’s establishment in Singapore, Jardine Ambassadors have organized or participated in numerous events and roadshows such as the Mental Health Awareness Campaign, Mini-MINDSET Days, MINDSET roadshows, shelf projects, job placements, skills training workshops, Fun Days, and The MINDSET Challenge 2012. Welcoming the new Jardine Ambassadors, Mr Newbigging said that MINDSET would continue to build on its track record in Singapore. Thistle vol.2 2013 All those involved in MINDSET Singapore, which was launched there in 2011, were invited to Mandarin Oriental, Singapore for an Appreciationcum-Appointment ceremony to honour the completion of the two-year term of the inaugural batch of Jardine Ambassadors and to welcome the third batch of new Ambassadors. Astra Scholarships Provide Ongoing Support for Aceh School Astra has handed over Meulaboh Model Elementary School, which it reconstructed following the 2004 tsunami, to West Aceh Administration. The group is also providing ongoing support in the form of 220 scholarships, amounting to Rp254.1 million (US$25,900), for elementary, junior and senior high school students for the 2013 academic year. Following the tsunami, Astra selected Meulaboh as a location in need of support under its corporate social responsibility initiative, ‘Nurani Astra for Aceh’, as it still lacked relief, particularly in the area of education, an issue exacerbated by its geographical distance from the local administration in Banda Aceh. In the ensuing period, Astra has provided ‘hardware, brain ware and software’. This has comprised the construction of a new school building complete with facilities that meet the national standard, and the development of excellent teaching staff and school management with Back row, fourth left: Astra President Director Prijono Sugiarto the emphasis on quality, together with fellow directors and officials and scholarship recipients. productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. In total, Astra has spent are hopeful that this assistance will some Rp65 billion on post-tsunami go some way to helping the Aceh relief, a record amount for a national region to achieve the provision of disaster. Of this, Rp18 billion went equal access to quality education on the six-year reconstruction and and a free education programme, supervision of the Meulaboh school. in order to bring about compulsory attendance for school-aged children,” “Astra believes that education is a explained Astra President Director bridge to the nation’s future and we Prijono Sugiarto. PT Hero Creates a Safe Passage Home for Thousands of Customers Dairy Farm subsidiary PT Hero Supermarket Tbk is gearing up for its annual corporate social responsibility initiative to enable thousands of migrant workers in Indonesia to safely return to their family homes to celebrate the Idul Fitri festival, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Mudik or Pulang Kampung, as the exodus is known, involves about 12 million people. Those who can afford it travel by air or book a seat in an executive-class train but for the majority, the journey is made by motorcycle, a dangerous undertaking with more than 5,200 accidents reported over the 2012 period. The PT Hero initiative involves giving free bus rides from the urban metropolis of Greater Jakarta to Thousands of people flock to the Senayan, Central Jakarta departure point for a free bus ride home provided by PT Hero during Mudik 2012. 40 cities in Indonesia. In the two months prior to Idul Fitri, customers who spend a minimum of Rp100,000 (US$10) in any Giant store in Greater Jakarta receive one point with a total of ten points required to qualify for a bus ticket home and 15 points for one free air ticket. Last year, this promotion saw a doubling of sales for Giant in the two-month period from Rp850 billion to Rp1.7 trillion and a doubling of buying income from Rp4.5 billion to Rp9 billion. Media exposure was also estimated to be worth another Rp3 billion. The target for Mudik 2013, which will take place in early August, is to give 20,000 people a safe passage home, almost 7,000 more than in 2012. Zung Fu Provides Aid with Mercedes-Benz Vito Vans The first canteen of its kind in Hong Kong targeting deprived primary school students and their families has been set up by Maxim’s Group and Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service. ‘Kiddy Heart Canteen’ began operations in Yau Tsim Mong district in January this year and is currently operating four centres serving around 130 underprivileged families. Zung Fu is helping the disadvantaged with the provision of two MercedesBenz Vito vans for Hong Kong’s first food bank network and one of its fastest growing charities. One out of four children in Hong Kong faces poverty and a lack of basic and proper personal and physical development. ‘Kiddy Heart Canteen’ offers nutritional dinners with two dishes and soup for HK$10 from Monday to Friday and also provides reading and parenting guidance. The lightweight vans with their large load area, impeccable handling and economic fuel consumption are key to the operation of ‘Feeding Hong Kong’, which is dedicated to rescuing nutritious food from retailers and manufacturers and distributing it to 35 other charities – shelters, day centres and other food bank programmes who give it to people in need. The Vito vans play a vital role in swiftly collecting and delivering large amounts of nonperishable canned and packaged food as well as fresh bread, sandwiches, salads and vegetables that would typically be thrown away due to their short shelf life. Wellcome Hong Kong Sponsors ‘Beat the Banana!’ Charity Run For the second consecutive year, Wellcome Hong Kong sponsored the ‘Beat the Banana’ Charity Run, which is organized by the World Cancer Research Fund Hong Kong (WCRF HK) to promote physical activity and healthy eating, while raising funds for cancer research. Wellome helped raise HK$1 million (US$129,000) in donations while over 140 Wellcome staff and their families participated in the event, which attracted a recordbreaking turnout of over 1,600 runners. Far right: Wellcome CEO Lim Boon Cheong joins, left, WCRF HK Asia Development Director Karen Sadler to cheer on Banana Kid Debbie, who is accompanied by her guardian. The race challenges runners to reach the finish line ahead of a pacesetter dressed in a banana costume. This year, a new ‘WCRF HK – Wellcome 1km Kids Banana Run’ was introduced for children aged eight years or under with the first-ever ‘Banana Kid’, fiveyear-old Debbie, setting the pace for the little bananas after she was selected by public voting on Facebook. For every ‘Like’ gathered in the Facebook contest, Wellcome donated an additional HK$2 to WRCF HK. The three-month-long promotion engaged all of Wellcome’s over 270 stores across Hong Kong, in addition to significant media and online coverage. The public could also make an HK$5 donation at Wellcome’s check-out counters, with Wellcome matching each dollar donated. “The vehicles’ capacity and reliability are essential to the operation, and their low fuel consumption keeps costs down,” said Zung Fu General Manager, Commercial Vehicles Division, Wilson Lam. “Getting involved in charity work is one way Zung Fu is able to fulfill its goal of caring for the community in which it operates.” The two Mercedes-Benz Vito vans donated by Zung Fu to ‘Feeding Hong Kong’ are providing key support to the charity, which operates a food bank network for people in need. Thistle vol.2 2013 Children enjoying a nutritional dinner at Maxim’s ‘Kiddy Heart Canteen’. Spirit 31 Maxim’s ‘Kiddy Heart Canteen’ Helps Underprivileged Children Jardine Aviation Services and IATA Form Training Partnership PEOPLE JAS successfully held its first Station Ground Handling Management course at Hong Kong International Airport in March. Overseas participants were particularly impressed with the case studies, site visits and experience sharing with JAS managers on topics such as manpower planning, risk management, aircraft turnaround co-ordination, ground service agreements and emergency response. JAS has scheduled five IATA ground operations management courses for 2013 and plans to offer new air cargo management training programmes to the region’s air cargo community in 2014. Right: Jardine Matheson Director Martin Barrow presents Baroness Thatcher with a replica of the gun shell after she fired the Noonday Gun during her visit to Hong Kong in 1993. Enduring Friendship A friendship, which began in 1805 aboard the East India Company’s ship ‘Brunswick’ between Jardine Matheson Group founding partner William Jardine, then Ship’s Surgeon, and Bombay businessman Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, still endures today, several generations later. The two young men met on the ‘Brunswick’, which was sailing to Canton. The ship was seized off Ceylon by the French, who were at war with the British, and subsequently wrecked in a gale in False Bay near Cape Town as she was being sailed by her captors to the Cape of Good Hope. Luckily all hands were saved and William Jardine and Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy went on to become lifelong friends and highly successful business associates. Left: Byram Jeejeebhoy and Adam Keswick stand under the portrait of Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy in Jardine House. In a recent visit to Jardine House, Byram Jeejeebhoy, great, great grandson of Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, met Group Deputy Managing Director Adam Keswick and viewed the magnificent portrait of Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy which hangs in The Penthouse of Jardine House in Hong Kong. Baroness Thatcher, the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th Century, who died in April at the age of 87, fired the Noonday Gun during a two-day visit to Hong Kong in 1993. Baroness Thatcher, who was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990 and the first woman to hold the role, came to Hong Kong at the invitation of the then Governor, Chris Patten. She fired