Hitech Asia Pacific (Hitech) this year celebrates 15 years of providing our highly sensitive, internationally accredited services to clients from a variety of businesses—something the Australian team is extremely proud of. It is also with great pride that I can announce Hitech has this year been nominated as a finalist for three Australian transport and logistics awards, and reflect on everything we’ve delivered this year.
The Australian Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTA) has nominated Hitech as a finalist for its Excellence in Moving Freight award, and WA Branch Supervisor, Jordan Streeter, as a finalist for the Young Professional of the Year award. CILTA is part of the CILT International network. The Excellence in Moving Freight award recognises an organisation that shows outstanding achievement in the management of freight, while the Young Professional of the Year award recognises the significant achievements and contribution of a young professional, toward their organisation and the broader transport and logistics industry.
Meanwhile the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) has also confirmed Hitech as a finalist for the Supply Chain Management category. SCLAA is Australia’s largest association for supply chain and logistics professionals and practitioners. The Supply Chain Management Award acknowledges the outstanding achievement of an organisation that has demonstrated significant achievement in managing the integration of supply chains.
Hitech partners with its customers to accept delivery of their highly complex and sensitive equipment, store, transport and install goods in customers’ facilities in a manner that is coordinated and minimises inconvenience for stakeholders. One of the most memorable projects this year was the planning, coordination, delivery and installation of a 1000kg blood analyser to Red Cross Perth – managed by Jordan Streeter (finalist for the Young Professional of the Year award).
The blood analyser had to be lifted and installed on the second floor using a 25 tonne franna crane and purpose built cage. Once the cage was positioned and aligned with the second floor, two harnessed Hitech team members strapped the cage to the building wall before moving the machines into place.
Unlike a commodity freight business, where customers are given a ‘window’ for their delivery time, much of Hitech’s work is undertaken after normal business hours to minimise risk, avoid clients’ own customers and allow deliveries to be made efficiently and without disrupting neighbouring streets and businesses. This delivery had the added complication that it needed to be completed within a specified time period due to climate control being a critical factor within the premises.
This is just one example of the meticulous planning process that goes into each and every project.
To be able to deliver these projects, Hitech requires reliable and up-to-date information ‘on the job’ and offsite, which is why we decided to this year invest $150,000 in new technology. The aim of this investment was to help customers efficiently access equipment and place an order for deliveries at the tap of a button—streamlining customer orders and deliveries.
The introduction of a customised android platform has allowed the business’ team of project managers and drivers as well as customers to manage projects on the go.
Having the ability to check delivery details, client and customer records as well as coordinating supplier information related to the transfer of equipment is proving to be an investment that is paying dividends. The new technology has been rolled out across the Hitech business, with the majority of clients now using the platform.
Another highlight this year was becoming the first Australian sensitive logistics company to receive the world’s leading management system standard ISO 9001, for all processes.
Recognised in over 170 countries, ISO 9001 accreditation assesses companies on principles including customer focus, leadership, systems, professional development and relationships.
The ISO 9001 accreditation provides customers with sound evidence that Hitech offers proven, reliable processes and has trusted risk management strategies.
While the ISO 9001 accreditation is testament of the processes and protocols in place, Hitech is continually reviewing how it can improve or implement initiatives that will help customers achieve their business requirements, drive productivity and reduce costs without impacting on service quality; such as creation of the android app.
It is the company’s value-add approach that has led to year-on-year growth over the past 15 years. However it is the hard work of Hitech’s employees that has led to such significant achievements. I for one am proud of what we have accomplished this year.
