From Disruption to Opportunity: Inaugural YCH Asia Supply Chain Summit 2025

Aug 19, 2025 12:00:00 AM

Singapore, 6 August 2025 — YCH Group hosted the YCH Asia Supply Chain Summit 2025 at Supply Chain City®, themed “From Disruption to Opportunity: The Next Era of Asian Supply Chains”. The summit brought together an audience of 200 industry professionals and featured over 20 prominent speakers from government, business, and academia. The event set the stage for collaborative strategies that strengthen resilience, drive sustainability, and unlock long-term growth in Asia’s supply chain ecosystem. 

Graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress, the event also marked a significant milestone with the signing of a Tripartite Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between YCH Group, SkillsFuture Singapore, and NTUC. This strategic partnership reinforces a shared commitment to uplifting SMEs, strengthening workforce capabilities, and driving transformation across the logistics and supply chain sector. 

“As we stand at the crossroads of disruption and transformation, this summit is not just about discussions, but about charting a bold future together,” said Dr. Robert Yap, Executive Chairman of YCH Group. “Our vision is to welcome the best minds into the logistics industry—talent that will push boundaries, embrace innovation, and reimagine what’s possible for our future. Together, we are building a Logistics Superhighway for Asia: one that connects economies, empowers communities, and ensures that our supply chains remain agile, competitive, and sustainable for generations to come.” 

YCH Asia Supply Chain Summit Highlights 

The YCH Asia Supply Chain Summit 2025 serves as a critical platform for strategic dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, unlocking opportunities that will shape the region’s future. 

In the opening presentation, Dr. Yap Kwong Weng, CEO of Vietnam SuperPort™ and Head of Strategy, Sustainability, and Communications at YCH Group, highlighted that disruption has always been the catalyst for progress in trade. “Today’s geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and shifting supply chains demand more than efficiency—they require resilience, agility, and transparency,” remarked Dr. Yap. “The future of logistics lies not just in infrastructure, but in the seamless integration of technology, sustainability, and human capital—powered by collaboration across governments, businesses, and academia.” 

The full-day programme features keynote speeches and five expert-led panel sessions: 

• Sesson 1: From Disruption to Opportunity  

The session reflects how global volatility—from geopolitical rifts to climate shocks—is reshaping supply chains, demanding both resilience and reinvention. Panellists highlighted that disruption, while challenging, also unlocks new avenues for growth. By turning green compliance into a strategic advantage and embracing advanced technologies, Asia’s supply chains can evolve from being reactive to becoming proactive drivers of sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term regional leadership. 

• Session 2: The Future of Talent in the Logistics Industry 

Together, the panellists explored how to build a resilient workforce through skills transformation and leadership development. They highlighted government initiatives to nurture future talent, upskill mid-career professionals, and support sustainable industry growth, while reflecting the rising importance of experiential learning that blends hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world projects. The discussion also examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping the logistics workforce—offering opportunities for innovation but requiring thoughtful transition strategies.  

• Session 3: Innovation in Supply Chain  

The conversation centred on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Panellists examined how AI can be leveraged as a powerful enabler rather than a replacement—augmenting human capabilities, improving operational efficiency, and enabling faster, data-driven decision-making. They also explored the broader ecosystem impact, from government-backed initiatives to encourage AI adoption, to the long-term competitive advantages that come from embedding intelligent technologies across the supply chain. While perspectives varied, the consensus was clear: AI is here to stay, and those who integrate it strategically will redefine the future of logistics. 

• Session 4: Convergent Commerce  

The panellists examined the rapid expansion of Asia’s e-commerce market and the evolving demands it places on supply chains. They discussed how technology is being harnessed to scale logistics operations, the challenges of managing cross-border flows, and the structural barriers that could shape the sector’s trajectory. A key takeaway was the recognition that success in convergent commerce depends not only on operational excellence, but also on the understanding of consumers’ increasingly blended online and offline shopping behaviours. 

• Session 5: Humanitarian Logistics  

“Good logistics in humanitarian response is about delivering the right aid, to the right people, at the right time, as efficiently and ethically as possible. Effective logistics can mean the difference between life and death during a crisis,” said Mr. Benjamin William, CEO of the Singapore Red Cross.  

The discussion examined today’s overlapping crises—from climate disasters to geopolitical instability—and highlighted the vital role of humanitarian logistics in mounting timely, coordinated responses. Panellists stressed the need for agility, resilience, and equity, with innovation and talent development as key to preparing the next generation of humanitarian logisticians. 

A Strategic Collaboration for Industry Transformation 

Through the Tripartite Partnership, YCH Group will act as an anchor enterprise—mentoring SMEs, accelerating digitalisation, and championing best practices to uplift the entire logistics ecosystem. 

This initiative aligns with Singapore’s position as a global logistics hub, reinforcing its leadership in regional integration and sustainable development. It builds on YCH Group’s mission to transform supply chain and logistics into a strategic enabler of economic growth, innovation, and societal impact. 

A Milestone for Regional Collaboration and Transformation 

The summit catalyses actionable partnerships, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector collaboration—empowering industry to respond to disruptions with resilience, agility, and sustainability. As the region advances towards deeper integration and greener, smarter supply chains, YCH Group remains committed to transforming challenges into opportunities, cultivating talent, harnessing innovation, and building an ecosystem where businesses, communities, and economies can thrive collectively in the next era of Asian supply chains. 

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About YCH Group   

YCH Group is Singapore’s leading homegrown end-to-end supply chain solutions provider, with a presence in over 100 cities across the Asia Pacific. YCH focuses on boosting productivity and sustainability for its customers with its proprietary best-in-class suite of award-winning solutions across industries such as fast-moving consumer goods, electronics, chemical and healthcare, cold chain logistics, and e-Commerce. A strong proponent of innovation, YCH is recognised for its 7PL™ approach in seamlessly integrating supply chain strategy with execution. Its leadership in initiatives like the ASEAN Smart Logistics Network (ASLN) underscores its pivotal role in advancing the goals of regional frameworks and multilateral trade agreements, such as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

About Supply Chain City® 

Supply Chain City® is Asia’s premier supply chain nerve centre, combining world-class warehousing capabilities with state-of-the-art offices and amenities. Officially launched in September 2017 as the headquarters of YCH Group within Singapore’s Jurong Innovation District, this 2-million square-foot facility embodies the culmination of industry expertise and cutting-edge technologies to drive greater connectivity across the region. Serving as a catalyst for advancing industry best practices, Supply Chain City® plays a pivotal role in supporting Singapore’s growth as a leading global logistics hub. 

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