Dear readers,
This year is significant for DKSH as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. To celebrate 150 years of helping companies expand into new and existing markets, I am very pleased to present you with this special edition publication which explores various aspects relating to both the future of our industry, Market Expansion Services (MES), and the Asian region in which we operate.
We have brought together a collection of perspectives from economic, business and academic leaders who are changing the world across different sectors and industries. The impressive list of contributors speaks for itself. Their fresh and insightful viewpoints contribute to articles within the three sections: the future of Asia, market expansion perspectives and the evolving customer.
Over the past few months, worries about slowing economies in Asia have been increasing. We at DKSH however have experienced over many decades that it seems to be in the nature of both the financial markets and the media to hype Asian markets, then quickly switch to denigrating them, before starting the whole round of hype again. Comparisons have been made to the so-called “Asian crisis” in 1997, with catchphrases such as “lack of reforms,” “institutional weaknesses” and “structural deficits” surfacing yet again. In reality, the situation is fundamentally different. Asia – most notably China – has moved on significantly and made huge investments in technology, capital and manpower.
DKSH has achieved strong growth since 2002, the year the three predecessor companies merged, and created more than 13,500 jobs which reflects the ongoing attractiveness of our business model. DKSH is ideally positioned to benefit from the following growth drivers: rapid growth of the middle classes and the huge pent-up demand of those who have not yet participated in the economic upturn, rising intra-Asian trade and increased outsourcing to specialist services providers.
Our in-depth knowledge of local markets and pan-Asian footprint are the foundation of our success and were built up because of our long and rewarding history in Asia.
The DKSH story is one of entrepreneurship and adventure. Independently of each other, three young Swiss entrepreneurs made their way to Asia, founded their own companies and laid the foundations for today’s Asia trade. This exciting journey charts the transformation of Asia from being the focus of the major trading nations in Europe and the USA to becoming an active growth driver in today’s global economy.
This publication is a celebration of our past, present and future. We hope that the articles provide you with as much inspiration as they have for us; to ensure that we continuously take our services to a new level, add value to our partners and help them to achieve unprecedented success in Asia.
I would like to extend my personal thanks to all those who have contributed to this publication. For any comments, please contact us.
With best regards,
Dr. Joerg Wolle
President & CEO