Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Journey in Logistics
Breaking Barriers: Women Shaping the Future of Logistics
In the past decade, there is an increase in female participation in the workforce. With more women exploring alternative career paths, including traditionally male-dominated fields such as logistics, especially in light of COVID-19.
Despite this growing interest, logistics has long been perceived as a masculine domain, often associated with physical labor. However, with the rise of e-commerce and global trade, logistics has garnered increased attention, prompting a re-evaluation of traditional gender roles.
In 2022, Haulio, along with several other logistics firms in Singapore, signed an MOU with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to redesign jobs and improve workplaces for women. With 50% of females in Haulio’s Singapore team, we aim to challenge gender stereotypes in the industry and foster a nurturing and inclusive workplace for all to thrive.
This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the resilience, determination, and invaluable contributions of women across various industries, including logistics.
From Operations Executive to Country Head in Haulio
Hear from Kelly, one of the many trailblazers for women in logistics, who journeyed from an operations executive to her current role as Country Head at Haulio.
Kelly recalls, “I began my journey in logistics at DHL in 2002 as an Operations Executive. From there, I transitioned to Sembcorp, where I had the opportunity to pursue a double masters in the United States. After completing my studies, I returned to headquarters to focus on pre and post sales solutions.”
Kelly’s journey progressed as she transitioned from Sembcorp, where she was recruited by one of her previous bosses to join their business as part of the management team. Subsequently, Kelly moved on to Luxasia and Martin Brewer, where she managed profit and loss spectrums and led teams across multiple countries in Asia.
Trends and Developments in the Logistics Industry
Women are underrepresented in the logistics and trucking industry. With more women joining the workforce in the past decade, the traditionally male-dominated logistics industry is undergoing a profound transformation.
The rise of female leaders demonstrates the untapped potential women bring to the table, marking a significant victory for diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. This paradigm shift reinforces the belief that talent and leadership transcend gender barriers, highlighting that success hinges on capability and vision rather than gender.
"Digitalisation has been a game-changer for the logistics industry, opening up new opportunities for women professionals."
- Kelly
Throughout her career, Kelly witnessed the evolution of the logistics industry and its impact on women professionals. She said, “When I started at DHL in 2002, there were very few women in executive positions, and I often found myself the only female in meetings. However, over the years, I’ve seen a positive shift towards greater gender diversity, particularly during my time at Luxasia.”
Gender diversity which Kelly attributes to the influence of the beauty industry, which encouraged more women to join the logistics field. In recent years, the logistics industry has undergone a significant transformation fuelled by digitalisation and technological advancements. These innovations have revolutionized operations, enabling real-time monitoring, optimized routing, and precise inventory management.
This shift towards automation has not only improved productivity but also opened new opportunities for women professionals, as physical strength is no longer a prerequisite for success in the sector.
“Digitalisation has been a game-changer for the logistics industry, opening up new opportunities for women professionals. With tasks becoming increasingly automated, physical strength is no longer a prerequisite for success in the sector. This has paved the way for greater inclusivity and diversity in the industry, which is incredibly empowering”, she mentions.
Advice for Aspiring Women in Logistics
In the face of rapid digitisation and automation, Kelly has some invaluable advice to aspiring women in logistics, “My advice would be to embrace change and always remain open to exploring solutions from different angles. In this fast-paced industry, there’s always room for innovation and improvement. Additionally, we strive to be better each day and seek out opportunities for growth and development. With dedication and determination, women can thrive and make significant contributions to the logistics sector.”
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, let’s honour the accomplishments of women in the logistics sector who have broken barriers and paved the way for gender equality and inclusivity. Their success highlights the triumph of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment, emphasizing that talent and leadership transcend gender boundaries.
References:
- https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-women-finding-roles-logistics-industry
- https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Force-Participation-and-Employment-Rates-Chart.aspx
- https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/10-logistics-firms-sign-mou-with-ntuc-to-redesign-jobs-improve-workplaces-for-women
- https://www.sla.org.sg/hive/sla/news/505
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/haulio_haulio-logistics-inclusive-activity-6965579358124072961-HwqS