the Noonday Gun watched by a large crowd of Jardines staff and was then presented with a replica of the gun shell. Mrs Thatcher is well remembered in Hong Kong for her key role in the negotiations regarding the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty and for her contribution to Sino-British relations. She signed the SinoBritish Joint Declaration in Beijing in December 1984, the agreement which laid out the terms of Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, in particular, the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Thistle vol.2 2013 Jardine Aviation Services (JAS) has formed a Regional Training Partnership (RTP) with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and become the first accredited RTP in Asia Pacific and China to conduct IATA ground operations management training for airlines, airport ground service providers and air cargo operators. Baroness Thatcher People 33 Jardine Aviation Services and IATA Form Training Partnership Group Board Changes Simon Keswick has retired from the Board of Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) and as Chairman of Dairy Farm, Hongkong Land and Mandarin Oriental. role he has played over many years, first in the original formation of JIB Group plc and later in the creation and subsequent success of JLT,” said JLT Chairman Geoffrey Howe. Mr Keswick had been a Director of JLT since 2001 and prior to that, for many years, a Director of JLT’s predecessor company, JIB Group plc. Mr Keswick has been succeeded as Chairman of Dairy Farm, Hongkong Land and Mandarin Oriental by Group Managing Director Ben Keswick. Simon Keswick remains a director of the companies. “We would like to offer our great thanks to Simon Keswick for the vital Cycle & Carriage Recognizes Top Performers Cycle & Carriage (C&C) in Singapore has recognized the top performers in aftersales for 2012 in its Mitsubishi, Kia and Citroën operations with an Aftersales Awards night. A total of seven awards were presented to top performers. The Top Counter Sales Package Award went to Harsani Shahri of Kia Leng Kee while the Top Customer Satisfaction Index Award was presented to Matthew Ng of Citroën Leng Kee. Four winners claimed the Top Customer Service Adviser Award – Harsani Shahri, Mitsubishi/Kia Leng Kee; Benny Tay, Citroën Leng Kee; Jeremy Kwok, Mitsubishi/Kia Pandan Gardens; and Andrian De La Cruz, Mitsubishi/ Kia/Citroën CV – Eunos. The inaugural ‘We Drive First Class’ Service Award was carried off by the Alexandra Complex. Both C&C Managing Director Eric Chan and Director of Mitsubishi/Kia/Citroën Operations Alvyn Ang addressed the gathering with Mr Ang outlining the results achieved in 2012 despite the challenges faced. An Inter-Centre Talent Competition was also held with ‘The Pandan Garden Warriors’ carrying off first prize. The team from Cycle & Carriage’s Alexandra Complex celebrates winning the inaugural 2012 ‘We Drive First Class’ Service Award. Dairy Farm Singapore’s Rising Stars Dairy Farm Singapore has identified and shortlisted 12 candidates for its Talent Development Programme (TDP) 2013 after rigorous interviews and a Mini Development Centre process. The annual programme involves training and grooming deserving employees from business units across the group during an arduous nine months of learning, which includes leadership training and handling business projects. Each candidate is guided by a mentor selected by the TDP committee. “The programme not only serves as a good platform to groom Dairy Farm Singapore talent, but it also provides the opportunity for cross-format or department learning to expand the retail exposure of the candidates within the group,” explained Cold Storage Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of TDP Wayne Anderson. Participants in the 2013 Talent Development Programme along with course advisers and Cold Storage executives. People 35 Senior Management Appointments There have been a number of senior management appointments at Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT), Jardine Motors and Dairy Farm Singapore. At JLT, Mike Methley has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Latin America alongside his existing position as Group Chief Operating Officer. In South Africa, Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chislett has also been appointed Chairman. JLT Group Finance Director Mike Reynolds has assumed Group Board responsibility for Risk Management, while Matt Kimber has been appointed Group Head of Risk and Jeremy Eagles, Group Head of Internal Audit. At Jardine Motors, Mark Herbert has been appointed Chief Executive following the retirement of Alun Jones after 27 years with the group. Mr Jones will remain a non-executive director. Craig Beattie who joined the Jardine Matheson Group in 2006 and had been Director of Corporate Finance at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group since 2010. Meanwhile, Leigh Carson has joined 7-Eleven Singapore as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining 7-Eleven, Mr