Background

The logistics industry in Malaysia has a huge turnover though highly competitive. Established in 2015, Mekar Angkut Sdn Bhd was set up to tap on this market with a dream to capture a respectable share of the transportation of goods segment. A subsidiary company of Konsortium E-Mutiara Berhad (KEMB), Mekar Angkut Sdn Bhd (Mekar Angkut) started their business by providing towing services for passenger cars and for quick local deliveries of goods via a one-tonner. The seeds that were planted into Mekar Angkut, such as establishing good strong business contacts and networking, finally bore fruit.

In October 2019, Scania Malaysia handed-over 5 Scania G360A4x2NA as Mekar Angkut first Scania purchase to a proud Mr Khairul Anam Che Ibrahim (Anam), at the Scania New Truck Generation Test & Drive 2019 event at the Malaysia Agro Exhibition Park, Serdang (MAEPS).

The main core business of Mekar Angkut is fleet car carrier service, fuel carrier and single car carrier. Measuring between 15-19 metres, the car carriers are able to fit up to a maximum of 7 vehicles depending on the sizes of the vehicles.

“I was fortunate enough to have KEMB as the parent company and with my parents at the helm of both KEMB and Mekar Angkut. The management experience that they have garnered and developed since the mid 1970s and applied to Mekar Angkut business practices is priceless and serves as a firewall against any mishap that I might make in running the company,” stated Anam.

The Scania Advantage

Mekar Angkut began to market their car carrying service at the beginning of 2019 when they became focused and decided that was the segment that they are going to pursue. After the delivery of the 5 trucks were completed in December 2019, Mekar Angkut secured a major Mazda contract that requires it to collect Mazda vehicles from the assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah and deliver them to both Westport and Northport for export to Philippines. Mekar Angkut also delivers Mazda vehicles to Bermaz retail outlets all over Malaysia. Apart from Mazda, it also delivers Perodua and other brands. In fact, further requests from other brand owners to have their vehicles carried have to be put on queue due to demand exceeding supply.

Another business that Mekar Angkut secured in 2020 was from Sime Darby and it is for the transportation of Palm Oil Soda via tankers to and from refineries. Due to the increase in business in both categories of transportation, Mekar Angkut will purchase another 10 more Scania trucks, splitting them 5 units each way. A deal should be concluded anytime soon.

Mekar Angkut have managed to successfully secure contracts by marketing its Scania New Truck Generation with new advanced features and the excellent after-sales service that complements them. The Scania’s reputation of offering sustainable transport solutions to its customers equates to a maximum uptime assurance for the trucks. Mekar Angkut’s customers are in turn assured of a well-oiled service hassle-free. The savings in fuel consumption lowering the cost of operations all-round will allow Mekar Angkut to maintain premium servicing to its customers and gain their confidence resulting in a steady and prolonged business relationship.

“In short, as soon as our potential customers knew that we offer to carry their vehicles or goods with the Scania New Truck Generation, they will almost always agree to use our services, simple as that,” stated Anam.

The ease of recruiting drivers to handle Scania trucks

The recruitment of the drivers was no easy task as Mekar Angkut had to sieve through a considerable number of enthusiastic applicants as they were informed that the successful candidates will be driving the highly advanced Scania New Truck Generation. The minimum number of years experience required was 10 and the Executive Chairman, Tuan Haji Che Ibrahim Che Ismail aka Pak Nik exerted his experience and together with Anam conducted the interviews and picked the most suitable drivers for the car carriers.

The Scania Ecolution

For the first month of operation, the drivers were allowed a free hand to drive the Scania vehicles as per their own standards but with the Scania Ecolution agreement signed Mekar had the benefit of the Fleet Management System Control package 10 in the second month to detect improvement areas for even the most experienced drivers. The Scania training and coaching that came next determined what needs to be improved in terms of the drivers’ behavior in reducing harsh braking, idling time, speeding and increasing coasting.

To achieve the Scania Ecolution agreement’s objective, the drivers’ commitment in increasing their skill level up to the standards set by Scania is important. They have to drive the Scania trucks with the knowledge that these Scania trucks have the capacity to give them a safe and comfortable drive, yet able to lower the fuel consumption and reduce the emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

The very near future

As the first major manufacturer of heavy commercial vehicles, Scania’s far-reaching climate targets have officially been approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Scania is committed to achieving the Paris agreement goals of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Hence, the introduction of Scania Ecolution that has proven to be an effective sustainability measure beneficial for both Scania and its customers, and of course, the environment.

Mekar Angkut, still a very young company by comparison to other transporters, is growing up fast and catching up to the big boys in its chosen market. Working with Scania Ecolution will not only speed up the growth rate but will also ensure Mekar Angkut of achieving sustainability from Scania’s total solution package in increasing its profitability while answering the call for a reduction in carbon footprint.

Mekar Angkut will never be able to compare Scania with another brand as it has held the faith for the Scania brand for more than 30 years via KEMB. The trust that Mekar Angkut has towards Scania is unshakeable and both organization can only expect better times ahead, especially Mekar Angkut’s objective of being the No.1 Bumiputra Logistics Provider in the very near future.