Carson spent the last nine years as CEO of SPAR Supermarkets in Australia. Mark Herbert Mr Herbert has been with the Jardine Matheson Group since 1997 and held various senior finance positions in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Indonesia before moving to Jardine Motors (UK) in 2007 as Finance Director. He has been succeeded in that position by Leigh Carson 60th Jock’s Pot Following an early goal for Swires just three minutes into the match, the half-time score was 1-0. A second goal was added 15 minutes into the second. Despite this setback, Jardines redoubled their efforts and were rewarded with their only goal – a low shot from Ho Kam Lun – only 15 minutes before the final whistle. Knowing that a second goal would be enough to ensure a draw and retain the trophy, Jardines continued to push forward. Unfortunately Swires managed a counter-attack and another goal, which sealed their victory. “It was a very good competitive game, played in the right spirit and one that Swires deserved to win having had the majority of possession and opportunities,” said Jardines Team Manager Benny Chow of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Jardines goalkeeper Adam Keswick stops another attack from Swires during the 60th Jock’s Pot match. Thistle vol.2 2013 The 60th annual Jock’s Pot football match between Jardines and Swires was won by Swires who took home the trophy for the first time in three meetings with a 3-1 victory. ENTERPRISE AT WORK ... Jardine Motors — Wolverhampton Audi The winning team at Wolverhampton Audi. When Jardine Motors acquired Wolverhampton Audi in 2007, the centre had ranked in the bottom quartile of the Audi network’s balanced scorecard for a number of years and both staff morale and the centre’s image were at a low ebb. The first step was to define a new vision – to deliver constant improvement to the experience of staff and customers while becoming a permanent fixture in the Top 10 Audi centres in the UK within five years – and to begin the task of achieving it. “It was clear that the first building block was to foster team spirit and a passion for achieving our goals throughout the centre,” explained Head of Business Steve King. “This needed leading from the front with managers working during key periods at the front of house, setting the tone and feeling the pulse of where we were.” This was supported by weekly updates and a monthly team meeting where the action plan was updated for all and successes, no matter how small, were shared and celebrated, from a customer letter to manufacturer recognition. Regular recognition awards were also introduced such as ‘Employee of the Quarter’, as well as rewards for internal customer service nominated by both staff and management. A colleague Focus Group was created, enabling a more open atmosphere and better communication. Team building initiatives included charitable work where the centre has helped raise over £7,000 (US$11,000) in the last 12 months for local charities, and events for team members and their families such as trips to theme parks. A robust programme for the training and development of employees was implemented, embracing the resources of both Jardines and Audi and including off-site courses and regular smaller coaching sessions where the new culture could be explained and evolved. This subsequently enabled better succession planning where talented employees were nurtured, developed and retained to fulfil key internal promotions. Another key ingredient was the establishment of a performance culture underpinned by weekly in-house leagues across the business. This culminated in an annual awards ceremony held at Wolverhampton Football Club, which recognizes outstanding individual performances and is now in its third year. Customer service was also a priority where core processes were incorporated into the sales, service and back of house departments. However, the overall success of the strategy was truly made possible by the creation of a co-operative and collaborative team spirit, which has seen the original goals become a reality. Wolverhampton Audi has now been a permanent fixture in the Top 5 for Audi UK’s monthly rankings over the past 12 months – and held the number one position for seven of these. At the end of April, it was awarded the highest possible accolade of being named 2012 Dealer of the Year within the Audi franchise. The centre’s customer retention rating has also risen ten points in two years, while staff turnover is down to 21% per annum, way below the brand norm. “The foundations for our success were the need and desire to get it right, first time, every time, but it is the hard work and spirit of the team that has made the greatest difference,” said Mr King. Please address your comments or suggestions regarding Thistle to the Thistle Editor, c/0 Group Corporate Affairs, Jardine Matheson Limited, 48/F Jardine House, Central, Hong Kong gca@jardines.com Thistle is published by Jardine Matheson Limited on behalf of the Jardine Matheson Group. www.jardines.com